Melissa and Lori Love Literacy

Episode 223 Antonio Fierro and Gabi Bell Jimenez break down the essentials of teaching English learners—covering the simple view of reading, oracy, and literacy instruction. English learners thrive when we amplify language, not simplify it. They explore how to build language like Legos—piece by piece—so students can truly master it. Key Takeaways: ✅ Embed language development into reading instruction ✅ Use images and real-world connections to deepen understanding ✅ Keep content rigorous while supporting language growth Listen in for practical strategies to help your English learners (and ALL learners) succeed!ResourcesStrategic Use of Visuals by Antonio Fierro and Gabi Bell JimenezNational Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 222In this episode, teacher coach Margarita shares effective strategies for leveraging students' native languages to enhance their learning in the classroom. She discusses the importance of making cross-linguistic connections, structured routines like QSSSA for speaking, and vocabulary strategies that include cognates. She also explains writing techniques such as the APE method and reading comprehension strategies like STAR, all aimed at supporting emergent bilinguals in their academic journey. Margarita shares her insights on effective reading routines, the importance of language functions, and strategies for grouping students in intervention blocks. She emphasizes the role of teacher training and support in enhancing student learning, particularly for multilingual learners. The discussion also covers the structure of intervention blocks and the significance of familiar topics in language acquisition. Margarita concludes with practical tips for educators working with diverse language backgrounds. 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 221This live podcast recording was part of the opening reception for the 2025 Literacy & Justice for All symposium in Oakland, CA on March 7 and 8. It is crucial to ensure every student becomes a proficient reader. In this live podcast, we're diving into the amazing strides Oakland Unified School District is making with its bold literacy vision, the challenges they're overcoming, and the innovative approaches transforming classrooms.We're joined by two incredible guests: Leroy Gaines, Elementary Network Superintendent at OUSD, overseeing 16 elementary schools, and Tala Kauzer, ELA Coach, who leads literacy intervention programs K-5 at Acorn Elementary School. About the Literacy & Justice for All symposiumThe annual symposium is focused on promoting effective practice in literacy and reading skills and mobilizing the field of learning professionals around literacy as a vehicle for social justice and transformational life outcomes. Organized by the Oakland Literacy Coalition, the annual symposium brings together school and community-based educators, practitioners, funders, leaders, and literacy champions for a comprehensive learning experience that elevates literacy in the classroom and beyond. This year's conference drew more than 600 attendees from across the US. Resources: To learn more about Oakland Unified's ELA curriculum adoption, visit https://www.ousd.org/english-language-arts-ela/elementary-ela-curriculum-adoption How Oakland is Turning a New Page in LiteracyOakland Unified School District TK-5 Language and Literacy Framework 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 156 Fifth-grade teacher Sean Morrisey joins us to discuss all things vocabulary! We discuss Tier 2 and 3 words and discuss how you can strategically select words to teach using research-based approaches. We also share the importance of continuously using words in daily language  and ways to use data to measure improvement. Finally, we bridge the connection between vocabulary and fluency, demonstrating how it impacts performance.  By the end of this episode, you'll feel inspired to transform your vocabulary instructional approach in your classroom, one word at a time.ResourcesAcademic Word Finder Achieve the CoreWhich Words Do I Teach and How? Article by David LibenLifelong Literacy, Lyn StoneExplicit Instruction, Anita Archer Bringing Words to Life, book The Writing Revolution, bookText Project Vocabulary InstructionWord Generation Serp Institute Word Sift Coxhead Academic Word List Podsie  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 220In this podcast episode, you'll hear from:Kirsten Taylor, a first-grade teacher turned literacy coach in Washington, D.C., andKory Jensen, a fourth-grade teacher in Aurora, Colorado.Kirsten shares a powerful explicit vocabulary routine she uses with her students. She explains how to engage students in learning new words, assess their understanding, and extend vocabulary lessons beyond the initial teaching. Kory discusses the importance of morphology instruction. He shares practical strategies for teaching morphology, including breaking down words into their morphemes, engaging students in hands-on activities, and integrating morphology instruction across content areas. ResourcesKirsten Taylor- Explicit Vocabulary Routine (video) Vocabulary Instruction: Strategies for the Classroom (article) Once Upon a Word: A Word-Origin Dictionary for Kids―Building Vocabulary Through Etymology, Definitions & Stories (book) The Literacy 50 (book) 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 155 (from July 21, 2023)Curious about how words shape learning? Join us as we chat with linguist and author Lyn Stone about vocabulary, etymology, and their impact on literacy.Lyn shares practical strategies for teaching morphology and etymology, the importance of teacher knowledge, and great resources to build students' word awareness. We also dig into grammar and syntax—how they reflect thinking and why they matter for literacy. Plus, Lyn gives us a sneak peek at the new edition of Language for Life. Don't miss this insightful conversation!ResourcesLanguage for Life by Lyn Stone LifelongLiteracy.com Etymonline Once Upon a Word: A Word-Origin Dictionary for Kids The Writing Revolution Book Judith Hochman and Natalie WexlerThe Writing Revolution Podcast (Melissa and Lori Love Literacy) Ox, House, Stick: The History of Our Alphabet 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

In Episode 219, Blythe Anderson discusses the importance of vocabulary instruction, specifically through the use of vocabulary talk moves. These "talk moves" are designed to promote word learning and help teachers effectively teach new vocabulary. Blythe covers various types of vocabulary moves, their research backing, and practical examples of how teachers can implement them in the classroom - emphasizing the complexity of vocabulary learning as well as the need for repeated exposure and active engagement to foster curiosity and understanding. Blythe explains effective teaching moves for vocabulary instruction, including the importance of context, repetition, and meaningful engagement with words. She outlines ten key strategies that educators can implement to enhance students' understanding and retention of vocabulary. The discussion also touches on the significance of selecting appropriate words for instruction and the role of affective and metacognitive factors in vocabulary learning. Blythe encourages educators to reflect on their current practices and gradually incorporate new strategies into their teaching.Resources"Vocabulary Talk Moves: Using Language to Promote Word Learning" by Blythe Anderson No More “Look Up The List” Vocabulary Instruction (book) "Flood, Fast, Focus" Integrated Vocabulary Instruction in the Classroom (IRA Brief) A Teacher's Guide to Vocabulary Development Across the Day (eBook) 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 203 (from August 16, 2024)Our guests today, authors Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell, discuss the concept of Strive-For-Five Conversations, which emphasizes the importance of multi-turn conversations between teachers and students. They explain that the goal is to stretch conversations beyond the typical question-response format and aim for at least five turns. The conversation explores the impact of conversations on brain development. They also provide practical tips for implementing Strive for Five in the classroom and engaging parents in the process.ResourcesStrive for Five Conversations by Tricia Zucker and Sonia CabellUsing Strive-for-Five Conversations to Strengthen Language Comprehension in Preschool through Grade OneAsking Questions is Just the First Step: Using Upward and Downward Scaffolds Going Nuts for Words: Recommendation for Teaching Young Students Academic VocabularyArticle on Teaching Together research: This article shows sending home materials scaffolds parent involvement and that the impact of rewards fades over time.Talking is Teaching Family Engagement Resources 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 218 is chock-full of super practical ways to implement academic talk in your classroom tomorrow! Elementary science teacher Jami Witherell shares her insights on fostering academic discourse in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of giving students time to think before they speak. She discusses practical strategies for engaging students in conversation, including the 'read a little, think a little, chat a little' approach, and the implementation of Socratic seminars and fishbowl discussions. Jami highlights the significance of preparation and creating a safe space for all students, especially multilingual learners, to express their thoughts and ideas. Her personal experiences as a multilingual learner shape her passion for ensuring that every student feels their voice matters in the classroom.Fourth grade teacher Lauren Proffitt discusses the importance of oracy in education, detailing how her school has implemented a school-wide goal to enhance students' speaking skills. She explains the significance of structured routines and strategies that promote student engagement through talk, emphasizing the role of oracy in both academic and lifelong skills. The discussion also covers peer observations, collaborative learning, and effective management of classroom discussions, providing practical insights for educators.ResourcesFail-a-bration by Brad and Kristi Montague 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 167: Researcher Tiffany Hogan explores the relationship between phonics and language comprehension in this episode. She shares practical ways to make these connections in the classrooms - including read-alouds, discourse, and writing. Resources Mentioned in this Episode On the Importance of Listening Comprehension  If you don't look, you don't see: Measuring language development to inform literacy instructionList of commercially available Developmental Language Disorder (DLDP) ScreenersDLDandme.orgRADLD.orgASHA Voices on Apple PodcastsUnderstanding Dyslexia in the Context of Developmental Language DisorderIncreasing Higher Level Language Skills to Improve Reading ComprehensionAdapting Curricula for Children with Language Comprehension DeficitsFive ways SLPs (and others) can positively impact children with dyslexiaA generic implementation framework for school-based research and practice'We test, not teach, comprehension' Jeanne Chall: CUBED free assessment and progress monitoring for decoding, language, and readingExecutive functions and morphological awareness explain the shared variance between word reading and listening comprehension Young-Suk Kim “the acquisition of an alphabetic code is like catching a virus… this virus infects all speech processing… Language is never the same again” Uta Frith  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 217Have you ever wondered how to get your students talking in a way that builds deeper understanding? In this episode, we chat with Jeff Zwiers, author of Academic Conversations and Next Steps with Academic Conversations, about the power of authentic discussions in the classroom.Here's what you'll learn:3 Key Features of Authentic Conversations: Building on ideas, clarifying and supporting, and using information gaps to spark curiosity.Practical Strategies: How to use routines like Think-Pair-Share to foster meaningful discussions.Building a Culture of Communication: Tips for helping students share opinions, argue effectively, and engage deeply.This episode is packed with actionable ideas to help you create a classroom where every student's voice matters. Tune in to discover how academic talk can boost participation, agency, and long-term success!ResourcesArticle: Enhancing Instruction with Authentic Communication: 3 Features Conversing to Fortify Literacy, Language, and Learning Book: Academic ConversationsBook: Next Steps with Academic Conversations  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Struggling to make writing click for your students? In this episode, 5th-grade teacher Elise Frank shares practical strategies to tackle the challenges of teaching writing, inspired by "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen Harris.Key takeaways:Simplify the hidden processes of writing for your students.Boost ownership and feedback.Integrate writing across all subjects.Packed with actionable ideas, this episode is a must-listen for every teacher! Tune in now and transform your writing instruction!Resources: Focus Article: "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen HarrisSee Elise's writing instruction in action:Video: 5th Grade ELA: Writing about Esperanza Rising with SRSDVideo: 5th Grade ELA: The Power of SRSD and EL Education (Esperanza Rising)Urban teachers' implementation of SRSD for persuasive writing following practice-based professional development: positive effects mediated by compromised fidelity. McKeown, D., FitzPatrick, E., Brown, M., Brindle, M., Owens, J., & Hendrick, R. (2019). Powerful Writing Strategies for All Students by Harris, Graham, Mason and FriedlanderPowerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning by Patrice Bain and Pooja K Agarwal 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Steve Graham discusses the significance of writing in education, the challenges teachers face in teaching writing, and effective strategies to enhance students' writing skills. In this episode, you'll hear about: the interconnectedness of writing and readingthe importance of feedbackthe role of handwriting and typing in writing fluency the necessity of integrating writing instruction into the curriculumthe role of interactive writing as a bridge for early and progressing writersSteve also shares his thoughts on the impact of 21st-century tools like AI on writing practices, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI in education. Resources: Focus Article: "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen Harris 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

From July 22, 2022The Writing Revolution authors, Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler, share a 'revolutionary' approach to writing. The best part: It begins at the sentence level AND content knowledge drives the rigor.  Moreover, there is an overlap in reading, writing, and critical thinking. What are the principles of The Writing Revolution?  There are six: Students need explicit instruction in writing, beginning in the early elementary grades.Sentences are the building blocks of all writing.When embedded in the content of the curriculum, writing instruction is a powerful teaching tool.The content of the curriculum drives the rigor of the writing activities.Grammar is best taught in the context of student writing.The two most important phases of the writing process are planning and revising.  ResourcesThe Writing Revolution, Not for ProfitThe Writing Revolution, The Atlantic, October 2012Writing and cognitive load theory, Natalie Wexler  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)What if young students could transform writing from a daunting task into an exciting journey of self-expression? In this episode, Laura Stam, a second-grade teacher from Wyoming, discusses her transformative journey in writing instruction. Struggling initially with an unstructured writing curriculum, Laura discovered innovative methods to support her students. You will hear how Laura has incorporated strategies fromThe Writing Revolution and self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) to empower her students to write confidently about their learning topics, such as the Revolutionary War and ancient China. Also, you will learn how strategic tools like mnemonics, goal setting, and structured sentence expansion activities have made her students more independent writers. Resources: Focus Article: "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen HarrisLaura's Teaching Videos 2nd Grade Writing: CKLA, ThinkSRSD, and The Writing RevolutionWriting with Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and ThinkSRSD (2nd grade)Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) Grade 2: Collaborative Writing with The Magic Fish (1/2) Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) Grade 2: Writing with The Magic Fish (2/2)Core Knowledge Language Arts Grade 2: Indus River Writing DemoInstitute for Excellence in WritingThe Writing RevolutionFrom Struggle to Success: Navigating the Writing Process With Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)This episode highlights the close connection between reading and writing and the importance of teaching them together. Young-Suk Kim uses a structural house analogy to explain their interdependence. Karen Harris introduces the SRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) model, focusing on evidence-based practices that build self-regulation and explicit instruction for writing. We discuss the researchers brand new study with 1st and 2nd graders, including the SRSD Plus approach, which adds instruction in handwriting, spelling, and oral language. Our guests share practical tips for improving handwriting fluency and research on SRSD Plus's positive impact on early writing and student confidence, offering valuable insights for classroom teaching.ResourcesEnhancing Reading and Writing Skills through Systematically Integrated Instruction (with HOUSE graphic that  Young explains in the beginning of the podcast) The Science of Teaching Reading is Incomplete without the Science of Writing: A Randomized Control Trial of Integrated Teaching of Reading and Writing Yes, they can: Developing transcription skills and oral language in tandem with SRSD instruction on close reading of science text to write informative essays at grades 1 and 2  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Melissa & Lori Love Literacy™ is a podcast for teachers. The hosts are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters learning with you. Episodes feature top literacy experts and teachers who are putting the science of reading into practice. Melissa & Lori bridge the gap between the latest research and your day-to-day teaching.  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From 5/10/24In this conversation, Stephanie Stollar discusses the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).  MTSS is a framework for school improvement that helps to provide support for students with various needs. The MTSS framework focuses on using data to identify barriers to student performance and making plans to eliminate those barriers. Stollar explains that word recognition skills are more discreet and sequential, while language comprehension skills are more unconstrained and complex. Stephanie recommends that special education resources should be blended with general education resources from the beginning, and students should receive intensive support as soon as it is needed, without having to go through a series of interventions and assessments. She also emphasizes the importance of evidence-aligned instruction and the need for team-based decision-making in the MTSS model.TakeawaysMTSS is a framework for school improvement that helps teachers provide support for students with various needsThe tiers in MTSS are prevention of reading failure, with tier one being primary prevention for all students, tier two providing extra support for students at higher risk, and tier three offering intensive and individualized support for struggling readersDifferentiate tier one instruction and provide targeted instruction based on screening and diagnostic dataAssessments in MTSS include screening assessments to identify students at risk, diagnostic assessments to determine specific instructional needs, and progress monitoring assessments to track student progress.Blend special education resources with general education resources from the beginning and provide intensive support as soon as it is needed.Focus on evidence-aligned instruction and team-based decision-making in the MTSS model.Resources Stephanie's Reading Science Academy Stephanie's MTSS Course Watch Stephanie discuss...  the importance of using universal screening data to reflect the effectiveness of Tier 1 instruction  and design core instruction the elements in a coordinated, comprehensive assessment systemwhy you should teach word recognition and language comprehension at the same time 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Phonics alone won't solve the literacy crisis.Natalie Wexler's new book: Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning advocates, which connects the science of reading to the broader science of learning.Key Points:The current reading crisis is fundamentally a learning crisis.Cognitive science principles, such as retrieval practice, should apply to all learning.Advocating for a knowledge-building curriculum supports all students, particularly those who struggle. Writing instruction should start with explicit techniques.All teachers should integrate literacy within their content.Beyond the Science of Reading advocates for an integrated approach to literacy that combines cognitive science principles with literacy instruction, emphasizing content knowledge, explicit writing instruction, and cross-disciplinary teaching to boost student success.ResourcesNatalie's new book Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of LearningDo We Need to Teach Comprehension Strategies Explicitly?The Writing Effect 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From June 22, 2021In this episode, reading and fluency expert Tim Rasinski tells us all about effective fluency instruction! How does repeated reading build fluency instruction? Why does text difficulty level impact fluency practice? What do effective accuracy, automaticity, and expression sound like?Check out research, articles, and helpful materials located on Tim's website and follow Tim on Twitter @TimRasinski1. We also discuss this piece by Nell Duke.Don't miss out - tons of 5 STAR REVIEWS! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Fluency is a crucial aspect of reading. It involves automaticity and the ability to connect different aspects of word knowledge.In this episode, Maryanne Wolf and Melissa Orkin discuss:the importance of fluency in readingthe factors that contribute to fluent readingthe need for an integrative approach to fluency instruction the POSSUM approach to building word knowledgeBig Takeaway: Fluency is essential for comprehension and has social-emotional implications for struggling readers. The POSSUM approach can help students make the needed connections to be able to read fluently. Want to Learn More? The More You Know: How Teaching Multiple Aspects of Word KnowledgeBuilds Fluency Skills by Melissa Orkin, Kirk Vanacore, Laura Rhinehart,Rebecca Gotlieb, and Maryanne WolfBuilding Fluency with POSSUMDownloadable lessons featuring the POSSUM approach:Grades K-2Grades 3-5Practice Doesn't Make Perfect: Repeated Reading Is No More Effective Than Continuous Reading for Improving Fluency and Comprehension in School-Age Struggling Readers by Elizabeth S. NortonRAN and the reading brain with Elizabeth Norton (youtube video)Word Finder wordfinder.yourdictionary.com - find words with similar patterns!Crafting Minds Group NIDO LearningWe wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Secondary educators have students in their classrooms who weren't taught to read. Because of these reading deficits, students  likely have a difficult time accessing secondary texts and tasks. Our guests today, Supt. Sherry Sousa and Educator Julie Brown, discuss a secondary intervention they developed that WORKS and is totally doable. The best part? Students partake in the intervention in addition to - not instead of - their regular high school English classes. ResourcesNo Time to Waste: Structured Literacy for Young AdultsAmeer Baraka video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyFiOYCqvyk We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Fluency is complex, especially for older students. In this episode, Janee' Butler shares:how fluency instruction looks from early grades to secondaryabout challenges students and teachers face, practical strategies for improving fluency,a reminder not to forget about student motivation, especially for older students struggling with reading fluently. The Big Takeway: Reading fluency is essential for older students to be able to comprehend what they read. Teachers need the knowledge of how to help each student!Want to Learn More? Janee's presentation at PaTTAN Symposium 2024: Achieving Adolescent Literacy Proficiency: The Importance of Fluency Teaching Oral Reading Fluency to Older Students by Tim ShanahanPhonics and Spelling through Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping by Catherine Grace  Really Great Reading assessments (free)DIBELS assessments- 8th Edition (free)Plain Talk About Literacy & Learning Conference 2025email Janee': janee@mycll.org We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From June 3, 2022 Today middle school educators from Baltimore City Public Schools join us to discuss their focus on fluency through Continuous Improvement work with fluency using HQC. What is Continuous Improvement? Why is this a useful framework? “Possibly wrong, definitely incomplete”  is a mantra that resonates. The educators share their approach, impact, and outcomes for students. Secondary teachers… this one's for you. Related EpisodesEp. 98: Improving Student Reading Growth in Months with Fluency Instruction and Practice Ep. 62: Effective Fluency Instruction with Tim Rasinski ResourcesCarnegie Foundation Continuous Improvement in Education Resources such as videos, tools, and publicationsWe wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Chase Young discusses the implementation of Reader's Theater in the classroom, providing a detailed framework for the process. He emphasizes the importance of structured practice, fluency, and expression, as well as the benefits of engaging students in dramatic reading. Reader's Theater can be implemented in ELA and other subject areas with grade-level texts. Reader's Theatre improves reading skills and transfers skills to other texts. TakeawaysStructured practice is essential for achieving fluency and expression in Reader's Theater.Reader's Theater can be integrated with other subjects, providing opportunities for vocabulary and morphology instruction.Choosing challenging, grade-level texts is important for meeting grade-level expectations and supporting students' fluency and comprehension.Repetition plays a significant role in scaffolding and supporting students' fluency and expression in Reader's Theater. Reader's Theatre is an effective tool for improving reading skills and fluency.ResourcesMeta analysis - super duper effect size 1.23 Readers Theatre Plus Comprehension and Word Study 2017 Free Readers' Theater Scripts at The Best Class - Chase Young's website Rumpelstiltskin Readers' Theater Script The Methods of Repeated Readings - J. Samuels The Reading Teacher More Readers' Theater Scripts at JustTwoTeachers We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)The science of learning is what research says about how our brains learn. In this episode, Nathaniel Swain discusses the science of learning, emphasizing its connection with the science of reading.  He shares: key mindset shifts for teachersthe significance of coherent curriculum planningpractical strategies like using mini whiteboards and advanced organizers to enhance student engagement and understandingHe also highlights the need for responsive whole-class instruction and the importance of closing learning gaps early in students' educational journeys.ResourcesNathaniel Swain's websiteHarnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement by Nathaniel Swain Asubel's Meaningful Learning in Action by Sarah CottinghamEp. 63: Kindergarten Teacher Reaches 100% Success Using Evidence-Based PracticesEp. 115: Kindergarten TEAM Reaches 100% Success Using Evidence-Based Practices Ep. 154: Fluency Instructional Routines with Nathaniel SwainWe wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From July 14, 2023What if you could unlock the secrets to fluency instruction in literacy, and transform your students into confident and skilled readers? Join us as we delve into this crucial topic with Nathaniel Swain, Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University in Australia, who shares his expertise on the three components of fluency: speed, accuracy, and prosody. Let's explore together how balancing speed with comprehension can make all the difference in today's digital age, where skimming and scrolling are the new norm.We discuss a variety of practical strategies to help students practice fluency in the classroom, such as choral reading and paired reading. Nathaniel also sheds light on the role of technology in simplifying the process of creating engaging materials. Discover how to create an environment that fosters student engagement and understanding, and learn the differences between fluency instruction in primary and intermediate classes.Finally, we examine the value of fluency in reading instruction and how it can be integrated into the literacy block. Nathaniel explains the self-teaching hypothesis and emphasizes the importance of exposing students to unfamiliar words and challenging texts. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with tips and strategies to help your students become fluent and confident readers!ResourcesThink Forward EducatorsFive Ways to Focus on Fluency, Think Forward Educators Blog Fluency Rubric, Tim RasinskiReaders Theater Scripts, Chase YoungFluency Resources, Tim Rasinski Nathaniel Swain on Writing to Learn, ERRR PodcastWe wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)The authors of No More “Strategy of the Week”: Considerations for Connecting Comprehension Instruction Back to the Book discuss the importance of teaching comprehension strategies in a text-centered approach. They emphasize the need to move away from isolated strategy instruction and instead focus on using texts as the center of instruction. They highlight the importance of background knowledge, vocabulary, and text structure in preparing students for reading. During reading, they suggest using explicit think-alouds to model comprehension strategies and provide scaffolds for students. They also emphasize the need for students to do the heavy lifting during reading and for teachers to support and guide their thinking. The conversation explores the different stages of comprehension instruction: before reading, during reading, and after reading. TakeawaysTeaching comprehension strategies should be done in a text-centered approach, where the focus is on using texts as the center of instruction.Before reading, it is important to activate or build background knowledge, pre-teach vocabulary, and attend to text structure.During reading, teachers should provide explicit think-alouds to model comprehension strategies and provide scaffolds for students.Students should be doing the heavy lifting during reading, with teachers supporting and guiding their thinking.Engaging students in meaningful reading experiences and connecting comprehension strategies to authentic texts is crucial for effective comprehension instruction. Explicit strategy instruction is crucial for teaching comprehension skills.Modeling how to use comprehension strategies helps students understand how to apply them.Providing opportunities for students to practice and apply comprehension strategies is essential.Engaging students in discussions and writing activities after reading helps consolidate learning and deepen understanding.No More “Strategy of the Week”: Considerations for Connecting Comprehension Instruction Back to the BookWe wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Imagine transforming the way you teach reading. Picture your students not just passively consuming the written word, but actively producing meaning and taking purposeful actions inspired by what they've read. This is the promise of our conversation with Doug Fisher, professor at San Diego State University and renowned author, as he takes us on a journey into the depths of reading comprehension.We question the effectiveness of common literacy programs and discuss the intricate ties between vocabulary, comprehension, and prior knowledge. How do you feel about the 'letter of the week' approach? Listen as we scrutinize its validity and dig deeper into other foundational reading skills, such as letter recognition and sound blending. We also expose the symbiotic relationship between vocabulary and comprehension, underscoring the pivotal role of knowledge in decoding texts.We then traverse the landscape of oral language in reading instruction and the implications of isolating reading from writing. Can you guess the impact of these practices on student learning? Doug enlightens us on the significance of comprehension strategy instruction and the importance of developing all elements of reading literacy. To cap it off, our conversation concludes with three practical suggestions that you, as an educator, can apply in your classroom for immediate impact. Prepare to awaken a new perspective on the world of reading.ResourcesArticles by Natalie WexlerSteve Graham: Effective Writing Instruction (video)Powerful Writing Strategies for All Students, Harris & Graham (book) We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Imagine facing not only the struggles of growing up in a challenging environment,  but also battling a learning difference that went undiagnosed for years. Hear the inspiring story of Ameer Baraka as he discusses his book: Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia.Ameer will discuss: How he grew up in New Orleans, facing unimaginable obstacles His experiences with being misunderstood and how it impacted his life How he transformed his life by reclaiming his education while incarcerated How he is now dedicated to helping others recognize their potential By the end of this episode, you'll see how Ameer's journey not only sheds light on the challenges of dyslexia but also highlights the incredible strength it takes to overcome adversity.Want to Learn More?Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia by Ameer Baraka We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From October 7, 2022In this episode, we talk with former balanced literacy teacher and parent, Missy Purcell. She authored a blog post titled Dear Balanced Literacy Teacher.Missy writes, “According to Nancy Young's ladder of reading, roughly 10-15% of kids can figure out reading out with this type of instruction, but my child, who would later be diagnosed with dyslexia, would never be able to become a proficient reader with any version of balanced literacy. He, according to Young, like 85% of students, benefit from or need systematic explicit instruction that follows a scope and sequence with fidelity to become proficient readers and writers.”We want to normalize the idea that most kids CAN learn how to read with structured literacy instruction. ResourcesDear Balanced Literacy Teacher Looking for Heroes: One Boy, One Year, 100 Letters 2nd EditionThese resources from the International Dyslexia Association are helpful to spread the word on social media about October as Dyslexia Awareness Month! We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)In this conversation we explore Nancy Young's infographic, "The Ladder of Reading and Writing," unpacking the complexity of learning to read and write in English. This framework helps educators grasp the diverse factors influencing how students learn. Nancy Young and Jan Hasbrouck, editors of the new book Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of All Learners help us navigate through the four color-coded levels—ranging from those facing the most challenges to those who begin reading effortlessly—emphasizing tailored teaching methods and the nuanced nature of literacy instruction. Highlighting the pivotal roles of classroom organization and data-driven grouping, the episode underscores the necessity of flexible teaching approaches. Concluding with insights on assessment tools and collaborative strategies, they share what it takes for effective differentiated instruction.TakeawaysLearning to read and write in English is a complex process influenced by internal and external factors.Instruction cannot be one size fits all and must be differentiated based on students' needs.The Ladder of Reading and Writing infographic provides a visual representation of the continuum of literacy development.Dosage of instruction varies for different students, with some needing more guided practice and others needing less.Observation and data collection are crucial for effective differentiation and instruction. Differentiation should be based on students' skills and needs, not just their reading levels.Assessment should include screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring assessments to inform differentiated instruction.ResourcesThe Ladder of Reading & Writing Infographic by Nancy YoungClimbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of All Learners Edited by Nancy Young and Jan HasbrouckDifferentiated Instruction by Vicki Gibson and Jan Hasbrouck We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Jul 7, 2023Today we talk about fluency and assessment with Jan Hasbrouck. She shares tips and tricks for how to to best assess and teach fluency. She also debunks frequent fluency misunderstandings and explains the scientific evidence that underlies the Hasbrouck-Tindal Oral Reading Fluency Chart.  Note: During the podcast, we mentioned we would link Jan's previous studies on ORF. But… we want to make sure the most recent information (Fluency Norms Chart 2017 Update) is the one that is prioritized for instructional use, so we've linked that to avoid confusion.  ResourcesHasbrouck-Tindal Oral Reading Fluency ChartFluency Norms Chart (2017 Update) Developing Fluent Readers by Jan Hasbrouck, Reading RocketsUnderstanding and Assessing Fluency by Jan Hasbrouck, Reading RocketsTim Rasinski Multidimensional Fluency Rubric NAEP Fluency Scale What Does “Below Basic” Mean on NAEP Reading? We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone discuss the importance of vocabulary and syntax in reading comprehension. They explain how vocabulary connects to reading comprehension and the different levels of word knowledge. They also emphasize the need for explicit instruction in vocabulary and the role of context in understanding word meaning. They also discuss the connection between semantics and syntax and how understanding sentence comprehension is crucial for overall comprehension. They share instructional activities such as anagrams and sentence expansion to support sentence level comprehension. The conversation explores the integration of reading and writing, the importance of language in reading proficiency, and different ways students can express their understanding through oral responses, multimedia, and written responses as tools for comprehension and expression. Vocabulary plays a critical role in reading comprehension and is connected to all aspects of language.Different levels of word knowledge serve different purposes, and depth of understanding is crucial for overall comprehension.Syntax provides the structure for words to convey meaning in sentences, and an understanding of syntax is essential for sentence comprehension.Instructional activities such as anagrams and sentence expansion can support sentence level comprehension and foster collaboration and discussion among students. Integration of reading and writing is crucial for student learning.Language is the foundation of reading proficiency.Students can express their understanding through oral response, multimedia, and written responses.The book provides practical strategies and tools for teachers to support reading comprehension.The authors wrote the book to bridge the gap between research and practice and provide teachers with additional resources.ResourcesThe Reading Comprehension Blueprint Activity Book by Nancy Hennessy & Julia SalamoneThe Literacy House - Pam Snow Blog Post We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From Aug 4, 2023What if the key to unlocking your students' reading comprehension could be found through a deeper understanding of the intricate processes at work in their minds? Prepare to have your teaching world transformed as we journey with reading comprehension expert and acclaimed author, Nancy Hennessy. Together, we'll map out the cognitive and linguistic processes that underpin comprehension, and navigate the complex interaction between a reader's knowledge, the text itself, and the author's intent.As teachers, we play an integral role in shaping the reading journey of our students. Witness how the Reading Comprehension Blueprint can revolutionize your instructional design as we discuss how to thoughtfully consider the task, text, and context. Learn how to integrate prior background knowledge and foster mental models of understanding. Be part of our examination of comprehension as an essential pillar of reading and join us as we demystify the science behind this crucial skill.Finally, imagine having a blueprint that offers a flexible framework that aligns seamlessly with the science of comprehension. Listen as we delve into the importance of planning for instruction, pinpointing the key takeaways for your students, and exploring types of texts and text sets. Learn how to identify the contributors to comprehension and teach your students to become masters of their own understanding. Buckle up and get ready to revolutionize your approach to teaching reading comprehension.ResourcesThe Reading Comprehension Blueprint From The Reading Comprehension Blueprint by Nancy Lewis Hennessy. Copyright © 2021 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reservedExpert Minute Video-Thinking about Comprehension: Nancy HennessyRethinking How to Promote Reading Comprehension, American Federation of Teachers by Hugh CattsEp. 118 Rethinking Reading Comprehension with Researcher Hugh Catts, podcastAIM FCRR Background Knowledge Research We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Lindsay Kemeny discusses her book 7 Mighty Moves and the importance of teaching literacy effectively. The conversation covers the development of the 7 moves, which focus on phonemic awareness, word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Lindsay emphasizes the need for explicit and systematic instruction, the use of decodable texts, and the importance of teaching sight words with phonics skills. She also shares practical strategies for improving fluency, such as partner reading and paragraph shrinking. She explains how this routine helped improve students' reading fluency and comprehension. Lindsay also emphasizes the importance of embracing vocabulary and background knowledge in reading instruction. Resources 7 Mighty Moves (book) by Lindsay KemenyTeaching with Lindsay Kemeny on FacebookLiteracy Talks podcastLindsay's website We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From Mar 18, 2022How can regular fluency practice lead to fluent readers? In today's episode, educators Lorraine Griffith and Lindsay Kemeny discuss the impact of fluency in their classrooms. Fluency is a bridge: It connects word recognition with comprehension. We dive into whole and small group fluency instruction with simple strategies and more. We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Our guests today, authors Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell, discuss the concept of Strive-For-Five Conversations, which emphasizes the importance of multi-turn conversations between teachers and students. They explain that the goal is to stretch conversations beyond the typical question-response format and aim for at least five turns.  The conversation explores the importance of building relationships with parents and the impact of conversations on brain development. They also provide practical tips for implementing Strive for Five in the classroom and engaging parents in the process. ResourcesStrive for Five Conversations by Tricia Zucker and Sonia CabellUsing Strive-for-Five Conversations to Strengthen Language Comprehension in Preschool through Grade OneAsking Questions is Just the First Step: Using Upward and Downward Scaffolds Going Nuts for Words: Recommendation for Teaching Young Students Academic VocabularyArticle on Teaching Together research: This article shows sending home materials scaffolds parent involvement and that the impact of rewards fades over time.Talking is Teaching Family Engagement ResourcesWe wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From Jul 15, 2022Dr. Sonia Cabell, Associate Professor at Florida State University, shares the importance of both oral language and content knowledge instruction. Why? Oral language skills underlie our ability to comprehend text. At the same time, the knowledge we bring to a text is THE key determinant on how much we understand that text. This episode speaks to the entirety of the reading rope! We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Heidi Anne Mesmer discusses her book Big Words for Young Readers. She emphasizes the importance of teaching young readers to decode and understand words with multiple syllables and morphemes. Heidi Anne highlights the need to teach morphemic concepts early on and provides recommendations for teaching different types of morphemes at each grade level. She explains that morphology, the study of word parts, is a crucial component of reading comprehension and vocabulary development. Mesmer provides practical strategies for teaching morphology, such as teaching the morphological principle and using activities like 'Make It Big' to build students' confidence in creating big words. She also emphasizes the need for explicit instruction in morphology from an early age and highlights the benefits of using cognates and word chains to support multilingual learners. TakeawaysThe book Big Words for Young Readers focuses on teaching young readers to decode and understand words with multiple syllables and morphemes.Syllables are sound units, while morphemes are the smallest units of sound that carry meaning in a word.Teaching morphemic concepts early on can help students distinguish the meaningful parts of words.There is no strict scope and sequence for teaching morphemes, but it is important to consider the frequency and applicability of different types of morphemes at each grade level. Teaching morphology is essential for developing reading comprehension and vocabulary skills in young readers.Strategies like teaching the morphological principle and using activities like 'Make It Big' can help students understand and create big words.Explicit instruction in morphology should be integrated into phonics instruction from an early age.Cognates and word chains can be effective tools for supporting multilingual learners in developing their morphological knowledge.Resources Big Words for Young Readers and the entire Scholastic Science of Reading in Practice book series! We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From Nov 4, 2022Researcher Heidi Anne Mesmer joins the podcast to discuss the research on decodable text and dos and don'ts for classroom practice. Thinking about decodability as a meter from most to least decodable to the reader is important. A child who reads a text by sounding out and decoding words will experience a milestone of childhood: the feeling of reading. This also supports orthographic mapping.ResourcesDecodable Text: A Review of What We Know, Heidi Anne Mesmer TextProject.org Key Knowledge to Support Phonological Awareness and Phonics Instruction, Piasta and Hudson Choosing and Using Decodable Texts, Wiley Blevins Reading Above the Fray, Julia Lindsey We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Anna Geiger, author of "Reach All Readers," joins us on the pod today. Anna takes us on a historical reading journey, from the early reading wars of the 1800s to debates between whole language and balanced literacy, up to the present Science of Reading movement. She shares her personal transition from balanced literacy to embracing the science of reading, providing critical insights into why a code-emphasis method is indispensable for early reading instruction. ResourcesConnect with Anna Geiger, AKA The Measured MomListen to Anna's podcast, Triple R Teaching  Read Anna's new book, Reach All Readers We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)From Sep 21, 2020The article Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom is a must-read before or after listening to this podcast!  Meredith Liben and Sue Pimentel share the true intentions of the CCSS vs. the way they are currently interpreted. They also provide observations about how the Standards play out in classrooms and schools - within HQIM and what happens in absence of HQIM! We ask the gals some tough questions: What does this mean for assessment, especially "data-driven" instruction?What are better ways to assess and track student progress? They are hilarious and smart, and so very relatable. This one is a MUST listen!Read the article that prompted this conversation:Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA ClassroomWe wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)In this episode, Meredith and David Liben discuss the importance of comprehension instruction, the power of questions, and the practice of close reading. They emphasize the value of curiosity, vocabulary depth, and the features of complex text. The conversation also delves into the debate around teaching comprehension strategies, the overemphasis on reading strategies, the impact of high-pressure assessments on instruction, and the need for a more comprehensive approach to reading comprehension. The speakers reflect on their own mistakes and the challenges in the field of literacy education.TakeawaysThe power of questions lies in their ability to provide insight into a student's comprehension, encourage precise thinking, and reveal the features of a text that stumped or aided comprehension.Close reading serves as a valuable technique for examining the features of complex text, developing vocabulary depth, and understanding the world through text.The debate around teaching comprehension strategies highlights the impact of high-pressure assessments and the need to prioritize meaningful instruction over test preparation. Comprehension strategies have limitations and may not be the most effective approach to reading comprehension.The overemphasis on reading strategies can be detrimental to students' engagement and understanding of reading.Foundational skills and the science of reading play a crucial role in improving reading comprehension.Reflecting on mistakes and being open to learning from them is essential for progress in literacy education.We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Unlock the potential of your ELA instruction by shifting to a knowledge-rich curriculum! Join us as we sit down with David Liben, co-author of Know Better, Do Better, to hear stories about knowledge-building goodness. David highlights how incorporating vocabulary, morphology, syntax, and comprehension can bring joy and engagement to your classroom. Discover how diverse topics like polar bears and space can captivate students' imaginations, while a shared quality curriculum fosters a strong sense of community and supports social-emotional learning.ResourcesKnow Better, Do Better: Comprehension by David & Meredith Liben Know Better, Do Better by Meredith & David Liben We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Kim Lockhart, Canadian educator, shares her top three book recommendations. The first recommendation is 'Next Steps in Literacy Instruction' by Susan Smart and Deb Glaser, which focuses on the multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) model and effective interventions. The second recommendation is 'Why Don't Students Like School?' by Daniel Willingham, which explores the science of learning and how to make instruction more effective. The third recommendation is 'Read Alouds for All Learners' by Molly Ness, which emphasizes the importance of language comprehension and intentional read alouds.  ResourcesMelissa & Lori Love Literacy Episode 193: Systems to Get Better Reading Results with Stephanie Stollar (podcast)Next STEPS in Literacy Instruction: Connecting Assessments to Effective Interventions by Susan Smartt and Deborah Glaser (book)Melissa & Lori Love Literacy Episode 139: Knowledge Matters with Barbara Davidson and Daniel Willingham (podcast)Why Don't Students Like School? By Daniel Willingham (book)Melissa & Lori Love Literacy Episode 170: All About Read Alouds with Molly Ness (podcast)Read Alouds for All Learners: A Comprehensive Plan for Every Subject, Every Day, Grades PreK–8 by Molly Ness (book)We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Read Not Guess is a FREE program designed for parents to help their children improve their early reading skills. The lessons are short and simple, taking only 5 to 10 minutes per day. The program is email-based, with parents receiving a daily email with the lesson of the day. There are two levels available, with level one for true beginners and level two for more advanced learners. Additionally, there is a Dailyish Decodable program for kids who need more practice with specific skills. All the programs are free and accessible to parents and caregivers.Sign up for Read Not Guess now! We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Melissa & Lori discuss questions about reading comprehension from our new book, The Literacy 50: A Q&A Handbook for Teachers, and provide research-based answers and practical suggestions. We talk about the place of sustained silent reading in the school day and the best ways to assess a student's comprehension. We also discuss the concept of reading volume and how to support students in reading more.We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Melissa & Lori discuss questions about phonemic awareness from our new book, The Literacy 50: A Q&A Handbook for Teachers. We talk about best practices for teaching phonemic awareness and whether to teach it with or without naming and showing letters. Additionally, we address the misconception that introducing letters in phonemic awareness instruction means transitioning to phonics, and they provide guidance on when and how to introduce letters in phonemic awareness instruction.We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)The tables are turned on us in today's episode! Anna Geiger interviews us about our new book, The Literacy 50. You might know Anna as The Measured Mom and host of the Triple R Teaching podcast. We loved divulging why we wrote the book, how educators can use it in classrooms and schools, and we even answer some hot topic questions! We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

We would love to hear from you! Send us a message (if you'd like a reply, email us at literacypodcast@greatminds.org)Today's sneak peek episode gives you a behind the scenes look at why we wrote this book, the questions we answer, and resources we crafted just for you! We wrote a book! The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.