Making Literacy Work Across Tiers
Smarter Literacy Podcast – Episode 7
Introduction
Hi, and welcome to the Smarter Literacy Podcast from Ascend Smarter Intervention, where our mission is to simplify effective literacy instruction and make it easier, more effective, and more sustainable for every educator.
I'm Lindsey.
And I'm Corey.
And today, we're diving into a question that's so important to consider. What tier are you actually teaching? And how should that impact your literacy instruction? So whether you're in a general education classroom, writing intervention support, delivering special education services, or working in a private practice, you need a plan that aligns with your setting and your students.
But too often, we see educators trying to implement research-based instruction without clear guidance on how to make it work at their tier.
So that's what we're going to be unpacking today. We're gonna break down what the tiers actually mean and how you can start designing a roadmap for instruction that fits into your setting.
Understanding the Tiers
Alright, Corey. So let's kinda start the beginning here. For anyone who doesn't know what the term “tiers” means — what does that mean?
Yes. That is a great question. I think there are so many terms that we have in education that can sometimes feel confusing or are used in different ways in different school settings.
The way that we've really thought about this is:
Tier 1 is your general education classroom. This is the instruction that everybody gets. If you're in that grade, that's the instruction that you're receiving in that general education classroom. This is your core literacy instruction, and it's designed for all students.
Tier 2 is targeted small group instruction. This is often considered intervention because it’s for students who need a little extra support. It often comes in short bursts or a small group setting.
Tier 3 is intensive, individualized support. It's more frequent, more focused, and usually delivered by someone who has experience working deeply with students who are one, two, or more grade levels below their age level.
Private Practice doesn’t necessarily fit neatly into tier one, two, or three. It often blends tier two and tier three elements, offering more flexibility but also less integration with what's happening in the school setting.
If you're a classroom teacher, you're delivering tier one. If you're a reading interventionist or reading specialist, you're likely handling tier two. If you're a special educator or private practitioner, you're likely managing tier three.
But the thing is, most of us don’t deliver just one tier.
Exactly. You might be a classroom teacher pulling small groups, which means you’re also taking on some tier two roles. Or you might be a special educator working with general education students during summer enrichment.
Why Tiered Instruction Matters
So let's talk about why this matters. The strategies you use, the pacing you choose, the tools you lean on — all that depends on what tier you're focusing on.
Exactly.
Tier 1: You need to focus on whole group routines, consistency, and skill integration. You have a lot of students and not a lot of time for one-on-one instruction.
Tier 2: You might only get 30 to 40 minutes a few times a week. You need high-leverage lessons that directly target skill gaps.
Tier 3: Requires intensity and repetition. These students usually have an IEP and need systematic, cumulative, and highly individualized instruction. It’s not just a louder or faster version of tier one instruction — it’s usually a slower, deeper version.
And in private practice, you're often jumping in after years of missed instruction. It's critical to understand what's happening in the student's school system and to coordinate language and strategies as much as possible to avoid confusion for the student.
Making Instruction Work in Your Setting
Okay, so all of that said, one thing we hear all the time is, “How do I make this work in my setting?”
The structured literacy framework we teach is the same across all tiers. What changes is:
How deep you go
How fast you move
How much support you provide
You can use the same scope and sequence, materials, and lesson components — just adjust how you deliver them based on your tier.
Book Clubs Across Tiers
A great example is using book clubs:
Tier 1: Whole class, partner-to-partner turn-and-talks, integrated into read-alouds. Fun and accessible.
Tier 2: Targeted small groups either in-class or pull-out. Books are selected based on reading level and skill focus.
Tier 3: One-on-one book clubs. You work at the student’s pace, targeting individual needs and integrating accommodations like audiobooks. This builds confidence and autonomy.
Private Practice: A mix of strategies. Book clubs offer a way to connect students to culturally relevant or popular content so they can participate in peer conversations.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
So I think that's just an idea of using a similar scope and sequence and the same lesson components, but delivered differently across tiers.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to try this, but I don’t think it would work with my students,” definitely check out the 5CCL Learning Lab. Our new PD training focuses on how to use book clubs across the different tiers.
We’re also going deep into this at the Smarter Intervention Summit, with real-life planning examples for both elementary and secondary. It’s your last chance to join — we brought it back just one last time!
So what’s one actionable step?
Ask yourself: “What tier am I teaching right now?”
Your instruction doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does need to match your setting and your students.
Also ask:
Where else are my students getting support?
If I’m teaching Tier 1, which students are getting Tier 2 or 3 support?
If I’m in Tier 3, what’s happening in the classroom?
If I’m in private practice, what’s happening at school?
Once you know your tier, you can simplify planning, streamline instruction, and make a bigger impact without burning out.
We’re cheering you on! Join us in the Learning Lab or at the Summit.
Learn more at smarterintervention.com.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast.
Until next time — happy teaching!
