Exploring the Research Behind Paired Oral Reading with Jake Downs

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ™

Episode 224

Helping students become fluent, confident readers isn’t always easy—especially when they’re still sounding out words and struggling with comprehension. That’s why Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques (SPORT) is a game-changer.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jake Downs, assistant professor at Utah State University and host of the Teaching Literacy podcast, to break down:
✅ What SPORT is and why it works
✅ How to implement it tomorrow with minimal prep
✅ The research behind fluency, comprehension, and confidence gains

If you're looking for a practical, evidence-based way to help students become stronger readers, this episode is for you! 🎧

RESOURCES

• "Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques: Supporting Developing Readers in Connected Text" by Jake Downs and Kathleen Mohr

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.
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Chapters

1. Introduction to Synchronous Paired Reading (00:00:00)

2. Jake's Journey with SPORT Techniques (00:04:12)

3. How SPORT Works in the Classroom (00:08:31)

4. Pairing Students Effectively (00:16:09)

5. Benefits for Lead Readers (00:23:50)

6. Implementing SPORT into Daily Instruction (00:31:15)

7. Training and Management Strategies (00:39:19)

8. Research Findings and Benefits (00:44:40)

9. Closing Thoughts (00:49:07)