Teaching Unscripted

Every day students scroll past hundreds of headlines, posts, and videos. How do they know what to trust?In 5 Questions for Any Text, educator and author Marilyn Pryle offers a practical framework to help students navigate today's media landscape with sharper, critical thinking and deeper awareness. Her approach encourages students to look beyond the surface of a text to examine its origins, its influences, its purpose, and the voices behind it. In this first episode of this four-part series, we dive into the question of source. Who is behind a text and what might their intentions be? Marilyn shares how developing students' critical consciousness can empower them to question even texts that seem helpful or align with their beliefs. Tune in to hear an excerpt from Marilyn's audiobook, followed by her personal reflections and a few thought-provoking questions to discuss with colleagues as you start the new year.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How can we make phonics instruction work for every child regardless of ability or background?Today's guest, Lorna Simmons, has spent decades pursuing the answer to that question. Her journey, rooted in a deep commitment to literacy for all, has culminated in the release of Saxon Reading Foundations, which launched in June. This new program reflects years of research, classroom experience, and a relentless drive to ensure every student can become a confident reader. Lorna has developed tools and techniques that help educators meet students where they are, whether they need 15 exposures or 1500.In this episode, she explores how we can bridge the gap between phonics instruction and authentic reading success. Lorna shares practical ways to embed phonics into every subject, use controlled texts effectively, and ensure students get the exposures they need to truly master decoding. Whether you're teaching kindergarten or upper elementary, this conversation will help you unlock the power of phonics across your entire day.Lorna is in conversation with Amy Mengarelli, one of our partners with the Waymire Group and a former classroom teacher. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to The AI Conversation for Educators, A Heinemann Podcast Series hosted by Meenoo Rami. This series for teachers explores how generative AI is transforming teaching and learning. In this episode, Meenoo Rami speaks with Sara Nagy, former senior director of customer engagement at Microsoft and a strong advocate for equity in tech literacy.Together they discuss::the values she sees in successful teammates, all of which align with some of our highest goals for students, and how those values remain constant even as technology evolvespractical insights into AI literacycommon AI-related misconceptionswhy she believes the real power of AI lies in how we use it as a thinking partner, not a crutchSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to The AI Conversation for Educators, A Heinemann Podcast Series hosted by Meenoo Rami. This series for teachers explores how generative AI is transforming teaching and learning. In this episode, Meenoo Rami speaks with Mary Beth Hertz, art and technology teacher at Beeber High School in Philadelphia, author of Digital and Media Literacy in the Age of Internet, and the executive director of Walkabout Education.Together they discuss:Why she makes space for honest conversation about bias, privacy, and ethical useHow educators can introduce AI in ways that support creativity, critical thinking, and student voice.How her students use tools like Adobe Firefly in her art classHow she scaffolds digital literacy through inquirySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to The AI Conversation for Educators, A Heinemann Podcast Series hosted by Meenoo Rami. This series for teachers explores how generative AI is transforming teaching and learning. In this episode, Meenoo Rami speaks with Jen Roberts, a national board certified high school English teacher with over 25 years of classroom experience, and a Google for Education certified innovator. Her blog, Lit and Tech, is a go-to resource for educators who want to teach thoughtfully with technology.Together they discuss:How AI can help enhance student engagement.How to introduce AI in ways that helps students write, reflect, and think more critically.Anecdotes from ninth graders using AI-generated outlines to improve their essays and learning how to spot when tools get things wrong.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to The AI Conversation for Educators, A Heinemann Podcast Series hosted by Meenoo Rami. This series for teachers explores how generative AI is transforming teaching and learning. In this episode, Meenoo Rami speaks with Dr. Alec Couros, a leading expert in educational technology and media. Dr. Couros is a professor at the University of Regina and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Together, they discuss:Why AI literacy for educators is essentialHow generative AI tools are reshaping student learning and teacher workflowsWhat it means to foster creativity and critical thinking in an AI-driven worldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The authors of The Civically Engaged Classroom believe in the power of curated current text sets. Collections initially created by teachers that students can expand as their knowledge grows. In this preview of the audiobook, we'll explore how to build these text sets, starting with online sources to engage students in contemporary issues.We'll also hear practical tips on tech set mapping, ensuring you cover a range of perspectives and complexities. Learn how to balance digital archives with print resources, introduce challenging texts, and support diverse reading levels.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we are remembering our dear friend and colleague, Dr Kylene Beers. Heinemann is deeply saddened by the passing of Kylene Beers. Kylene's 46-year career has had a significant impact across the field of education, helping to shape classroom practice across the country.As we reflect on our time with Kylene at Heinemann, we wanted to revisit two recordings from 2022.The first is a special conversation with Kylene and her daughter Meredith, where they reflect on Kylene’s career as an educator. Her mission; to help students become better readers and critical thinkers. After we will revisit Kylene’s “Letter to George” updated in 2022 as a reflection on her first year of teaching. Both of these were recorded in the summer of 2022 for the audio book version of When Kids Can't Read—What Teachers Can Do, Second Edition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we are playing an excerpt from a series called "Writing as Healing". This series was a collaboration with author Liz Prather.In this episode she's in conversation with Willie Carver, who is a poet and the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. We'll hear about Willie's approach of using student writing as the classroom textbook which not only bypasses censorship, but also validates student voices. And Willie's personal journey of healing through poetry, models how educators can use vulnerability and storytelling to foster resilience and empathy in their classrooms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Lempp, author of Math Workshop, and Sue O'Connell, co-author of Math by the Book. Together, they share how these two powerful resources can work hand in hand to bring structure, creativity, and real world context to elementary math instruction.They explore how to use children's literature to launch math investigations, how to differentiate through small groups, and ultimately build a classroom culture where students see themselves as capable problem solvers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we are replaying a powerful conversation with Donalyn Miller, co-author of The Joy of Reading. Donalyn unpacks why joyful reading isn't fluff, it's foundational. From the deep importance of book access and daily reading time to the nuance of honoring student choice, this episode is a reminder that helping kids see themselves as lifelong readers starts with what we do today. Whether you're a classroom teacher, coach, or leader, tune in to reflect on how we can protect and prioritize independent reading. Even in the face of high stakes pressure. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this 2023 episode, Jennifer Serravallo explores how The Reading Strategies Book 2.0 is organized to support skill progression and responsive teaching. Learn how the book’s “if-then” paths help teachers quickly identify the right strategies based on individual student needs—whether in small groups, whole-class lessons, or intervention settings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and free to be themselves, and this week's Heinemann podcast episode explores how educators can make that happen through the power of the arts. Tune in as Rebecca Bellingham and Veronica Scott read the introduction to their new book, The Artful Approach to Exploring Identity and Fostering Belonging. Blending personal stories, creative strategies, and practical tools, the book offers K-8 educators powerful ways to use poetry, music and storytelling to build inclusive connected classrooms. Whether you're looking to deepen identity work or add joy and creativity to your teaching, this episode will leave you inspired.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this second episode of our two-part series for early career educators, long-time teacher and author, Berit Gordon, explores practical, compassionate strategies that center both teacher growth and administrator sustainability.Berit, author of The New Teacher Handbook, highlights how bite-sized professional development and human-centered leadership can shift the culture for new educators and the students they serve. She explains how her book serves as a recipe guide for creating supportive, manageable routines, and why giving yourself and others permission to be good enough is sometimes the most powerful leadership move of all.If you're invested in teacher retention, this episode is for you. Berit is in conversation with her Heinemann editor, Zoë Ryder White, who opens the conversation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Berit Gordon dives into the real challenges facing new teachers. A longtime educator in New York City public schools, and author of The New Teacher Handbook: 110 Strategies to Problem-Solve the Hard Parts of Teaching, Berit talks about the daily pressures, emotional strain and hurdles that often push passionate educators to the brink. But she doesn't just name the problem, she offers solutions.You'll hear strategies for managing behavior, building routines, and protecting your energy when the system feels stacked against you. It's honest, it's hopeful, and it's exactly the kind of conversation new teachers and those who support them need right now. Berit is joined by her editor at Heinemann, Zoe Ryder White, and begins by reflecting on how the teaching profession has changed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.