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The Reading Symphony
Hosted by Katie Megrian — literacy leader, former principal, and mom of two young readers — The Reading Symphony brings the science of reading to life for parents, teachers, and school leaders who want clarity, not confusion. Each episode blends research-based insight with real-world strategies for helping children thrive in reading, writing, and comprehension.
From phonemic awareness and decoding to fluency, vocabulary, and background knowledge, Katie demystifies what great instruction looks like and how families can support it at home. You’ll hear from expert guests in literacy education, cognitive science, and classroom practice — along with relatable stories from parents navigating the journey right beside their kids.
Whether you’re an educator implementing the Science of Reading, a school leader designing literacy PD, or a parent decoding report cards and assessments, this podcast is your roadmap to evidence-based reading success.
Topics include:
- How children learn to read and why some struggle
- What to look for in a strong school literacy program
- The truth about reading assessments and progress reports
- Strategies to build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
- The role of knowledge building and background knowledge
- Advocacy tips for parents and educators
- Inspiring stories from classrooms and homes that got reading right
RSSVERIFY
The Reading Symphony
Episode 11: Decodables, Advocacy, and Supporting Teachers with Elise Lovejoy
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Episode Summary
In this episode, Katie sits down with literacy advocate and author Elise Lovejoy, creator of Express Readers and founder of The Teacher’s Table. Elise shares her journey into the science of reading, explains the critical difference between leveled readers and decodable books, and offers practical guidance for parents supporting early readers at home. She also discusses the importance of research-aligned instruction in schools and how The Teacher’s Table is helping teachers access credible, evidence-based resources.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- How Elise began writing decodable books to make early reading both effective and joyful
- The difference between leveled readers and decodable texts — and why it matters
- Why guessing words from pictures can undermine long-term reading development
- What makes a strong decodable book
- A simple, low-stress routine parents can use when decodables come home
- The importance of repeated practice and building automaticity
- How parents can advocate for science-aligned reading instruction
- Signs that a school is moving toward (or away from) evidence-based literacy practices
- Why ongoing teacher professional learning is essential
- The mission behind The Teacher’s Table and how it supports teachers with research-backed resources
Key Takeaways for Parents
- Decodable books align directly with the phonics skills children have been taught.
- It’s okay to help with tricky words — reading practice should feel supportive, not stressful.
- Re-reading builds fluency and confidence.
- Asking thoughtful questions is one of the most powerful advocacy tools parents have.
- Supporting teachers ultimately supports all children.
Resources Mentioned
- Express Readers – Decodable book series
👉 expressreaders.org - The Teacher’s Table – Research-aligned literacy membership for educators
👉 theteacherstable.org - To set up a gift subscription to The Teacher’s Table, email contact@theteacherstable.org!