Dr. Molly Ness: The Impact of Read-Alouds on Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Reading Skills

More Than a Test

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Molly Ness, an expert in literacy and education. Dr. Ness shares her insights on the mismatch between the abundance of available texts and the challenge of presenting complex topics in a manner suitable for children. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of diversity in picture books, the value of untold stories, and the impact of read-alouds on language comprehension, vocabulary, and overall literacy skills. Dr. Ness offers practical advice for educators on planning for read-alouds, drawing from compelling research and her rich experience in the field. Tune in as we explore the transformative power of read-alouds and their essential role in shaping young minds.

Timestamps

00:00 Read-aloud benefit language, cognition, and physiological states.

05:12 Intentional planning for effective reading instruction process.

08:32 Encourage diverse read-alouds beyond traditional methods.

11:00 William Hoy, a deaf baseball player's impact.

13:52 Decline in read alouds at age 9.

20:25 Scott Paris discussed constrained and unconstrained skills.

21:27 Remaining resilient and patient during teaching changes.

27:04 Tough choices ahead for educators and students.

29:33 Choosing coursework and instructors with transparency and accessibility.

35:09 Interdisciplinary conversations give hope for literacy impact.

37:52 Daughter reading "Are You My Mother?" was powerful.

41:31 Marianne Wolfe's book, a powerful reading experience.

43:26 Excited to read, life-changing advice, gratitude expressed.

Connect with Dr. Molly Ness

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-ness-phd-2474b24a/?trk=public_post_comment-text

Website: https://www.literacyworldwide.org/about-us/our-leadership/molly-ness

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

Everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/

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Produced by Old Soul: https://bit.ly/3KuYfrD