Phonics can feel… well, stressful. For teachers and parents. I invited Melanie Jeffrey, host of the Phonics Rules for Kids podcast and former K–3 classroom teacher turned phonics coach to talk about what actually helps early readers become confident decoders (and what looks like reading but is really just guessing).

Melanie shares how her instruction shifted from leveled texts and “cueing” strategies to more systematic phonics, and why it made such a noticeable difference for kids.

You’ll hear practical, classroom-friendly ideas like:

1. what to focus on in small groups when a child is stuck at blending/decoding
2. why that jump from easy leveled books to harder ones can completely derail kids
3. simple “must-have” materials for phonics-based small groups (without needing 97 bins)
4. an easy phonics game kids will beg to play again (and that won’t require re-teaching directions weekly)
5. why partner reading often beats silent reading in kindergarten (and why “silent reading” can be a wild expectation anyway)

Plus, Melanie shares what inspired her to start helping parents teach phonics at home in short, doable chunks so it doesn’t turn into nightly tears and drama.

1. Podcast - Phonics Rules for Kids
2. Website - phonicsrulesforkids.com

Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching

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Mentioned in this episode:

Literacy Support Bundle

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Year-Long-Literacy-Support-for-Small-Group-Instruction-BUNDLE-Reading-Writing-11977457

This episode tackles two opposite classroom math challenges: students who don’t get addition, and students who’ve already mastered it. Whether you're trying to build understanding from the ground up or keep your addition knowers engaged, I shares real, classroom-tested strategies that go beyond just “more worksheets.”

1. Why addition often breaks down when students move too quickly from counting to abstract story problems
2. How using concrete tools (counters, 10‑frames, visuals) helps students truly understand “total” and “altogether”
3. The importance of modeling, repetition, and explicitly teaching how to combine groups
4. Ways to deepen learning by having students explain their thinking, create their own problems, and find multiple solutions
5. How logic puzzles and open‑ended math tasks build problem‑solving skills without rushing ahead in content

1. Kindergarten Cafe Math Resources
2. KenKen Puzzles
3. TangMath by Greg Tang
4. Bedtime Math
5. Math Books I recommend (Amazon Affiliate Link)

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Mentioned in this episode:

Kindergarten Math for the WHOLE Year Bundle

Grab the bundle at https://www.kindergartencafe.org/math

Your students are finally decoding with confidence, so what’s next? In this episode, I share what comprehension-focused small groups can look like once your students are fluent readers. Spoiler: it’s about more than just “did they understand the story?”

1. Why decoding must come first before comprehension groups
2. How comprehension is built through modeling, discussion, and real conversations
3. A breakdown of skill-based small group topics like: Retelling, Character focus, Predicting, Making connections, Comparing/contrasting
4. Tips for keeping it simple with before/during/after comprehension questions
5. How to use comprehension jobs, cards, or bookmarks to guide small group roles
6. When to try independent book clubs with higher readers (and how to structure them)

1. Easy Small Group Ideas for Blending and Decoding Success ~ Ep. 119

1. Kindergarten Small Group Comprehension Pack

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Mentioned in this episode:

Kindergarten Essentials

Grab the year-long, mega-bundle kindergarten activities here:

Feeling torn between leveled readers and decodables? There are strong opinions out there, but in this episode, I share the difference between the two and what I use in my classroom (and why). I also share my favorite decodable resources and how I use them during small groups and independent reading time.

1. The difference between decodable vs. leveled books
2. Why I stopped using leveled texts in small groups
3. How decodables build student confidence and support phonics instruction
4. When it’s okay to mix in leveled texts
5. How to match decodable texts to students' phonics skills
6. Tips for organizing your classroom library and book bags
7. Why it’s okay if you’ve done things differently in the past (you’re learning!)

1. Science of Reading 101 With Heidi from Droppin’ Knowledge ~ Ep. 81

1. Decodable Readers

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Mentioned in this episode:

Kindergarten Essentials

Grab the year-long, mega-bundle kindergarten activities here:

Grade-level teams can make your year feel supportive… or completely draining. In this episode,I’m joined by Jenna Everetts (aka @ThatStrongTeacher) to talk honestly about navigating team dynamics, communication challenges, and collaboration struggles teachers face at every stage of their career.

We unpack what to do when you feel unheard, left out, or pressured to teach in a way that doesn’t align with you, especially as a new teacher or someone new to a grade level. Jenna shares real experiences from her own teaching career and introduces her F.A.N.S. framework for building stronger, healthier team relationships.

1. How to communicate needs and concerns using simple, effective language
2. What to do when teams feel cliquey, unbalanced, or hard to break into
3. How to advocate for yourself while still being a supportive teammate
4. Why celebrating small moments and sharing resources matters more than you think
5. Practical ways to build trust and connection with colleagues over time

1. Instagram - @thatstrongteacher

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Mentioned in this episode:

Social Emotional Lessons

Download the free Social/Emotional Lessons: https://kindergartencafe.org/social-emotional-lessons

If you feel like you're spending all day listening to “he said/she said” drama, this episode is for you. I share my favorite strategies for reducing tattling and teaching students to manage problems on their own. Plus, learn why teaching kids to “take care of themselves” is a life skill that goes way beyond kindergarten.

1. How to teach kids to solve conflicts with the “Bug and a Wish” sentence frame
2. The difference between tattling vs. telling (and how to teach it explicitly)
3. How to help kids understand the size of a problem: small, medium, or big
4. Why I am NOT a fan of the “viral tattle” ideas floating around (and what to do instead)
5. Simple responses to redirect tattling in the moment
6. What to say when you don’t know who to believe
7. How to address trust, lying, and repeat offenders gently but firmly
8. Book recommendations for teaching about tattling

1. Teaching Problem-Solving Skills with Young Students ~ Ep. 57

1. A Bug and a Wish by Karen Scheuer (amazon affiliate link)
2. More SEL Children’s Books for tattling and other expected behaviors (amazon affiliate link)
3. Join the FREE 5-Day Social Emotional Learning Challenge

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Mentioned in this episode:

SEL Bundle

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Social-Emotional-Learning-Year-Long-Kindergarten-Curriculum-Bundle-11-SEL-Units-3904167

Midyear assessments are in and if you're feeling overwhelmed, or just plain frustrated, this episode is here to help. I’m answering three real teacher questions about assessment results, struggling students, and managing all that data.

1. What to do when students aren’t showing the progress you expected
2. How to turn midyear data into small group plans that actually move the needle
3. Why consistent, repeated practice (even if it’s boring) works
4. Tips for talking to families without just giving the problem to them
5. What to try if students still don’t know letters or sounds
6. The system I use to organize assessment data (that won’t make your binder explode)

1. Easy Small Group Ideas for Blending and Decoding Success ~ Ep. 119
2. Kindergarten Small Groups for Teaching Letter Sounds ~ Ep. 106
3. Kindergarten Case Study: Supporting Kindergarteners With No Letter Knowledge ~ Ep. 105

1. Decodable Readers
2. CVC Words: Beginning, Middle, End Sounds Phonemic Awareness Games and Centers
3. PD By the Pool Private Podcast
4. Book a Coaching Session

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Mentioned in this episode:

Free Math Guide

Download the free Math Guide: www.kindergartencafe.org/math-guide

Have students who know their letters and sounds… but freeze when it’s time to blend them into a word? This episode is for you. I’m walking you through exactly how I support early readers in small groups who need extra help with blending and decoding and it’s simpler than you think.

1. My go-to small group structure for decoding support
2. Why a quick sound review still matters
3. How nonsense words help build real skills
4. A simple trick using decodable books for more independence
5. Why Elkonin boxes are game changers
6. Easy, hands-on activities to make blending stick

1. Kindergarten Small Groups for Teaching Letter Sounds ~ Ep. 106
2. Kindergarten Case Study: Supporting Kindergarteners With No Letter Knowledge ~ Ep. 105

1. Decodable Readers - and general recommendations
2. CVC Words: Beginning, Middle, End Sounds Phonemic Awareness Games and Centers

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3. Website - www.kindergartencafe.org
4. Tik Tok - @kindergartencafe

Mentioned in this episode:

Kindergarten Essentials

Grab the year-long, mega-bundle kindergarten activities here:

If your students are constantly hugging, poking, piling on the rug, or just way too close for comfort…well, it’s not just your classroom. In this episode, I’m answering two teacher questions about handling personal space.

1. My favorite read-aloud and activity for teaching personal space
2. Easy rug-time fixes to cut down on chaos
3. How to teach kids to ask before hugging or holding hands
4. Visuals that reinforce calm bodies and boundaries
5. Creative ways to support sensory seekers without constant touching
6. How to respond when kids push back on “fairness” around fidgets
7. The real talk on consistency: why it works (and why it feels like it’s not)

1. The Power of Positive Reinforcement in Kindergarten ~ Ep. 73
2. Building Strong Classroom Management ~ Ep. 43

1. Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook (amazon affiliate link)
2. Join the FREE 5-Day Social Emotional Learning Challenge
3. Social Emotional Learning Year-Long Kindergarten Curriculum Bundle
4. Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle

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3. Website - www.kindergartencafe.org
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Mentioned in this episode:

SEL Bundle

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Social-Emotional-Learning-Year-Long-Kindergarten-Curriculum-Bundle-11-SEL-Units-3904167

One of the most common questions I get from teachers is: "How do I keep the rest of the class under control while I’m teaching small groups?" If you’re trying to pour into a handful of kids at your table, but out of the corner of your eye, you see three students arguing over a marker, two more asking for help, and someone else who’s supposed to be reading… I’m walking you through what actually works to maintain classroom management while you're leading small groups in kindergarten.

1. Don’t start small groups until routines are solid
2. Teach “Ask 3 before me” early
3. Plan predictable, engaging independent work
4. Avoid pairing off-task kids together
5. Make it clear you’re not available during groups
6. Keep groups short - 10 minutes max
7. Do room checks between groups
8. Talk about issues afterward, not during

1. How to Effectively Manage Kindergarten Math Centers ~ Ep. 71
2. Building Effective Literacy Centers with the Science of Reading ~ Ep. 78
3. Teaching Problem-Solving Skills with Young Students ~ Ep. 57

1. Workshop: Literacy, Math, and Centers… Oh My!

1. Kindergarten Writing Support for Beginning Writers | Small Groups
2. Kindergarten Math for the WHOLE YEAR
3. Teaching Kids to Be Independent: A Social Emotional Learning Unit

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3. Website - www.kindergartencafe.org
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Mentioned in this episode:

Kindergarten Essentials

Grab the year-long, mega-bundle kindergarten activities here: