The Literacy View

Faith Borkowsky and Judy Boksner

The Literacy View podcast is dedicated to providing educators and parents with Breaking News and cutting-edge research in literacy instruction. Nicknamed by one of their listeners as the “Spice Girls of Literacy,” Faith and Judy, two veteran educators who still work in the trenches, bring their expertise, senses of humor, and passion for literacy instruction to the show, making it an engaging and informative experience for listeners. Never shying away from controversial topics and guests, and frequently disagreeing with each other, the hosts break down complex research into easy-to-understand takeaways and provide actionable solutions that teachers and parents can use in their classrooms and at home. And, they are never afraid to good-naturedly call BS or cheer on  their guests or each other when a point or item of discussion excites them. In fact, they have “BS” and “cheer” buttons at the ready for that very purpose!  With their engaging format and wealth of knowledge, Faith and Judy are sure to help you take your teaching to the next level!  It is no wonder that so many of their guests and listeners consider the Literacy View their favorite, can’t-miss podcast in the literacy space. Have fun and learn at the same time! * You can find more information about The Literacy View on their website: https://theliteracyview.com/

  1. Is Linguistic Phonics the New Gold Standard in Structured Literacy?

    1 DAY AGO

    Is Linguistic Phonics the New Gold Standard in Structured Literacy?

    Ep.157 Value A clear explanation of Linguistic Phonics and how this approach teaches reading through the direct connection between spoken sounds and written spellings. You’ll see how focusing on a small set of sounds and spellings at a time, and using them repeatedly in reading and spelling, helps learning stick. Promise You’ll leave knowing exactly how this approach works in practice and how to use it to teach more efficiently without lowering expectations. The goal is faster progress, stronger accuracy, and fewer students falling behind. Send a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    1h 13m
  2. Phonics Was Supposed to Fix This. So Why Are So Many Kids Still Struggling?

    3 FEB

    Phonics Was Supposed to Fix This. So Why Are So Many Kids Still Struggling?

    EP.156🌶️  Value: This episode breaks down the article everyone’s talking about and asks the hard question it raises: If synthetic phonics has been mandated for years, why haven’t outcomes for struggling readers changed? We talk directly with Dominic Wyse about the research, the data, and what gets lost when literacy policy becomes rigid instead of responsive. Promise: You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what the research actually says, where policy oversimplifies reading instruction, and why real classrooms demand more than one approach. No slogans. No extremes. Just an honest, uncomfortable conversation that respects teachers, centers kids, and refuses to pretend this debate is settled. Article discussed:https://phys.org/news/2025-12-england-synthetic-phonics-approach-children.html  Wyse, D., Esposito, R., Ranken, E. & Sumner, E. (2025). Mapping the Field of Effective Teaching and Interventions for Children with Reading Difficulties: A Systematic Tertiary Review, Qualitative Meta Synthesis, and National Survey.Reading Research Quarterly.https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.70075   Wyse, D. & Hacking, C. (2024). Decoding, Reading and Writing: The Double Helix Theory of Teaching. Literacy. DOI: 10.1111/lit.12367 Winner of the Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award 2025.   New paper Wyse, D., Aarts, B., Anders, J., de Gennaro, A., Dockrell, J., Manyukhina, Y., Sing, S., & Torgerson, C. (2025). Teaching grammar and writing: A randomised controlled trial and implementation process evaluation of Englicious.Journal of Writing Research. https://www.jowr.org/jowr/article/view/1346 Send us a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    1h 17m
  3. Overteaching or Overreacting? Seidenberg Lights a Match."

    27 JAN

    Overteaching or Overreacting? Seidenberg Lights a Match."

    Ep. 155 We had a surprise guest: Mark Seidenberg!🙌🏻 💜 Value & Promise In this episode, educators are invited into a research conversation that is still unfolding. You’ll hear Mark Seidenberg discuss his latest article while educators engage in real time with questions, reactions, and pushback. This episode offers • A window into how researchers think aloud as ideas are examined, questioned, and clarified • Space to sit with uncertainty rather than rushing to conclusions • Insight into the complexity surrounding structured literacy, overteaching, and instructional balance • A shared starting point for continued inquiry Our promise for this episode is transparency. We are actively working through what the research suggests and what it may mean for classrooms. Many listeners are asking for deeper research and greater clarity around implementation, and we hear you. We will be digging further into the evidence and continuing this conversation in future episodes. If you value thoughtful exploration, intellectual honesty, and research discussed in community, this episode delivers. No BS. Just real research, real questions, and a commitment to keep going. 💜🙌🏻 Your thoughts? “Although the authorities in this field usually acknowledge the obvious point that nondyslexics do not need as much instruction as dyslexics, in practice the adoption of ‘structured literacy’ has led to overteaching.” - Mark Seidenberg This is us (Faith Borkowsky and Judy Boksner Damski) and The Literacy View-Real Teachers Letting Loose community, in an open, uncensored chat digging into his latest article together. Article For Discussion: https://www.seidenbergreading.net/blog/oexqqvuvpmotni4qb9f30dvrfbwj05 💬 Real-time reactions 🧠 Pushback, questions, and clarifications 🔥 Crowd-driven conversation 🚫 No BS Read it. Skimmed it. Fired up by it. Confused by it. You belong in this conversation. Send us a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    1h 13m
  4. Why Almost Everyone Is Wrong About Curriculum

    20 JAN

    Why Almost Everyone Is Wrong About Curriculum

    Ep. 154 Value Cuts through the curriculum noise by explaining why so many debates miss what actually drives reading comprehension. Clarifies how curriculum, instruction, strategies, and prior knowledge interact so educators can think more clearly about what really supports understanding. Promise Listeners will leave with sharper language to explain what’s broken in common curriculum conversations, a clearer picture of why comprehension succeeds or fails, and a more grounded way to evaluate literacy programs without falling into false choices or slogans. Article: https://www.nomanis.com.au/hubfs/Nomanis%20Issue%2019/NOMANIS%2019_SEPT25_Ashman.pdf?_gl=1*nda3x6*_ga*YTZ3ck1rMlFjSHNNTEctcjIzc2tTVUhTbmNuZXBtc3AzN2lFbURHUENBTnNsZUJjdEFFTnJkT0JDRUl4dWx3MQ..*_ga_LL9B4H2PH7*MTc2ODgxOTI3OS4xLjEuMTc2ODgxOTI3OS4wLjAuMA.. Guest Substack: https://fillingthepail.substack.com/p/explicit-teaching-is-inclusive Send us a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    1h 7m
  5. A No-BS Conversation Calling Out Sloppy Literacy Language

    13 JAN

    A No-BS Conversation Calling Out Sloppy Literacy Language

    Value Sloppy literacy language is everywhere and it is costing teachers clarity, confidence, and credibility. When words lose their meaning, instruction suffers. Promise This Breaking News episode gets brutally clear. You will leave knowing exactly what Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, phonics, curriculum, and program actually mean so you can cut through the noise, shut down misinformation, and make decisions grounded in evidence rather than buzzwords. Article Discussed:https://share.google/f4nJjmn5c2ld4Q8mK Podcast Version-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-curriculum/id1691952694?i=1000744596597 . Send us a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    1h 8m
  6. Structured Literacy vs. Balanced Literacy: What the Research Really Says (The Verdict You Can’t Miss)

    6 JAN

    Structured Literacy vs. Balanced Literacy: What the Research Really Says (The Verdict You Can’t Miss)

    Episode: 152 Structured Literacy vs. Balanced Literacy: What the Research Really Says (The Verdict You Can’t Miss) Research: https://share.google/Xz1J9wiFEjrOo8O8i Nathaniel Hansford Bio:https://share.google/pbTnMqtKGOwSvdg8k Kathryn Garforth Bio:https://share.google/RaPZEL2bXHRZXjTEG Value This episode delivers the research backed justification for a structured literacy approach. If you have ever questioned your instructional decisions or needed clear proof to share with administration, this conversation gives you the evidence to stand firm. Promise You will walk away with the language and confidence to advocate for structured literacy with certainty. This episode equips you to show that the research is settled and the case is clear. Send us a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    1 hr
  7. What If We've Been Teaching Spelling All Wrong?

    09/12/2025

    What If We've Been Teaching Spelling All Wrong?

    Ep:151-What If We've Been Teaching Spelling All Wrong? VALUE Spelling isn’t a side dish. It’s one of the most powerful drivers of reading and writing success. In this episode, researchers Brennan Chandler and Jessica Toste break open decades of data and show how real spelling instruction builds orthographic mapping, boosts decoding and encoding, and transforms writing for all students. If you’ve ever felt like kids are stuck, this explains why. PROMISE You’ll leave knowing exactly what spelling practices actually move the needle and which ones are a total time sink. Expect straight talk, clear takeaways, and research you can use tomorrow to level up reading and writing for every learner. Article Discussed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40875456/ Send us a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    1h 11m
  8. How to Motivate Reluctant Readers: Mystery Solved!

    25/11/2025

    How to Motivate Reluctant Readers: Mystery Solved!

    Episode 150 PROMISE: This episode gives you easy, evidence-aligned ways to make reading exciting  even for kids who say they hate it. VALUE: You’ll learn how a simple gamified approach, Student Detectives, boosts motivation, stamina, and engagement without fancy tech or complicated prep. 🔍  What We Cover How “detective-style” reading transforms reluctant readersWhat the research (2020–2024) actually shows about gamified literacyWhy traditional reading programs don’t hook certain learnersQuick, classroom-ready ideas you can use  tommorow!https://thedetectiveexperience.com/____________________________________________ Send us a text Support the show Donate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.💜https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88DP4YMVETHFQ 🚨 Partner with The Literacy View No BS All Impact🫵 Coaching, PD, Retreats & Events 💜We collaborate with universities,schools, districts, leaders, teachers, and parents. 👉 Get Personalized Coaching That Works Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliates 📢 Put your brand front and center in a fast-growing literacy community. 👉 Start Your Partnership Today Conferences & Summits 🎤 Bring the No BS Literacy View to your event. High-energy keynotes, live podcast tapings, and research-driven presentations that inspire and last. 👉 Invite Us to Your Event Stay Connected 🌐 Visit Our Website 🛒 Shop The Literacy View 💬 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18hEBrvwWz/ 📧 Email-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com

    45 min

About

The Literacy View podcast is dedicated to providing educators and parents with Breaking News and cutting-edge research in literacy instruction. Nicknamed by one of their listeners as the “Spice Girls of Literacy,” Faith and Judy, two veteran educators who still work in the trenches, bring their expertise, senses of humor, and passion for literacy instruction to the show, making it an engaging and informative experience for listeners. Never shying away from controversial topics and guests, and frequently disagreeing with each other, the hosts break down complex research into easy-to-understand takeaways and provide actionable solutions that teachers and parents can use in their classrooms and at home. And, they are never afraid to good-naturedly call BS or cheer on  their guests or each other when a point or item of discussion excites them. In fact, they have “BS” and “cheer” buttons at the ready for that very purpose!  With their engaging format and wealth of knowledge, Faith and Judy are sure to help you take your teaching to the next level!  It is no wonder that so many of their guests and listeners consider the Literacy View their favorite, can’t-miss podcast in the literacy space. Have fun and learn at the same time! * You can find more information about The Literacy View on their website: https://theliteracyview.com/

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