About the Guest:

Donna Shope: Donna Shope is the Senior Director of Early Literacy for the Department of Education in Tennessee. With over 20 years of experience in education, Donna has held various roles including Head Start teacher, kindergarten to fourth-grade teacher, assistant principal, and literacy coach. Her extensive background in literacy and dedication to serving young learners has equipped her as a vital contributor to Tennessee's educational landscape, advocating for early literacy and development across the state. Donna's work emphasizes the importance of understanding the science of reading and its application in the classroom and at home to foster literacy development from a young age.

Episode Summary:

Join host Kim Hale in this insightful episode of "Growing Stronger Together" as she welcomes Donna Shope to discuss the importance of early literacy. Broadcasting from the cozy confines of Napop Media in Johnson City, Kim and Donna delve into the resources and strategies that can bolster children's reading skills at home. This episode sheds light on how parents and guardians can actively engage in their children’s literacy journey using a well-curated set of tools and techniques.

In their conversation, Kim and Donna explore a variety of critical topics concerning early literacy development. They dive into essential reading tips, emphasizing the critical role of parents in establishing a reading routine and fostering an enriching reading environment. Donna introduces several Tennessee Department of Education resources designed to support literacy at home, such as interactive decodables and toolkits aimed at improving reading comprehension and facilitating engaging parent-teacher conferences. With an emphasis on understanding RTI and the complexities of reading as a skill, this episode is rich with SEO keywords like "early literacy development," "reading comprehension," and "parent-teacher communication."

Key Takeaways:

• Establish a daily reading time to cultivate a habit in young learners and make reading a consistent part of their routine.
• Focus on choosing books that match your child's interests to foster a love for reading and show them that reading can be enjoyable and educational.
• Utilize interactive decodables and available online resources to support what is being taught in schools, ensuring reinforcement of literacy skills at home.
• Understand the role of Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI) in literacy and how it supports struggling readers through targeted methods.
• Equip parents with effective communication strategies for parent-teacher conferences, ensuring they are prepared to engage in meaningful discussions about their child's progress.

Notable Quotes:

• "Choosing books that interest your child will not only make them more interested in reading, but it's going to show them they can learn from books." — Donna Shope
• "Be a good reading role model…read with expression." — Donna Shope
• "In Tennessee, we have an approach called Response to Instruction and Intervention…it's designed to strengthen a student's foundational knowledge." — Donna Shope
• "The more we have learned about the science of reading, the ability to teach that code is miraculous to me." — Kim Hale
• "Learning to read is often a hard job too." — Donna Shope

Resources:

• Tennessee Department of Education
• Interactive Decodables Website
• Toolkits: Understanding Literacy, Understanding A Sounds First Approach, Supporting Literacy at Home
• RTI Resources
• Guide for Parent-Teacher Conferences

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for parents and educators alike, offering useful tips and resources to enhance children's reading skills. Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into early literacy development and stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on "Growing Stronger Together."