Thread by @tiffany_peltier

Response from *Lucy Calkins* to the #scienceofreading
"I’ve been asked to write a response to the phonics-centric people who are calling themselves “the science of reading.” I want to point out that no one interest group gets to own science. #ELAChat

drive.google.com/file/d/16Ewx2f…

2/ Lucy Calkins goes on to discuss how important teaching systematic phonics is, that is is settled science, and how using predictable texts in K are like using training wheels to ride a bike. There are many points in which she aligns with science.

3/ Calkins then addresses that using predictable texts w/students with dyslexia would be *harmful* to them--that they need decodable texts to learn to read.

4/ Lucy Calkins then states: "My colleagues & I at the @TCRWP think the very early books (A-D books especially) that are so heavily supported by pictures & repetition should be just 1 part of a child’s reading diet, & that including more decodable texts would be a *wise
move*."

@TCRWP 5/ "If you ask me, “Is an emphasis on T PD in phonics 1 possible ave 2 pursue?” my answer is *yes*. I think it is a good idea for some schools and districts to decide 2 prioritize PD in phonics. Teachers—especially those teaching PreK-2⁠—do need 2 learn more about phonics."

@TCRWP 6/ "Too often, curriculum that's designed 2 be teacher-proof, so that even unskilled Ts can deliver it, is not designed 2 teach Ts while it teaches Ss. That’s a mistake." [SIDE NOTE: I've always respected her curricula 4 this VERY reason. She is awesome at teaching Ts thru it.]

@TCRWP 7/ On the pitfalls of wide cert bands & poor teacher prep: "One never knows if a graduate student will end up teaching in first grade, where the 8 ways to make the long a sound and the differences between open and closed syllables will be important.." - Lucy Calkins

@TCRWP 8/ Calkins goes on to paint the #scienceofreading crowd as "phonics only" (or mostly) promoters. This is an untrue, yet salient, critique. #ELAChat

@TCRWP 9/ She then moves to addressing #dyslexia.

"There is no option 4 our nation outside of providing all children w/an adequate basic education. And that means that we need 2 become more equipped 2 support children with dyslexia." - Lucy Calkins

@TCRWP 10/ "...The jury is no longer out; those Ss need structured multisensory phonics support such as they receive from someone trained in OG or Lindamood-Bell. When children receive that support 4 a few years, their brains can literally be re-wired 2 use more efficient areas." -LC

@TCRWP 11/ "My big point is that yes, we need reading specialists in schools that can work with the few children in a class who need this specialized support." Calkins then discusses the importance of universal screening, the dyslexia 2 prison pipeline, and........

12/ "My own org is responding 2 the #scienceofreading *wake-up call* by leading study groups & on-site PD 2 explore the most pressing concerns schools have when it comes 2 dyslexia: screening, recruiting & on-boarding qualified Ts, studying transference of skills, & more."

13/ "@TCRWP is engaged in research projects & study
groups to learn how to better address this [dyslexia], and feel our attention to this is overdue."

@TCRWP 14/ "For this, &4 the reminder that explicit phonics instruction 4 all children is essential, I am grateful to the #scienceofreading proponents. I also am grateful these Ts are successfully calling attention 2 the importance of prioritizing professional education 4 Ts." @ehanford

@TCRWP @ehanford 15/ "I think that professional education is necessary for those of us in teacher education as well. I, for one, have benefitted from this discussion and am grateful to be on a learning trajectory." - LUCY CALKINS @reading_league