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

In this episode of Literacy in Color, we’re heading across the pond to Ireland for a powerful conversation with Dr. Treasa Bowe, an international literacy leader and passionate advocate for morphology, etymology, and meaningful instruction. With over two decades of teaching experience in both Ireland and the U.S., Dr. Bowe brings a truly global lens to literacy education.Together, we explore what structured literacy looks like across contexts, how to empower multilingual learners through word study, and what it takes to implement school-wide morphology instruction - even without formal coaching systems. Treasa also shares how she created a scope and sequence for teaching morphology in the upper grades, weaving in etymology, spelling, and background knowledge in a way that’s cohesive, culturally responsive, and curiosity-driven.Whether you’re just getting started or looking to go deeper with word study, this conversation is packed with insights to spark your thinking and strengthen your practice.Key Takeaways:Building a school-wide structured literacy curriculum in a multilingual settingHow word study connects to spelling, vocabulary, and writingEncourage inquiry without having all the answersResources & People Mentioned:Lyn StoneZaretta HammondThe Reading LeagueUFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute)EtymonlineJeopardyLabsMembeanConnect with Treasa: Instagram: @betweenthecoversofagoodbookConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of Literacy in Color, we’re diving into 4 quick, high-impact phonics drills that spark engagement and build automaticity, without eating up your entire lesson time.These warm-ups aren’t about “drill and kill.” Instead, they’re short, intentional routines that help students review and retrieve previously taught phonics content. Whether you’re a classroom teacher or interventionist, these drills can be used flexibly, across whole group, small group, or even 1:1 settings.4 Types of Drills:Visual DrillAuditory DrillVowel DrillBlending DrillWhether you’re just starting with structured literacy or looking to refine your phonics block, these quick drills are a powerful way to build momentum and confidence for every student.Helpful Tools:Sound Deck for Visual DrillSpelling Frequency PostersConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m joined by the incredible Lindsay Kemeny, a trusted voice in the Science of Reading community and author of Seven Mighty Moves and Rock Your Literacy Block. Lindsay shares her journey into structured literacy, sparked by her son’s dyslexia diagnosis, and how that led to a complete transformation in her teaching and professional work.We dive into her brand-new book, Rock Your Literacy Block, and explore what it means to build a strong, responsive, and efficient literacy block that aligns with the Science of Reading. Lindsay offers practical strategies, encouragement, and a behind-the-scenes look at how she organizes her day, structures her small groups, and maximizes every minute of instructional time.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by scheduling, pacing, or finding the “perfect” literacy routine, this conversation is a breath of fresh air. Lindsay reminds us that it’s not about perfection - it’s about progress.Key Takeaways: The inspiration behind Rock Your Literacy Block The must-have components of an effective literacy blockThe art of pacing and maximizing instructional minutesResources Mentioned:Book: Rock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay KemenyBook: Seven Mighty Moves by Lindsay KemenyBook: Seven Mighty Moves Reading Resources by Lindsay KemenyThe Science of Reading in Practice Series (Scholastic)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 Lindsay Kemeny:Instagram: @lindsaykemenyFacebook: Teaching with Lindsay KemenyLinkedIn: Lindsay KemenyX: @lindsaykemenyConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle sits down with Alejandra Ramirez, a seasoned bilingual educator, reading coordinator, and literacy leader, to explore one of the most important questions in today’s classrooms: Is the Science of Reading for Multilingual Learners?With over a decade of experience in dual language programs and extensive training in LETRS and Esperanza, Alejandra brings a nuanced and equity-centered lens to structured literacy. In this episode, Alejandra unpacks common misconceptions, explores the importance of oral language, and discusses how foundational skills instruction can be adapted to support bilingual and multilingual learners.Key Takeaways: Why Structured Literacy is for multilingual learnersThe importance of cross-linguistic connectionsThe role of explicit instruction, teacher mindset, and instructional equityResources & Notable Figures Mentioned:Esperanza Dyslexia ProgramLETRS TrainingBook: Aprender a Leer by Stanislas Dehaene, neuroscientistClaude Goldenberg Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-HaganBook: Literacy Foundations for English Learners: A Comprehensive Guide to Evidence-Based Instruction by Elsa Cárdenas-HaganDr. Antonio FierroDr. José MedinaThis 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 Alejandra Ramirez:Instagram: @stuffaboutreading Connect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m joined by my dear friend, Christina Winter from Lead in Literacy. Together, we dive into one of the hottest topics in structured literacy: small group instruction.While some Science of Reading conversations debate whether small groups have a place in the literacy block, Christina reminds us that when done correctly—grounded in assessment, efficiency, and aligned routines—small groups can be one of the most powerful tools to differentiate instruction and target students’ exact needs.Christina walks us through her ABC Framework for small groups:A — AssessB — Be EfficientC — Cut the FluffWe also discuss how to fit small groups into busy schedules, what effective routines look like, how to handle pacing, and why teachers don't need to feel guilty about not seeing every student every day.Key Takeaways:How small group instruction supports differentiated, targeted reading instruction.The importance of assessment-driven groupings based on universal screeners (Acadience, DIBELS, i-Ready, etc.)Why consistent instructional routines reduce teacher overwhelm and student anxiety.High-impact routines for small group instruction: phonemic awareness, word mapping, high-frequency words, blending, decodable text, comprehension, dictation, and word awareness.Teachers should prioritize students below benchmark for daily small groups while others can be seen less frequently.Resources Mentioned:Christina's Free Small Group Toolkit (downloadable resource with lessons & templates)Book: A Fresh Look at Phonics by Wiley BlevinsDr. Julia Lindsey’s Instagram PostStephanie Stollar’s Reading Science AcademyBook: Atomic Habits by James ClearThis 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 Christina Winter:Website: https://leadinliteracy.com/Instagram: @lead.in.literacy Christina’s Membership Site: Leaders of LiteracyConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this powerful episode of Literacy in Color, we are joined by Dr. Molly Ness to explore the deep impact of read-alouds, particularly think-alouds, as well as book access.. Dr. Ness, educator, author of Read Aloud for All Learners, and host of the End Book Deserts podcast, brings her research, experience, and passion to this conversation about how language comprehension is often overlooked, but absolutely essential in the Science of Reading-centered conversations.Dr. Ness shares what the research says about read-alouds, how teacher planning (or lack thereof) affects instructional impact, and what educators can do to be more intentional in their read-aloud routines.We also unpack the concept of book deserts, areas where children lack access to books in their homes, schools, and communities. Dr. Ness shares creative ideas and solutions for bringing books to the kids who need them most.Key Takeaways:The concept of book deserts and why book access is an equity issueCreative ways to distribute books in under-resourced communitiesThe physiological and emotional benefits of read-alouds for all agesWhat research tells us about the power of read-alouds for language comprehensionHow think-alouds support comprehension beyond simple questioningPlanning read-alouds with intentionality: modeling, stopping points, & strategy alignmentResources Mentioned:Read Aloud for All Learners by Dr. Molly NessResearch: What Are Teachers Reading and Why?: An Analysis of Elementary Read Aloud Titles and the Rationales Underlying Teachers' Selections - Conradi-Smith, Craig Young, and Jane Core YatzeckWhite paper on Language Comprehension written by Dr. Molly NessMaking Words Stick (newly released book by Dr. Molly Ness & Dr. Katie Pace Miles)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. Molly Ness:Website: https://www.mollyness.com/Website: https://www.dirigoliteracy.com/LinkedIn: Molly Ness, PhDInstagram: @a_reading_motherBlueSky: ‪@mollyness.bsky.social‬End Book Desert PodcastEnd Book Desert WebsiteConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this special episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle is joined by her brilliant friend, Sarah Paul, to officially unveil their new course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator.Together, Michelle and Sarah share the backstory behind their collaboration (Logos Literacy Academy), reflect on their own morphology journeys, and talk candidly about the challenges teachers face when trying to make sense of morphemes, word parts, and all things structural literacy.Whether you're brand new to morphology or ready to go deeper, this episode is equal parts strategy, story, and heart.Key Takeaways:Why morphology is the missing puzzle piece for many literacy classroomsHow morphemes support struggling readers, gifted students, and everyone in betweenPractical entry points for teaching morphology—without needing to be a linguistA behind-the-scenes look at their course series and why it’s designed as a multi-course journeyResources Mentioned:Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator - Morphology Course #1 (comprehensive & in-depth knowledge to build a solid foundation)Course #2 - Coming Fall 2025 will be geared for K-2 Educators (more curriculum-based)Course #3 - Coming Winter 2025 will be geared for 3-5 Educators (more curriculum-based)Logos Literacy Academy on IG: @logosliteracyacademyEtymonline Connect with Sarah Paul:WebsiteInstagramTPT StoreConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

I’m joined by the one and only Jake Daggett—educator, foundational literacy director, and all-around engagement strategist. If you've ever seen his viral phonics videos, you already know the energy and intentionality he brings to instruction. But there’s more to Jake than claps and chants—he’s deeply rooted in brain-based research and committed to helping all learners access joyful, responsive Tier 1 instruction.We unpack how retrieval practice, frequent response opportunities, and cognitive science principles make instruction stick—and why fun isn’t fluff when it’s grounded in purpose. From neurodivergent inclusion to flexible phonics lessons, Jake shares practical, actionable ways to create highly engaging classrooms that promote success for every learner.Whether you’re sing-songy or soft-spoken, you’ll walk away with real strategies to elevate your Tier 1 instruction tomorrow.Key Takeaways:The relationship between achievement and joy in learningWhy retrieval practice and at-bats are essential for building automaticityThe role of pitch, motion, and repetition in recall and engagementFlexible strategies that honor teacher style AND student needResources Mentioned:Book: Explicit Instruction- Dr. Anita Archer Book: Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching - Zach GroshellBook: Harnessing the Science of Learning - Nathaniel SwainBook: Why Don’t Students Like School? - Dan WillinghamBook: Differentiating Phonics Instruction for Maximum Impact - Wiley BlevinsBook: 7 Mighty Moves - Lindsay KemenyBook: 7 Mighty Moves: Reading Resources - Lindsay KemenyBook: Rock Your Literacy Block - Lindsay KemenyBook: Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning - Peter C. BrownDan Willingham’s WebsiteTimothy Shanahan’s Website – Shanahan on Literacy 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 Jake Daggett:Instagram: @jake_daggettFacebook: Engage with JakeTikTok: @jake_daggettX:  @jake_daggettWebsite: https://www.engagewithjake.com/Connect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Danielle “Nell” Thompson shares her powerful journey from a small town in North Dakota to Bush Alaska, all the way to becoming a transformational coach and the founder of the Big Sky Literacy Summit. Together, we explore how language is the foundation of literacy—not just for academic success, but for human connection, dignity, and transformation.We also dig into the intersection of language and leadership, discussing how deep systems change, intentional leadership, and relationship-driven instruction can move the literacy needle—not just for individual students, but entire school communities.Key Takeaways:Why oral language is both a risk factor and a protective factor in literacy developmentHow early language experiences shape long-term life outcomes What true transformational leadership looks like in school settingsPowerful tools for screening early oral language & providing interventionA heartfelt case study from Bush Alaska that will leave you inspiredResources Mentioned:Big Sky Literacy Summit 2025: Language is EverythingBook: Speech to Print - Dr. Louisa MoatsBook: Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills - Birsch & CarrekerBook: Unlocking Literacy - Marcia HenryHugh Catts: Viewing A Phonological Deficit within a Multifactorial Model of DyslexiaBook: Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experiences of Young American Children – Hart & Risley Book: 30 Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain – Dr. Dana SuskindThe Abecedarian Project – Early childhood longitudinal studyPodcast Episode 19: Oral Language & Reading with Elizabeth Doherty, The Reading SLPLanguageScreen – Oral language screener by Maggie Snowling & Charles HulmeLet’s Know! – FREE language curriculum developed by the Language and Reading Research Consortium (available via Ohio State)NELI (Nuffield Early Language Intervention) – Oral language program (includes the LanguageScreen Assessment)Story Champs & ECHO – Language intervention tools from the Language Dynamics GroupBook: It’s All About Language - Grigorenko, Shtirov, McArdleBook: Annual Growth for All Students, Catch-Up Growth for Those Who Are Behind - Fielding, Kerr, & RosierBook: MTSS for Reading Improvement - Stephanie Stollar & Sarah BrownThis 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. Nell:Dr. Nell's Website: The Transformative Reading Teacher GroupBig Sky Literacy Summit WebsiteEmail: DrNell@TheTransformativeReadingTeacher.com LinkedIn: Dr. Danielle “Nell” ThompsonFacebook: Big Sky Literacy SummitFacebook: The Transformative Reading Teacher GroupJoin The Reading League MontanaConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m chatting with Heidi Martin—also known as Droppin’ Knowledge with Heidi—to unpack what research says about effective alphabet instruction. Together, we explore common debates, research-based tips, and engaging strategies to teach the alphabet more effectively.From ditching letter-of-the-week traditions to embracing articulation and embedded mnemonics, this episode is packed with classroom-ready ideas and practical insights grounded in cognitive science. Heidi also shares why repeated and distributed practice is the key to building strong alphabet knowledge.Key Takeaways:Alphabet knowledge is a strong predictor of reading successWhat the research says about “letter of the week”Teach letter names and sounds togetherTeach uppercase and lowercase togetherIncorporate explicit handwriting instructionUse embedded mnemonics and articulation cuesAdvice about target picture(s)Alphabet knowledge should be joyful, not just roteHelpful Resources:Register for Science of Reading Mini-Con (July 10th, 2025 in Racine, Wisconsin)! Piasta & Wagner’s 2010 meta-analysis of Alphabet Learning & InstructionP is for Paint: A Mnemonic Alphabet Adventure! – Heidi’s embedded mnemonic alphabet bookDecodable Adventure Series – Heidi’s decodable booksHeidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Foundational Skills: Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Exercises Aligned to the Science of ReadingHeidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Sight Words and Word Mapping: High-Frequency Word Exercises Aligned to the Science of ReadingHeidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Phonics: Spelling and Phonics Activities Aligned to the Science of ReadingHelpful Instagram Post from Heidi on the AlphabetThis 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 Heidi Martin:Website: https://droppinknowledge.com/TikTok - @droppinknowledgewheidiIG - @droppinknowledgewithheidiFB - Droppin' Knowledge with HeidiConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroomJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership