Episode
Episode 2: The Art and Science of Phonics Instruction
- Podcast
- Chalk Dust
- Published
- May 26, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 1663
- Processing state
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- https://chalkdust.media/p/episode-2-art-science-phonics
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Summary
Summary In this conversation, Manisha Gazula, principal of Marsden Road Public School, analyses examples from her classrooms. Together with Rebecca Birch and Nathaniel Swain, the team discuss the unique challenges and strategies of her school, which serves a diverse and transient student population. Manisha emphasises the importance of phonics and structured teaching methods for literacy development, highlighting the school's commitment to consistency and teacher coaching. The discussion also addresses common misconceptions about phonics and the significance of meaning-making in literacy instruction. In this conversation, Manisha and Nathaniel discuss various aspects of phonics education, emphasising the importance of decoding, meaning, adaptiveness, and pacing in teaching strategies. They explore how effective teaching requires a deep understanding of content and pedagogy, and the need for teachers to be appropriately resourced to teach early reading using expert-created materials. Mentioned resources and explainers Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) Overview of Explicit Direct Instruction developed by John Hollingsworth and Silvia Ybarra. EDI provides a structured, teacher-led model that prioritises clear learning intentions, modelling, guided practice, and ongoing checks for understanding. Manisha refers to consistent routines across K–6 and the importance of teacher clarity and fidelity to well-sequenced lessons—key aspects of EDI. The TAPPLE framework (Teach-Ask-Pause-Pick-Listen-Effective feedback) is aligned with what’s observed in Marsden Road classrooms. The Five Pillars of Reading Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension form the essential components of reading instruction. Manisha outlines how phonics at Marsden Road is integrated with…