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Sold a Story Podcast: all episodes' AI transcripts and summaries

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Podcast: Sold a Story

Sold a Story

Description: Millions of kids can't read well. Scientists have known for decades how children learn to read, but many schools don’t know about the research. They buy teacher training and books that are rooted in a disproven idea. In Sold a Story, Emily Hanford investigates four authors and a publishing company that have made millions selling this idea.

Category: Society & Culture

All Episodes

10: The Details with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2024-04-11
Duration: 00:31:15
Summary: In this episode of "Sold a Story," the impact of the science of reading movement is explored through personal narratives from teachers, students, and parents.

Zoe Gall reflects on her reading journey amid ineffective curriculums, while Christine Cronin addresses the evolving perceptions among teachers regarding scientific methods. Mark Seidenberg highlights the complexities of implementing these practices and the risk of overwhelming students with unnecessary details. The episode underscores the need for evidence-based reading instruction and a balanced approach that allows for implicit learning, calling for thoughtful reform in literacy education.

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Shownotes: Some of the teachers, students, parents and researchers we met in Sold a Story talk about the impact the podcast has had on their lives

and in schools — and share some of their hopes and concerns about the “science of reading” movement. Portraits: Zoe and Lee Gaul, Christine Cronin, Reid Lyon Email us: [email protected] Video: Mark Seidenberg at Yale Article: Seidenberg on translating the science Article: Lyon’s most important findingsRead: Transcript of this episode Donate: Support APM Reports More: soldastory.org Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

9: The Aftermath with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2024-04-04
Duration: 00:27:35
Summary: In the episode "9: The Aftermath," the podcast "Sold a Story" explores significant changes in reading instruction approaches in schools nationwide, particularly moving away from

balanced literacy methods favored by educators like Lucy Calkins. New York City's chancellor, David Banks, criticizes these methods, advocating for a focus on the science of reading. The episode delves into the resistance faced by some educators, highlighting challenges for the Reading Recovery Council and Heinemann, both struggling financially as schools shift towards evidence-based practices. These transformations are indicative of a broader reevaluation of reading instruction methodologies.

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Shownotes: Schools around the country are changing the way they teach reading. And that is having major consequences for people who sold the flawed idea we

investigated in Sold a Story. But Lucy Calkins, Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell are fighting back — and fighting to stay relevant. And so are organizations that promoted their work: the Reading Recovery Council of North America and the publisher Heinemann. Read: Two universities stick with a discredited idea - Transcript of this episode - Donate to APM - soldastory.org Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

Introducing: Sold a Story en español with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2024-03-19
Duration: 00:06:19
Summary: The episode introduces 'Sold a Story en español,' hosted by Valeria Fernández, which targets Spanish-speaking parents in the U.S. It addresses the challenges faced by

children who learn to read English while speaking Spanish at home. The discussion includes the nuances of the translation process and highlights the need for greater awareness among parents about reading instruction methods used in American schools, emphasizing that English can be a particularly difficult language for young learners.

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Shownotes: A Spanish adaptation of Sold a Story is now available. Hosted by journalist Valeria Fernández, the podcast is condensed into one 58-minute episode, plus a

conversation between Fernández and Emily Hanford for Spanish-speaking parents whose children are learning to read English in American schools. - Listen or share: Sold a Story en español - Learn more: soldastory.es

8: The Impact with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2023-05-18
Duration: 00:24:33
Summary: In the episode "The Impact" from the podcast "Sold a Story" by APM Reports, significant legislative changes surrounding reading instruction are explored. With a growing

emphasis on the 'science of reading,' states like Indiana are moving towards mandating scientifically-backed approaches to reading education over traditional methods. However, concerns arise about the rush to adopt new curricula and the need for comprehensive teacher training and assessment to address inherent issues. Additionally, there is skepticism about the true meaning of 'science of reading,' with calls for a broader, more effective educational framework that integrates various methodologies alongside phonics.

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Shownotes: Across the country, school districts are dropping textbooks, state legislatures are going so far as to ban teaching methods, and everyone, it seems, is talking

about "the science of reading." Things have been changing since Sold a Story was released. In this episode, we tell you about some of the changes and what we think about them. Read: Legislators look to change reading instruction More: soldastory.org Donate to support Sold a Story and other journalism from APM Reports. EXTENDED READING Blog: Seidenberg on translating research into practice Article: Goldenberg, Goldberg on premortem (paywall) | Excerpt Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

7: Your Words with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2023-05-11
Duration: 00:25:10
Summary: In this episode of 'Sold a Story,' listeners share their heartfelt experiences related to reading challenges, revealing personal struggles with education systems. A mother expresses

her enthusiasm for the podcast, while a 10-year-old describes his obstacles in learning to read. Educators also reflect on their ineffective teaching methods, highlighting systemic flaws in literacy education. The emotional impact of these realizations prompts a reevaluation of reading instruction practices, emphasizing the need for effective methodologies and acknowledgment of educational inequalities. The episode showcases the podcast's profound influence on families and educators alike.

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Shownotes: Voicemails, emails, tweets: We got a lot of messages from people after they heard Sold a Story. In this episode, we bring you some of

their voices. A 10-year-old figures out why he has struggled to read. A mom stays up late to binge the podcast. A teacher confirms what he's suspected for years — he's not really teaching kids how to read. Read: Messages from our listeners More: soldastory.org Donate to support Sold a Story and other journalism from APM Reports. Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

Brains On: How Do We Learn to Read — and Why is It Hard? with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2023-04-11
Duration: 00:37:51
Summary: In this episode of Brains On, Emily Hanford explores the challenges children face when learning to read, emphasizing the emotional impact and the need for

structured reading instruction. The episode highlights the importance of decoding and language comprehension as essential components of successful reading. Many children struggle with ineffective teaching methods, such as the whole-word approach, which relies on memorization rather than phonetic understanding. The discussion also covers the literacy crisis linked to these teaching methods, urging educators to adopt evidence-based instructional strategies. Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to seek help and understand that learning to read is a gradual process that requires perseverance.

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Shownotes: This week we have an episode of a show called Brains On. It’s a science podcast for kids from our colleagues at APM. In this

episode, Emily joins the Brains On hosts to talk about how people learn to read. Grab the kids in your life and listen to this special episode made for kids and curious adults.More: brainson.orgSupport our show: Donate to APM ReportsDive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

What the Words Say with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2023-04-06
Duration: 00:53:04
Summary: In the episode "What the Words Say," APM Reports' Emily Hanford explores the challenges in reading instruction across the U.S., particularly affecting children from low-income

families and communities of color. The episode reveals how miscommunication about children's reading levels and inadequate teacher training contribute to educational disparities, resulting in many students falling behind. Notably, the importance of effective reading practices, grounded in cognitive science, is emphasized, alongside the urgent need for reform in reading education to address these systemic issues.

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Shownotes: There are kids like C.J. all over the country. Schools tell their parents they are reading at grade level, but the kids are not. And

whether they ever get the help they need can depend a lot on their family income and their race. In this documentary, originally published in August 2020, host Emily Hanford shows that America’s approach to reading instruction is having an especially devastating impact on children of color.Read more: Children of color are far less likely to get the help they needSupport this show: Donate to APM ReportsDive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

At a Loss for Words: What's Wrong with How Schools Teach Reading with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2023-03-30
Duration: 00:53:19
Summary: In 'At a Loss for Words: What's Wrong with How Schools Teach Reading', host Emily Hanford examines Molly Woodworth's reading struggles and highlights systemic flaws

in reading instruction based on outdated theories. The episode contrasts whole-word and phonics approaches, detailing how reliance on context-based guessing impedes literacy development. Research indicates phonics instruction is more effective for skilled reading. The podcast argues for a critical reevaluation of reading curricula, emphasizing the essential role of phonemic awareness and orthographic mapping in fostering reading skills aligned with scientific understanding.

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Shownotes: Molly Woodworth had a secret: She couldn’t read very well. She fought her way through text by looking at the first letter of a word

and thinking of something that made sense. Reading was slow and laborious. Then she learned that her daughter's school was actually teaching kids to read that way. In this documentary, originally published in August 2019, host Emily Hanford reveals that many kids are being taught the habits of struggling readers. Winner of a Gracie Award and finalist for an EWA Public Service Award. Read more: How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readersSupport this show: Donate to APM ReportsDive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

Hard Words: Why Aren't Our Kids Being Taught to Read? with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2023-03-23
Duration: 00:52:20
Summary: In the episode "Hard Words: Why Aren't Our Kids Being Taught to Read?" by APM Reports, Jack Silva, the Bethlehem school district's chief academic officer,

confronts alarming reading proficiency rates, revealing that just 56% of third graders meet state standards. The episode investigates the discrepancies between scientific research on reading and the educational standards currently in practice. It discusses the ongoing debate between phonics and whole language instruction, highlighting that effective reading education necessitates explicit phonics instruction. The narrative underscores the urgency for educational reform to enhance literacy outcomes, especially for disadvantaged students.

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Shownotes: Jack Silva had a problem. He was the chief academic officer of a school district in Pennsylvania, and more than 40% of the kids in

his district were not proficient readers. He didn't know much about how kids learn to read, but he knew he had to figure it out. Originally published in September 2018, this documentary helped ignite a national conversation about the science of reading. Winner of an EWA Public Service Award.Read more: Why aren't kids being taught to read?Read in Spanish: Translation by AptusSupport this show: Donate to APM ReportsDive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

Hard to Read: How American Schools Fail Kids with Dyslexia with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2023-03-16
Duration: 00:53:35
Summary: In this episode of "Sold a Story" by APM Reports, titled "Hard to Read: How American Schools Fail Kids with Dyslexia," the systemic failures in

the American educational system regarding dyslexia are explored. Parents like Pam face significant challenges in obtaining necessary support for their dyslexic children, compounded by a lack of acknowledgment from schools. Despite scientific knowledge on effective reading methods, a shortage of resources and outdated teaching approaches hinder proper interventions. The episode emphasizes the urgent need for systemic change, including improved teacher training and recognition of dyslexia in schools to ensure that students receive the education they deserve.

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Shownotes: The parents knew something wasn’t right. The school said everything would be fine. But their kids weren’t learning how to read. In this documentary, originally

published in September 2017, we look at why kids with dyslexia have a hard time getting the help they need in school.Read more: How American schools fail kids with dyslexiaQ&A: What is dyslexia, with neuroscientist Guinevere EdenSupport this show: Donate to APM ReportsDive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

6: The Reckoning with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2022-11-17
Duration: 00:42:07
Shownotes: Lucy Calkins says she has learned from the science of reading. She's revised her materials. Fountas and Pinnell have not revised theirs. Their publisher, Heinemann,

is still selling some products to teach reading that contain debunked practices. Parents, teachers and lawmakers want answers. Map: How states approach reading instruction Organize: Sold a Story discussion guide Read: Transcript of this episode Support: Donate to APM Reports More: soldastory.org En español: soldastory.es Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

5: The Company with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2022-11-10
Duration: 00:47:24
Shownotes: Teachers call books published by Heinemann their bibles. The company's products are in schools all over the country. Some of the products used to teach

reading are rooted in a debunked idea about how children learn to read. But they've made the company and some of its authors millions. Map: Heinemann’s national reach Read: Transcript of this episode Support: Donate to APM Reports More: soldastory.org En español: soldastory.es Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

4: The Superstar with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2022-11-03
Duration: 00:33:42
Shownotes: Teachers sing songs about Lucy Calkins. The longtime professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College is one of the most influential people in American elementary education

today. Her admirers call her books bibles. Why didn't she know that scientific research contradicted reading strategies she promoted? Read: Transcript of this episode Support: Donate to APM Reports More: soldastory.org En español: soldastory.es Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

3: The Battle with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2022-10-27
Duration: 00:41:22
Shownotes: President George W. Bush made improving reading instruction a priority. He got Congress to provide money to schools that used reading programs supported by scientific

research. But backers of Marie Clay’s ideas saw Bush’s Reading First initiative as a threat. Read: Transcript of this episode Support: Donate to APM Reports More: soldastory.org En español: soldastory.es Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

2: The Idea with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2022-10-20
Duration: 00:51:24
Shownotes: Sixty years ago, Marie Clay developed a way to teach reading she said would help kids who were falling behind. They’d catch up and never

need help again. Today, her program remains popular, and her theory about how people read is at the root of a lot of reading instruction in schools. But Marie Clay was wrong. Read: Emily Hanford’s reading list Read: Transcript of this episode Support: Donate to APM Reports More: soldastory.org En español: soldastory.es Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.

1: The Problem with full AI transcript and summary

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Update: 2022-10-20
Duration: 00:32:48
Shownotes: Lee Gaul watches his daughter’s lessons during Zoom school and discovers a dismaying truth: She can't read. Little Zoe isn't the only one. Sixty-five percent

of fourth graders in the United States are not proficient readers. Kids need to learn specific skills to become good readers, and in many schools, those skills are not being taught. Read: Emily Hanford’s reading list Read: Transcript of this episode Support: Donate to APM Reports More: soldastory.org En español: soldastory.es Dive deeper into Sold a Story with a multi-part email series from host Emily Hanford. We’ll also keep you up to date on new episodes. Sign up at soldastory.org/extracredit.