Jordan Baker's March 6 cover story 'Kids in the crossfire' looks at the heated debate over how best to teach kids to read. The choice between a phonics-led and  “balanced literacy” approach has morphed from a brawl about teaching methods into another front in the culture wars. Joining Jordan on the podcast is literacy expert Professor Anne Castles, scientific director of the Macquarie Centre for Reading. Moderated by Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland, the conversation dives into not just the divided politics of the issue, but how Australian children are faring with reading in general, where dyslexia fits into the discussion, and tips on what parents can do to help their children read well.

Link to the story: https://www.smh.com.au/national/kids-in-the-crossfire-it-s-not-just-that-they-can-t-read-it-affects-every-minute-of-their-day-20201203-p56kf6.html

Become a subscriber: our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ or https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We love to hear your thoughts and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find us.

Jordan Baker's March 6 cover story <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/kids-in-the-crossfire-it-s-not-just-that-they-can-t-read-it-affects-every-minute-of-their-day-20201203-p56kf6.html">'Kids in the crossfire'</a> looks at the heated debate over how best to teach kids to read. The choice between a phonics-led and&nbsp; &ldquo;balanced literacy&rdquo; approach has morphed from a brawl about teaching methods into another front in the culture wars. Joining Jordan on the podcast is literacy expert Professor Anne Castles, scientific director of the Macquarie Centre for Reading. Moderated by&nbsp;Good Weekend&nbsp;editor Katrina Strickland, the conversation dives into not just the divided politics of the issue, but how Australian children are faring with reading in general, where dyslexia fits into the discussion, and tips on what parents can do to help their children read well.
Link to the story: <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/kids-in-the-crossfire-it-s-not-just-that-they-can-t-read-it-affects-every-minute-of-their-day-20201203-p56kf6.html">https://www.smh.com.au/national/kids-in-the-crossfire-it-s-not-just-that-they-can-t-read-it-affects-every-minute-of-their-day-20201203-p56kf6.html</a>
Become a subscriber: our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe <a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/" aria-describedby="slack-kit-tooltip">https://subscribe.theage.com.au/</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/" aria-describedby="slack-kit-tooltip">https://subscribe.smh.com.au/</a>
Please take the time to rate &amp; review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We love to hear your thoughts and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find us.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

Advertisement