Buckle up. This surprise, between-seasons bonus episode of Reading Road Trip goes behind the scenes of the soon-to-be-released book Reading Assessment Done Right. Kate Winn steps out from the host role and into the guest seat alongside co-author Dr. Stephanie Stollar. Together, Kate and Stephanie candidly discuss why they wrote the book, how the collaboration came together, and the real questions about assessment and instruction that shaped it. It’s an insider look at the thinking behind the book, with practical reflections educators can bring back to their own classrooms.

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Show Notes:

• We All Love by Julie Flett – A beautifully illustrated picture book celebrating care, connection, and love, shared as part of this episode’s land acknowledgement and commitment to amplifying Indigenous artists.

• Reading Assessment Done Right – The soon-to-be-released book by Kate Winn and Dr. Stephanie Stollar that anchors this bonus episode, exploring how assessment can be used to inform instruction and improve reading outcomes.

• IDA Ontario's Literacy and Learning Conference 2026 – Kate Winn and Dr. Stephanie Stollar will be presenting together at LitLearn 2026 in Toronto; registration details are available through IDA Ontario.

• Perspectives on Language and Literacy – Reading Assessment Done Right will be featured in the Winter 2026 issue Data: What's Your Question?, co-edited by theme editors Dr. Michelle Hosp and Dr. Una Malcolm; IDA members can access the issue through the member portal, and non-members can learn more about joining the International Dyslexia Association to gain access.

It’s the season finale of Season 4 of Reading Road Trip! Kate wraps up the season with an all-star lineup of nine expert guests, each sharing one powerful tip to set you up for your best school year yet. From data meetings to integrated instruction, parent communication to avoiding burnout, this finale is packed with practical advice you can use right away. Join us as we celebrate the close of another fabulous podcast season with insights from some of the most thoughtful voices in the field.

Many thanks to this episode's fabulous guests: Dr. Renata Archie, Dr. Sonia Cabell, Dr. Pam Kastner, Dr. Holly Lane, Dr. Matt Burns, Dr. Jamie Metsala, Alicia Smith, Jacqueline Chartier, and Dr. Todd Cunningham!

• Season 1, Episode 6 — Dr. Renata Archie on universal screening

• Season 1, Episode 2 — Dr. Sonia Cabell on early literacy

• Season 3, Episode 1 — Sonia Cabell and Anita Archer (recorded live at Lit Learn 2024)

• Season 1, Episode 3 — Dr. Holly Lane on foundational reading skills

Kate chats with educator and author Blake Harvard about his book Do I Have Your Attention? Understanding Memory Constraints and Maximizing Learning. They explore what we know about attention, working memory, and long-term memory, why multitasking doesn’t work, and practical strategies like retrieval and spaced practice that help students remember more.

This episode mentions:

• Métis Christmas Mittens by Leah Marie Dorion, with Michif translation by Norman Fleury

• Do I Have Your Attention? Understanding Memory Constraints and Maximizing Learning by Blake Harvard

• The Effortful Educator blog by Blake Harvard

• Powerful Teaching by Pooja Agarwal and Patrice Bain