SMARTER Literacy

In this episode, Lindsey and Corey share simple, no-prep ways to bring games into your literacy lessons using simple materials like a whiteboard, a die, or a word list. Learn how to make reading practice more engaging, boost motivation, and hit multiple literacy skills, all without adding to your workload. Check out the games and additional training mentioned in this episode: 🎉 >>Literacy games<< that we love, including the War Games and Crazy Short Vowel mentioned in the show. 🔦 The Literacy Game Plan Spotlight On-Demand PD. Learn how to use games to target specific reading and language skills, while keeping students engaged. See how just one game can be adapted to meet different goals and walk away with ready-to-use templates and ideas for game-based activities.

In this episode, Lindsey and Corey share why games aren’t just for fun. They’re one of the most effective ways to teach, review, and differentiate literacy skills. Learn how to use games strategically within your lessons to boost engagement, build confidence, and make reading instruction more enjoyable for students and teachers alike. 💡Learn more about using games in your literacy instruction in the 5CCL Spotlight Training: The Literacy Game Plan: Using Games to Teach, Engage, and Differentiatehttps://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/game-plan  

In this episode, Lindsey and Corey tackle one of the toughest moments in intervention: when you’ve been faithfully tracking progress but the data just isn’t budging. We share how to recognize whether it’s a true trend or just an off day, and how to dig deeper when scores consistently stall. You’ll learn how to use the Simple View of Reading to diagnose whether the root issue is word recognition, language comprehension, or both, and practical strategies for adjusting instruction without losing momentum. We also discuss the importance of setting realistic, measurable goals and celebrating small wins to keep students motivated. Subscribe for more episodes, share this one with a colleague, and leave a rating or review—it helps other educators find the show!  ❇️ Resources mentioned in the show: Free Data Tracking Printable Progress Monitoring Made Simple Spotlight Traininghttps://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/progress-monitoring-made-simple

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, Lindsey and Corey dive into progress monitoring - what it really is, why it matters, and how to make it part of everyday lessons without losing instructional time. We share practical strategies for tracking growth with simple tools like word lists and fluency passages, tips for writing clear goals, and ways to build data collection into your lesson flow. You’ll also hear common mistakes to avoid, from inconsistent tracking to waiting too long to review data, and how to use progress monitoring as a powerful guide for instruction. Subscribe for more strategies, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a rating or review to help others find the show! ❇️ Resources mentioned in the show: Free Data Tracking Printable Progress Monitoring Made Simple Spotlight Traininghttps://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/progress-monitoring-made-simple

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, Lindsey and Corey break down the difference between accommodations and modifications, two terms often misunderstood in education. They discuss why these supports matter, how to choose the right ones, and what changes when they’re implemented well. You’ll hear practical examples tied to student needs, strategies for making supports part of everyday classroom routines, and clarity on why accommodations are not “cheating” but essential tools for equity and access. ✨Resources & Links: 📄 FREE Printable Accommodations & Modifications Guide 💡To continue your learning, check out the Spotlight PD: What Dyslexia Really Looks Like

Lindsey and Corey kick off Dyslexia Awareness Month by breaking down what dyslexia is and clearing up the most common myths. They share how it shows up across grade levels, what signs teachers can watch for, and practical strategies and accommodations that help students thrive. ➡️ Grab the Dyslexia Symptoms Checklist mentioned in the podcast: https://smarterintervention.com/blog-highlights/dyslexia-symptoms-checklist

In this episode, Lindsey and Corey take you behind the scenes to discuss the standardized assessments they rely on with students, from the WIAT and CTOP to the TOWRE and GORT. They share what each tool reveals about literacy skills, their strengths (and shortcomings), and how these assessments connect to the literacy processing triangle. You’ll also hear why no single test is enough, and how combining measures with curriculum-based assessments gives the clearest picture of student needs. 👉 Check out the 5CCL Learning Lab to continue your learning!

Feeling overwhelmed by student data? In this episode, we walk through a simple 7-step process to move from numbers on a page to meaningful instructional decisions. You’ll learn how to: Use screeners as a starting point Add context with quick observations Identify whether challenges stem from word recognition or comprehension Pinpoint specific skill gaps Summarize data into a clear student story Group students and set measurable goals Monitor progress to keep instruction responsive By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for turning data into action that truly supports student growth. 👉 Want to go deeper? Explore our From Data to Decisions Spotlight PD, >>Here<<.https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/literacy-needs-screener

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, Lindsey and Corey break down how to deliver effective literacy intervention for secondary students, a topic that rarely gets the attention it deserves. Key Takeaways: Learn three instructional pathways Discover how to make lessons age-appropriate and engaging Get practical ideas for flexible lesson pacing and diagnostic instruction 🖥️ Continue learning with our FREE on-demand training: Delivering Effective Secondary Literacy Intervention: The 5-Step Framework for Grades 6–12 👉 Check out the 5CCL Learning Lab to continue your learning!

In this episode, Lindsey and Corey break down the exact structure of a structured literacy lesson at the elementary level. If you’ve ever stared at a blank lesson plan wondering where to start, this episode gives you a step-by-step framework to follow. Key Takeaways: Understand the five key components of a structured literacy lesson Learn how to balance word recognition and language comprehension instruction Discover practical ways to make instruction engaging and interactive Explore how reciprocal writing activities reinforce reading skills and support vocabulary growth Get tips on checking for understanding and collecting data within your lesson flow Hear ideas for pacing and lesson planning that work in real classrooms Whether you’re delivering these lessons in one block or across multiple sessions, this structure will help simplify your planning while keeping lessons consistent, actionable, and fun for students. 👉 Grab our free Lesson Planning Guides and check out the 5CCL Learning Lab to continue your learning!

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, Lindsey and Corey break down the process of delivering effective Tier Three literacy instruction without the overwhelm. Whether you're a special educator managing IEP goals or a private practitioner working one-on-one, this conversation will help you move from uncertainty to clarity. Key Takeaways: Understand the purpose and goals of Tier Three instruction Learn how to use assessment data (like the WIAT-4) to identify student needs Discover how to determine whether a student needs support in word recognition or language comprehension Get tips for setting up an actionable instructional plan based on your schedule  👉 Explore related professional development training in the 5CCL Learning Lab

In this episode of the SMARTER Literacy Podcast, Lindsey and Corey dive into the sometimes chaotic world of Tier 2 literacy instruction. If you're working with limited time and diverse student needs, this conversation offers a practical approach to designing a simple, systematic, and effective scope and sequence. Whether you're operating in a push-in or pull-out model, you'll learn how to make the most of every instructional minute while staying grounded in the Science of Reading. Learn more about the 5CCL Learning Lab mentioned in the show: 5CCL Learning Lab ➡️ https://smarterintervention.com/learninglab 📣 Subscribe to the Smarter Literacy Podcast for more insights and actionable strategies to simplify effective literacy instruction. ❤️ Found this helpful? Leave a review or share it with a colleague who's teaching in tier 2!

In this episode of the SMARTER Literacy Podcast, Lindsey and Corey tackle one of the biggest challenges in education: making the science of reading actually work in Tier 1 instruction. Whether you're a classroom teacher or a literacy leader, this episode will help you build a Tier 1 block that’s not only effective but sustainable. You’ll walk away with a clear roadmap for balancing whole group instruction, small group differentiation, and meaningful independent practice without the overwhelm. Learn more about the training opportunities mentioned in the show: 5CCL Learning Lab ➡️ https://smarterintervention.com/learninglab 📣 Subscribe to the Smarter Literacy Podcast for more insights and actionable strategies to simplify effective literacy instruction. ❤️ Found this helpful? Leave a review or share it with a colleague who's teaching in tier 1!

Are you teaching Tier 1, 2, or 3 instruction — or some blend of all three? In this episode, Lindsey and Corey break down what the tiers of literacy instruction really mean and why it’s essential to align your strategies with the setting and support your students are receiving. Whether you’re in a classroom, intervention setting, special education, or private practice, this episode gives you clarity on how to make structured literacy work in your context, without burning out. Learn more about the training opportunities mentioned in the show: 5CCL Learning Lab ➡️ https://smarterintervention.com/learninglab 📣 Subscribe to the Smarter Literacy Podcast for more insights and actionable strategies to simplify effective literacy instruction. ❤️ Found this helpful? Leave a review or share it with a colleague who's navigating literacy across tiers!

In this episode, Lindsey and Mikayla get real about what it’s like to start in literacy intervention without having to know EVERYTHING about literacy education. Mikayla shares her journey of jumping in, learning on the go, and discovering how to adapt instruction to meet students’ individual needs. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, underprepared, or unsure where to start, this conversation is for you. Resources & Links:🎓 Sadly, the 2025 Summit is in the past, but you can find more professional development options here: https://smarterintervention.com/training

In this episode, Mikayla joins Lindsey to share the story behind the creation of the SMARTER Intervention Summit. If you've ever walked away from professional development feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, you're not alone. The team dives into why traditional PD often falls short—and how the Summit was intentionally designed to offer educators something different: real strategies, authentic community, and an action plan that reignites your purpose. Resources & Links: 🎓 Sadly, the 2025 Summit is in the past, but you can find more professional development options here: https://smarterintervention.com/training

What's one of the best ways to keep your kids engaged and learning over the summer? In this bonus episode, we discuss book clubs! Whether you're an educator looking for summer teaching strategies or a parent aiming to keep your child's mind active, this episode offers valuable tips and insights to make your book club a success - whether over the summer or any time of year! 📖 Use the links below to learn more about the resources mentioned in the bonus episode: >>On-Demand Training for How to Use Book Clubs to Engage Your Students<< >>Blogs about book clubs and summer groups<< >>Our YouTube video playlist for using book clubs<< >>Done-for-you Book Clubs you can use with your students<<

Join us as we explore building a literacy business and discuss Ascend's origin story. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established educator looking to expand your impact, this episode offers valuable lessons and encouragement for your journey. From the initial spark of wanting more autonomy and creativity to making the leap to starting a business, hear firsthand how trust and hard work can transform your dream into reality. You can learn more by joining us for the free workshop mentioned in the show: 🎉  >>How to Start a Literacy-Based Business<<

In Episode 3, we discussed the importance of language comprehension instruction as part of the literacy intervention process. Today, we wanted to share our vocabulary framework to help you incorporate vocabulary instruction in a fun and engaging way for your students. By the end of this bonus episode, you will be ready to try out the vocabulary framework with your students. You can download the free Vocabulary Framework to use with your students, >>Here<<. To continue learning about Vocabulary Instruction, check out our on-demand vocabulary training: https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/vocabulary

There are many misconceptions about whether or not you can teach comprehension explicitly. Many of us have been told that the only way to teach comprehension is to build background knowledge and/or through strategies like rote memorization, or vocabulary flashcards. In this episode of SMARTER Literacy, we discuss how You CAN teach comprehension strategies to your students! We will be going over the misconception that you can’t teach comprehension explicitly and then look at strategies and tools that will help you when teaching comprehension to your students. Check out the following resources mentioned in this episode: >>Guided Comprehension Folder<< >> Delivering SMARTER Intervention Program<< >>5CCL Resource Library<<