Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators

Returning guest Fiona Hamilton, an international literacy consultant and founder of Word Torque, unites with her partners Lauren Hateley-Crowe and Angela Brienza – the team behind Engage with the Page and Search Engage. Together, they help teachers bring meaningful, joyful word inquiry into their daily read-alouds.Together, they unpack how their collaboration began, why picture books are such powerful anchors for word study, and how educators can move beyond isolated, word study routines toward integrated literacy instruction that builds spelling, vocabulary, decoding, and deep curiosity.Key Takeaways:What “word inquiry” really meansHow picture books are rich spaces to teach orthography and cultivate vocabulary growthThe story behind Engage with the Page & Search EngageWhat’s inside Engage with the Page & Search EngageResources Mentioned: Engage with the PageSearch EngageConnect with the Engage with the Page Team:Website: https://wordtorque.comEngage with the Page on Facebook Instagram: @engagewthepageFiona Hamilton on LinkedIn & InstagramLauren Hateley-Crowe on LinkedInEmail: fiona@wordtorque.comConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

Artificial intelligence is everywhere – but what does it actually mean for structured literacy and foundational skills instruction?In this episode, I sit down with Viv Ramakrishnan, co-founder of Project Read AI, to unpack what educators truly need to understand about AI, large language models, and how thoughtfully designed technology can support (not replace) teachers.We explore why tools like ChatGPT struggle with phonics and decoding, how Project Read AI was built differently, and what it looks like when AI is used as a co-teacher grounded in the Science of Reading.Key Takeaways:What AI, generative AI, and large language models (LLMs) actually are – and why these distinctions matter for literacy instructionWhy ChatGPT is fundamentally limited when it comes to grapheme-phoneme correspondences and decodable textAll about Project Read AI’s features: Decodable Text Generator, UFLI Portal, and AI TutorWhy screen time fears deserve nuance and how to think about “empty calories” vs. “nutrient-dense” instructional technologyWhether AI could ever replace teachers What early research is showing about student growth when AI is used intentionally and responsiblyResources:Project Read AIDocumentary: Can AI Help Our Kids Read? The Project Read StoryProject Read AI - Helpful LinksYouTube: ProjectReadAIYTConnect with Viv Ramakrishnan:LinkedInTwitter/X: @vivramakInstagram: @projectreadaiConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

Holiday Word Study: Christmas, Hanukkah, and KwanzaaIn this cozy, end-of-year episode, we’re slowing things down for a short and joyful holiday word study investigation. Instead of a full instructional deep dive, this episode invites you to get curious about three words we hear everywhere this time of year:ChristmasHanukkahKwanzaaTogether, we explore where these words come from, what their spellings reveal, and how English carries the fingerprints of other languages inside it.Along the way, you’ll hear about:Why <ch> says /k/ in Christmas (and why that’s not an exception)Why Hanukkah has multiple accepted spellingsHow Kwanzaa was intentionally named and spelled with meaning in mindWhat holiday words teach us about word origin, orthography, and meaningThis episode is a reminder that English spelling isn’t random and that it always makes more sense when we look beyond the surface.For more word study nuggets, check out Logos Live: mine & Sarah Paul's monthly coaching calls through Logos Literacy Academy where we go on even more deep dives! (If you enroll in any one of our courses, you get 2 years of free access to Logos Live as a bonus!)Connect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Jennifer Throndsen, author of Raising Up Readers: 25 Scaffolding Strategies to Help Students Access Challenging Texts, breaks down what it really takes to accelerate reading achievement for all learners, including multilingual students and those reading multiple years below grade level. Drawing from decades of experience across classroom, district, and state systems, Jennifer explains why grade-level access is an equity issue and how scaffolding, not leveling, is the key to closing gaps.Jennifer dives into the research supporting “stretch texts,” the misconception that struggling readers must stay in easier books, and why teachers (not text levels) must mediate difficulty. Jennifer offers practical scaffolding strategies, real classroom examples, and insights from studies showing that challenging texts paired with the right supports can yield two to three years of reading growth in a single year.Whether you're a classroom teacher, interventionist, literacy coach, or administrator, this episode will shift your thinking about text access and equip you with actionable tools you can use tomorrow.Resources Mentioned:Raising Up Readers: 25 Scaffolding Strategies to Help Students Access Challenging Texts by Dr. Jennifer Throndsen from Solution Tree (also on Amazon)Raising Up Readers Free Book Study GuideThis post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Dr. Jennifer ThrondsenWebsite: https://www.impactfullearningdesigns.com/LinkedIn: Jennifer ThrondsenInstagram: @JT_travel32Connect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In today’s episode of Literacy in Color, we’re chatting with Ashley Doty, founder of Uncomplicate Ed, an organization dedicated to making teaching and learning clearer, simpler, and more effective. Drawing on two decades of experience across the education landscape (and even a past life as a theater educator!), Ashley brings both heart and science to this conversation.They dig into what the science of learning actually looks like inside real classrooms, how small shifts can spark huge gains, and why teachers don’t need more complexity; they need clarity, purpose, and research-based practices that truly work for students.You'll hear Ashley break down concepts like retrieval practice, interleaving, chunking, background knowledge, student engagement, motivation, and how to support learners in a way that honors both the art and the science of teaching. She shares incredible real-world results from classrooms and schools who leveraged these principles — including 15+ point mid-year gains and 22-point year-over-year proficiency jumps.If you're an educator who wants practical ways to strengthen learning without adding more to your plate, this is a must-listen.Key Takeaways:Why simplifying instruction (without oversimplifying learning) is essential.How retrieval practice and spaced practice transform long-term memory.Interleaving — what it is, what teachers get wrong, and how to implement it realistically.How poetry, speeches, and small “tweaks” can dramatically improve engagement and retention.The relationship between learning science and motivation, student agency, and teacher-student relationships.Resources Mentioned:Book: Powerful Teaching by Dr. Pooja Agarwal & Patrice BainRetrievalpractice.org – free resources (Pooja Agarwal)Book: 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David YeagerThis post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Ashley Doty:Website: https://uncomplicateed.comFacebook Group: Uncomplicate Ed & Uncomplicating Education Across the NationYouTube: @UncomplicateEdInstagram: @UncomplicateEdConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Michelle welcomes Hilderbrand Pelzer III — award-winning principal, author of Unlocking Potential, national speaker, and a transformational leader whose work inside one of the largest jail systems in America has reshaped conversations about literacy, justice, and hope.Michelle heard Hilderbrand as a keynote speaker at The Reading League Conference and was profoundly inspired by his message — especially his reminder that the school-to-prison pipeline runs right through reading classrooms. Today, he shares stories from decades of work in juvenile corrections, traditional public schools, and the Philadelphia prison system. They explore why literacy is unequivocally a social justice issue, how the school-to-prison pipeline unfolds long before high school, and what educators and leaders can do to interrupt it — starting in the earliest grades.Through personal narratives, hard truths, and a hopeful vision for the future, Hilderbrand offers a call to action: Don’t give up and never underestimate the impact of teaching a child to read.Key Takeaways:Literacy is a Social Justice IssueThe School-to-Prison Pipeline Runs Through Reading ClassroomsMany “behavior issues” are actually literacy issues in disguise, leading to frustration, disengagement, and eventually dropping out.Leadership Requires VulnerabilityTeachers need the right tools and training – not blameResources Mentioned:Book: Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison by Hilderbrand Pelzer IIITalk: Hilderbrand’s TED Talk (referenced in conversation)This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Hildebrand Pelzer III:Website: www.hilderbrandpelzer3.comBluesky: @HildebrandPelzer3X (Twitter): @HP3PotentialInstagram: @hilderbrandpelzer3Facebook: HilderbrandPelzer3LinkedIn: Hildebrand Pelzer IIIYouTubeConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this solo episode, we take an honest, unflinching look at what are traditionally called Kindergarten Reading Levels: Guided Reading Levels A, B, C, and D — and why these levels do not reflect how children actually learn to read.If you’re a kindergarten teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or a parent of a beginning reader, this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been craving.Key Takeaways: Where these levels came from and what they were actually designed to measureWhy predictable texts are more about the “illusion of reading” than actual readingWhy picture-cueing, pattern memorization, and MSV underlie these early levelsWhy a student can “read” a Level D text but not decode a CVC wordWhat proponents of Guided Reading say about finger-pointingWhy these texts are fundamentally misaligned with the reading brainWhat to do instead to support true early reading developmentAnd yes — we can absolutely preserve the joy of reading without predictable pattern books.If your school or district is beginning to shift away from Balanced Literacy, Kindergarten is a wonderful place to start. When we remove the pressure of arbitrary, misaligned “levels” and instead equip kids with the code of our language, we give them true access to reading — not the performance of it.Connect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this powerful episode, Michelle is joined by legendary reading experts Linda Farrell and Michael Hunter, Founding Partners at Readsters. With more than 40 years of experience helping struggling readers — from kindergarten through adulthood — Linda and Michael break down what effective intervention truly looks like, why older learners often continue to slip through the cracks, and how to use assessment, precision, and patience to help every student become a reader. This episode is filled with practical wisdom, honest insights, and encouragement for every educator working with older students who need foundational reading support.Key Takeaways:Why older readers still struggle despite “years of instruction”The purpose & power of diagnostic assessmentWhat effective intervention really looks likeWhy motivation & respect matter deeplyReassurance that “It Is Never Too Late”Resources Mentioned:Readsters Website: www.readsters.comFree Resources on their WebsiteBook: Working Memory and Learning by Susan Gathercole & Tracy Packiam AllowayThis post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Linda & Michael of Readsters:Website: www.readsters.comEmail Michael Hunter: michael@readsters.comEmail Linda Farrell: linda@readsters.comConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this episode, Michelle talks with Dr. Julia Lindsey about her brand-new book “Small Groups, Big Results: Evidence-Based Routines to Get Every Child Reading ”, a practical guide to designing effective small-group instruction with the Science of Reading in mind. Julia shares her journey to researcher and author, and explains why the “leveled-text ladder” needs to be left behind. Together they explore how to use small groups with purpose, the data that should drive them, and the mindset shifts teachers need to make every minute of instruction count.Key Takeaways:Small groups are most powerful when they’re targeted, built around clear goals, practice, and feedback.“Guided reading” levels don’t predict growth; what matters is matching instruction to the next skill students need.Data should reveal what to teach, not just who is behind. Group by need, not by label.Flexible groupings, short bursts of focused practice, and clear feedback create more learning in less time.The purpose of small-group instruction is not to fill a time block; it’s to accelerate access to grade-level learning.Resources Mentioned:Reading Above the Fray by Dr. Julia B. Lindsey (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)Small Groups, Big Results by Dr. Julia B. Lindsey (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)Beyond Decodables: free content-rich decodable textsRock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Dr. Julia B. Lindsey:Website: juliablindsey.comInstagram: @juliablindseyFacebookLinkedInXConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed teaching writing, you’re not alone. In this episode, Michelle sits down with educator, author, and founder of Reimagine Writing, LaNesha Tabb, to talk about her framework in building confident, independent writers.For years, LaNesha admits she either “barely taught writing” or avoided it altogether — not because she didn’t care, but because it felt impossible to manage. That all changed when she created a simple yet powerful framework that turned chaos into clarity and helped her students finally thrive as writers.Key Takeaways:Why so many teachers feel underprepared to teach writingHow the science of writing and the science of learning informs her workWhat it means to have a framework — not just a bunch of strategiesHow checklists, chants, and routines can build independence in your writing blockWhy focusing on the process first helps students internalize everything elseConnect with LaNesha Tabb:Website: laneshatabb.comFree writing guide: https://laneshatabb.com/rock-the-writing-block/Reimagine Writing: www.reimaginewritingprogram.comInstagram: @lanesha_tabbConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator