A Novel Idea: The History of the Science of Reading Movement

In this eight-episode documentary podcast series, host Meg Mechelke explores the history of literacy instruction in the United States, starting from the Age of Enlightenment and progressing to the development of controversies and debates that are still happening today. We will define and discuss hot-button literacy terms and concepts, such as “Reading Recovery,” “the cueing system,” and “structured literacy.” We will examine the historical roots of instructional approaches such as look-say and whole language. And we will work to understand how these ideas became commonplace in classrooms across the country.

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