With rapidly diversifying classes, teachers need effective strategies to help ALL students thrive - including the ones whose first language is something other than English. So today, I'm excited to share practical, research-based strategies that set up multilingual learners for success.In this episode, you'll learn: Why writing in English is the last skill students will learn and what skills come before itSimple ways to help students understand what you're saying before they learn Englis...
Defiant behavior, blurting out, and disruption can feel VERY frustrating. So I'm excited to welcome the queen of classroom management herself: Alex John from the Kindergarten Connection. She's here to spill the tea on all of the essential classroom management tips every teacher needs to know so you can finally turn that frustrating classroom chaos into consistent, predictable calm.In this episode, we'll talk about... The top 4 keys to classroom management successQuick and simple ways to ...
Do you have students who know their letter sounds but, when it comes time to blend those sounds together to read words, it seems like everything falls apart? For instance, they might read, "/p/ /o/ /t/. HOP."It's tempting to think they just need more practice reinforcing letter sounds, but what they're actually struggling with is a phonemic awareness skill called blending. In this episode, we'll talk about: What phonemic awareness is and why it's so importantThe six phonemic ...
Did you know that 50% of teachers will leave the profession within the first five years? Today's podcast guest is committed to changing that statistic! I'm sitting down with Ashleigh Smith, a 20 year veteran teacher and the co-founder of Rainbow Sky Creations, a community dedicated to helping new teachers THRIVE.She's diving into all of the essential teacher things: classroom management, work-life balance, creating a support network….Ashleigh shares actionable tips and strategies for so many ...
If you have ever felt burned out, overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious – and let’s be real, we probably have ALL felt that way at some point in life – today’s episode is for you! I’m sitting down with Kelsey Sorenson, the teacher turned life coach who just published her first ever book called Educate and Rejuvenate. Her book is a step-by-step guide to worrying less and living more so you can show up as your very best self each and every day. In this episode, Kelsey spills the tea on......
If you've ever dreaded your literacy center time, worried about noise and distractions, or felt anxious when an admin walked in, this episode is for you because I'm sharing actionable tips that will make centers a consistent highlight of your school day.In this episode, I'm diving into surprisingly simple strategies that will transform your literacy centers from "chaotic and stressful" to "calm and productive". Your students will be on task and working independently in no time! In this e...
Whether you're just starting reading groups or are ready for a reset because they're chaotic, overwhelming, or just plain flop, this episode is for you.I'm breaking down my top two tips for supercharging your reading groups...Even if everything you've tried in the past has failed.Say "goodbye" to one-size-fits-all lessons and "hello" to MASSIVE reading growth!In this episode, we'll talk about: How to meet ALL of your students' needs and strengths - even in a very diverse class. (SPOILER ...
If you're like so many teachers I know, you've practiced sight word flashcards with your students a MILLION times, but when the test rolls around at the end of the week, your students STILL struggle. Why?! There's one critical missing piece.In this episode, we'll talk about...The hidden problem with traditional sight word flashcardsWhy seeing a word 5,000 times doesn't help students memorize itThree quick and simple tweaks that will help students learn sight words 10X faster (SPOILER ALERT: T...
Just when kids have finally mastered letter sounds, along come tricky digraphs like CH-, TH- and SH- to trip them up again. Thankfully, these addictively fun (and surprisingly simple!) chants make it fun to learn every last one of them.Get ready to be inspired... No singing required!In this episode, we'll talk about...What digraphs are and why they're so important for students' readingThe biggest phonics mistake I ever made and how to avoid itWhat to teach BEFORE you dive into chantsPlu...
If you’ve been around for a while, you know that we’ve talked a lot about reading instruction on this podcast – it’s called the Science of Reading Formula, after all. But before students can focus on learning to read, they have OTHER needs that need to be met first.Lana Penley was an elementary school principal in Oregon. When her school burned to the ground in 2009, the tragedy shifted her focus from state test scores to social emotional learning as she discovered that community HAS to come ...
When learning feels more like play than work, even reluctant readers will ask to practice it. But making learning fun can feel DAUNTING – it’s hard to know where to start. That's why this episode is such a game changer! These 5 simple tweaks will give you plenty of playful ways to work on vowel sounds, beginning sounds, letter blends and digraphs so learning to read can feel more exciting than ever.In this episode, we'll talk about...Simple but powerful tips for making phonics finally st...
When it comes to teaching literacy, reading and writing go together like peas and carrots. But even if you feel confident with your READING instruction, it can be hard to know what high quality WRITING instruction looks like. That’s why I’m so excited about today’s guest, April Smith. She is a classroom teacher turned author, trainer, and founder of Simplify Writing who is excited to share some of her favorite writing tips and tricks with us. So grab a notebook and pen and get ready to b...
K-12 teachers are the #1 most burnt-out profession in the United States? And if you’re burnt-out, there is *no way* for you to teach at your best.So I invited naturopath and mental health expert, Dr. Brain Plante, onto the podcast to share proven strategies for feeling 100%….Even if nothing you’ve tried in the past has worked.Dr. Plante covered ALL the things in this episode – he shared essential tips for managing anxiety, talked about treatment for peri-menopause and menopause, passed a...
Before I understood how powerful read alouds were for students' learning, I thought of them as an extra - one of those things that I'd add on to my lesson plans if there was time. But after discovering how powerful read alouds actually are, they became a must. And the great news is that you don't need fancy training or complicated supplies!In this episode, we'll talk about...A simple tweak that helps kids stay engaged and focused all read aloud longHow to set yourself up for success before yo...
A couple weeks ago, a teacher reached out to me on Instagram asking for help. Her principal isn't on board with the science of reading so he's discouraging their staff from using the research-based tools and strategies she knows are best for kids.Not surprisingly, she feels disheartened and frustrated! Now that she knows better, she's 100% committed to teaching better.Just in case you're in the exact same boat now or know someone else who is, I recorded a quick episode...
Research shows that about 20% of your students will be affected by some level of dyslexia, so it is absolutely essential that you're empowered with the brain-friendly tools and strategies that help them succeed in your classroom.In this episode, we'll talk about...What dyslexia *actually* is (SPOILER: It's not what you might think!)The reading skill dyslexic students struggle with the mostCritical accommodations and modifications that help students with dyslexia thriveMyths that keep you and ...
If I could hop into a time machine and fly back to 2003 to start my teaching career all over, there are 13 things that would help me skip the stress, frustration, and overwhelm I felt trying (and failing!) to successfully teach reading.And while I can't rewind time, I can help YOU skip the two decades it's taken me to figure it all out. So today, I'm excited to share the 13 things I wish I knew before I started teaching reading.In this episode, we'll talk about...Why Instagram and Pinterest g...
Meet Heidi, a kindergarten teacher from Missouri. She used to spend Sundays planning and prepping for the week ahead and many sleepless nights worrying that students were slipping through the cracks. But then she made a decision that changed her work-life balance forever. Show links:Take 15% off your Science of Reading Formula enrollment with code POD15But hurry! Doors close this Sunday, August 11th.Rate, Review, and FollowIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and revie...
Karen had been teaching for 30+ years but she knew some of her students were slipping through the cracks. They struggled with reading but she didn't know how to help them. And then almost overnight everything changed! Her students' growth soared and her admin team started to notice. Here is her inspiring story of transformation, confidence, and results.Show links:Take 15% off your Science of Reading Formula enrollment with code POD15But hurry! Doors close this Sunday, August 11th.Rate, Review...
I'm excited to introduce you to Lindsay, a first grade teacher in New York who wasn't getting the results she knew she could be. But then she made a choice that turned it all around. Get ready to be inspired by her goosebump worthy transformation!Show links:Take 15% off your Science of Reading Formula enrollment with code POD15But hurry! Doors close this Sunday, August 11th.Rate, Review, and FollowIf you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podca...