The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading

Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Author

Kieran Mackle
September 15, 2025

The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading

Good Morning!

This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education I’m joined by Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, Erica Woolway and Chris Such for an exploration of the ‘Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading’.

We discuss fluent reading as a gateway to understanding, lesson design that keeps eyes on the page and thinking on the author’s words, and much more. This one is particularly useful for those leading literacy or starting to engage with the Science of Reading but well worth a listen for anyone with an interest in teaching, learning and early literacy.

Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.

The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading by Thinking Deeply about Primary Education

Episode 245: This week on TDaPE, Kieran is joined by Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, Erica Woolway and Chris Such for an exploration of the "Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading."

creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/kieran-mackle/episodes/The-Teach-Like-a-Champion-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Reading-e385djl/a-ac5f50p

Visual Summary

The Reading Rope - Hollis S. Scarborough

Shanahan on Literacy - Timothy Shanahan

Reading Reconsidered - Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, Erica Woolway

Fluency - Doug Lemov

Social Media Links:

Doug

Erica

Colleen

TLaC guide to TSoR Links:

The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading - Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, Erica Woolway

Come to our workshops - Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, Erica Woolway

Have us come lead training for you (in-person or remotely) -Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, Erica Woolway

Less than two weeks to go until the Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Conference in Cardiff and now is the time to secure those last-minute tickets. Join us for a day of professional learning in aid of a great cause. September 27th, 2025 - 8:30am to 2:30pm. Click on the image to get yours today! Group discount available through direct message or email.

DWQ x SoM

This week I had the enormous pleasure of interviewing Gareth Metcalfe to announce that his Deconstructed Word Questions are now available within the Story of Mathematics. Together they give teachers more ways to help every student become a confident problem solver. The Story of Mathematics provides the structure, resources and embedded professional development to build teacher confidence and unlock deep mathematical understanding in every lesson. Gareth’s DWQs add a pedagogical approach that puts problem solving at the centre of the lesson. Grounded in how children learn, it offers practical tools that lift effectiveness, reduce workload and sharpen thinking. If maths is already working for every student in your school, keep going. If you want to make it even stronger, reply to this email and I will show you the tools hundreds of teachers are using to raise their practice this year. If not, I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Listening Certificates

If you are listening in a jurisdiction with mandatory PD hours, certificates are available for listening to TDaPE episodes. For every form completed (click here) we’ll send a certificate to acknowledge your commitment to your continued professional development.

Huge thank you to everyone who shared the post last week. Your support is hugely appreciated.

That’s all for this week. Let us know if you enjoyed any of the recommendations or have any questions via the comments section wherever you listen or by replying to this email.

Until next time, thanks for listening.