Momentum is growing across the field around the sciences of reading and learning. We were delighted to welcome back Dylan Wiliam, Doug Lemov, and Natalie Wexler, who expertly hosted our “Literacy and the Science of Learning” podcast, for an exciting new webinar hosted on February 5, 2026.
This engaging panel explored what happens in the brain when students read and write, how learning is generated from specific knowledge stored in long-term memory, and why that matters for teaching and learning. Dylan, Doug, and Natalie also responded to attendees’ questions. From cognitive load and fluency to the power of writing to build knowledge, this dynamic and insightful conversation was facilitated by StandardsWork Chief Program Officer Kristen McQuillan.
Watch video recording
Resources mentioned in this webinar
- Knowledge Matters Review Tool: A Guide for Evaluating K-8 Curriculum: https://knowledgematterscampaign.org/review-tool
- Knowledge Matters Season 3 Podcast: https://knowledgematterscampaign.org/podcast-s3/
- “Reading Whole Books and Miracles in Education” by Natalie Wexler: https://nataliewexler.substack.com/p/reading-whole-books-and-miracles
In addition, new “Literacy and the Science of Learning” study guides are now available for download. In these user-friendly guides, Dylan goes deep on cognitive load and how to boost long-term memory, Doug discusses fluency and the value in reading whole books, and Natalie dives into the power of writing to support comprehension, knowledge retention, and critical thinking. These guides ask big questions while also addressing practical concerns, with clear takeaways for teachers.