The Literacy View podcast is dedicated to providing educators and parents with Breaking News and cutting-edge research in literacy instruction. Nicknamed by one of their listeners as the “Spice Girls of Literacy,” Faith and Judy, two veteran educators who still work in the trenches, bring their expertise, senses of humor, and passion for literacy instruction to the show, making it an engaging and informative experience for listeners. Never shying away from controversial topics and guests, and frequently disagreeing with each other, the hosts break down complex research into easy-to-understand takeaways and provide actionable solutions that teachers and parents can use in their classrooms and at home. And, they are never afraid to good-naturedly call BS or cheer on their guests or each other when a point or item of discussion excites them. In fact, they have “BS” and “cheer” buttons at the ready for that very purpose! With their engaging format and wealth of knowledge, Faith and Judy are sure to help you take your teaching to the next level! It is no wonder that so many of their guests and listeners consider the Literacy View their favorite, can’t-miss podcast in the literacy space. Have fun and learn at the same time! * You can find more information about The Literacy View on their website: https://theliteracyview.com/
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Discover shows related to The Literacy View, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Districts are spending millions on shiny new reading programs. So why are so many scores stuck?
Shawn Datchuk, professor of special education at the University of Iowa and former director of the Iowa Reading Research Center, helps schools choose reading materials. Teachers keep asking him the same question: will any of these actually help my kids learn to read? His honest answer may surprise you.
Our promise: In under 30 minutes, you'll stop guessing about your reading program and start knowing what to look for, what to question, and what to do on Monday.
You'll walk away knowing:
Why "state-approved" doesn't mean "proven to work"
How to read EdReports and The Reading League reviews like an expert
Why scores often dip in year one, and when to worry
The questions to ask before your district signs the next contract
How to get results from the program you already have
Whether your school just adopted a new curriculum or is about to, this episode saves you time, money, and frustration.
📖 Read the article: "New Reading Textbooks, Same Problem: Why Children's Reading Scores in the US Aren't Rising" by Shawn M. Datchuk, The Conversation (April 2026) https://doi.org/10.64628/AAI.cmaeawstq
No hype. No sales pitch. Just the research and what it means for your kids.
Real Teachers. Unbiased. Unafraid.
📩 Judy@TheLiteracyView.com 🎧 This episode is brought to you by Decodify. Listeners get an exclusive 5% off. Link in the show notes.
Dyslexia Awareness-Live Panel-Film Screening “Let Us Read”
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
The HOW: Building Knowledge That Makes Readers Stronger | Daniel Willingham
Episode 174
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 • Duration 37:00
Ep.174
The How: Building Knowledge That Makes Readers Stronger (with Daniel Willingham)
Hey, no BS besties. Decoding gets kids in the door, but it doesn't carry them through a text. Comprehension depends on what readers already know about the world, and that knowledge doesn't build itself.
In this episode, I'm joined by Daniel Willingham, cognitive psychologist at the University of Virginia and author of The Reading Mind and Why Don't Students Like School? Last time we dug into the research behind why knowledge matters so much for reading. Today is all about the how: what building knowledge actually looks like in a real classroom, with real kids and real time limits.
In this episode:
Why strong decoders can still struggle to understand what they read
How background knowledge shapes comprehension
What knowledge building looks like in daily instruction
How to connect texts and topics so learning sticks
Where teachers can start tomorrow without overhauling everything
This episode is sponsored by Decodify. Unlock the code. Own the word. The Literacy View listeners get an exclusive 5% off. Learn more at decodifylearning.com
Listen and watch: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music
Rediscovering Knowledge as the Key to Reading with Daniel Willingham: The Why
Episode 173
Saturday, September 19, 2026 • Duration 49:44
Rediscovering Knowledge as the Key to Reading with Daniel Willingham: The Why
Ep.173
Value
For years, comprehension instruction leaned almost entirely on skills and strategies. Strategies have a place, but they can't do the heavy lifting alone. In this episode, I sit down with cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham to dig into the why behind "Rediscovering Knowledge as the Key to Reading," the Education Next article he wrote with E. D. Hirsch Jr. We talk about why kids can decode every word and still not understand a text, why writers leave information out on purpose, and why background knowledge is what fills those gaps. You'll learn where strategies fit, why "they can just look it up" doesn't hold up, and how a knowledge-rich curriculum strengthens learning in every subject, especially for students with the fewest chances to build knowledge outside of school.
Promise
By the end of this episode, you'll see how knowledge and strategies work together, and why knowledge has to lead. You'll know exactly how to explain this to your colleagues, your principal, and your families, backed by what the research actually says. You'll look at your curriculum, your text sets, and your lessons with sharper eyes and know what to keep, what to question, and what to build. No fluff. No BS. Just clarity you can use right away.
Spelling “The How” and Practical Tips With Sean Morrisey
Episode 172
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • Duration 46:07
Ep.172
Value
Spelling often gets squeezed out of the literacy block, treated as a Friday list test or handed off to spell-check. In this episode, I'm joined by Sean Morrisey, fifth grade teacher, former school psychologist, and creator of The Word Mapping Project, to break down Timothy Shanahan's article on the essential fundamentals of spelling instruction. The article pulls together advice from five leading word experts: Donald Bear, Peter Bowers, Richard Gentry, Steve Graham, and Louisa Moats. Research is clear that explicit spelling instruction improves spelling, reading, and writing. Sean and I dig into what that instruction should actually look like: teaching the patterns and principles behind the words, the complexity of English spelling, the connection between spelling and meaning, and how spelling fits into daily word study and writing.
Promise
By the end of this episode, you will know what to look for in a spelling program and what to change in your current practice. You will walk away understanding why memorizing weekly word lists falls short, how to build a stronger word list that teaches a real principle (including exceptions), how to connect spelling to phonics, morphology, vocabulary, and student writing, and how to keep spelling engaging without losing rigor. Whether you are a classroom teacher, coach, or school leader choosing curriculum, you will have clear, research-based guidance you can use right away.
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Breaking Down Shanahan’s “Essential Fundamentals of Spelling Instruction” | Guest: Sean Morrisey
Episode 171
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • Duration 46:01
Ep.171
Hey No BS Besties!
Let’s talk about spelling.
In this episode, Sean Morrisey and I break down Timothy Shanahan’s Essential Fundamentals of Spelling Instruction and, more importantly, talk about the WHY behind effective spelling instruction.
VALUE
Spelling is not just about memorizing a list of words. It is connected to phonics, orthography, morphology, reading, and writing.
We take a closer look at what the research tells us about spelling instruction and why it matters for literacy.
PROMISE
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of why we teach spelling the way we do and what students really need from spelling instruction.
And this is just the beginning.
This is the WHY episode.
Next episode, Sean and I get into the HOW. What does this actually look like in the classroom?
So listen to the WHY now, and come back for the HOW.
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
The Small Group Phonics Shift That Changes Everything with Wiley Blevins
Episode 170
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • Duration 01:16:20
Value: Differentiating phonics instruction can feel overwhelming, especially when students have a wide range of needs. In this episode, Wiley Blevins shares practical guidance for using small-group instruction to provide targeted support while maintaining access to grade-level learning. Listeners will gain research-informed insights and classroom-ready ideas for making phonics instruction more responsive and effective.
Promise: By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to organize and use small groups to maximize student growth, support diverse learners, and strengthen phonics instruction without adding unnecessary complexity to your teaching day.
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
If Students Aren’t Doing the Thinking, They Aren’t Learning | Zaretta Hammond
Episode 169
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 • Duration 41:39
Ep.169 Value
This episode will challenge the way you think about engagement, rigor, and student learning. Zaretta Hammond shares practical, research-backed insights on how to create classrooms where students are doing the real cognitive work instead of passively participating. You’ll walk away with actionable ideas to strengthen thinking, discussion, productive struggle, and equity in instruction.
Promise
No fluff. No performative engagement. No “sit and get” learning. Just an honest conversation about what actually helps students think deeply, build learning power, and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜
Why Most School Initiatives Fail and What Actually Works-Live from researchED
Episode 168
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 • Duration 21:43
Ep.168
Value
In this episode of The Literacy View, we have an amazing conversation with Assistant Superintendent Lynn Gaffney about why so many school initiatives fail and what actually leads to meaningful, lasting change. We dig into the realities of implementation, initiative overload, leadership decisions, and what schools need to stop doing if they want improvement efforts to truly stick.
Promise
An honest, practical conversation for educators and leaders who are tired of watching schools jump from one initiative to the next without real results. No buzzwords. No fluff. Just real talk about what actually works when it comes to improving schools and supporting students and teachers.
Bio-Lynn Gaffney is the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction and Chief Diversity Officer for the Watertown City School District. Passionate about empowering student success, she is committed to supporting educators, strengthening instructional practices, and creating school systems where all students can thrive academically and personally.
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Decodify is a supplemental, structured literacy toolkit that allows for reading practice in an engaging, purposeful, and educational format. It helps students unlock the code and own the word. For an exclusive 5 % discount on your decodify purchase email Judy@theliteracyview.com
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today
Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite me to Your Event
