Reach All Readers
Ready to help every student become a proficient reader? Join literacy expert Anna Geiger, M.Ed., for practical conversations about teaching reading well.
Anna brings you real talk about implementing the science of reading in your classroom, breaking down the research into steps you can take right away, and helping you build the confidence to reach all your readers. Whether you're navigating your own shift from balanced literacy or looking for strategies that work for diverse learners, you'll find support here.
Subscribe for honest conversations, actionable teaching tips, and the encouragement you need to transform literacy instruction in your classroom.
Episodes
293 episodes
Greatest Hits Countdown - #9 - Structured literacy in kindergarten: An interview with Kate Winn
{Listen Again} Kate Winn is a brilliant teacher who shares how she moved from a balanced to structured approach, and how structured literacy has reignited her passion for teaching. This episode originally aired on November 28, 2022.
Greatest Hits Countdown - #10 - What does research say about alphabet instruction? with Dr. Shayne Piasta
{Listen Again} Originally aired on March 27, 2023, this interview with Dr. Shayne Piasta addresses what research really says about how to teach the alphabet.
Greatest Hits Countdown - #11 - What we got wrong (and right) with balanced literacy - with Dr. Nathaniel Swain
{Listen Again} Originally aired on March 6, 2023, this episode is a conversation with Dr. Nathaniel Swain, a teacher, researcher and speech-language pathologist interested in language, literacy, and learning. In this episode we discuss the prob...
Greatest Hits Countdown #12 - How to handle common phonics issues in first grade - with Jessica Farmer
{Listen Again} In this episode, originally aired on May 29, 2023, Jessica Farmer and I discuss common issues that teachers face when teaching phonics in first grade. You'll get practical tips and techniques that you can implement this fall!...
Greatest Hits Countdown - #13 - Print to speech vs. Speech to print: What's the difference?
{Listen Again} In this episode (originally aired May 1, 2023), I discuss the differences between two different approaches to teaching phonics: print to speech and speech to print.
Greatest Hits Countdown - #14 - Readers' Theater with Dr. Chase Young
(Listen Again): In this discussion about fluency (which originally aired November 14, 2022), Dr. Chase Young shows us exactly how to implement Reader's Theater in the classroom. I think you'll love this entertaining episode!
How to improve literacy outcomes for secondary students - with Jeanne Schopf
250: What happens when students reach middle or high school without strong reading skills? In this episode, Jeanne Schopf shares why it’s never too late to help struggling readers—and what schools can do to improve literacy outcomes for seconda...
What to do when students can't write complete sentences - with Dr. Shawn Datchuk
249: If your students struggle to write complete sentences, this episode is for you. Dr. Shawn Datchuk breaks down why sentence writing is so challenging—and shares practical, research-based strategies you can use right away to help students bu...
The problem with the "just right text level" theory - and what to do instead - with Dr. Tim Shanahan
248: Is leveled reading helping, or is it holding students back? In this episode, Tim Shanahan joins us to unpack the history and research around grade-level text. You’ll gain a fresh perspective on how to better support all readers. <...
[Listen again] Navigating the complexities of English spelling - with Lyn Stone
Lyn Stone helps us navigate the complexities of English spelling in a way that makes sense for students and teachers. We discuss morphology, etymology, tricky spellings, and even get Lyn's opinion on teaching "blends" and syllable types. Enjoy!...
[Listen again] How to scaffold complex text reading - even in the early grades! with Dr. Jennifer Throndsen
All students need access to rich, challenging text to grow as readers. But how do we support them? Dr. Jennifer Throndsen shares the why and HOW of scaffolding complex texts. This episode is for you no matter what grade you teach.
Does consistency matter more than fidelity? - with John Bennetts
247: What happens when students hear different routines in Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3? In this episode, John Bennetts shares why consistency across tiers is critical for student success and how schools can align routines without overhauli...
[Listen again] Evidence-based practices in teaching writing - with Dr. Steve Graham
With his 47 years of experience, Dr. Steve Graham has much to share about what research says about teaching writing and how to apply it to classroom instruction. We discuss six evidence-based practices for teaching writing and how to implement ...
The biggest mistake to avoid when building comprehension
246: What’s the biggest mistake teachers make when building comprehension? In this episode, we explore why saving questions until the end of reading can leave comprehension gaps, and how using instructional questioning during reading can ...
Is comprehension even teachable?
245: Is comprehension something we actually teach, or does it naturally develop once students can decode? In this episode, we unpack what comprehension really is, why it’s far more complex than a single “skill,” and where it fits within the sci...
Structured Literacy Routines - with Dr. Melissa Orkin & Sarah Gannon
244: Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon share structured literacy routines from their book The Structured Literacy Playbook — including backward planning with decodable texts, vocabulary work even with CVC words, syntactic phrasing exe...
[Listen again] Which literacy assessments are worth your and your students' time? - with Sean Morrisey
Sean Morrisey, former school psychologist turned fifth grade teacher, walks us through the many different literacy assessments teachers administer. Which are useful, and which are a waste of time? You'll love this practical episode!
How to assess comprehension - with Dr. Kelly Powell-Smith
243: Dr. Kelly Powell-Smith explains how to pinpoint specific comprehension issues using strategic diagnostic assessment—without over-testing your students!
What every literacy teacher should know about assessing RAN - with Dr. Erin Pzinski
242: Ever heard of RAN assessment but weren't quite sure what it was or what to do with it? Dr. Erin Pzinski breaks down rapid automatized naming and explains why it's like a "check engine" light. You'll learn what not to do with RAN assessment...
Data-based decision making - with Angie Hanlin
241: Literacy consultant Angie Hanlin helps us understand exactly what data-based decision making looks like. She describes what should be happening at data team meetings and what teachers should do as soon as those meetings are over. This insp...
The difference between CBMs and CATs (and why it matters!) - with Alisa Dorman
240: Alisa Dorman explains what makes universal screeners effective and breaks down the difference between curriculum-based measures and computer adaptive tests—and why this difference matters.
What is CBM, and how should teachers use it? - with Dr. Michelle Hosp
239: Dr. Michelle Hosp, co-author of The ABCs of CBM, explains the history of curriculum based measurement and do's and don'ts for implementing it. A must-listen for any K-3rd grade classroom teachers and all reading interventionists!&...
Reading assessment done right - with Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Kate Winn
238: Assessment doesn't have to be overwhelming! Stephanie Stollar and Kate Winn, authors of Reading Assessment Done Right, share practical strategies for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring student progress effectively.Get...
The 3 types of assessment teachers need for data-based decision making
237: In this quick solo episode, we take a look at the three types of assessment teachers use within MTSS for data-based decision making. You’ll learn the key questions each one answers, how they work together, and why they’re essential for mak...
