What is the Summer Series
A collection of listener favourites from the Structured Literacy Podcast to help you prepare for 2025.

Todays Episode
Ever wondered why some schools are celebrating massive advancements in literacy while others are scrambling to keep up? Join us as we unpack the transformative mandates in Victoria and Tasmania that are revolutionizing literacy education. 

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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

Unlock the secrets to achieving literacy goals that truly make a difference. This episode of the Structured Literacy Podcast promises to equip educators with the tools they need to effectively assess and enhance students' phonics growth. We'll share practical strategies for recognizing high achievers and those students who may be "cruising" without sufficient growth, and show you how to make informed adjustments to your teaching practices. Discover the importance of spreading grapheme learning across early school years, and learn how to tackle the challenges of feeling overwhelmed with fresh insights and actionable advice.

Navigate the complex world of data with us, as we focus on the power of tier one instruction and the pitfalls of program hopping. We'll discuss the critical importance of honest communication with parents, particularly for students who may be lagging, and offer constructive strategies for fostering continued progress. By examining objective literacy measures like fluency and spelling assessments, we'll highlight how these tools can inform your teaching strategies and help reduce negative classroom behaviors. With a commitment to structured literacy, join us in our mission to support successful literacy practices, and be part of our collaborative journey as we look forward to a new school year.

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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

What if your current reading assessments fall short of truly capturing your students' abilities? Get ready to transform your approach as we unravel the complexities of assessing and grading reading for years three to six. Discover how to effectively align assessment practices with the Australian Curriculum's achievement standards, steering clear of the limitations of traditional methods like benchmark assessments. We'll guide you through the subtle art of integrating decoding skills and comprehension, all while leveraging Scarborough's Reading Rope model to provide a clearer picture of student proficiency.

Join us as we dissect the intricate world of normed reading assessments and their alignment—or lack thereof—with curriculum expectations for years four to six. Explore the critical gap where fluency and word knowledge disappear, risking the masking of underlying struggles that could hinder vital interventions. Learn why solely relying on normed assessments can misrepresent a student's true reading capabilities, and how to prevent this through deliberate, informed report writing. This episode promises invaluable insights for educators striving to accurately assess and report on reading proficiency, ensuring every student's true potential is recognized and nurtured.

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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 provides practical guidance for accurately grading early years reading by focusing on Australian Curriculum achievement standards rather than program assessments or benchmark levels. She breaks down Foundation through Year 2 expectations using "I can" statements organised around Scarborough's Reading Rope, demonstrating how to assess both word-level skills (bottom of the rope) through phonics knowledge and text-level comprehension (top of the rope) through text-based units. 

Drawing on research from Hasbrouck-Tindal norms and DIBELS benchmarks to determine appropriate text complexity and reading rates, Jocelyn emphasises that grading should consider not just what students can do but the level of support needed and their ability to transfer skills to new contexts. 

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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 overwhelming pressure school leaders face when transitioning to structured literacy, using the "floor is lava" metaphor to describe the urgency that can lead to poor decision-making. She warns against two critical pitfalls: the bandwagon effect (following popular programs without understanding why they work) and relying on advice from people who exhibit the Dunning-Kruger effect: those with limited knowledge who speak with overconfidence, use catchphrases without deep understanding, and can't explain how theories connect to practice. 

Jocelyn provides practical guidance for identifying genuine expertise versus shallow knowledge, advocating for measured decision-making that starts with low-cost options, ensures team buy-in, focuses on principles rather than program popularity, and maintains continuous evaluation of student outcomes rather than making panic-driven choices. 

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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

Have you ever wondered if the ticking of a timer could transform reading fluency in young learners? Join us on this episode of the Structured Literacy Podcast as we untangle the complexities of using timed reading in primary education. I recount my journey from initial skepticism to embracing a more nuanced understanding of this technique. We delve into the intricate components of fluency—accuracy, automaticity, and prosody—and discuss how these elements interconnect rather than stand alone. Using a blend of research, teacher wisdom, and student insights, we aim to shed light on the absence of specific studies either advocating for or opposing the use of timers in classrooms, sparking a conversation on the thoughtful application tailored to each child's needs.

We question the blanket use of timed readings and instead propose personalized strategies that focus on familiar texts and adult guidance to ensure comprehension and accuracy. Rushing to meet time constraints can backfire, especially for those with reading difficulties or anxiety. We emphasize the importance of wide reading and phonics over the disruptive potential of timers and partner reading. Our discussion underscores the importance of context-specific research applications and a commitment to growing our instructional approaches. Let's embrace evidence-informed teaching with an open mind and a dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment.

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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 common classroom practice of bringing one student to the front to answer questions, arguing that while it benefits the chosen student, it creates passive learning experiences for the rest of the class whose attention spans are already limited. Drawing on research showing that Grade 1 students can maintain on-task behaviour for only about 7 minutes in natural classroom settings and citing Stanislas Dehaene's work on attention development, she demonstrates how this practice creates self-regulation challenges, split teacher attention, and extraneous cognitive load particularly when used late in lessons when students' "executive functioning fuel" is depleted. 

Jocelyn advocates for evidence-informed alternatives including having all students participate simultaneously, building movement into lessons every 10 minutes to maintain engagement, and questioning whether common program practices are truly research-aligned, emphasising that effective instruction requires full participation rather than passive observation. 

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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 week, we are going to have a spring clean. In this episode, I'll share a practice that I think we should reconsider.

I'm not focusing on this practice in the episode because I think it should be forever banished or because I want to criticize past practices. I've used this practice myself, but I'd like to encourage you to consider whether it is having the maximum impact in your classroom.

So, without further ado, grab your feather duster, and let's dive in and discuss News Time or, as some call it, Show and Tell.

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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 why traditional professional learning fails to improve student outcomes, drawing on research from Joyce and Showers to demonstrate that effective teacher knowledge building requires more than one-off workshops or program implementation. She explains how knowledge exists on a continuum from tacit/implicit (what we know but can't explain) through explicit and practical to theoretical knowledge, emphasising that transformation between these types requires high-quality collaboration, supportive leadership, professional guidance, and coaching rather than simply "plopping" new techniques into classrooms without understanding when and why to use them. 

Drawing on a 2022 study by Li and Sang reviewing 36 research papers, Jocelyn argues for a "slow-learning movement" that focuses on practices and principles of instruction rather than programs alone, advocating for sustained coaching that helps teachers integrate new learning with existing practice through testing, evaluation, and gradual transfer to achieve genuine student outcomes. 

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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

How can educators transcend the rote memorisation of teaching steps to foster genuine understanding and meaningful learning? Join me, Jocelyn, on this episode of the Structured Literacy Podcast as we uncover the intricate relationships between cognitive load theory, literacy frameworks, and effective classroom practices. We'll dissect Timothy Shanahan's latest insights on the importance of purpose-driven education and explore how building a robust foundation of declarative knowledge can revolutionise both teaching and learning experiences.

We'll also confront the cognitive biases that often skew our self-assessments, spotlighting the Dunning-Kruger effect and its startling implications for educators. Using real-world examples and pivotal research, I'll illustrate how this phenomenon can hinder teaching effectiveness and share strategies to overcome these biases. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that could redefine your approach to education and help you build deeper, more impactful connections with your students.

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

Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. 

Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2

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