What if I told you morphology isn't too advanced for young readers—it's actually the missing piece that makes decoding, spelling, and vocabulary stick?

In this episode, I'm joined by two of my favorite literacy leaders, Michelle Sullivan and Sarah Paul, to talk all things morphology. We unpack what it is, why it matters from the very start of reading instruction, and how to make it engaging and approachable for even our youngest students.

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Syllables can feel "big" or confusing—but they don't have to be. In this episode, I chat with reading specialist Savannah Campbell (Campbell Creates Readers) about how to make syllable instruction clear, doable, and effective from k–5. We cover the six syllable types, how (and whether) to teach division patterns, set-for-variability, and simple multisensory tools that help kids read and spell multisyllabic words with confidence.

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In this episode, I'm excited to share a conversation I originally had on the Triple R Teaching Podcast with Anna Geiger (The Measured Mom). Together, we dive into my book Literacy Unlocked: How to Implement the Science of Reading with Young Learners and explore how to bridge research with practical classroom application.

We cover the real-life challenges teachers face when it comes to foundational literacy skills and the shifts required to move from balanced literacy to the science of reading. This episode is packed with actionable ideas that you can take straight into your classroom.

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In this episode of Literacy Unlocked, I'm joined by Susan Lambert, host of the Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify, to dig into one of the most essential—and often overlooked—components of reading success: language. Susan shares personal stories and professional insights that make a powerful case for elevating language development right alongside decoding.

We explore:

• Why word recognition is necessary but not sufficient
• The importance of oral language in early grades
• How syntax, vocabulary, and background knowledge support writing and comprehension
• What teachers can do tomorrow to build stronger language routines
• How oral discussion and sentence-level writing set the stage for later literacy success

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In today's episode, Amie breaks down eight essential, research-backed strategies for teaching letter sounds in ways that are practical, effective, and rooted in the science of reading. These aren't trendy tricks or rigid programs—they're flexible, powerful routines that actually work in real classrooms with real kids.

From why we should teach letter names and sounds together, to what letters to teach first, and how to move beyond the outdated "letter of the week" model, this episode will walk you through the what, why, and how of early alphabet instruction. You'll also learn simple ways to embed multisensory routines, keep the pace moving, and build automaticitythrough daily review—without burning out or overcomplicating your day.

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In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Dr. Shayne Piasta — a developmental psychologist, early literacy researcher, and professor at The Ohio State University. Her work has deeply influenced how I think about alphabet instruction, and I couldn't wait to sit down with her to talk about what the research actually says about teaching letter names, sounds, and formation — and how to make it practical for real classrooms.

So many teachers are told conflicting things: Should I teach letter names or sounds first? Uppercase or lowercase? Do I teach handwriting at the same time? Is "letter of the week" okay?

Dr. Piasta brings clarity to all of those questions and more. She breaks down the current research and provides thoughtful insights that help us move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. Whether you're using a boxed curriculum, piecing together resources, or trying to adjust instruction for student needs, this episode will help you feel more confident and informed.

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In this heartfelt episode, Amie Burkholder takes you behind the scenes of her new book, Literacy Unlocked. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the nonstop buzz around the Science of Reading or unsure how to turn research into real-life instruction, this episode is for you.

Amie walks through each chapter of the book, sharing how Literacy Unlocked bridges the gap between research and classroom practice — one step, one strategy, and one student at a time. You'll hear stories, classroom examples, and why this book is packed with not just knowledge, but tools you can use tomorrow.

Whether you're a K–2 teacher, a literacy coach, an interventionist, or a parent looking for clarity, Literacy Unlocked was written with you in mind.

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Whether you're supporting readers in your classroom, after school, or during summer tutoring, intervention doesn't have to feel overwhelming. In this episode, I sit down with literacy coach and intervention specialist Shannon Moore, Ed.S., to talk about what actually makes intervention effective—both in school and out.

We break down the core components of strong intervention systems, what to focus on when analyzing data, how to progress monitor in a meaningful way, and how to communicate all of this clearly with parents. Shannon also shares her journey from classroom teacher to private tutor to literacy coach—and offers encouragement (and practical advice!) for educators thinking about tutoring this summer.

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Small group time is where the most powerful reading growth can happen — but if you're feeling overwhelmed by what to use, how to organize it, or whether you have the "right stuff," this episode will give you clarity (and a deep breath).

I've spent years trying all the things — leveled tubs, centers, flashcards, flip charts… you name it. But over time, I realized the most effective small group reading block didn't require more. It just needed the right few tools and the routines to go with them.

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Episode Summary: In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Yvette Manns — educator, certified dyslexia practitioner, and the creative mind behind the Phonics Readalouds series. If you've ever wished your phonics lessons could be more engaging and aligned with the science of reading, you're in for a treat.

Yvette shares how her teaching experiences and structured literacy background led her to write decodable-aligned readalouds that bring tricky phonics concepts to life — from Bossy R pirates to silent letter ghosts. We talk about the power of story to make phonics memorable, how to keep instruction joyful and research-aligned, and why engagement is never fluff.

You'll also hear about what's next for her growing literacy universe, including upcoming books, hardcover releases, digital resources, and exciting national (and international!) teacher events.

• Why Yvette started writing phonics readalouds — and how they support decoding and language comprehension

• The inspiration behind student favorites like The Not-So-Lazy Schwa and The Very Talented Silent E

• How to use phonics readalouds meaningfully in your instruction

• Advice for making phonics fun without sacrificing instructional integrity

• How multimodal routines and strong classroom systems create space for joyful learning

• What's coming next: new books, teacher trainings, and her vision for growing the Phonics Readaloud universe

🌐 Phonics Readalouds Website — Get Yvette's free ebooks when new books launch (available for 48 hours only!) 📚 Yvette's Author Website — Explore all of her titles, including non-phonics books 📧 Contact: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @phonicsreadalouds | @thelitteacher 🛍️ Books available on Amazon (hardcover editions coming soon!)

• Presenting at The Reading League in Chicago this fall

• International speaking engagements this summer

• The Elevate Your Classroom Conference – happening in Nashville, St. Paul, and Austin

• Partnering with early learning centers in Georgia for community-based literacy support

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