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Science of Reading: The PodcastAuthor: Amplify Education
Science of Reading: The Podcast will deliver the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Via a conversational approach, each episode explores a timely topic related to the science of reading. Language: en-us Genres: Education, How To, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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S10 E9: From research to reality: Breaking down comprehension barriers, with Phil Capin, Ph.D.
Episode 9
Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
In this episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert is joined by Phil Capin, Ph.D., assistant professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. They explore why recommended reading comprehension practices aren't widely implemented in schools, and what educators can do to change that. Together, they also discuss how knowledge building is foundational to reading comprehension, how writing is a powerful tool in supporting reading comprehension, and why we should structure reading instruction based on what happens before, during, and after reading.Show notes:Register for our Science of Reading Symposium: http://www.amplify.com/comprehensionsymposiumSubmit your questions on comprehension: http://www.amplify.com/sor-mailbagAccess free resources at our professional learning page: https://amplify.com/science-of-reading/professional-learning/Connect with Phil Capin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-capin-02105550Read Hugh Catts' article, "Rethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension": https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1322088.pdfRead Catherine Snow's article, "Reading for Understanding": https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1465.htmlLearn more about Dolores Durkin's report, "What Classroom Observations Reveal about Reading Comprehension Instruction": https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED162259Read How People Learn: https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/9853/chapter/1Listen to the podcast episode with Nancy Hennessy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-09-deconstructing-the-rope-vocabulary-with/id1483513974?i=1000520380191 Listen to Season 2 of Amplify's Beyond My Years podcast: http://at.amplify.com/bmy Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scienceofreadingQuotes:"We've underestimated the value of writing in supporting reading comprehension." —Phil Capin, Ph.D."Reading and writing rely on a lot of the same language processes, and writing supports the consolidation of knowledge." —Phil Capin, Ph.D."Students should engage with meaningful problems, and they should have a reason for learning." —Phil Capin, Ph.D.Timestamps*:00:00 Introduction04:00 Phil Capin's career path08:00 Reading comprehension is the byproduct of a constellation of competencies11:00 The complexity of comprehension16:00 Dolores Durkin's findings on comprehension testing vs. teaching22:00 Students should engage with meaningful problems24:00 Comprehension instruction is organized by before, during, and after reading.27:00 The value of writing for comprehension31:00 Where comprehension strategies could be helpful39:00 How much time should teachers dedicate to strategy instruction?41:00 The strongest predictor of whether you're going to understand the text is the knowledge you bring.46:00 Every teacher is a reading teacher48:00 Closing thoughts*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute
