Thinkfinity Literacy Network: Podcasts

Achieving Literacy Across the Lifespan

Adult Literacy

Think Aloud - A Reading Comprehension Technique - this technique utilizes strategies to help students understand what they are reading.

Six Steps for Using the Think Aloud Technique (PDF) Download
The Think Aloud Technique - Episode 1 - Introduction - Download
The Think Aloud Technique - Episode 2 - Modeling the Think Aloud Technique - Download
The Think Aloud Technique - Episode 3 - Integrating the Think Aloud Technique - Download
Think Aloud Script (PDF) Download

Guided Repeated Oral Reading - this broad category of classroom activities is focused on improving reading fluency.

The Guided Repeated Oral Reading Podcast - Episode 1 - Download

Using Authentic Materials in ABE and ESL Programs: Research and Implications for Instructional Practice - a three-part conversation with Dr. Erik Jacobson about what research has to say about the use of authentic materials and activities in the adult literacy classroom. Dr. Jacobson is an Assistant Professor at Montclair State University in the Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Literacy Education Department.

Episode 1: The Value of Authentic Materials - What makes a teaching activity "authentic" and what does use of authentic materials bring to your instruction? (8 minutes) Download
Episode 2: The Research Basis - What does research say about using authentic materials in instruction? (9 minutes) Download
Episode 3: Implications for Instructional Practice - How can you incorporate authentic materials and activities into your instruction with adult basic education and English-language learners? (11 minutes) Download

English-as-a-Second-Language

The Experience of an ESL Tutor - An interview with Rudy Murillo, an ESL manager at LIFT (Literacy Instruction for Texas) in Dallas, Texas.

Episode 1: Volunteering in ESL - what it's like to work with ESL students, how programs prepare volunteers, and the impact volunteers make in these programs. (7 minutes) Download
Episode 2: The Needs, Challenges and the Benefits of Being an ESL Volunteer- how volunteers make a real contribution to their communities and to the individuals learning to listen, speak, read and write in English. (5 Minutes) Download

For Parents of Preschoolers — Talking About Stories

Episode 1: The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 2: Owl Moon - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 3: The Little Engine That Could - Download
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Episode 4: Good Night, Gorilla - Download
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Episode 5: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 6: Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 7: The Little Red Hen - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 8: Alphabet Under Construction - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 9: I Wanna Iguana - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

For Parents of Elementary School-Age Children — Helping Your Child Build Vocabulary

Episode 1: Tell Me the Meaning - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 2: I'm Thinking of a Word - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 3: Tell Me a Story - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

For Parents of Elementary School-Age Children — Helping Your Child Build Fluency

Episode 1: What Is Fluency? - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 2: Repeated Reading - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Episode 3: Echo Reading - Download
• To download the podcast text in PDF, click here

Verizon Foundation

Our mission is to help solve serious social issues and to effect positive change in the communities where we live, work and do business. Our focus is 21st Century education and literacy, and on safety and health.
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