Our literacy blocks are so full that it's difficult to find time for all of the things we need to fit in, including morphology.   In this week's episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, I share tips for finding time for this important area of instruction in both the early years and upper primary grades. 

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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In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn explores the nuanced debate around scripted teaching programs, moving beyond polarised views to examine when and why such approaches might be appropriate. Drawing on Ken Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model, she explains how teachers at different stages, from enthusiastic beginners needing high direction to peak performers requiring autonomy, have varying needs for structured guidance, suggesting that scripted programs may suit novices but could frustrate experienced educators who need flexibility to respond to student needs in real-time. 

Rather than advocating for or against scripting, Jocelyn promotes "full guidance support" that provides robust structure and consistency while preserving teachers' professional judgement to adapt instruction based on classroom dynamics, warning against swinging from unstructured approaches to over-scripted teaching that removes the human element essential for responsive, effective instruction. 

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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Jocelyn Seamer Education Homepage
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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 week's episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, I address the common challenge of tracking student reading progress. 

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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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

Oral language is listed as one of the six key areas of reading instruction but what does it look like to really address it effectively across the school? In this episode, I draw connections to theoretical frameworks and share my top 5 tips for effectively including oral language in all areas of the curriculum.

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

It is wonderful to have Tier 2 support for students who need that little bit extra, but the real key to inclusive instruction is to make Tier 1 as robust as humanly possible. In this episode of the Structure Literacy Podcast, we outline the critical factors in delivering Tier 1 instruction that hits the mark.

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 why Tier 2 intervention instruction often fails to produce results, identifying five critical issues: misalignment between Tier 1 and Tier 2 efforts, asking struggling students to learn double content from separate programs, weak Tier 1 instruction that creates too many intervention needs, unqualified staff delivering intervention, and removing students from support too early. 

Jocelyn emphasises that Tier 2 should provide "extra, not different" instruction (additional practice of the same systematic phonics content rather than a separate program) and argues that if schools have large numbers of Tier 2 students, they actually have a Tier 1 problem that needs fixing first. 

Drawing on her experience achieving dramatic improvements by flexibly grouping all students across classrooms based on reading development rather than grade level, she advocates for data-driven decision-making, qualified teachers working with the most struggling students, and maintaining intervention until students truly master foundational skills regardless of their grade level. 

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 part of the series on transitioning upper primary literacy instruction, Jocelyn focuses on essential shifts in reading comprehension and writing approaches for Years 3-6. She advocates moving away from strategy-focused comprehension instruction toward text-focused learning where background knowledge and vocabulary building take precedence, with strategies serving as tools to engage with rich texts rather than skills taught in isolation. 

Jocelyn emphasises that comprehension is domain-specific and best assessed through text-based units where necessary knowledge has been explicitly taught, rather than through benchmark assessments that can't distinguish between inference ability and lack of background knowledge. For writing instruction, she promotes integrating reading and writing within the same lessons and prioritising foundational skills, stating that students must have automatic handwriting, spelling, and fluent sentence production before expecting successful multi-paragraph writing. 

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 part of a two-part series on implementing structured literacy in upper primary, Jocelyn outlines critical shifts in word-level instruction and text selection for Years 3-6. She advocates transitioning from phonics-only spelling instruction to incorporating orthography and morphology once students master approximately 70 graphemes, emphasising explicit knowledge-building over worksheet activities and memorisation strategies that leave students "going through the motions." 

For text selection, Jocelyn promotes moving away from levelled reading assessments toward rich, age-appropriate texts that provide suitable challenge, supported through intensive whole-class guided reading where teachers stop regularly to ensure comprehension rather than assigning independent reading followed by end-of-lesson questions. 

Drawing on research from Beck, McKeown, and Sandora's work on questioning techniques and Lemov's Reading Reconsidered, she emphasises that effective upper primary literacy instruction requires shifts in "how" rather than "what", making teaching more intensive, explicit, and responsive to ensure all students can access complex texts. 

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

Discover the transformative power of structured literacy practices for grades three to six with our latest episode! What if you could create a consistent literacy block that enhances teaching effectiveness and reduces cognitive load? We're diving into the critical importance of common structures and routines, and exploring the potential pushback from teachers who are used to working independently. Learn how to start with low variance explicit practices at the word level, such as spelling, to build strong foundational skills and a shared vision of knowledge and practice among teaching teams.

We also discuss the implementation of text-based units and the benefits of using short stories and picture books to integrate reading, comprehension, and writing seamlessly. Addressing the challenges of low variance syntax instruction, we provide strategies to support teachers in gaining confidence and transitioning to a structured literacy block. Tune in to discover free resources like "A Teacher's Guide to the Upper Primary Literacy Block" and a five-day course beginning July 22nd, 2024. Equip yourself with insights and practical advice to elevate your teaching practice and foster a more effective literacy environment in your classroom.

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 provides practical guidance for educators choosing phonics programs for their schools. She distinguishes between truly "evidence-based" programs (which have undergone rigorous third-party testing) and "evidence-informed" programs (which draw on research-backed instructional practices), noting that most available programs fall into the latter category. Jocelyn presents 10 key criteria for evaluation, including ensuring instruction focuses on word structure rather than whole words, using decodable texts aligned with student knowledge, progressing from simple to complex concepts, incorporating direct explicit instruction with guided practice, and meeting students at their point of need through data-informed decisions. 

She emphasises moving beyond social media recommendations to systematic evaluation using evidence-informed criteria, while also considering practical factors like cost and ongoing training sustainability. The episode includes a downloadable evaluation checklist to help school leaders make confident, research-aligned decisions about phonics instruction resources. 

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