In this episode, Lindsay Kemeny, 2nd grade teacher , gives a deep dive into her evidence-based, small group instruction time. Her journey to the science of reading was necessary and life altering. It led her to clarity on structured, systematic approaches to teaching reading. She discusses informal and formal assessments, how she uses data to determine small groups, and center options for practicing reading and writing. Her best advice? KEEP. IT. SIMPLE! After reading this recent blog by Tim Sha...
Mar 03, 2023•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, we discuss the structure and content of the literacy block. How can we teach using structured literacy in small groups? Kinder teacher Casey Jergens and author Natalie Wexler join us to connect theory and practice. Casey previously taught using a guided (leveled) reading approach with lots of small group time. In recent years, he’s switched to focus on Tier 1 instruction aligned to structured literacy, which supports access for all students. Resources Elementary Classrooms Ar...
Feb 24, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ep. 22: Dr. Sonja Santelises joined us to discuss why she saw the urgent need for change in Baltimore City Public Schools, how she set and supported a clear literacy focus through the Blueprint for Success and high-quality curricula, and the ongoing next steps that prevail. She is witty and sharp, but most of all, we appreciate her vision and boundless energy in this admittedly difficult work. Visit OUR WEBSITE to subscribe to our newsletter and podcast! https://www.literacypodcast.com/ Connect ...
Feb 17, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does it take to disrupt the "way it has always been done"? Dr. Ernie Ortiz, Senior Literacy Engagement Specialist with AIM Institute for Learning and Research, joins us to discuss this important question. As a former teacher, school leader, and current national leader, he realizes that leaders play a critical role in student achievement. The approach leaders take often make or break systems and change within classrooms, schools, and districts. How can a side by side approach with ...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast We are honored to talk with two early grade veteran teachers from Vista Peak Exploratory in Aurora, CO. Vista Peak is in Year 4 of Great Minds’ Wit & Wisdom ELA, Geodes , and Wilson Language Fundations … the trifecta! April Evans, grade 1, and Danielle Hunter, grade 3, discuss the transition from piecemeal, low quality curricula materials to high quality materials that focus on building both skills and knowledge. They share how their materials support engagement and excitement in creating a ...
Feb 03, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, we talk with a teacher and interventionist from Blount County, TN, Erin Metz. She provides an in depth walkthrough of her district’s K-2 instructional block time. She’ll share her strategic approach to working with students and teachers during small group instructional time - modeling how to use this time to reinforce accuracy, automaticity, build vocabulary and knowledge in order to solidify comprehension, and more. Resources Erin Metz Small Group Time YouTube Video Beverly ...
Jan 27, 2023•55 min•Ep 140•Transcript available on Metacast LISTEN AGAIN | FROM JULY 31, 2019 Today we are live with Natalie Wexler, the author of The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System–And How to Fix It (LISTENERS - IT’S AVAILABLE TODAY!). The book focuses on the lack of content in the elementary curriculum and its connection to what is commonly known as the achievement gap. Natalie provides a snapshot of research on building knowledge, then tangibly deconstructs the why and how behind the research making explicit conne...
Jan 20, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, we discuss knowledge and vocabulary as critical components of reading comprehension. We hear from author and professor Daniel Willingham, who shares research on the important role knowledge plays in comprehension. We also talk with Executive Director of Knowledge Matters Campaign, Barbara Davidson, who highlights strong curricula and resources related to knowledge-building ELA. Resources Knowledge Matters Campaign website Knowledge Matters Campaign Twitter handle Books by Dan...
Jan 13, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep 139•Transcript available on Metacast Ep. 115: Kindergarten TEAM Reaches (nearly) 100% Success Using Evidence-Based Practices Kristin Poppens IS BACK! In this episode, she shares the power of teacher teamwork and collaboration. Her Kindergarten teammates and Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) join her to explain how they use evidence-based practices to reach 100% success for Every Single Student. All means all! For resources mentioned in this episode: https://greatminds.org/literacy-lovers-newsletter-3 Connect with us! Facebook and j...
Dec 31, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ep. 113: Reading is Rocket Science with Louisa Moats Why is teaching reading so important? Melissa and Lori have a conversation with Louisa Moats grounded in this article: Teaching Reading is Rocket Science: What Expert Teachers of Reading Should Know and Be Able to Do. Moats asserts that 95% of students can learn to read when taught to do so using evidence-based practices. In this episode, listen as we discuss and define the term science of reading, while connecting decades of research and theo...
Dec 30, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ep. 108: From 13% to 100% Literacy Proficiency with School Leader Angie Hanlin Angie Hanlin, current Superintendent in Wisconsin, led her former school from 13% to 100% reading proficiency. How? Angie shifted the focus from TEACHING to LEARNING. She worked alongside her school teams with a relentless, laser-like focus on data, asking questions such as: Who is making progress? Who’s not? What are we going to do about it? Radical acceptance of the data helped educators move forward and put aside b...
Dec 29, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ep. 117: The Writing Revolution with Authors Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler The 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 el...
Dec 28, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ep. 120: Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills with Julia Lindsey Talking with Dr. Julia Lindsey is like popping into the classroom next door to chat with your best teacher friend after school. On this podcast, Julia shares what evidence says that young readers need to know to help them decode words efficiently. We discuss foundational reading skills, starting with oral language and print concepts through multisyllabic word reading. Instructional swaps take this conversation to ...
Dec 27, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today we’ll be sharing what you can expect for 2023! We’re so excited to have created such an incredible community of educators who want to learn more about reading and writing. We really mean this. There are so many of you listening out there… around the world. Thank you for listening and learning with us! What will stay the same in 2023? We will continue to keep our podcast discussions about the science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality materials. What will change in 2023? Durin...
Dec 23, 2022•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we talk with Shaheer Mustafa, President and CEO of Hopewell Inc, and Amy Schneider, vice president, program impact and strategy at HopeWell . They will share more about a program called RISE (Readiness, Inquiry, Scholarship, Education) that builds early literacy skills and more for children in foster care. Resources To make a donation to HopeWell, Inc., click here. Connect with us! Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Visit our website to su...
Dec 16, 2022•35 min•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we talk with Deidra Mayberry, Executive Director of the nonprofit, Reading to New Heights , which brings attention to adult literacy as a critical issue in our society. Growing up, she was a struggling reader. This led her to establish her nonprofit which supports building literacy skills in adults. Deidra's story is sure to resonate with your literacy loving heart. Resources To make a donation to Reading to New Heights, click here . Connect with us Face...
Dec 09, 2022•31 min•Ep 137•Transcript available on Metacast In today's Feel Good Friday episode, we talk with Steven Shadel, Director of Great Minds Virtual School. He tells us about effective virtual learning experiences and how those experiences look very much like a typical in-person school experience. In both settings with high quality materials, educators can engage students in active learning. Students are thinking and doing. All teachers take part in knowledge-building professional learning. ALL educators can bring knowledge to life! Knowledg...
Dec 02, 2022•36 min•Ep 136•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we talk with a team of educators who made Eureka Math Squared decodable, readable, and accessible for all students. As students access math, their deficits in reading can get in the way. Eureka Math Squared helps students have equity in math to engage in grade level work and feel empowered. All students deserve to be able to do math without limitations. Resources Eureka Math Squared Overview Eureka Math Squared Webinar on Math Readability Eureka Math Squared Whitepaper Improving...
Nov 25, 2022•45 min•Ep 135•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we talk with first grade teacher, April Evans, about how she uses Tier 1 foundational skills assessment data to make decisions about small group time, such as how students are grouped, what happens during small group instruction, and why all students have access to readable, knowledge building texts. She discusses structures and routines that support accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. Both decodable and readable, knowledge building texts have a purpose and place in her classr...
Nov 18, 2022•49 min•Ep 134•Transcript available on Metacast Pun intended. This episode takes us into the world of Geodes - decodable readers that bridge foundational skills and Wit and Wisdom ELA - through building knowledge and accessible text. Melissa and Lori talk with Lorraine Griffith and Emily Gula, who share the research and insight behind the development of Geodes and how they can be used in classrooms, as well as (and most importantly) why Geodes are market disrupters. We can't wait for Baltimore City students to experience these special te...
Nov 15, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Primary Teachers: This one’s for YOU! Today we talk with educator, author, and business-owner Elise Lovejoy about decodable texts. What makes texts decodable? What makes quality decodable texts? What’s the purpose of decodable texts? How can we use decodable texts in the classroom? Listen and learn as we discuss all things decodable texts. Resources Express Readers Decodable Books Blood pressure and heart rate changes in children when they read aloud in school Connect with us Facebook and join o...
Nov 11, 2022•52 min•Ep 133•Transcript available on Metacast Researcher 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. Resources Decodable Text: A Review of What We Know , Heidi Anne Mesmer TextProject.org Key Knowledge...
Nov 04, 2022•51 min•Ep 132•Transcript available on Metacast DJ Bolger, a neuroscientist and associate professor at the University of Maryland College Park, joins the podcast today. DJ helps us understand the dyslexia brain a bit better, shares how dyslexia is so much more than “one” thing, and provides helpful analogies and ideas for application. He defines dyslexia, discussing the brain, and making connections to reading science. Resources International Dyslexia Association Dyslexia Awareness Month social media resources and more Connect with us! Facebo...
Oct 28, 2022•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Trauma impacts every facet of our being. Today we’ll hear from educator and author, Dr. Melissa Sadin. As part of our Dyslexia Awareness month series, Dr. Sadin will share her personal story about how trauma and reading affected her family. Trauma can get in the way of the brain learning to read but we can help our students through intentional instructional practices. Resources These resources from the International Dyslexia Association are helpful to spread the word on social media about Octobe...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast In celebration of Emily Hanford's new documentary series, Sold a Story , listen again to Emily Hanford here! Today Emily Hanford joins Melissa and Lori to define the Science of Reading, addressing the current misinterpretation of the term and what it really means. She shares thoughts on teacher prep programs and where teachers get knowledge about what or how to teach, contemplates why teacher prep programs are not preparing teachers to teach kids how to read, and how curriculum plays a role...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast As part of our Dyslexia Awareness Month series, listen again to Dr. Steven Dykstra discuss the devastating effects on students who have not received the instruction they need to be successful readers. April 1, 2022 The axis of rating trauma is frequent and repetitive. Over time, the chronic trauma wears down kids who can’t read. This has devastating effects. In our official 100th episode, Dr. Steven Dyskstra discusses Trauma and Reading . He explains the connection between not being taught to re...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we talk with Sydney Bassard, a clinical speech language pathologist, also known as The Listening SLP . Inspired by her brother’s experience with dyslexia, she became a speech language pathologist and began advocating within her community so educators and parents can be informed and actualize reading science into practice. Sydney defines the role of the speech language pathologist in the community and in the school to help us better connect language and literacy. Resources The Li...
Oct 14, 2022•50 min•Ep 129•Transcript available on Metacast In 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 f...
Oct 07, 2022•56 min•Ep 128•Transcript available on Metacast As part of our Dyslexia Awareness Month series, listen to a previous episode with parent and advocate Brett Tingley. March 25, 2022 Brett Tingley shares how to harness parent energy and expertise to address the legal and moral responsibility of school districts to teach children how to read using science. Our Dyslexic Children tells the story of a group of parents who took on the system, and won. The nonprofit group shares a Strategic Roadmap that’s a practical and actionable guide for educators...
Oct 06, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast As part of our Dyslexia Awareness Month series, listen to a previous episode with parent and advocate Katie Hickerson. September 24, 2021 “I just thought kids learned how to read… and my daughter didn’t. She could identify 4 letters by the end of kindergarten .” Katie Hickerson's daughter, Cora, went from a joyous little one to a child with lots of big feelings after starting school, saying she felt stupid. Katie pulled Cora out of school to be homeschooled - providing structured literacy i...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
