What do you do when reading skills aren’t clicking for your students? Join me and the incredible Naomi O’Brien from Read Like a Rockstar Teaching as we tackle this critical question. Naomi shares her expertise in foundational skills in a structured literacy setting to help educators shift their instruction and support every reader. Whether you’re…
If you’ve been shifting to a Science of Reading approach, you might be wondering: What do I do with all the leveled texts in my classroom library? Should I toss them? Let them collect dust? Fear not—this episode is here to help! Today, we explore 6 practical and intentional ways to repurpose your leveled readers…
Elizabeth Doherty, known as The Reading SLP, joins us to discuss the critical role oral language plays in reading development. As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with extensive experience, Elizabeth shares her insights into how oral language connects to reading comprehension, the importance of addressing oral language challenges, and actionable strategies to support language development in…
Small group reading instruction is where the magic happens! In this episode, we dive into five actionable tips to help you make the most of your small group time. Whether you’re working on phonics, fluency, or comprehension, these strategies will ensure your instruction is intentional, impactful, and student-centered. Get ready to streamline your process and…
Happy New Year’s Eve! As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and set intentional goals for your teaching practice. In this episode, we’ll turn your passion for the Science of Reading into actionable, achievable goals that will set you and your students up for success in…
It’s Christmas Eve! In today’s special holiday-themed episode, we’re bringing a little winter magic to phonological awareness. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just looking for a festive and educational activity, this interactive episode is for you! Together, we’ll play with sounds and words, engaging in fun phonological awareness activities that include rhyming, blending, segmenting,…
In this heartfelt, powerful, and impactful episode, I am joined by Dr. Jasmine Rogers, a leading national voice in literacy instruction and a trailblazer in culturally competent teaching practices. Dr. Rogers specializes in approaches that affirm Black Language (Black English) in the classroom and has dedicated her career to revolutionizing literacy instruction by honoring every…
We’re wrapping up this Literacy Coaching Conversations series with my good friend and colleague, Alison Kantor, a literacy coach and Orton-Gillingham trainer, to discuss the unique and impactful role of a literacy coach. Alison shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, her daily responsibilities, and her strategies for supporting teachers as they navigate…
What is Structured Literacy, exactly? Let’s take a deep dive into this research-based instructional approach rooted in the Science of Reading. We’ll unpack the guiding principles and elements of Structured Literacy, explain how it differs from Balanced Literacy, and share why it’s so effective for teaching all students—especially those with dyslexia or other reading challenges….
In this episode of The Literacy in Color Podcast, Michelle chats with Merri Polhemus, a district-wide literacy coach focused on supporting teachers in building strong foundational skills. Now in her second year as a literacy coach, Merri discusses her unique role, her journey from classroom teacher to coach, and the many ways she helps teachers…