36. Tips for Teaching the Alphabet with Heidi Martin, Droppin’ Knowledge with Heidi

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m chatting with Heidi Martin—also known as Droppin’ Knowledge with Heidi—to unpack what research says about effective alphabet instruction. Together, we explore common debates, research-based tips, and engaging strategies to teach the alphabet more effectively.

From ditching letter-of-the-week traditions to embracing articulation and embedded mnemonics, this episode is packed with classroom-ready ideas and practical insights grounded in cognitive science. Heidi also shares why repeated and distributed practice is the key to building strong alphabet knowledge.

Key Takeaways:

  • Alphabet knowledge is a strong predictor of reading success
  • What the research says about “letter of the week”
  • Teach letter names and sounds together
  • Teach uppercase and lowercase together
  • Incorporate explicit handwriting instruction
  • Use embedded mnemonics and articulation cues
  • Advice about target picture(s)
  • Alphabet knowledge should be joyful, not just rote

Helpful Resources:

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