For decades, schools have relied on leveled readers to teach kids how to read—but what if they’ve been setting students up to guess instead of actually read? In this episode, I’m breaking down the difference between leveled readers and decodable books, and why one approach is backed by science while the other reinforces bad reading habits.

We’ll explore what makes decodable books so powerful, how they align with phonics instruction, and when to transition students to authentic texts. If your school still pushes leveled readers, I’ll also share practical ways to advocate for change (with data to back you up!).

In this episode, I'll dive into...

• Why leveled readers encourage guessing instead of decoding.
• How decodable books strengthen phonics and spelling skills.
• When (and how) to transition students from decodable books to authentic texts.
• Actionable steps to advocate for research-based reading instruction in your school.

Show Links

Nonfiction decodable books: Penguins
Decodable books
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