Issue 13, August 2022

In this edition, we feature a number of perspectives on reading as a human right: Greg Ashman reports on the Ontario Human Rights Commission's Right to Read inquiry, while Benjamin Hanckel, Alan Morris and Keiko Yasukawa's research into how low literacy levels affect people who are homeless or have experienced homelessness in the past – giving a very human face to the sometimes abstract 'Reading Wars'.

Our attention then turns to the when, where and how of reading instruction: when should we begin to teach reading, how much phonics should we teach, how do we choose the right approach, how can teaching be made more effective, and what is the role of commercially available programs when teaching reading. All are explored in this edition.

Elsewhere Dr Jennifer Buckingham debunks the claims of a so-called "landmark study" on reading research, while Professor Pamela Snow discusses how the Stages of Change Model can be applied to efforts to move away from Balanced Literacy.

You can view a digital edition of Nomanis here, download a PDF of the whole edition here, or read the individual articles below:

• Editorial – Endeavouring to learn Morse: Kevin Wheldall

• What we've been reading

• How much phonics should I teach?: Tim Shanahan

• We interrupt your regularly scheduled program: James Dobson

• When should reading instruction begin?: Nicola Bell, Jennifer Buckingham, Kevin Wheldall, Robyn Wheldall and Anna Notley

• Groundhog day for reading instruction: Jennifer Buckingham

• Five ways to ensure that your teaching of reading is effective: Christopher Such

• Reading is a human right: Greg Ashman

• My unexpected journey: Ann Sullivan

• Leaving the Balanced Literacy habit behind – A theory of change: Pamela Snow

• Struggle and the rote memorisation of facts: Greg Ashman

• There are definitely better ways to teach reading: Kate de Bruin, Pamela Snow, Linda J. Graham, Tanya Serry and Jacinta Conway

• "I always have trouble with forms": Homeless people on how poor literacy affects them – and what would help: Benjamin Hanckel, Alan Morris and Keiko Yusukawa

We hope you enjoy this edition.