S4 E5: The Lowdown on Decodable Text with Lee-Ann Lear

From Reading Road Trip by International Dyslexia Association Ontario

July 28, 2025 · 57 min · Season 4 · Episode 5

About this episode

Kate Winn chats with Lee-Ann Lear about the role of decodable texts in literacy education and shares practical insights for educators.

This week, Kate Winn chats with educator and SyllaSense decodable book author Lee-Ann Lear. They discuss the role decodables can play in a structured literacy classroom, common misconceptions, and practical tips for using decodable text. Lee-Ann also shares how SyllaSense got started, how the books are written and reviewed, and why their scope and sequence goes beyond just phonics. Whether you’re new to decodable text or already using it regularly, this episode offers helpful insights for educators supporting early readers. Mentioned in this episode: Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint? by Tyna Legault Taylor The Reading League Decodable Book Sources UFLI Decodable Text Guide The Active View of Reading - Duke & Cartwright SyllaSense Scope and Sequence SyllaSense Teacher Tip Sheets SyllaSense deck-odables SyllaSense workshops

People in this episode

Host: Kate Winn

Guest: Lee-Ann Lear

Topics covered

decodable text
structured literacy
education
early readers
misconceptions
practical tips

Keywords

decodable books
structured literacy
educator tips
SyllaSense
early reading
literacy misconceptions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Reading League, UFLI, SyllaSense

Products: SyllaSense

Books & works: Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?, The Active View of Reading - Duke & Cartwright