
Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ™
Melissa & Lori Love Literacy™ is a podcast for teachers. The hosts are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters learning with you. Episodes feature top literacy experts and teachers who are putting the science of reading into practice. Melissa & Lori bridge the gap between the latest research and your day-to-day teaching.
Latest episodes

Sep 1, 2023 • 34min
Ep. 161: Back to School: Communicating with Families about Reading Science
Crystal Lenhart is a literacy coach who developed a resource that clearly and transparently explains to families and caregivers how the school is teaching reading and writing differently with reading science research! As we head Back to School, this practical resource is a helpful tool to communicate big changes happening in classrooms and schools. ResourcesHow we teach reading at big horn elementary resourceConnect with usFacebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Visit our website to stay connected with Melissa and Lori! Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum. 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.

Aug 25, 2023 • 38min
Ep. 160: Back to School: Understanding Reading Research with Neena Saha
Ever wondered how to navigate the complex world of reading research as an educator? Get ready for a great conversation with education researcher Neena Saha, who reveals the role of science in education and the importance of pseudoscience in developing theories. We delve into the significance of meta-analyses and discuss the need for caution when using this method. Neena then shares some current reading research with us!ResourcesSamePage Reading Facebook GroupMetaMetrics’ Reading Research Recap Join the Reading Research mailing listThe Reading League JournalThe Reading League recording on what teachers need to know about “how science works” (skip to 1 hour, 40 min)Meta-Analysis ReviewRobert Slavin’s BlogsIn Meta-Analyses, Weak Inclusion Standards Lead to Misleading Conclusions. Here’s Proof.How Can You Tell When The Findings of a Meta-Analysis Are Likely to Be Valid?Meta-Analysis and Its Discontents Criticisms of Meta-Analysis (but also great rebuttals) Morphology Recent Research StudiesExecutive Functions and Morphological Awareness Explain the Shared Variance between Word Reading and Listening ComprehensionEffects of Target Age and Genre on Morphological Complexity in Children’s Reading MaterialContrasting Direct Instruction in Morphological Decoding and Morphological Inquiry-Analysis Interventions in Grade 3 Children With Poor Morphological AwarenessFluency Recent Research StudyA systematic review and meta-analysis of the Readers’ Theatre impact on the development of reading skillsComprehension Recent Research Study Elementary Teachers’ Pe 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.

Aug 18, 2023 • 57min
Ep. 159: Back to School: Science of Reading or Snake Oil with Holly Lane
Ever wonder how to decipher the Science of Reading or how to evaluate a curriculum that claims to be founded on it? We've got an episode just for you. Today, we're thrilled to welcome Holly Lane, a leading expert in the field, who will help us unlock this complex topic. Holly does an incredible job of breaking down the differences between research and evidence-based approaches, and she reveals what the terms 'explicit' and 'systematic' really mean.Holly delves into the world of research design, the challenges of conducting these trials, and why correlation isn’t always causation. She shares firsthand experiences from her journey creating UFLI Foundations and the significance of field testing and teacher input in program evaluation. Holly shares her perspective on the importance of practice in education, providing practical strategies to promote automaticity in foundational skills. She also offers pointers on how to interpret research and reports from publishers without getting swayed by the hype. As we all know, not all that glitters is gold – and this is particularly true in the world of educational research. After listening to this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of the Science of Reading. Trust us - it's an episode you don't want to miss.ResourcesScience of Reading or Snake Oil webinar with Holly LaneUFLI Foundations ESSA’s Review of LLIConnect with usFacebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com 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.

20 snips
Aug 11, 2023 • 46min
Ep. 158: Science of Reading Beyond Phonics: The Ultimate Goal of Reading with Doug Fisher
Doug Fisher, professor at San Diego State University and renowned author, discusses the importance of comprehension in reading and its practical applications in the real world. He delves into teaching vocabulary for comprehension and emphasizes the role of oral language in reading instruction. The podcast also explores the impact of teachers in students' development and the significance of their contributions.

22 snips
Aug 4, 2023 • 1h 1min
Ep. 157: Science of Reading Beyond Phonics: Reading Comprehension Blueprint with Nancy Hennessy
Join Melissa and Lori as they discuss the intricate processes of reading comprehension with Nancy Hennessy, a reading comprehension expert and acclaimed author. They explore the complexity of comprehension, the role of language skills, the importance of reading strategies, and the blueprint for teaching comprehension. They also provide practical strategies for planning reading lessons, developing essential questions, and reflecting on curriculum and materials.

Jul 28, 2023 • 1h 1min
Ep. 156: Science of Reading Beyond Phonics: Vocabulary Instruction with a Grade 5 Teacher
Ever thought about the power of words? Join us as we discuss our most requested topic of all time: vocabulary. We have a special guest, fifth-grade teacher Sean Morrisey. We discuss Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary words and discuss how you can strategically select words to teach using research-based approaches. We also share the importance of continuously embedding words into language throughout the day and using data to measure improvement. Lastly, we bridge the connection between vocabulary and fluency, demonstrating how it impacts performance. By the end of this episode, you'll feel inspired to transform your vocabulary instructional approach in your classroom, one word at a time.ResourcesAcademic Word Finder Achieve the CoreWhich Words Do I Teach and How? Article by David LibenLifelong Literacy, Lyn StoneExplicit Instruction, Anita Archer Bringing Words to Life, book The Writing Revolution, bookText Project Vocabulary InstructionWord Generation Serp Institute Word Sift Coxhead Academic Word List Podsie 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.

Jul 21, 2023 • 1h
Ep. 155: Science of Reading Beyond Phonics: Language for Life with Lyn Stone
Linguist and author Lyn Stone joins Melissa and Lori to talk about vocabulary and etymology. They discuss the impact of words on learning outcomes, the joy of teaching language, and the importance of teacher knowledge. Lyn shares resources for teaching etymology and morphology, as well as tips for literacy instruction. They also explore the coolness of grammar and syntax as expressions of the mind. Don't miss this engaging discussion on the magical world of words.

13 snips
Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 5min
Ep. 154: Science of Reading Beyond Phonics Series: Fluency Instructional Routines with Nathaniel Swain
What if you could unlock the secrets to fluency instruction in literacy, and transform your students into confident and skilled readers? Join us as we delve into this crucial topic with Nathaniel Swain, Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University in Australia, who shares his expertise on the three components of fluency: speed, accuracy, and prosody. Let's explore together how balancing speed with comprehension can make all the difference in today's digital age, where skimming and scrolling are the new norm.We discuss a variety of practical strategies to help students practice fluency in the classroom, such as choral reading and paired reading. Nathaniel also sheds light on the role of technology in simplifying the process of creating engaging materials. Discover how to create an environment that fosters student engagement and understanding, and learn the differences between fluency instruction in primary and intermediate classes.Finally, we examine the value of fluency in reading instruction and how it can be integrated into the literacy block. Nathaniel explains the self-teaching hypothesis and emphasizes the importance of exposing students to unfamiliar words and challenging texts. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with tips and strategies to help your students become fluent and confident readers!ResourcesThink Forward EducatorsFive Ways to Focus on Fluency, Think Forward Educators Blog Fluency Rubric, Tim RasinskiReaders Theater Scripts, Chase YoungFluency Resources, Tim Rasinski Nathaniel Swain on Writing to Learn, ERRR PodcastConnect with usFacebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for our newsletter at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum. 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.

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 3min
Ep. 153: Science of Reading Beyond Phonics: Fluency Instruction and Assessment with Jan Hasbrouck
Jan Hasbrouck, an expert in fluency instruction and assessment, joins Melissa and Lori Love Literacy to discuss tips for assessing and teaching fluency. They debunk myths, explain the Hasbrouck-Tindal Oral Reading Fluency Chart, and emphasize the importance of automaticity and expression in fluency. They also explore the optimal reading range, challenges for dyslexic students, the significance of prosody, and the value of the Orph assessment tool. The speakers share their love for reading, dedication to literacy and education, and passion for teaching and helping struggling children.

34 snips
Jun 30, 2023 • 57min
Ep. 152: Science of Reading for ALL Students: Multilingual Learners with Claude Goldenberg
What if we told you that the science of reading is just as applicable to multilingual learners as it is to monolingual English speakers? Today, we had the pleasure of discussing this topic with Claude Goldenberg, professor emeritus of education at Stanford University. Claude shared his insights on the importance of understanding the nuanced language surrounding multilingual learners.In our conversation, we explored the essential process of teaching English learners to read by developing a bank of sight words and providing additional support alongside phonology and orthography. Claude also shed light on the research and literature available specifically for English learners, debunking the myth that the science of reading is only applicable to monolingual English speakers. Moreover, we discussed the findings of the Ehri and Vaughn studies, which explored the effectiveness of early interventions for at-risk students.Claude also shared his advice on implementing a strengths-based approach to teaching and building student knowledge while emphasizing the importance of staying up to date with research and being transparent about what we know and don't know. By doing so, we can be effective advocates for English learners. Don't miss this insightful and informative episode to learn how you can better support multilingual learners in their reading journey!ResourcesClick here to access the research Claude mentions during this podcast Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Ep. 119 How Reading Science Works for English Learners with Elsa Cardenas-HaganConnect with usFacebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for our newsletter at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum. 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.