“We need to be teaching every subject in reading as well as teaching reading in every subject.” – Rachel Santopietro
Reading affects everything. When students struggle academically, the issue often traces back to reading comprehension. But what if everything you thought you knew about teaching reading was only half the picture?
Rachel Santopietro returns to the Teacher Edition Podcast to unpack the science of reading and reveal why traditional approaches to reading instruction may be missing a crucial component. Through an example involving rock-climbing terminology, Rachel demonstrates that decoding words isn’t enough. True comprehension requires something much deeper.
This episode explores the two strands of reading comprehension: word recognition and language comprehension. While most educators focus heavily on phonics and decoding skills, Rachel reveals research showing that background knowledge is actually a stronger predictor of reading success than reading ability itself.
You’ll discover:
- What the “science of reading” really means and how Scarborough’s Reading Rope illustrates the complete picture
- The critical difference between teaching skills and teaching content
- Why the famous “baseball experiment” revolutionized understanding of reading comprehension
- How to build background knowledge across all subject areas
- The three tiers of vocabulary instruction and which tier has the biggest impact
- Practical strategies for teaching reading in every subject, not just language arts
Rachel provides concrete methods for building background knowledge, from reading aloud above grade level to using graphic organizers that help students organize information both on paper and in their minds. She also breaks down vocabulary instruction into actionable tiers, showing how strategic focus on cross-curricular vocabulary can transform comprehension.
The conversation concludes with the powerful reminder that Christian education began with the goal of teaching children to read the Bible – making reading comprehension not just an academic skill, but a spiritual foundation for knowing Christ more deeply.
Whether you teach kindergarten or high school, math or history, this episode will change how you think about your role in developing student literacy and comprehension.
Every day in the classroom is YOUR day to impact and inspire through God’s power and grace working in you.
Go do what God has called you to do!
Resources Mentioned:
- Scarborough’s Reading Rope: https://www.learninga-z.com/site/resources/breakroom-blog/reading-rope-resources
- The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler
- Bringing Words to Life (vocabulary instruction resource)
About Our Guest Rachel Santopietro is passionate about helping students find joy in learning as they engage, learn, and create. And she wants this enthusiasm to be contagious. The same sense of wonder that sparked her curiosity in childhood spurred her to pursue a degree in chemistry, a master’s degree in education, and a doctorate in learning design and technology. She wants to share her passion as she draws from her teaching and writing experience to oversee instructional design for writing teams at BJU Press.
Sponsored By Now, more than ever, children need a learning experience that enables them to think critically, advances them academically, and encourages them to live biblically. BJU Press serves Christian educators with academically rigorous resources written from a biblical worldview to prepare the next generation to be salt and light in society. We are committed to doing everything we can so Christian education can do everything it must. Visit our website today or contact your Territory Manager to learn more. [bjupress.com]
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