Many educators feel overwhelmed trying to support students who don’t clearly fit into traditional literacy intervention models. In this episode, we explore the “messy middle,” where structured literacy meets professional judgment, and why evidence-based instruction is both a science and an art.

 ‍🎧 You’ll hear how a flexible bridging approach can help students who aren't quite ready for classroom expectations, but who no longer require intensive support.

🧑‍💻 To learn more about bridged intervention, join us for our FREE online training: “Bridging the Gap: Supporting Students in the Messy Middle.” >>Register Now<<

We break down how to use a simple five-step executive functioning framework with students to support focus, regulation, and task completion. You’ll learn practical ways to set clear goals, build attention stamina, create manageable plans, and reflect with students so learning feels calmer, more predictable, and more effective.

📚 Grab the FREE 5-Step Executive Functioning Routine

✨ Continue learning about executive functioning with our 1-hour on-demand training: Supporting Executive Functioning Through the Grade Levels

In this episode, we share a reflective approach to starting the new year (or at any time of the year!) using an executive functioning framework designed to create calm, clarity, and alignment. Instead of pushing harder, focus on setting intentions, regulating burnout, focusing your attention, and planning sustainably so you can show up with more energy and impact for your students and yourself.

Grab the PDF with the step-by-step EF process discussed in this episode:

🎉 smarterintervention.com/reset - to get the PDF download to walk through the EF process discussed in this episode

In this episode, we share simple, no-prep ways to bring games into your literacy lessons using simple materials like a whiteboard, a die, or a word list. Learn how to make reading practice more engaging, boost motivation, and hit multiple literacy skills, all without adding to your workload.

Check out the games and additional training mentioned in this episode:

🎉 >>Literacy games<< that we love, including the War Games and Crazy Short Vowel mentioned in the show.

🔦 The Literacy Game Plan Spotlight On-Demand PD. Learn how to use games to target specific reading and language skills, while keeping students engaged. See how just one game can be adapted to meet different goals and walk away with ready-to-use templates and ideas for game-based activities.

In this episode, we share why games aren’t just for fun. They’re one of the most effective ways to teach, review, and differentiate literacy skills. Learn how to use games strategically within your lessons to boost engagement, build confidence, and make reading instruction more enjoyable for students and teachers alike.

💡Learn more about using games in your literacy instruction in the 5CCL Spotlight Training: 
The Literacy Game Plan: Using Games to Teach, Engage, and Differentiate
https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/game-plan

In this episode, we tackle one of the toughest moments in intervention: when you’ve been faithfully tracking progress, but the data just isn’t budging. We share how to recognize whether it’s a true trend or just an off day, and how to dig deeper when scores consistently stall.

You’ll learn how to use the Simple View of Reading to diagnose whether the root issue is word recognition, language comprehension, or both, and practical strategies for adjusting instruction without losing momentum. We also discuss the importance of setting realistic, measurable goals and celebrating small wins to keep students motivated.

Subscribe for more episodes, share this one with a colleague, and leave a rating or review—it helps other educators find the show! 

❇️ Resources mentioned in the show:

Free Data Tracking Printable

Progress Monitoring Made Simple Spotlight Training
https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/progress-monitoring-made-simple

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, we dive into progress monitoring - what it really is, why it matters, and how to make it part of everyday lessons without losing instructional time.

We share practical strategies for tracking growth with simple tools like word lists and fluency passages, tips for writing clear goals, and ways to build data collection into your lesson flow. You’ll also hear common mistakes to avoid, from inconsistent tracking to waiting too long to review data, and how to use progress monitoring as a powerful guide for instruction.

Subscribe for more strategies, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a rating or review to help others find the show!

❇️ Resources mentioned in the show:

Free Data Tracking Printable

Progress Monitoring Made Simple Spotlight Training
https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/progress-monitoring-made-simple

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, we break down the difference between accommodations and modifications, two terms often misunderstood in education. They discuss why these supports matter, how to choose the right ones, and what changes when they’re implemented well.

You’ll hear practical examples tied to student needs, strategies for making supports part of everyday classroom routines, and clarity on why accommodations are not “cheating” but essential tools for equity and access.

✨Resources & Links:

📄 FREE Printable Accommodations & Modifications Guide

💡To continue your learning, check out the Spotlight PD: What Dyslexia Really Looks Like

We kick off Dyslexia Awareness Month by breaking down what dyslexia is and clearing up the most common myths. They share how it shows up across grade levels, what signs teachers can watch for, and practical strategies and accommodations that help students thrive.

➡️ Grab the Dyslexia Symptoms Checklist mentioned in the podcast: https://smarterintervention.com/blog-highlights/dyslexia-symptoms-checklist

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes to discuss the standardized assessments they rely on with students, from the WIAT and CTOP to the TOWRE and GORT.

They share what each tool reveals about literacy skills, their strengths (and shortcomings), and how these assessments connect to the literacy processing triangle. You’ll also hear why no single test is enough, and how combining measures with curriculum-based assessments gives the clearest picture of student needs.

👉 Check out the 5CCL Learning Lab to continue your learning!