Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ®

Episode 232We know MTSS can feel like one more acronym and maybe one more thing on your plate. But what if it was the thing that helped everything else run more smoothly instead?In this episode, we chat with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown, authors of MTSS for Reading Improvement, who help us rethink what strong systems of support actually look like. Together, we explore how to move beyond one-off interventions and start building aligned, school-wide systems that  support every reader. You’ll hear:The difference between MTSS and interventionWhy Tier 1 instruction is your most powerful lever for changeWhat it looks like to work within your reality, not around itHow class-wide supports and smart teaming can lead to huge growthWays teachers (even without formal leadership roles) can spark changeRESOURCESMTSS for Reading Improvement by Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown Reading Science Academy with Stephanie Stollar  MTSS Data Academy with Sarah Brown Schoolwide Reading MTSS CollaborativeThe Reading League Book Study for MTSS for Reading Improvement (You can still sign up for recordings!)  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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

In this episode, Christina Cover, a high school special educator and literacy coordinator, shares her insights into making complex texts accessible for all students. She introduces the Getting the Gist strategy for summarization and discusses the significance of vocabulary and morphology in reading comprehension. Christina also highlights how writing can deepen understanding and examines the balance between deep comprehension and test prep. Her practical tips will inspire educators to transform their literacy instruction and engage students effectively.

Freddy Hiebert, founder of Text Project and expert in reading instruction, discusses the power of text selection in shaping students' reading identities. She emphasizes the importance of decoding and vocabulary thresholds, as well as the thoughtful design of decodable texts to enhance comprehension. Freddy introduces concepts like polysemy and semantic mapping, advocating for a diverse 'text diet' to pull from multiple contexts. She also explores AI's role in generating engaging reading materials, aiming to enrich vocabulary instruction across varying grade levels.

In this enlightening discussion, Kristin Conradi Smith, a reading motivation expert, John Strong, an associate professor specializing in informational texts, and Steve Amendum, a literacy complexity guru, tackle the importance of challenging texts in education. They clarify differences between text complexity and difficulty, emphasizing thoughtful scaffolding to help students thrive. The conversation highlights strategies for assessing diverse learners, the role of decodable texts, and the value of read-alouds in early grades, packed with insights to inspire educators.

Katie Pace Miles, a researcher and co-author of "Making Words Stick," teams up with Molly Ness, another co-author and education expert, to dive into orthographic mapping. They discuss how mapping aids reading fluency and comprehension, differentiating it from mere memorization. Their four-step protocol enhances vocabulary retention, emphasizing the trifecta of phonology, orthography, and meaning. They also address tailored literacy instruction, exploring strategies for diverse reading abilities and the pivotal role of function words in language comprehension.

This week features Devin Kearns, a literacy researcher and professor at NC State, who specializes in early reading and the brain's reading processes. He discusses the challenges students face when decoding multisyllabic words, especially around third grade. Kearns emphasizes the importance of flexible decoding strategies and the schwa sound. He shares practical, research-backed methods like syllable division and the 'peeling off' technique to enhance student comprehension and pronunciation, debunking traditional methods in favor of evidence-based approaches.

Episode 227In 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 Chart2018 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.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

In this engaging discussion, renowned author Maryanne Wolf, a leader in dyslexia research, joins former teacher Melissa Orkin, who has collaborated with Wolf for 15 years. They delve into the vital concept of reading fluency, emphasizing its impact on comprehension and social-emotional well-being, especially for struggling readers. They introduce the innovative POSSUM approach, which integrates various aspects of word knowledge, helping educators adopt holistic strategies for teaching reading and ensuring that students thrive in their literacy journeys.

Virginia Quinn Mooney, a dedicated first-grade teacher, dives into the essentials of reading fluency for young learners. She emphasizes the significance of fluency in enhancing comprehension and shares dynamic strategies, like partner reading and engaging read-alouds. Virginia highlights the power of expression and prosody, recommending the incorporation of songs and poems for richer reading experiences. Her insights are invaluable for educators seeking to foster confident, independent readers in their classrooms.

Aaron Grossman, a fourth-grade teacher passionate about enhancing reading skills, shares insights on transforming fluency instruction. He introduces a structured five-day protocol using Reader’s Theater, which boosts student engagement through performance-based learning. The discussion covers how repeated reading fosters fluency, the value of students creating their own scripts, and effective strategies for varying reading levels. Listeners will uncover actionable tips for making literacy skills more dynamic and accessible in the classroom.