Episode 229

In this episode, Katie Pace Miles and Molly Ness define and explain orthographic mapping as a crucial cognitive process for reading fluency and comprehension. They discuss the importance of mapping words in long-term memory, the difference between memorization and mapping, and the trifecta of phonology, orthography, and meaning that supports effective word learning. 

They share a four-step protocol from their new book, Making Words, Stick, for supporting orthographic mapping. They provide insights into effective teaching strategies and resources available for educators.

Resources

• Making Words Stick - Molly & Katie’s book! 
• Making Words Stick One Pager - Preview the Big Ideas in the book! 
• Katie’s Non-Profit - Readinginstitutenyc.org
• Rosenthal & Ehri 2008 Study 
• The Science of Learning to Read Words - Ehri 
• Grapheme-Phoneme Knowledge - Ehri 
• Laura Steacy’s research 

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.

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Episode 228 

If you’ve ever wondered how to help your students decode longer words, this episode is for you! We’re joined by literacy researcher and professor Devin Kearns to talk all about teaching multisyllabic words.

Many phonics programs focus on single-syllable words, but what happens when students hit big words and get stuck? Devin unpacks the research behind why that happens and what we can do instead. We talk about:

• flexible decoding strategies,
• when and how to teach syllables and morphemes,
• and what “set for variability” really looks like in the classroom (spoiler: it’s not guessing!).

You’ll walk away with practical, research-backed ideas to help your students read longer words with confidence.

Devin M. Kearns, Ph.D., is the Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at NC State, where he studies early reading and collaborates with experts in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to explore the brain basis of reading.

RESOURCES

• Helping Students With Dyslexia Read Long Words: Using Syllables and Morphemes by Devin M. Kearns and Victoria M. Whaley
• Following the Rules in an Unruly WritingSystem: The Cognitive Science ofLearning to Read Englishby Devin M. Kearns and Matthew J. Cooper Borkenhagen
• Syllable Division: New Data that Can Inform Intervention by Joanne Marttila Pierson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
• On Eating Elephants and Teaching Syllabication by Tim Shanahan

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.

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Episode 227

In this episode, Jan Hasbrouck discusses the critical components of reading fluency, focusing on automaticity and its measurement through words correct per minute (WCPM). The discussion highlights the relationship between fluency and comprehension, the role of oral reading fluency in assessing student progress, and the importance of frequent assessments in the classroom. Jan also reflects on recent research findings from NAEP scores that challenge previous assumptions about fluency and automaticity, emphasizing the need for educators to adapt their understanding and practices based on evolving research.  The discussion also touches on the debate between repeated reading and wide reading, advocating for an approach to reading instruction that incorporates both methods. Hasbrouck encourages educators to embrace continuous learning and adapt their teaching strategies based on evolving research.

Resources 

• Hasbrouck Tindal 2017 ORF Norms Chart
• 2018 NAEP Oral Reading Fluency Study by White, S., et. al. 
• Listen to more Melissa & Lori podcast episodes on Fluency! 

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.

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Episode 211 from December 6, 2024

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 reading
• the factors that contribute to fluent reading
• the need for an integrative approach to fluency instruction 
• the POSSUM approach to building word knowledge

Big 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 Knowledge
  Builds Fluency Skills by Melissa Orkin, Kirk Vanacore, Laura Rhinehart,
  Rebecca Gotlieb, and Maryanne Wolf
• Building Fluency with POSSUM
• Downloadable lessons featuring the POSSUM approach:
  • Grades K-2
  • Grades 3-5
• Practice 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. Norton
• RAN and the reading brain with Elizabeth Norton (youtube video)
• Word Finder wordfinder.yourdictionary.com - find words with similar patterns!
• Crafting Minds Group 
• NIDO Learning

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.

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Episode 226

In this episode, Virginia discusses the importance of fluency in K-2 grades, emphasizing its role in reading comprehension. She shares strategies for teaching fluency, including within partner reading, read-alouds, and shared reading. Virginia highlights the significance of modeling fluent reading and incorporating songs and poems to enhance prosody. This conversation provides valuable insights for educators on how to effectively teach fluency to young learners.

Resources

• Watch Virginia Teach Fluency in this video 
• Let’s bring back the magic of song by Tim Rasinski
• Virginia's Virtual Happy Hour Science of Reading YouTube Channel
• BONUS: A Repeated Reading Resource from our best-selling book, The Literacy 50

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.

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Episode 225

How do we turn fluency instruction into something engaging, meaningful, and effective? Fourth-grade teacher Aaron Grossman has the answer.

In this episode, Aaron shares his fluency protocol, inspired by Chase Young’s work, that helps students develop prosody, comprehension, and confidence through Reader’s Theater. He walks us through his structured 5-day cycle, from introducing scripts to students writing their own, and how performance-based reading transforms fluency instruction.

You'll learn:
 ✅ How repeated reading and performance build fluency
 ✅ Where to find great scripts—or have students create their own
 ✅ How to support students at different reading levels

Whether you're looking for new ways to engage your students in fluency practice or practical strategies to help struggling readers, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

RESOURCES

• 3 Phases for Fluency by Aaron Grossman
• Tim Rasinski's Multidimensional Fluency Rubric
• Aaron's website: Just Two Teachers (click Readers Theater for links to scripts!)
• Chase Young's Readers Theater scripts 
• Podcast Episode with Chase Young about Readers Theater 
• Podcast Episode with Andrew Watson: "Reviewing Research with Healthy Skepticism"
• Books by Rosalind Flynn for Readers' Theater

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.

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Episode 209 from November 8, 2024

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. 

Takeaways

• Structured 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.

Resources

• Meta 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 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.

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Episode 224 

Helping students become fluent, confident readers isn’t always easy—especially when they’re still sounding out words and struggling with comprehension. That’s why Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques (SPORT) is a game-changer.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jake Downs, assistant professor at Utah State University and host of the Teaching Literacy podcast, to break down:
✅ What SPORT is and why it works
✅ How to implement it tomorrow with minimal prep
✅ The research behind fluency, comprehension, and confidence gains

If you're looking for a practical, evidence-based way to help students become stronger readers, this episode is for you! 🎧

RESOURCES 

• "Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques: Supporting Developing Readers in Connected Text" by Jake Downs and Kathleen Mohr  

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.

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Episode 151 (from June 23, 2023) 

How Language Variations Shape Literacy

Language and reading go hand in hand—but how can we leverage students’ linguistic strengths to support literacy?

In this episode, Julie Washington, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, who specializes in the intersection of language and literacy, breaks down the power of language variations, like African American English, and how understanding them can transform how we teach reading.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Language variations are a strength, not a barrier
✅ Students need to navigate both their home dialect and academic language
✅ Educators must set high expectations while embracing linguistic diversity

Julie shares research-backed insights and practical strategies to help educators create inclusive, effective literacy instruction. Tune in and learn how to make a real impact!

Resources

• Teaching Reading to African American Children by Julie Washington and Mark Seidenberg 
• The Opportunity Myth by TNTP
• The Academic English Mastery Program by LAUSD

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.

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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!

Resources

• Strategic Use of Visuals by Antonio Fierro and Gabi Bell Jimenez
• National 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.

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Episode 222

In 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.

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Episode 221

This 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 symposium

The 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 Literacy
• Oakland 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.

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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.

Resources

• Academic Word Finder Achieve the Core
• Which Words Do I Teach and How? Article by David Liben
• Lifelong Literacy, Lyn Stone
• Explicit Instruction, Anita Archer 
• Bringing Words to Life, book 
• The Writing Revolution, book
• Text Project Vocabulary Instruction
• Word 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.

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Episode 220

In this podcast episode, you'll hear from:

• Kirsten Taylor, a first-grade teacher turned literacy coach in Washington, D.C., and
• Kory 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. 

Resources

• Kirsten 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.

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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!

Resources

• Language 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 Wexler
• The 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.

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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.

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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.

Resources

• Strive for Five Conversations by Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell
• Using Strive-for-Five Conversations to Strengthen Language Comprehension in Preschool through Grade One
• Asking Questions is Just the First Step: Using Upward and Downward Scaffolds 
• Going Nuts for Words: Recommendation for Teaching Young Students Academic Vocabulary
• Article 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

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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.

Resources

• Fail-a-bration by Brad and Kristi Montague

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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 instruction
• List of commercially available Developmental Language Disorder (DLDP) Screeners
• DLDandme.org
• RADLD.org
• ASHA Voices on Apple Podcasts
• Understanding Dyslexia in the Context of Developmental Language Disorder
• Increasing Higher Level Language Skills to Improve Reading Comprehension
• Adapting Curricula for Children with Language Comprehension Deficits
• Five ways SLPs (and others) can positively impact children with dyslexia
• A 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 reading
• Executive 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.

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Episode 217
Have 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!

Resources

• Article: Enhancing Instruction with Authentic Communication: 3 Features Conversing to Fortify Literacy, Language, and Learning 
• Book: Academic Conversations
• Book: 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.

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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 Harris
• See Elise's writing instruction in action:
  • Video: 5th Grade ELA: Writing about Esperanza Rising with SRSD
  • Video: 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 Friedlander
• Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning by Patrice Bain and Pooja K Agarwal

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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: 

1. the interconnectedness of writing and reading
2. the importance of feedback
3. the role of handwriting and typing in writing fluency 
4. the necessity of integrating writing instruction into the curriculum
5. the role of interactive writing as a bridge for early and progressing writers

Steve 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.

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From July 22, 2022

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: 

1. Students need explicit instruction in writing, beginning in the early elementary grades.
2. Sentences are the building blocks of all writing.
3. When embedded in the content of the curriculum, writing instruction is a powerful teaching tool.
4. The content of the curriculum drives the rigor of the writing activities.
5. Grammar is best taught in the context of student writing.
6. The two most important phases of the writing process are planning and revising.  

Resources

• The Writing Revolution, Not for Profit
• The Writing Revolution, The Atlantic, October 2012
• Writing 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.

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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 Harris
• Laura's Teaching Videos
  •  2nd Grade Writing: CKLA, ThinkSRSD, and The Writing Revolution
  • Writing 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 Demo
• Institute for Excellence in Writing
• The Writing Revolution
• From Struggle to Success: Navigating the Writing Process With Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD)

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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.

Resources

• Enhancing 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.

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