Adolescent Literacy, Episode 1: Foundational skills for adolescent learners, with Doug Fisher, Ph.D.

In this first episode of our special four-part Science of Reading: The Podcast Adolescent Literacy miniseries, Susan Lambert, Ed.D., speaks with Doug Fisher, Ph.D., a celebrated professor, author, and one of the most influential voices in adolescent literacy. They explore what the evidence really tells us about supporting adolescent learners, and what it means for classroom practice. They also discuss why Doug and his colleagues set out to find a new model for adolescent literacy, how self-efficacy powers literacy development in adolescent learners and what teachers can do to build it, and what "foundational skills" in reading truly means for adolescent readers—and why it is non-negotiable.

Show notes:

• Our Summer Learning Academy is back! Reserve your spot now to join Susan Lambert for a pair of sessions that will help you dive deeper into the latest reading comprehension research.
• Check out our Science of Reading resources for grades 6–8. 
• Connect with Doug on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about Doug’s book, Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers.
• Read Doug’s article, A Model for Adolescent Reading Instruction.
• Get ready for Season 3 of the Amplify podcast Beyond My Years.
• Join our community Facebook group.
• Connect with Susan Lambert.

Quotes:

"Our literacy skills contiue to grow across our lifetimes." —Doug Fisher

"The human brain operates on language, and reading, writing, speaking and listening, are the language operating systems of our brain." —Doug Fisher

"The word 'foundational' to me means not optional." —Doug Fisher

"Literacy is a gatekeeper. If we can develop stronger literacy skills in our student, we will change their lives." —Doug Fisher

"The passion that educators bring also makes learning relevant." —Doug Fisher

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction: New adolescent literacy mini-series
02:00 Foundational skills for adolescent learners, with Doug Fisher
06:00 "Our literacy skills continue to grow across our lifetimes
08:00 In search of a new adolescent literacy model
14:00 Distinguishing early, general, and disciplinary literacy
17:00 Why the Reading Rope was not designed for adolescent learners
19:00 Introducing the reading circuit and self-efficacy
27:00 Sentence level analysis
31:00 Building self-efficacy through academic risk taking
34:00 Redefining "foundational skills" for adolescent readers
38:00 What this looks like in high school classrooms
43:00 Teacher self-efficacy and the joy of student learning
48:00 Closing thoughts: "Literacy as a gatekeeper"
*Timestamps are approximate