In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn explores the cognitive science concept of primacy and recency, first researched by Hermann Ebbinghaus in the 1880s, which reveals that students best remember information presented at the beginning and end of lessons while content in the middle often gets lost. She explains how teachers can maximise these "prime time" windows by explicitly teaching critical concepts at lesson starts rather than asking students to discover unknown information, breaking longer sessions into 20-30 minute segments with clear transitions, and reserving lesson endings for consolidation and summarising activities. 

Jocelyn warns against common mistakes that waste prime time, such as starting lessons with housekeeping tasks or having students guess at concepts they haven't been taught, and provides practical reflection questions to help educators structure instruction according to how students' brains actually process and retain information. 

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

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Curriculum organisers are powerful tools for implementing effective retrieval practice in the classroom. These simple three-page documents provide clarity for teachers about what to teach while helping students understand exactly what they need to focus on during retrieval and review activities.

• Originated from Joe Kirby's "knowledge organisers" at the Michaela School in London
• Provide clarity for teachers on what content to cover without dictating teaching methods
• Include student-friendly vocabulary definitions, key understandings, and questions with answers
• Connect to assessment through achievement standards and language functions
• Help break down instruction into manageable parts following Rosenshine's principles
• Enable teachers to evaluate what students already know to make connections to new learning
• Support students' cognitive load by organising content clearly
• Can be used to scaffold language development for all students, especially EAL learners
• Include simple rubrics with A-E performance descriptors as success criteria

Creating curriculum organisers for each unit will help you deliver concise, strong, targeted teaching right from the start. While implementing evidence-based practices has its complexities, understanding what students need helps us engineer success for them and for ourselves.

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

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#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

In this final episode of the research to classroom series on connecting reading and writing, Jocelyn interviews Rachael, a deputy principal at a small South Australian public school, about the practical implementation of integrated literacy instruction. Rachael shares her school's journey from concerning DIBELS and NAPLAN data to implementing daily 50-minute cross-class phonics groupings and transitioning from independent silent reading to structured fluency pairs, emphasising how vulnerable leadership and collaborative coaching supported teacher buy-in during significant instructional changes. 

The discussion explores practical strategies for managing text-based units with diverse learners, including using assistive technology like voice recording tools for struggling writers, differentiating fluency groupings across five different levels, and adapting background knowledge instruction to build essential context without losing focus on learning objectives. 

Rachael emphasises the importance of responsive teaching, pacing units to reach summative assessments, and differentiating professional learning support for staff at various stages of their structured literacy journey, offering practical advice for leaders implementing similar changes. 

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

In this second installment of the research to classroom series on connecting reading and writing, Jocelyn presents five evidence-informed strategies for integrating literacy instruction to achieve stronger student outcomes. The strategies include integrating reading and writing in phonics instruction by having students both read and spell words with target patterns, using rich texts as foundations for text-based units that explicitly teach writing craft alongside comprehension, distributing writing opportunities across the curriculum to deepen content learning while improving writing skills, ensuring prerequisite skills like handwriting and spelling reach automaticity to free cognitive resources for higher-level processes, and using hierarchical frameworks that build from foundational skills to complex literacy abilities. 

Jocelyn emphasises that this integrated approach creates literacy instruction like a "permaculture garden" where everything serves multiple interconnected purposes, making instruction more efficient than separate reading and writing blocks while recognising the shared foundations that support both skill sets. 

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

In this first episode of a new research to classroom series, Jocelyn explores the scientific foundation for integrating reading and writing instruction, moving beyond traditional separated literacy blocks toward evidence-informed approaches. Drawing on research from Fitzgerald and Shanahan's shared knowledge framework, Kim's Interactive Dynamic Literacy Model with its hierarchical structure of foundational skills supporting higher-level abilities, and Anderson and Briggs' work on reciprocal cognitive operations (searching, monitoring, and self-correcting), she demonstrates how reading and writing draw on the same underlying knowledge systems including meta-knowledge, domain knowledge, text attributes, and procedural knowledge. 

The episode traces six developmental stages from literacy roots through university-level synthesis, explaining why correlations between reading and writing skills change over time and emphasising that integrated instruction is more efficient than separated approaches because it supports rather than taxes working memory. 

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn explores how to make teacher professional development more effective by applying Rosenshine's principles of instruction to adult learning contexts. Drawing on cognitive science research and the understanding that adults benefit from the same structured learning approaches as students, she demonstrates how each of Rosenshine's ten principles, from beginning with review and presenting material in small steps to providing guided practice and monitoring independent implementation, can transform professional learning from ineffective "one and done" sessions into sustained capacity building. 

Jocelyn emphasises that just as teachers wouldn't overwhelm students with multiple new concepts at once, leaders shouldn't do this with staff, advocating for modelling through video demonstrations, collaborative planning with coaching support, regular check-ins using data to measure impact, and celebrating small wins to build confidence and momentum. 

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn examines the mixed research on homework effectiveness, exploring two key studies that provide insights into when homework might actually benefit students. Drawing on research by Hindin and Paratore (2007) showing gains from home repeated reading of classroom texts, and Dolean and Lervag's (2022) study of 440 second-graders demonstrating that moderate homework amounts (approximately 20 minutes daily) improved writing skills when practicing classroom-taught content, she identifies four criteria for effective homework: direct connection to classroom instruction, skills secure enough for independent work, moderate time commitment, and clear consolidation purpose. 

Jocelyn provides practical suggestions including phonics resources and connected reading materials while cautioning against one-size-fits-all homework sheets and emphasising the importance of not placing parents in unqualified teaching roles, particularly noting that some research shows parent help can actually have negative impacts on student learning. 

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn addresses the challenges of successfully onboarding new school staff members while maintaining instructional quality.

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

This episode discusses the nuanced role of AI in education, emphasizing that while it can enhance teaching, it should not replace the expertise of skilled educators. Listeners learn about cognitive biases impacting knowledge perception and practical strategies for using AI effectively in teacher planning. 

Key points 
• AI tools should support teachers, not replace them 
• The need for teacher expertise when using AI 
• Cognitive bias affects perceived knowledge from AI and online resources 
• Practical examples of using AI in curriculum planning 
• AI's role in contextualizing learning for students 
• Importance of professional development in effective AI use 
• Establishing boundaries for AI to enhance teaching outcomes

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn addresses the common teacher concern about insufficient student writing by sharing her own failed experiment with "30 Days of Writing" that highlighted the importance of prerequisites for successful composition. She emphasises that automatic handwriting, spelling, and fluent sentence production must be in place before expecting quality writing, and advocates for explicit teaching of writing structures while ensuring students can speak what they intend to write before putting it on paper. 

Rather than confining writing to the literacy block, Seamer suggests distributing writing opportunities across the curriculum through activities like responding to learning situations, summarising lessons, and recording ideas, which research shows both improves writing quality and enhances content recall. 

The episode challenges the misconception that only multi-paragraph genre writing counts as meaningful composition, providing practical strategies for increasing authentic writing practice while maintaining realistic expectations based on students' developmental readiness and transcription skills. 

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch!

We have released Spelling Success in Action 1, a catch-up program for phonics, early morphology, and orthographic conventions for years 3 to 8. This program can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or as a whole class and is built on what the evidence tells us is the critical knowledge students need for strong spelling and the type of instruction that makes learning stick.

Learn more about this resource and order your copy at www.jocelynseamereducation.com

Quick Links
Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
The Resource Room
Youtube channel
Facebook Page

#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics