What if teaching vocabulary didn’t mean adding more to your plate—but simply rethinking the words you already use? In this episode, Dr. Blythe Anderson shares simple talk moves that make a big impact. From classroom job titles to science experiments, you’ll learn how to turn everyday moments into powerful vocabulary instruction. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why word lists aren’t enough—and what actually works.8 talk moves that boost vocabulary in seconds.How to build word consciousness ...
Sep 28
46 min
What if everything you’ve believed about spelling is only half the story? In this episode, spelling expert Joanne Rudling reveals why even your strongest readers still misspell words like said, bottle, and shopping—and why the fix has nothing to do with more phonics worksheets. Get ready for a conversation that will change the way you teach spelling forever. In this episode, we'll talk about: The surprising reason reading and spelling don’t develop at the same pace.Why spelling rules have far...
Sep 21
54 min
Missy Purcell was a teacher. Her son went to a “good” school. But in third grade, she realized something no one else had: he couldn’t read. In this powerful conversation, Missy shares the story that shocked her district—and later, the country—when she told it on Emily Hanford’s Sold a Story. What happens when a bright, well-behaved child falls through the cracks of a balanced literacy system? And what does it take to finally get him the instruction he deserved? This episode is part personal w...
Sep 14
50 min
Is play just for fun—or is it doing something deeper? In this episode, I sit down with Kristen Day, founder of Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool and a fierce advocate for honoring how young children actually learn. We dig into the real science behind play-based learning—what it does for the brain, how it shapes behavior, and why removing it from early childhood classrooms may be doing more harm than we realize. Whether you're feeling pressure to “get more academic” or just need language to advo...
Sep 7
35 min
Still asking your students to guess word meanings from context? It’s time for a change. In this episode, Natalie Wexler breaks down the science of how vocabulary really works—and why it’s the key to unlocking reading comprehension. You’ll learn how to move beyond surface-level word lists and start building deep, long-term word knowledge using techniques grounded in cognitive science. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why context clues often lead students away from true understanding.How long...
Aug 31
33 min
Why do some kids act out, melt down, or shut down—no matter how consistent or calm we are? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by internationally respected occupational therapist Kim Barthel, who helps us unpack the neuroscience of behavior. We talk about how trauma affects student behavior, what’s really happening when kids dysregulate, and why traditional behavior plans often miss the mark for the kids who need our help the most. If you’ve ever felt helpless in the face of a child’s big em...
Aug 24
45 min
What if your voice was the key to calming chaos in your classroom? In this episode, voice expert Tracy Goodwin shares how tone, pace, and presence can either soothe or activate a child’s nervous system—especially those who are dysregulated. You’ll learn simple shifts you can make to use your voice as a powerful tool for connection, co-regulation, and classroom calm. In this episode, we'll talk about: How your voice impacts student behavior and emotional safety.The science behind tone, cadence...
Aug 17
43 min
What if your students could finally retain what you teach—and you could stop second-guessing every phonics lesson? In this episode, veteran first grade teacher Rose shares how she went from overwhelmed and unsure… to confident and clear—thanks to her first step inside The Science of Reading Formula: our four-week bootcamp called The Reading Roadmap. If you’re tired of piecing together your reading instruction, this conversation is the encouragement and direction you’ve been looking for. In th...
Aug 10
17 min
What if leadership is the reason your reading scores aren’t moving? You’ve trained your teachers. You’ve rolled out new curriculum. But something still isn’t working. In this episode, Terrie Noland reveals how leadership—yes, even well-meaning leadership—can quietly block or boost reading success. It’s not about blame. It’s about getting real. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why literacy leadership is the missing link in most schools.The difference between knowledge, wisdom, and curiosity....
Aug 3
45 min
You’re told to teach with fidelity—but what if the curriculum itself isn’t aligned with the science of reading? In this episode, Kari Kurto from The Reading League breaks down how to evaluate your materials, spot red flags, and use the Curriculum Navigation Reports and Compass tools to make better instructional decisions—without starting from scratch. In this episode, we'll talk about: How to tell if a curriculum is really SoR aligned.The top red flags to watch for in your materials.Why “fide...
Jul 27
31 min
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