My Literacy Space Podcast

Michelle Breitenbach is an energetic and motivating presenter who will get you on your feet. She is a certified dyslexia practitioner and early literacy specialist from Boston, Massachusetts.  After working as a special educator for seven years, she established her own company in Miami, Florida, Read to Rewire. She supports students online as a private educator and coaches teachers globally. Michelle is passionate about teaching others how to engage students through less technology, movement, and games in the classroom and online, precisely those extra wiggly, inflexible thinkers. Michelle was teaching online for over a year when the pandemic occurred. She supported the transition to online teaching with free resources and webinars during the pandemic.    Michelle loves creating unique resources to support teachers and maintain student interest with games and bursts of movement. Her interactive webinars have focused on elevating student engagement, maintaining multi-sensory methods, minimizing tech online for successful lessons, setting up behavior systems, and weaving quick motivating activities into each part of a structured literacy lesson. In this episode, we'll chat give our top 3 tips for tutoring! Connect with Michelle: Michelle's Website: https://www.readtorewire.com;  Connect with Michelle on IG: http://www.Instagram.com/readtorewire  Connect with Michelle on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/readtorewire Additional Resources:  Freebie! Checklist to Get Ready to Teach Online: https://cheerful-speaker-5789.ck.page/b230f58cbe InSwan Document Camera Amazon Canada affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3do8nVX Amazon US affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3S85Jm4 Check out the LIVE with Hanna and Michelle all about working with wiggly littles. https://www.instagram.com/tv/Chu6YquprZ_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Shaime Cortes-Vega  started her career as an educator in 2009. In that time, she's worked as a special education middle school teacher, an upper grades elementary school teacher, and has now been a literacy coach for four years. She's also a professional development specialist for Education to the Core. She's passionate about all things reading science and ADHD and love to share information about these two topics.    -What is ADHD? -The process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis -Typical obstacles that kids with ADHD deal with during a day -Common diagnoses that would go together with ADHD -How to support someone you love who has ADHD   Connect with Shaime Corets-Vega @drcorteswrites Freebie: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VJS4LTWRND6Q7Yp9krsaK3nXsWMQgnUg/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107460830376551921290&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Jeannette Roberes is an author who has worked as a speech pathologist, software engineer and educator. She has spoken in over 40 countries and has earned recognition in The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report, among other professional acknowledgements. Jeannette's commitment to life-long learning is noted through her LETRS® early childhood facilitator certification, Fast ForWord® and PROJECT READ® curriculum certifications. Her debut book, Technical Difficulties: Why Dyslexic Narratives Matter in Tech, has received 5 star reviews across Goodreads and Amazon. Jeannette is the chief academic officer of Bearly Articulating. In this episode, we'll chat about: What do we mean when we say "literacy is a social justice issue"?   What are some of the contributing factors?   How does this impact learning?   Why do we need to pay more attention?   Important resources   The Young Activist's Dictionary of Social Justice Amazon Canada affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3cQQq27 Amazon US affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3AVYfLL   Literacy is Liberation by Kimberly N. Parker Amazon Canada affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3cUfWmZ Amazon US affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3D5PiSE   Think Dyslexia with Dr. Lauren Website:  https://www.thinkdyslexia.me/ Podcast:  https://www.myliteracyspace.com/blog/how-to-supportyour-dyslexic-child

Rachel Beiswanger serves as a K-12 reading specialist. She works directly with students as an interventionist and also leads literacy initiatives to implement evidence-based practices at her school. She holds a master of education in reading and has been an educator for 12 years. Rachel is passionate about helping educators bridge research to practice and believes that prevention is the key to ending the literacy crisis.  In this episode we chat about: -What a  universal screener is and what specific ways that that gives us an overall view -How to move from a universal to more of a diagnostic assessment -The possible red flags that come up possible red flags that come up in an assessment -How to support specific literacy skills   Resources mentioned in the episode: Reading comp comprehension blueprint by Nancy Hennessy Amazon Canada affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3TzmzMa Amazon US affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3KGSxSA Teachers top 10 tools by Dr. Deb Glaser: https://www.tools4reading.com/top-10-tools Universal Screener: https://acadiencelearning.org/acadience-reading/

Hallee Adelman is an educator, writer, producer, and filmmaker. With a PhD in education, Adelman has taught elementary through university students and has been nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year on multiple occasions. This past April, Adelman released three new picture books published by Albert Whitman & Company. Way Past Lonely and Way Past Afraid, are the two latest books in Hallee's Great Big Feelings series, joining 2020 titles Way Past Mad and Way Past Worried and 2021 titles Way Past Jealous and Way Past Sad. These Social Emotional Learning books help kids explore and manage their feelings, with accompanying lesson plans, activities, and videos available for free at WayPastBooks.com.  Hallee also released The Strongest Thing, a standalone picture book that reminds children of the strength found in love and kindness—and in themselves.   Whether she is sharing a story, supporting her local schools, or serving a non-profit, Adelman's greatest passion is lifting kids, families, and creators as they share their stories, inspire change, and spread laughter. She resides outside Philadelphia, PA with her husband, daughters, and dogs.   In this episode we'll chat about: -How the descriptive language used in the series helps children visualize the emotion making it easy to relate to -Diverse representation of families and character names -The importance of using picture books to build social and emotional language and skills -How families and educators can use these books to support children Connect with Hallee: https://waypastbooks.com/ https://www.halleeadelman.com/ https://myquietship.com/ Instagram @WayPastBooks and @HalleeAdelman Twitter @HalleeAdelman

Wendy Darasz and Jen Yagid are both Wilson certified and credentialed Dyslexia Practitioners. They have worked together for over 10 years. They are self-described Science of Reading geeks and are passionate about evidenced-based literacy instruction.    Wendy and Jen co-founded Informed Literacy in 2015 to help build a community of like-minded individuals and to spread the word about structured literacy practices. As reading specialists, they work with a diverse population of students, including regular and special education students and English language learners from kindergarten to grade 6.    Their mission at Informed Literacy is to support teachers and parents of emergent and struggling readers because …every child deserves reading success.      What is the best definition of fluency? What is automaticity and accuracy, prosody, speed, punctuation, expression Why is fluency important for readers? What are the most important components of fluency? How do we assess fluency?   Connect with Jen and Wendy: Website: https://informedliteracy.com/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informedlit/    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InformedLit   Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCDE4Ut9Y5ZgzNimn40l0rQ TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Informed-Literacy   Megabook of Fluency by Timothy Rasinski and Melissa Cheeseman Smith Amazon Canada affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3ypG5C1

Sarah Paul is a reading interventionist for kindergarten through third grade. Prior to that, she taught first grade. Sarah has a blog called Sarah's Teaching Snippets that she started in 2010.   Sarah started studying dyslexia about ten years ago, which began her journey with the Science of Reading. She has received OG training through the Dyslexia Training Institute and additional training through PDX Reading Specialist.   In this episode, we'll discuss: What is a morpheme? What is morphology? Why is morphology important? How does morphology support reading and spelling acquisition? When do we start to introduce morphology concepts into our instruction? Why is important not to wait until the later grades to introduce morphology? **Sign Up for the Science of Reading Summer Summit: https://www.myliteracyspace.com/science-of-reading-summer-summit

Rachel is a 1st grade teacher based in Atlanta, GA. After falling in love with early education through studying social emotional learning in her elementary education and special education undergraduate teaching program, Rachel found structured literacy through working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Reading Clinic. She developed structured multi-sensory instruction for students with diverse learning needs and brought this experience to the gen ed classroom starting in 2020.  Rachel taught Kindergarten online all year during the 2020-2021 school year out of Brooklyn, NY and built her social media platform and teacher resources to support early career teachers in developing inclusive classroom communities online and in-person as well as implementing structured literacy research and practice in schools with balanced literacy programs. She discovered the equitable power of word study and aligned decodables as she worked with learners with a variety of language backgrounds and learning needs all through the computer. In this episode, we'll chat about  -What ‘decodable' means -What decodable books and decodable texts are -The importance of decodable text -The reasons for using decodable text vs. authentic text -Who should be reading decodable text -The 3-cueing system and leveled text -When to move on from decodable text   **Sign Up for the Science of Reading Summer Summit here: https://www.myliteracyspace.com/science-of-reading-summer-summit **Download my Decodable Books & Resources Link here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62c59e6776107945a8113180

Brittany Philipsen is entering her 18th year in public education, having spent eleven years as an elementary classroom teacher, and beginning year seven as an instructional coach.  Passionate about research-based literacy instruction, Brittany has completed LETRS training twice, Orton Gillingham training twice, holds a Structured Literacy certificate, and has a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Reading Science.  It is Brittany's mission to support teachers in ensuring that all students have access to high quality explicit reading instruction. In this episode you'll hear us chat about: -The importance of explicit spelling instruction  -The skills kids need to have in order to be proficient spellers -Why kids experience difficulty with spelling and how to support their learning -Brittany's favourite spelling resources   Books Mentioned in the Episode: Uncovering the Logic of English - A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling and Literacy by Denise Eide Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3OAD07n Amazon US https://amzn.to/3HMrSSF   Spelling for Life - Uncovering the Simplicity and Science of Spelling by Lyn Stone Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3OBsEUV Amazon US https://amzn.to/3tYTled   The ABC's and All Their Tricks - The Complete Reference Book of Phonics and Spelling by Margaret M. Bishop Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3Okz5fa Amazon US https://amzn.to/3zYYreg   Resources Mentioned in the Episode: https://education.ufl.edu › ufli https://www.readingrockets.org https://keystoliteracy.com/ https://www.grammarly.com/   Click the following link to access information about the Science of Reading Summer Summit: https://www.myliteracyspace.com/science-of-reading-summer-summit

Dr. Lauren McClenney-Rosenstein's passion for educating, advocating, and bringing awareness to dyslexia at the domestic and international levels began in the elementary classrooms of private schools serving students with language-based learning disabilities. She has been a certified Special Educator for a decade, and she earned her Doctor of Education in Teaching, Learning, Leadership, & Curriculum in 2019 from Northeastern University and holds a dual masters in Special Education and Elementary Education from Syracuse University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Syracuse University. Her dedication to providing the gold standard of instruction to individuals with dyslexia led her to obtain her endorsement at the Associate level through The Orton-Gillingham Academy in 2014. Eventually, she expanded her skill set in the public schools as a 7th and 8th grade math and English Language Arts (ELA) co-teacher before taking a position with a non-profit organization that advocates for inclusion in public schools for students with disabilities. Currently, Dr. Lauren is a middle school learning specialist and instructional coach at a private school while also the CEO of Think Dyslexia. In this episode we'll chat about: -What dyslexia is -Red flags parents should be looking for  -How parents can support their child with dyslexia  -How young children can be to get a diagnosis -Why it's important to not just “wait and see” -Resource books for parents to read Resources Mentioned in the Episode: -International Dyslexia Association: https://dyslexiaida.org/ -3 Surprising Ways to Support Your Child's Dyslexia: https://www.thinkdyslexia.me/landing-page -Dyslexia Yale Creativity Center: https://dyslexia.yale.edu/ -Mayo Clinics Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dyslexia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353552 Books Mentioned in the Episode: Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz Brilliantly Dyslexic. And that's by Liz Trudeau Hacking the Code by Gea Meijering Climb by Hannah Peckham Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco If You're So Smart, Why Can't You Spell Mississippi? By Barbara Esham Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Connect with Dr. Lauren Website: https://www.thinkdyslexia.me/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrlauren/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/think_dyslexia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-mcclenney-rosenstein-ed-d-6a06002a/

Caroline is a children's book author whose debut book, Gitty and Kvetch, came out this past September through Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. She has a number of picture books coming out over the next few years, and is excited to share more soon! Caroline is currently an MFA Candidate in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband, three kiddos and 120-lb dog. In this episode, we'll chat about: -How authors get inspired -Important skills to develop as a young writer -Favourite takeaways from Caroline's IG series Craft Talk she did with other amazing children's authors -How she looks for what she refers to as a "one magical moment" -Tips for educators in encouraging young writers   Connect with Caroline www.carolinekusinpritchard.com Instagram @carolinepritchardwrites Twitter @CarolinePritch Facebook: Caroline Kusin Pritchard   Books Mentioned in the Episode: Gitty and Kvetch by Caroline Kusin Pritchard Amazon Canada affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3xsbH8A Amazon US affiliate link:  https://amzn.to/3NVeGx3 When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke Amazon Canada affiliate link:https://amzn.to/3b4Qfin Amazon US affiliate link:  https://amzn.to/3MWJLzl

Why is it that more people can't read and write? Why are there still so many vastly different methods of teaching literacy? Why do people still argue about it? In this episode, you'll hear Hanna discuss the book “Reading for Life” with Savannah from Campbell Creates Readers and Megan and Laura from Developing Readers Academy. "Reading for Life" examines these three questions, addressing the less evidence-supported ideas about teaching reading and writing that are still alive and well in schools worldwide. This accessible guide bridges the gap between research and practice, translating academic findings into practical suggestions and ready-to-use techniques.   Connect with Megan and Laura Instagram: @developing_readers_academy Facebook- Developing Readers Academy Website: www.developingreadersacademy.com   Connect with Savannah Website: www.campbellcreatesreaders.com   Instagram: @campbellcreatesreaders on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube   "Reading for Life" with Lyn Stone Amazon Canada affiliate link https://amzn.to/3xmMqN4 Amazon US affiliate link https://amzn.to/3xb94rs

Get to Know Marisa: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mwliteracy   Website: https://www.mw-literacy.com     Executive Functioning Information Sheet: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Executive-Functioning-Skills-Handout-6988990   Recommended Books: Too Many Bubbles Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3Neddle Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3GDy9zI Your Fantastic Elastic Brain Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3Ma7AD6 Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3m3uvFB Goodnight to Your Fantastic Elastic Brain Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3aiUNkw Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3agA54N Fix it with Focus Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/38W8UfD Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3M9yg75 I'm Stretched Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3Nc8vEq Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3m4CrXj What Should Danny Do? Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3NcpVRA Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3GJAV6C Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3M9z0ZV Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3936V9d Executive Skills and Reading Comprehension Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/38DIcrO Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3mnVyMl   Recommended Games: Uno Card Game Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3x8anZp Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3Nck2DM

Megan Hartley the brains behind the Instagram account @Ihaveabook4that, describes herself as a book mom, book nerd, and a reading teacher.   Growing up Megan didn't read many books with characters who looked like her. And now she's on a mission to change that. Today,  Megan helps people find diverse books for all of life's moments no matter how big, small, or silly.   In this episode, Megan and I discuss: - Where Megan's passion for books came from - Megan's favourite book that she likes to use in the classroom and what literacy skills she teaches with that particular book - Some trends she saw in picture books specifically in 2021 that she would like to see continue in 2022. - The need for diverse picture books and when she first saw herself in a book and how that impacted her.   - 3 things Megan looks for in a great children's picture book and middle-grade book     Connect with Megan on Instagram  @ihaveabook4that   Book Recommendations The Little Red Pen Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3Go2B0I Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3sYTlKG Out of My Mind Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3yXKTiI Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3MT9dXa Out of My Heart Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/38mPQH4 Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3sWmbeK Blended Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3ah7Frr Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3MT9qtq   From the desk of Zoe, Washington Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3wK4D6K Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3GofNT1 Root Magic Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3MRxyN9 Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3Giabtw Red, White and Whole Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3LNzlRY Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3lK0bzL The Front Desk series Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3zgf311 Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3yX1umT Girl Dad Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3NACdCX Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3Go3tm0 On Her Wings Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3lLqC8o Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3PIMkri

Self-regulation is the ability to control one's emotions, thoughts, and actions. It's a critical life skill that impacts every aspect of a person's wellbeing, including their academic success. Self-regulated learners are able to set goals and stick to them, stay focused and on task, manage their time wisely, and cope with stress and setbacks in a healthy way. As you can imagine, these skills are essential for success in the classroom and in life. Karen Braun is joining me on this episode to talk about self-regulation and how that impacts learners in the classroom and at home. Karen Braun is an Inclusive Education Specialist for Palliser School Division. She has been a teacher since 1983 and began working with students with behavioural and mental health challenges in 1990. This has been her passion ever since. After working for a number of years within the constructs of more traditional approaches, Karen knew that there were any things that didn't line up with what she believed in her heart. This started her on a journey of exploration and learning. As part of this journey, she found some excellent research by Dr. Stuart Shanker, the founder of The Mehrit Centre who echoed what she believed, “There is no such thing as a bad kid!” Karen loves to share and teach on regulation, trauma, behaviour strategies, collaborative problem solving and all things inclusive education.   Connect with Karen: Facebook - Karen Vanderleest Braun Twitter - @TchrKaren Instagram - selfreggerkaren   Download Karen's Resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10EqViZLDhXPP7pGK6j7N2EMjzaIBJF9k?usp=sharing   Videos mentioned in the episode: Wheel of Emotions: https://www.6seconds.org/2022/03/13/plutchik-wheel-emotions/ Hand-Brain Model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRmnVmELMn8 Long StoryShortz: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC88dVyeFEfwfSXRD7TL03CA   Books mentioned in the episode: Shanker, Stuart - Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You). Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3yI89kF Amazon US link: https://amzn.to/3llN2wO   Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life Amazon Canada link: https://amzn.to/3PEoLjx Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3sHghy6   Gates, Miriam and Hinder, Sarah Jane - Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Wake Up Story Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3wmOLbu Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3sJ95l8   Hanh, Thich Nhat - A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/37YIZU4 Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3wlLUzi   Sladkey, David - Energizing Brain Breaks (Also YouTube channel) Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3wl3aoj Amazon US link https://amzn.to/3yO6PNn   Winner, Michelle Garci and Crooke, Pamela - You are a Social Detective! Explaining Social Thinking to Kids (they have a whole range of great products) Amazon Canada link https://amzn.to/3sDGAoY

Margaret Kingsbury has 14 years of experience in the book industry and is the co-founder of Baby Librarians, a children's book review website. She's passionate about inclusivity, disability, and spreading the joys of reading. She's a regular contributing writer for BuzzFeed Books and Book Riot. Her articles have also been featured in Parents, The Lily, StarTrek.com, and more. In this episode, Margaret and I chat about:   -What is missing in children's books when we talk about disability? -What makes a book about disabilities problematic?   -How do we think more critically about books - tokenism vs incidental representation  -Why do you think this continues to be an area lacking representation? -How does this impact children? -What are your top 3 books that demonstrate disability in a positive light? -How do we think more critically about representation in children's books and how do we model that for children or for people we interact with?   https://www.instagram.com/babylibrarians/ https://www.facebook.com/babylibrarians https://babylibrarians.com/ https://bookshop.org/shop/babylibrarians https://twitter.com/areaderlymom   The Current State of Disability Representation in Children's Books from Book Riot: https://bookriot.com/disability-representation-in-childrens-books/ Check out Margaret's Baby Librarians list of books with dyslexic characters: https://babylibrarians.com/5-childrens-books-with-dyslexic-characters/ Link to The Catchpoles Instagram and Ale's lesson guide too. Here it is: https://thecatchpoles.net/2021/08/08/official-what-happened-to-you-lesson-plan-created-with-the-author/ What Happened To You? by James Catchpole and Karen George Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3kZbHH9 Amazon US https://amzn.to/3l80WSN   I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/39dcKjX Amazon US https://amzn.to/3MakaTK   My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf and Ashley Barron Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3M5L935 Amazon US https://amzn.to/3PhyN9K

Using LGBTQIA+ affirming materials in your classroom can help foster more equitable learning environments where everyone feels valued and seen.     By using inclusive literacy texts and teaching tools, such as book lists and lesson plans tailored towards the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth, you can go a long way towards promoting acceptance, tolerance, and understanding among your child or student. In addition, affirming materials can also provide valuable information about LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences, which can help promote critical thinking skills and lead to a deeper understanding of complex social issues.    Interested in learning how to use LGBTQIA+ affirming materials in your classroom? Our featured guest this week, Ash Bell, is here to help us get started.    Ash (they/them) is a LGBTQIA+ cultural responsiveness trainer, former public school teacher, book aficionado, and parent of 2 kids under 5. They have worked with schools, government agencies, businesses, and parents for over 10 years helping to create LGBTQIA+ affirming spaces, DEI plans, and curriculum that celebrates LGBTQIA+ children and families. When not supporting parents, schools, non-profits, and businesses in their inclusion endeavors, Ash can be found hiking the mountains of Western Massachusetts where they are a recent transplant.   Here are the episode highlights:   -The Rainbow Toolbox - What is it and what kind of tools make the most impact? -How to do a Children's Book Inventory -How to use LGBTQIA+ affirming materials in your classroom - What does this mean and what does it look like? -Ash's top book recommendations to read with children and how to start the conversation with your own children or with your students and even your staff!   Website: www.therainbowtoolbox.com Instagram: @therainbowtoolbox Check out Ash's pronoun practice tips sheet by signing up for their email list: https://mailchi.mp/0b6855ad8b82/pronoun-tips    Bathe the Cat  Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3KpMNe9 Amazon US https://amzn.to/3EYBQ1O   We Move Together  Amazon Canadahttps://amzn.to/3vSvq06 Amazon US https://amzn.to/3vomi4k   Mr. Watson's Chickens  Amazon Canadahttps://amzn.to/3kEeNQV Amazon US https://amzn.to/3vpheNe   A Plan for Pops  Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3kjTSSX Amazon US https://amzn.to/3xXskuD   When Aidan Became a Brother  Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3vOCn2f Amazon US https://amzn.to/3MA29hA   Grandad's Camper  Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3KtpT5s Amazon US https://amzn.to/3rUezcc   Love, Violet  Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3xYkwIS Amazon US https://amzn.to/39dgn9E   Picture Bookstagang Podcast: “Incidental LGBTQ+ Representation in Picturebooks: A short history and a modern overview.” https://picturebookstagang.com/podcast-picture-bookstagang/

Handwriting is a crucial skill that many of us take for granted. Whether we are writing in print or cursive, our ability to form letters and words clearly and legibly can affect everything from our engagement in school to our job prospects later in life. And yet, this essential skill has seen a decline in recent years, as teaching methods have shifted away from emphasizing the basics of handwriting towards more advanced concepts such as grammar and sentence structure. While this shift may be understandable in theory, it does not reflect the reality of modern learning environments. As anyone who has worked with students knows all too well, many kids struggle with challenges related to fine motor skills, making it difficult for them to master even basic handwriting techniques. And so, for these students in particular, the continued importance of handwriting cannot be overstated. By increasing their focus on cursive writing and related activities such as tracing and copying exercises, educators can help these students build the physical abilities they need to succeed both academically and professionally.  In this episode, you'll hear me chat with Candi Sellers. Candi is passionate about training professionals, providing academic language therapy to learners of all ages, and creating resources that support literacy.  She is a homeschool mom of a neurodivergent learner, a Fellow of Orton-Gillingham Academy, a Certified Academic Language Therapist-Qualified Instructor with ALTA, a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist with CERI, Instructor of Therapy with IMSLEC, and a licensed teacher in North Carolina.  Candi provides Orton-Gillingham teacher training and practicum courses.   Candi is also in private practice providing tutoring and consultation.  Having worked in public, private, and homeschool settings, she recognizes that researched-based literacy instruction is critical for all students.  She is passionate about helping families and professionals find the tools and measures needed to support all learners, specifically those with learning differences. Candi shares the importance of handwriting and how it is a crucial part of instruction.   Website: https://www.theinstructionhub.com/ Instagram: @theinstructionhub Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoUpk_JuKNcyUD7pBdEE9gw  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinstructionhub

I'm always on the hunt for new and exciting ways to help my students become successful readers (I bet you are too!)  Luckily when it comes to literacy, there are a lot of different approaches you can take. And on today's episode, I'd love to share one more with you- a platform called Simbi.  Simbi is an online platform that offers a variety of interactive content specifically designed to help children learn to read. With Simbi, your child will have access to stories, games, and activities that's intended to keep them engaged and excited about learning. Here are a few highlights:  -Simbi is developed in collaboration with literacy experts and reading teachers from around the world. -Simbi's methods – Reading Along, Narrating, TellMe and more – are proven to improve reading comprehension, fluency, and memory. -It helps motivate both avid and struggling readers to improve their own proficiency, and to help others do the same!   One of the things I love most though is this company's pledge to foster lifelong reading habits while creating global impact. Here's how they do it:  On Simbi's unique Read for Good platform, learners give back by sharing their voices to help others. Topics such as social-emotional, social justice, resilience and global citizenship are introduced. Children are able to explore diverse content from top publishers, always free of ads, and available any time of day. As students narrate books for others to hear, they earn volunteer hours automatically. Certificates can be downloaded to celebrate reading, or submit for service hours. (So cool!)   Never heard of it? Not to worry! Adrienne Gear, Canadian teacher, author and representative of Simbi is here to give us the scoop.    So if you're looking for a new and engaging way to support your child's literacy skills, check out this episode to learn more about Simbi.     Check out Simbi at https://simbi.io/   Connect with Adrienne on Instagram  @readingpowergear View Adrienne's Website: https://www.readingpowergear.com/   **Check Out this Month's Featured Workshop!** https://www.myliteracyspace.com/classes

When it comes to social justice, the classroom is often the last place people think to look. But the truth is, social injustice is happening all around us, every day. By bringing social justice into the classroom, we can empower our students to stand up for what's right. By discussing controversial topics and exploring different perspectives, we can help our students develop the skills they need to become compassionate and effective advocates for social change.     Want to know more about today's guests? Connect with Corrie Instagram @thetinyactivists: https://www.instagram.com/thetinyactivists/?hl=en Connect with Rabia Instagram @rabia_reads https://www.instagram.com/rabia_reads/   Resources mentioned in this episode: NAEYC : https://www.naeyc.org/ Understanding Anti-Bias Education: Bringing the Four Core Goals to Every Facet of Your Curriculum by Louise Derman-Sparks and Julie Olsen Edwards: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2019/understanding-anti-bias Kimberle W. Crenshaw: https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/kimberle-w-crenshaw **Check Out this Month's Featured Workshop!** https://www.myliteracyspace.com/classes

It is said that literacy and language are two sides of the same coin. After all, how can you be literate if you cannot read or write? And how can you read or write if you do not have a firm grasp of language? This is why speech and language are so closely connected to literacy. Part of the reason why early intervention is so important when it comes to literacy is because, if caught early enough, issues with speech and language can be remedied before they have a chance to impact literacy. However, it is also important to remember that prevention is always better than cure.   In today's episode, I am interviewing the founders of Reading with TLC, Nancy Telian and Penny Costagnozzi. Reading with TLC provides research-based professional development and materials for reading and spelling. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed Lively Letters program, which simultaneously trains the acquisition of phonemic awareness and phonics skills. Nancy has been on a mission with Penny, author of Sight Words You Can See, since 1991 to ensure that literacy is achieved by all.   As you know, I'm a huge supporter of the Lively Letters program and use their resources with my students often. I'm excited to let you hear their story and share with you their take on language and literacy.     Resources mentioned in this episode:   Shop Lively Letters: https://rwtlc.ositracker.com/110982/8451 (This is my affiliate link!)   Connect with Penny and Nancy   Website: https://readingwithtlc.com/   Lively Letters app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-letters-phonemic-awareness-phonics/id1217971701?ls=1   Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/readingwithtlc/   Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/203873323445553/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readingwithtlc/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/readingwithtlc   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/readingwithtlc   LinkedIn: Nancy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancytelian/ Penny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-castagnozzi-75867933/   Email: info@readingwithtlc.com   **Check Out this Month's Featured Workshop!** https://www.myliteracyspace.com/classes

Wordless picture books are a fascinating and misunderstood genre of children's literature. By relying heavily on illustrations, they offer a unique form of storytelling that can be extremely versatile and supportive of oral language, vocabulary, and writing skills development.  I've seen firsthand the incredible impact wordless picture books can have on students, and through this episode, I hope you'll see the hidden opportunities within this genre.  So if you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or speech and language pathologist-this is an episode you won't want to miss! In this episode, you'll hear: An introduction to wordless picture books My journey with the WPB genre The top 5 Benefits of wordless picture books My WPB 4-step framework   Resources mentioned in this episode: Top 5 Benefits for Using Wordless Picture Books: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60564051ce004ec70baebaee   Hanna's Favourite 3 Wordless Picture Books   Hike by Pete Oswald Canadian Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3qKh9Rs US Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3uDhjLB   Fossil by Bill Thomsen Canadian Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3DmNpiz US Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3DoGZji   Over The Shop Canadian Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3Ny3mHq US Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3NvlhhU

Picture books can be a great way to start important conversations with your child. While they're designed for children, the pictures in these books will give you and other parents/caregivers plenty of talking points when it comes time to create intentional discussion around complex topics.   So how do we think more critically about picture books? In this episode, I chatted with my friend Kelly from Inclusive Story Time who has an incredible amount of insight on this topic.   Kelly (she/her) started @inclusivestorytime in May 2019 as a way to keep her family accountable to the picture books on their shelf. When the account began, they really didn't think anyone would be paying attention. She was just looking for a way to take her family's deep love of ‘Kid Lit' and be more critical of what they were consuming.   Today, Inclusive Story Time has grown into a huge community of caregivers and educators that love reading and exploring picture books that they can use with their own children.    Interested in thinking more critically about children's picture books? Well, I have a good feeling you'll enjoy hearing this conversation and get insight on just how powerful and complex picture books can really be.   In this episode, you'll hear us chat about: -Confronting your own personal biases -Being mindful of your language when referring to marginalized groups, make corrections when needed -Taking advantage of small moments -Making intentional pauses while you are reading - talking about the illustrations and the text.  “What do you notice?” -Model responses -Reading books that provide opportunities for mirrors, windows, sliding glass doors (Dr. Bishop) -Making your bookshelf inclusive!   Resources Mentioned in this Episode:   Follow Kelly on… @inclusivestorytimehttps://www.instagram.com/inclusivestorytime/   Check out Kelly's Website: https://inclusivestorytime.com/author/inclusivestorytime/   Check out Kelly's Podcast Picture Bookstagang Podcast ​​https://inclusivestorytime.com/podcast/   Maus by Art Spiegelman https://amzn.to/3IENHCp Amazon US   Dr. Bishop's windows, mirrors and  sliding glass doors https://humaneeducation.org/windows-and-mirrors-and-sliding-glass-doors-ensuring-students-see-themselves-and-others-in-literature/   Grandads Camper Review by Kelly  https://www.instagram.com/p/CNWCEo2AWZY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://amzn.to/3JCgBEy  Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/37VkZRi Amazon US   Olu and Gretta https://amzn.to/3L9Zf2g Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3D9pP9c Amazon US   Books that are Beyond the Binary IG Live on IG https://www.instagram.com/tv/CM0A8WxHiuH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link   Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty https://amzn.to/3iA8koI Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3ujPLuF Amazon US   Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan  https://amzn.to/36JJi49 Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/3NiH9gn Amazon US

Multi-sensory activities can be a great way to support your child's learning. By incorporating activities that engage all of the senses, you can help your child focus and retain information more effectively. Plus, it's just plain fun!    Interested in incorporating multi-sensory activities to support your little learners? Then this is an episode you'll definitely want to tune in for.    In this episode, you'll hear me chat about: -How multi-sensory learning supports ALL learners -Key benefits of the multi-sensory approach -A list of ideas to include to support language and literacy skills   Ready to get started?   Additional Resources I created an amazing resource that uses the multi-sensory approach to help students master those tricky b's and d's.  Here's the link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/b-and-d-reversals-French-Fry-Game-3954784   Shop Hanna's Amazon Store Canadian Amazon link: www.amazon.ca/shop/myliteracyspace US Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/myliteracyspace  

Structured literacy is a proven, research-based approach to teaching reading and writing. Its instruction is based on the latest scientific understanding of how children learn to read and write. And it's no secret that I'm a fan of structured literacy. Hint: there's a good reason why!   In this episode, we'll take a look at what structured literacy is and how it can help your child or student become successful readers. And while I will never claim to be an expert myself, I'll also share with you how I got hooked on the Science of Reading and what piqued my curiosity about structured literacy.    Resources Mentioned in this Episode: -Proust and the Squid: -Equipped for Reading Success by David Kilpatrick -Dr. Martin Kozlov -Dr. Hollis Scarborough -Reading for Life, High Quality Literacy Instruction for All by Lynn Stone   Additional reading: https://www.reallygreatreading.com/   Shop Hanna's Amazon Store Canadian Amazon link: www.amazon.ca/shop/myliteracyspace US Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/myliteracyspace  

The rumours are true, My Literacy Space will be coming to you weekly with a brand new podcast exploring all things structured literacy tips, multisensory activities, children's picture book reviews and more. I'll share with you some tips on how to create a literacy-rich environment at home or in the classroom. I'll also share some fun activities that you can do with your kids that are meaningful, practical and impactful. In this episode, I'll chat about how My Literacy Space began and what you can expect from this podcast going forward.       Ready to get started?     **UPCOMING WORKSHOP** Structured Literacy: A Recipe for Reading. This workshop will be hosted on Saturday, March 12th @ 9-11 am MST       Growing in Literacy Workshop Registration Link: *Registration is no longer available for this workshop.*