Ep. 145: Debunking Balanced Literacy Arguments with Pamela Snow

Pamela Snow, professor at Latrobe University in Australia, discusses the arguments that keep surfacing when educators are resistant to move away from balanced literacy. You might have heard a few: 

• Systematic phonics teaching is just for Tier 2.
• The goal of balanced literacy is for children to love reading. 
• Explicit teaching kills the love of reading. 
• Give them time, they’ll catch on or catch up. 
• Teachers should choose what they think is best. 

Pam’s blog post, Balanced Literacy Bingo, debunks each idea listed above and more. 

Resources

• The Snow Report Blog and Balanced Literacy Bingo
• A School Leader’s Sliding Doors Moment by Sue Knight 
• Dear Balanced Literacy Teacher Podcast and Blog 
• La Trobe University’s Short Courses: Introduction, Intermediate, Secondary and Masters in Linguistics

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