All Episodes
Episodes
Introducing: Summer Literacy Chats
Something a little different is coming to the Smarter Literacy Podcast this summer.
Over the next several weeks, we're stepping back from our regular format to share something we think you really enjoy right now: real...
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Episode 30 - Why Developing Reading Fluency isn't Just about Reading Faster
Fluency is often reduced to words-per-minute scores, but strong readers do much more than read quickly. In this episode, we discuss what fluency actually means and why speed alone doesn’t lead to comprehension.
We...
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Episode 29 - How to Support Editing in Writing
Editing often gets treated like the quick final step in writing, but in reality, it’s where the real work begins. In this episode, we unpack why students rush through editing, what they actually need to become...
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Episode 28 - Building Independent Writers with Long Form Writing Routines
In this episode, we explore why students often struggle with longer-form writing like paragraphs and essays, and how those struggles usually show up as either “stream of consciousness” writing or rigid, rubric-driven...
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Episode 27 - Building Independent Writers with Spelling & Sentence Routines
In this episode, we explore why teaching spelling patterns and grammar rules alone does not always translate into stronger student writing. We discuss how simple sentence routines can help students move from...
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Episode 26 - Comprehension Is Not a Checklist
In this episode, we tackle one of the most common challenges in literacy instruction: teaching reading comprehension effectively.
We explore why isolated, skill-by-skill approaches (like spending a week on the main...
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Episode 25 - Why Aren't Our Reading Scores Moving?
In this episode, we take a closer look at how structured literacy principles can be applied flexibly to meet real classroom needs. We discuss what it means to thoughtfully bridge gaps for students who are close to...
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Episode 24 - How We Bridge the Gap (for Students in the Messy Middle)
Many students fall into the “messy middle” of literacy, needing more support than core instruction but not a full intensive intervention. In this episode, we walk through what a bridge intervention actually looks...
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Episode 23 - Why Effective Literacy Instruction Requires Both Science and Art
Many educators feel overwhelmed trying to support students who don’t clearly fit into traditional literacy intervention models. In this episode, we explore the “messy middle,” where structured literacy meets...
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Episode 22 - Helping Students Build Executive Functioning
We break down how to use a simple five-step executive functioning framework with students to support focus, regulation, and task completion. You’ll learn practical ways to set clear goals, build attention stamina,...
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Episode 21 - Using the 5-Step EF Framework to Start the Year
In this episode, we share a reflective approach to starting the new year (or at any time of the year!) using an executive functioning framework designed to create calm, clarity, and alignment. Instead of pushing...
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Episode 20 - How to Gamify Reading Lessons
In this episode, we share simple, no-prep ways to bring games into your literacy lessons using simple materials like a whiteboard, a die, or a word list. Learn how to make reading practice more engaging, boost...
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