21. When Reading Skills Aren't Clicking with Naomi O'Brien

What do you do when reading skills aren’t clicking for your students? Join me and the incredible Naomi O’Brien from Read Like a Rockstar Teaching as we tackle this critical question. Naomi shares her expertise in foundational skills in a structured literacy setting to help educators shift their instruction and support every reader. Whether you’re struggling to meet the needs of diverse learners or looking to deepen your understanding of evidence-based methods, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration. Naomi’s practical tips and inspiring insights will leave you feeling empowered to make a difference in your classroom to make sure the learning sticks!

Key Takeaways:

• Why Reading Skills Don’t Stick: Naomi explains how faulty methods like memorization can hinder progress and why explicit, systematic phonics instruction is essential for long-term success.
• The Importance of Trusting the Process: Learn why building foundational skills may feel slow initially but creates lasting reading proficiency.
• Engaging Strategies for Phonological Awareness and Phonics: Naomi shares fun, interactive methods to boost student engagement and build essential reading skills.
• How to Address Gaps: Tips for identifying and filling in missing pieces for struggling readers, even if they’re starting behind.

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Resources Mentioned:

• Naomi O’Brien’s Membership: Systematic Phonics & Phonological Awareness
• Phonological Awareness Resources & Information on Naomi’s Website: https://readlikearockstarteaching.com/phonological-awareness/
• "The Truth About Reading" Documentary: https://www.johncorcoranfoundation.org/watch
• Stanislas Dehaene’s Research: How the Brain Learns to Read on YouTube
• Stanislas Dehaene’s Book: Reading in the Brain
• Naomi’s Book: You’ll Never Guess What I’m Thinking About
• Naomi’s Book: You’ll Never Guess What I’m Saying
• Jan Hasbrouck Oral Reading Fluency Norms

Where to Find Naomi O’Brien:

• Instagram: @readlikearockstarteaching
• Website: https://readlikearockstarteaching.com/
• Email: readlikearockstarteaching@gmail.com

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
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• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership