What can spelling errors really tell us about a student’s literacy development?

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I sit down with Sydney Bassard, speech-language pathologist and founder of The Listening SLP, to dig into the power of spelling error analysis. Sydney breaks down the five types of spelling errors teachers should be aware of, explains what these errors reveal about processing, and shares how this analysis can drive smarter, more responsive instruction.

We also talk about language variation, hearing loss, articulation differences, and how educators can work alongside SLPs to deepen their understanding of language and literacy.

Whether you’re new to analyzing spelling or ready to go beyond “right or wrong,” this conversation will shift your lens and strengthen your practice.

• Why spelling errors are a gold mine for instructional decision-making
• The five key categories of spelling errors: phonological, orthographic, mental graphemic, morphological, and semantic
• How hearing and language variation impact spelling
• How to incorporate spelling error analysis into your routine without burning out
• Why collaboration with SLPs can level up your structured literacy instruction

• FREE PVM Chart (Place Voice Manner) Download
• Blog Post from The Literacy Nest: “Taking a Close Look at Spelling Errors: How a Spelling Assessment Can Inform Your Instruction”
• AI Hack: Use ChatGPT to run quick spelling error diagnostics (just double-check it!)

• Website: https://www.thelisteningslp.com
• Instagram: @thelisteningslp
• Facebook: The Listening SLP
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
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• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I'm joined by Brooke Vitale—veteran children’s book editor, author, and founder of Charge Mommy Books—to explore the art and science behind writing truly high-quality decodable books. With over 15+ years in publishing (including experience at Penguin and Disney!), Brooke brings a deep understanding of storytelling and language development to the world of structured literacy.

We talk about what makes a decodable book not only controlled and phonics-aligned—but also joyful, engaging, and instructionally meaningful. From story structure to word choice to illustration strategy, this conversation is packed with insight for anyone who creates or uses decodables in the classroom.

• What makes a decodable high-quality beyond just phonics alignment
• The importance of story arc, character development, and humor in early readers
• Why illustrations matter—and how they can enhance comprehension without becoming guessing crutches
• How to navigate decodability expectations without sacrificing language integrity

• Shop Charge Mommy Books
• Charge Mommy Books on Amazon
• Charge Mommy Books via Booksource

• Website: https://brookevitale.com/
• Instagram: @chargemommybooks
• Facebook: Charge Mommy Books
• Charge Mommy Book’s Literacy Specialist, Marissa Ware on Instagram: @mwliteracy

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
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In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by literacy coach and consultant MeQuel Bolden. With over a decade of classroom experience and a deep commitment to structured literacy, MeQuel shares insight into what reading fluency really is—and what it’s not.

We unpack common fluency misconceptions, dive into what’s happening in the brain when students become fluent, and share research-aligned strategies that move students from robotic to expressive, confident reading.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear definition of fluency (hint: it’s not about speed)
• Practical tips to make fluency practice engaging and purposeful
• Ideas for fluency practice
• A reminder that fluency is for all ages, not just primary learners

Whether you’re just getting started with structured literacy or looking to strengthen fluency instruction in your small groups, this episode is packed with practical tools and encouragement to support your readers.

Resources Mentioned:

• Fluency FREEBIE from MeQuel Bolden
• The Mega Book of Fluency (2nd Edition) by Tim Rasinski & Melissa Cheesman
• Watch MeQuel Bolden’s Pre-Recorded Bonus Session: “Stop the Robotic Reading: 3 Strategies to Build Fluent Readers” for Science of Reading Mini-Con this July!

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 MeQuel Bolden:

• Website: https://www.mequelbolden.com/
• Instagram: @mequelboldenconsulting
• LinkedIn: MeQuel Bolden

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this solo episode, Michelle Sullivan breaks down one morpheme type: suffixes. You’ll learn the difference between inflectional and derivational suffixes, how they operate in our language system, and why understanding suffixes is critical for building skilled readers, spellers, and thinkers.

Michelle takes you on a deep dive into how suffixes shape grammar and meaning. From tweaking verb tense to building entirely new words, this episode will leave you inspired to rethink how you teach word structure — and equipped with practical knowledge for your next morphology lesson.

• What is a suffix, really?
• The difference between inflectional and derivational suffixes (with examples!)
• How suffixes impact grammar, syntax, and word meaning

Whether you're new to morphology or a seasoned word-nerd, this episode will help you see suffixes in a whole new light.

Episode 26: Morphology 101 (for a crash course on the basics)

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
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In this episode, Kristina Harrill, founder of Sweet for Kindergarten, joins me to share her passion for phonemic awareness and hands-on learning. We discuss the importance of bridging phonemic awareness and phonics instruction, debunk the myth that phonemic awareness has to be done in the dark, and dive into engaging, multisensory activities teachers can implement right away. Whether you’re an educator or a parent, this episode is packed with practical tips and tools to make phonemic awareness fun and impactful.

Key Takeaways:

• Myth Busting about Phonemic Awareness
• Connecting Phonemic Awareness to Phonics
• 3 Hands-On Activities for Blending

Resources Mentioned:

1. FREE 3-Day Video Series on the Power of Phonemic Awareness: www.sweetforkindergarten.com/power (Use code PODCAST for $5 off!)
2. Griffith and Olson Article (1992) - “Phonemic awareness helps beginning readers break the code”

• Website: https://sweetforkindergarten.com/
• Instagram: @KristinaHarrill and @SweetforKindergarten
• TPT Store: Sweet for Kindergarten - Kristina Harrill 
• Facebook: Kindergarten Tips & Tricks
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Dr. Stephanie Stollar, co-author of “MTSS for Reading Improvement” & founder of Reading Science Academy, joins me to break down MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) and clear up common misconceptions surrounding this framework. Many educators see MTSS as just an intervention model, but it’s so much more—it’s a system-wide approach to improving reading outcomes for all students. We discuss the tiers of instruction, how to make data-driven decisions, and how schools can shift toward more effective literacy practices. Whether you're an administrator, teacher, or simply a stakeholder in student literacy outcomes, this episode will give you clarity and actionable steps to make MTSS work in your school.

• What is MTSS?
• Understanding the Tiered Model
• Common Misconceptions & Challenges
• MTSS Logistics

• Book: MTSS for Reading Improvement by Stephanie Stollar & Sarah Brown from the Publisher (or on Amazon)
• Join Dr. Stollar’s Reading Science Academy Membership
• Dr. Stollar’s MTSS Online Course “MTSS: The Framework for Implementing the Science of Reading” 

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!

• Website: www.readingscienceacademy.com/
• Instagram: @ReadingScienceAcademy
• Facebook: Stephanie Stollar Consulting
• Twitter (X): @SStollar6

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
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• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

What exactly is the schwa sound, and why is it such an important part of the English language? Yvette Manns, author of the Phonics Read-Alouds series and founder of National Schwa Day, joins me to dive deep into everything schwa—what it is, how it functions in words, and why teaching it explicitly is a game-changer for reading and spelling instruction. We also chat about the official National Schwa Day, how teachers can celebrate, and fun, engaging strategies to help students understand this “not-so-lazy” vowel sound!

Key Takeaways:

• What is the Schwa Sound?
• Why Teaching Schwa Matters
• How to Teach Schwa Effectively
• Celebrating National Schwa Day!

Resources Mentioned:

1. FREE National Schwa Day Educator Toolkit (FREE 43-page resource!)  - Download the toolkit and celebrate National Schwa Day on April 7th!
2. National Schwa Day Website: https://nationalschwaday.org/
3. The Not-So-Lazy-Schwa Book written by Yvette Manns
4. Phonics Read-Alouds Series Website – PhonicsReadAlouds.com
5. Phonics Read-Alouds Series on Amazon
6. The Viral 44 Phonemes Video featuring Yvette Manns – Watch on YouTube
7. Slant System Passages
8. From Speech to Print - Dr. Louisa Moats
9. See Yvette & I present at the Science of Reading Mini-Con Conference - July 10th, 2025 in Racine, WI!

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 Yvette Manns:

• Website: https://www.yvettemanns.com/
• Instagram: @phonicsreadalouds
• Facebook: Phonics Read-Aloud
• TikTok :@PhonicsReadAlouds
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Morphology is one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, components of your literacy block. In this episode, I break down the basics of morphology and explain why it’s essential for structured literacy to help students read, spell, and understand words more effectively. If you’ve ever wondered why students struggle with multisyllabic words, spelling patterns, or vocabulary — morphology might just be the missing piece!

Key Takeaways:

• What is Morphology?
• Different Types of Morphemes
• How Morphology Supports Reading & Spelling
• Why Morphology Matters in Structured Literacy

Resources Mentioned:

• The Colorful Literacy Toolkit Membership 
• Sue Hegland’s Book: Beneath the Surface of Words: What English Spelling Reveals and Why It Matters By Sue Hegland

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!

Other Helpful Resources:

• FREE Word Matrix & Word Sums Template
• Latin Word Matrices Bundle
• MEGA Morphology Growing Bundle
• FREE Guide: Phonics & Morphology Terms Every Teacher Needs to Know

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Brittany and Jackie from Hooked on Comics join us to discuss why decodable texts are essential for building foundational reading skills. We dive into what makes a text truly decodable, how these texts support structured literacy, and their unique approach to creating engaging decodable comics. Whether you’re new to using decodable texts or looking for creative ways to integrate them into your instruction, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiration.

Key Takeaways:

• What are Decodable Texts?
• Why Decodable Texts Matter
• What Sets Hooked on Comics Apart
• Tips for Using Decodables in the Classroom:

Resources Mentioned:

• FREE: Brittany & Jackie have 4 FREE comics available for download in their TPT store! Their comics have also been vetted and approved by the Reading League!
• Sold a Story Podcast
• FREE: UFLI Decodable Passages
• The Reading League’s Vetted Decodable Text List
• IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education)’s Digital Resources
• Active View of Reading

Where to Find Hooked on Comics:

• Website: https://www.hookedoncomics.org/
• Instagram: @Hooked.On.Comics
• TikTok: @HookedOnComics
• Teachers Pay Teachers Store: Hooked on Comics
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of the Literacy in Color podcast, Michelle Sullivan, Sarah Paul, and Savannah Campbell join forces for a morphology roundtable discussion! They’re answering some of your most pressing morphology questions from social media:

• Why does teaching morphology matter?
• When should we begin teaching morphology, and how can it be introduced to younger learners in developmentally appropriate ways?
• What is a Word Matrix? What are Word Sums?
• Is there a specific scope and sequence we should follow? 
• Do you use the word “morpheme” with your students?
• What might a morphology lesson look like in action? Step-by-step?

They not only share practical strategies & suggestions for teaching morphology, but they also provide recommended resources to help you deepen your knowledge about morphology as well.

If you enjoyed this conversation, check out Michelle, Sarah & Savannah at the upcoming Unlocking SOR Conference this March 2025!

Resources Mentioned:

• Savannah’s Book Recommendation: Everything You Want to Know & Exactly Where to Find It by William Van Cleave
• Sarah’s Book Recommendation: Beneath the Surface of Words: What English Spelling Reveals and Why It Matters By Sue Hegland
• Michelle’s Book Recommendation: Teaching How the Written Word Works By Peter Bowers
• Sarah’s Morphology Blog: Understanding Morphology: Part 1
• Sarah’s Morphology Blog: Teaching Morphology to Beginning Readers
• Savannah’s Morphology Resource: Morphology Interactive Notebooks Bundle
• Michelle’s Morphology Resource: Greek and Latin Root of the Week Posters BUNDLE
• Michelle’s IG Posts - Breaking Down the Made-Up Words in Wicked (Part 1 & Part 2)
• Morphology Meta-Analysis: “The effects of morphological instruction on literacy skills: A systematic review of the literature” - Bowers, Kirby, & Deacon (2010) *Lives behind a paywall.

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!

Other Helpful Resources:

• Michelle’s FREE Word Matrix & Word Sums Template
• Michelle’s Latin Word Matrices Bundle
• Michelle’s MEGA Morphology Growing Bundle
• Michelle’s FREE Guide: Phonics & Morphology Terms Every Teacher Needs to Know
• Word Works Kingston Website about Structured Word Inquiry (Pete Bowers)
• FREE: Morphology Matters by William Van Cleave
• Etymonline
• Neil Ramsden FREE Mini Matrix-Maker

Connect with Sarah Paul:

• Website
• Instagram
• TPT Store

Connect with Savannah Campbell:

• Podcast: Creating Readers with Savannah Campbell
• Website
• Instagram
• TPT Store

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership