Route2Reading

Wouldn't it be wonderful that as soon as students knew their letter sounds and could blend phonemes, blending CVC words would be a breeze? We can dream, can't we!? Sometimes it's not always that simple. We still need to explicitly teach them how to put all of the reading pieces together. CVC instruction still needs to be systematic, logical, practiced in whole group and small group, and needs to follow a "gradual release" model - I Do, We Do, You Do.

I've found that having a prerequisite list to word reading is super helpful when beginning to learn CVC words. I'm here to share that with you today, along with what it looks like to put CVC instruction into practice in a classroom setting.

Full Show Notes and Freebies Here!

These days, we're often told what not to do while teaching reading, but what we're often lacking is what we should replace those "don't do" activities with. Well, I have a list of don'ts that are accompanied by a list of do's when it comes to specifically teaching letter sounds

Full Show Notes Here

More of What You Need:

Check out my other two podcasts that compliment this one and give you more info on how to make your students masters of letter sounds:

• Podcast #9: Letter Sounds: Your Questions Answered

• Podcast #10: Making Letter Sounds Stick.

Phonics instruction, which teaches the relationship between sounds and letters, is a fundamental component of reading development. To ensure effective phonics instruction, teachers must follow a well-designed scope and sequence. When it comes to choosing or creating a phonics scope and sequence, there are many things we should consider. 

 In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of choosing and following a phonics scope and sequence by drawing insights from current research. Understanding the significance of this structured approach to phonics instruction can lead to improved reading outcomes for our students.  So let’s dive in! 

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

I don't know about you, but teaching blends can be tricky. Blends (also known as consonant blends) are two or three consonant sounds that appear together in a word without any vowel sounds in between. These are words like flip, stop, strip, help, desk and spring. When students begin learning blends, they struggle to hear both sounds at the beginning or at the end. They often leave out the second sound. This happens because they are so used to reading and writing CVC words and this shift makes it difficult.

But it doesn't have to be! That's why today I am going to share with you a few ways that you can make blends stick for your students. No longer will you have to fear blends on your scope and sequence, because these tips and tricks will make them easy and fun!

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

"Phonics instruction should be an essential component of a comprehensive reading program to ensure that children develop strong foundational skills necessary for reading success."

-National Reading Panel Report

Phonics instruction plays a crucial role in developing strong reading skills in young learners. By teaching the relationship between sounds and letters, we can equip students with the necessary tools to decode words and comprehend texts. To ensure effective phonics instruction, it is essential to incorporate explicit and systematic teaching methods into our instruction. In this blog post, we will explore five powerful strategies that can boost phonics instruction and promote reading proficiency in your students.

See Full Show Notes Here

Meet Chrissy Beltran

• Check her out!

  • Website: Buzzing with Ms. B

  • Instagram: buzzingwithmsb

  • YouTube: Buzzing with Ms. B

  • Podcast: Buzzing with Ms. B: The Coaching Podcast

  • Courses: Instructional Coaching Courses

Three Moves Literacy Coaches Should Make at the Beginning of the Year

The beginning of the year can be tough - there's lots to do, lots of overwhelm, and the tasks ahead seem daunting. But it's important to start it off right, because it can set the tone for the entire year. Below, Chrissy shares three tasks that literacy coaches can do to begin the year on the right foot.

First things first: Chrissy states that it's foundational to introduce your role as a literacy coach to teachers and staff and let them know what they can expect from you. Before these three steps, be sure to define your role within the school and in what ways you'll be helping them.

Full Show Notes Here

Recap:

In today's podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Julia Lindsey, author of Reading Above the Fray. Julia is a literacy expert and reading researcher. In this episode, she helps us bust some common myths about decodables. Full show notes here.

Meet Kaylee McCaslin:

• Currently teaching second grade in Washington

• 9th year of teaching

• Our very own Literacy Edventures member!

• Reach out to her!: [email protected]

We love to feature all kinds of people here on the LE Podcast, and we feel that teachers who are still in the classroom are so important to hear from because they're in the trenches with us. Today, we're chatting with Kaylee about a "day in the life" in her amazing classroom!

Full Show Notes Here

Show Notes:

Michelle Sullivan, a literacy coach in New Jersey talks with listeners all about background knowledge. She shares what it is, why it's important, and five ways we can easily implement it in our classrooms. See full show notes here.

Meet Lindsay Kemeny:

• Currently teaching first grade

• Once a kinder teacher who taught balanced literacy, she went on a quest to find out what it really meant to teach reading when her son was diagnosed with dyslexia and depression.

• Author of Seven Mighty Moves

• Check her out!

• Website: Lindsay Kemeny

• Podcast: Literacy Talks

• Instagram: lindsaykemeny

• Facebook: Teaching with Lindsay Kemeny

• Book: Seven Mighty Moves

Full Show Notes Here