In Part 2 of my S5E40 Schoolutions conversation with Dr. Kay Stahl, we explore practical tips for families to keep reading alive over the summer. This episode provides valuable educational strategies to enhance reading comprehension and foster essential reading skills, especially for children who say they are not readers. Dr. Stahl shares the latest research on comprehension (from the National Academy of Education's free report, Reaping the Rewards of the Reading Initiative), which shows that active learning matters more than passive reading: children need to MAKE something (a map, a book, a podcast) to demonstrate true understanding.
We also cover:
→ Why everything counts as reading (menus, stats, movie discussions) and how low-engagement readers can find their entry point
→ The social side of reading: how family partnerships and shared books drive student participation and inspire students to read more
→ Why there's no age limit for read-alouds and the connection to parent involvement, home-school connection, and inclusive teaching
→ What reading struggle looks like at home and education strategies caregivers can use to support striving readers
→ How to use "pulse points" to identify roadblocks to comprehension and apply instructional strategies that work
💫Make sure to watch Part 1 & the linked resources mentioned:
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction & episode overview
1:45 What "I'm not a reader" really signals
3:30 The four traits of reading motivation
4:45 What counts as summer reading (everything!)
6:15 Should you ever stop reading aloud?
7:30 Books being banned — and why families should read them at home
9:00 Family book clubs & social reading experiences
10:30 Building vocabulary and knowledge over summer
11:15 The comprehension research that changes everything: make a product
12:30 Maps, books, recordings — authentic learning in action
13:00 What reading struggle looks like at home
15:00 How context, support, and interest affect comprehension
16:30 Modeling reading as a caregiver
17:00 Reaping the Rewards of the Reading Initiative (free report)
18:00 Key takeaways & wrap-up
🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content.
📧 Book a coaching session with me here, if you’d like a thought partner to help you cultivate curious learners who advocate for what they believe in.
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
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Next week's episode: @CoachGelardi , New York State Teacher of the Year and the force behind 15 million YouTube views, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep kids moving, focused, and thriving. From keeping 64 kids in one gym safely engaged to building a viral at-home fitness empire during COVID, this conversation will completely change how you think about physical education.
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