After 100 Episodes: Your Favorite Episodes - Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators

67. Small Groups, Big Results with Dr. Julia B. Lindsey

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Michelle talks with Dr. Julia Lindsey about her brand-new book “Small Groups, Big Results: Evidence-Based Routines to Get Every Child Reading ”, a practical guide to designing effective small-group instruction with the Science of Reading in mind. Julia shares her journey to researcher and author, and explains why the “leveled-text ladder” needs to be left behind. Together they explore how to use small groups with purpose, the data that should drive them, and the mindset shifts teachers need to make every minute of instruction count.

Key Takeaways:

Small groups are most powerful when they’re targeted, built around clear goals, practice, and feedback.
“Guided reading” levels don’t predict growth; what matters is matching instruction to the next skill students need.
Data should reveal what to teach, not just who is behind. Group by need, not by label.
Flexible groupings, short bursts of focused practice, and clear feedback create more learning in less time.
The purpose of small-group instruction is not to fill a time block; it’s to accelerate access to grade-level learning.

Resources Mentioned:

Reading Above the Fray by Dr. Julia B. Lindsey (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)
Small Groups, Big Results by Dr. Julia B. Lindsey (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)
Beyond Decodables: free content-rich decodable texts
Rock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Dr. Julia B. Lindsey:

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
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Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

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Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

Get your FREE grouping resource bundle here: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/groupingsheets?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=podcast Join The Reading Science Academy: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/register?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=literacy-in-color

55. What Real Implementation Looks Like with Justin Browning, SOR for More

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

We all know the saying “when you know better, you do better.” But what happens when we know better…and still don’t see the needle move in reading outcomes?

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I sit down with Justin Browning, national literacy consultant and founder of SoR for More, to talk about the missing piece: implementation.

Justin draws from years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and systems-level consultant to show us how to move from information to transformation.

Key Takeaways:

Why professional development often feels like “knowledge bombing”
The dangers of compliance-driven training without follow-through
How to shift from “know a lot, do a lot” to “learn a little, do a little”
Why leadership needs vision, voice, and visibility to sustain change
Practical strategies like micro-PD, flipped lab sites, and implementation teams
The critical role of de-implementation in creating space for what matters most

If we want real change in reading outcomes, we can’t just play the game, we have to play to win.

Listen in to hear how schools and districts can create systems that move knowledge into action and ensure literacy success for all students.

Connect with Justin Browning:

Website: http://www.sorformore.com
Instagram: @sorformore_llc
X: @sorformore
LinkedIn
Email: justin@sorformore.com

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

52. Phonemic Awareness Research Unpacked with Dr. David Kilpatrick

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this pivotal episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle is joined by psychologist, professor, and reading researcher Dr. David Kilpatrick to untangle some hotly debated ideas surrounding phonemic awareness in the Science of Reading community.

This conversation isn’t about taking sides in the “with letters vs. without letters” debate. It’s about getting honest about what the research says, and more importantly, what our individual students truly need.

For most children, phonemic awareness develops naturally through phonics instruction. However, for others, particularly those with a phonological core deficit, explicit, oral-only phonemic awareness instruction can be critical.

Dr. Kilpatrick clarifies the National Reading Panel findings, unpacks common misinterpretations of his own work, and reminds us to focus on what matters most: meeting the needs of the learner in front of us.

Key Takeaways:

How phonemic proficiency fuels orthographic mapping, which is essential for fluent word reading
For typically developing readers, phonemic awareness develops through learning an alphabetic writing system (i.e. Phonemic Awareness with letters!)
It’s beneficial to integrate phonemic awareness and phonics
Students with phonological core deficits may need oral-only instruction, particularly in intervention settings
Phonemic awareness tasks should only take a few minutes a day - they’re not meant to be long, isolated blocks
What educators often get wrong about Kilpatrick’s work and what he wishes more people knew

Resources & References Mentioned:

Look into Appendix F of the National Reading Panel
Teaching Phonemic Awareness “With Letters”: How Social Media is Getting it Wrong
Table of Types of PA Tasks
Phoneme Manipulation Quotes Across the Decades
WIAT-4 Phonemic Proficiency Results (Single Slide)
Teaching Phonemic Awareness in 2024: A Guide for Educators
Equipped for Reading Success by Dr. David Kilpatrick
Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties by Dr. David Kilpatrick
The PAST Tense
Shanahan’s Blog: RIP to Advanced Phonemic Awareness (meaning the term should be abandoned)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

43. Rock Your Literacy Block with Lindsay Kemeny

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m joined by the incredible Lindsay Kemeny, a trusted voice in the Science of Reading community and author of Seven Mighty Moves and Rock Your Literacy Block. Lindsay shares her journey into structured literacy, sparked by her son’s dyslexia diagnosis, and how that led to a complete transformation in her teaching and professional work.

We dive into her brand-new book, Rock Your Literacy Block, and explore what it means to build a strong, responsive, and efficient literacy block that aligns with the Science of Reading. Lindsay offers practical strategies, encouragement, and a behind-the-scenes look at how she organizes her day, structures her small groups, and maximizes every minute of instructional time.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by scheduling, pacing, or finding the “perfect” literacy routine, this conversation is a breath of fresh air. Lindsay reminds us that it’s not about perfection - it’s about progress.

Key Takeaways:

The inspiration behind Rock Your Literacy Block
The must-have components of an effective literacy block
The art of pacing and maximizing instructional minutes

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Rock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny
Book: Seven Mighty Moves by Lindsay Kemeny
Book: Seven Mighty Moves Reading Resources by Lindsay Kemeny
The Science of Reading in Practice Series (Scholastic)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Lindsay Kemeny:

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

46. Making Words Stick with Dr. Molly Ness on Orthographic Mapping

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this powerful episode, we welcome back Dr. Molly Ness, literacy researcher, educator, and co-author of “Making Words Stick”, the latest release from the Scholastic Science of Reading in Practice series. Together with Dr. Katie Pace Miles, Molly has created a teacher-friendly guide to help educators understand orthographic mapping and implement a 4-step routine that supports the mapping process.

We dive into what orthographic mapping actually is, why it matters, and how it’s different from memorization. Molly walks us through how the brain learns to read, busts myths about word repetitions, and explains why students must connect sound, spelling, and meaning to build a strong reading brain.

Whether you're new to the term “orthographic mapping” or looking to strengthen your instructional practice, this episode is packed with practical insight and inspiration. Get ready to geek out over the reading brain and walk away with ready-to-use classroom strategies that help words stick.

Key Takeaways:

Orthographic mapping is an invisible cognitive process where words become instantly recognized, not memorized.
Sound - Spelling - Meaning Connection
Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to word repetitions.
A 4-step instructional routine: See & Say, Segment & Spell, Study & Suss Out, Search & Stick
Spelling is a key indicator of a student’s linguistic understanding and should be intentionally taught alongside reading.

Resources Mentioned:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Dr. Molly Ness:

Website: https://www.mollyness.com/
Website: https://www.dirigoliteracy.com/
LinkedIn: Molly Ness, PhD
Instagram: @a_reading_mother
BlueSky: ‪@mollyness.bsky.social‬
End Book Desert Podcast

Connect with Dr. Katie Pace Miles:

Website: https://www.katiepacemilesphd.com/
Website: https://www.readinginstitutenyc.org/
Reading Ready Programs
Advanced Certificate in Reading Science
Instagram: @thereadinginstitutenyc

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

44. 4 Warm-Up Drills for Effective Phonics Instruction

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Literacy in Color, we’re diving into 4 quick, high-impact phonics drills that spark engagement and build automaticity, without eating up your entire lesson time.

These warm-ups aren’t about “drill and kill.” Instead, they’re short, intentional routines that help students review and retrieve previously taught phonics content. Whether you’re a classroom teacher or interventionist, these drills can be used flexibly, across whole group, small group, or even 1:1 settings.

4 Types of Drills:

Visual Drill
Auditory Drill
Vowel Drill
Blending Drill

Whether you’re just starting with structured literacy or looking to refine your phonics block, these quick drills are a powerful way to build momentum and confidence for every student.

Helpful Tools:

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

54. Blending Strategies

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Have you ever had a student rattle off the sounds in a word—/b/… /a/… /t/, only to say “tab,” “balloon,” or even “chicken”? If so, you’re not alone. And here’s the thing: these blending errors aren’t always decoding issues. Often, they’re tied to working memory.

In this solo episode of Literacy in Color, we unpack why blending matters, what research tells us, and most importantly, practical scaffolds you can use tomorrow to support students who struggle.

Key Takeaways:

The difference between Additive Sound-by-Sound Blending and Whole Word Blending
Why connected phonation is more effective than traditional sound-by-sound blending (Gonzalez-Frey & Ehri, 2021)
Several scaffolds to lighten the working memory load: reducing phonemes, continuous blending, backing up to phonemic awareness, and backward decoding, etc.
How the gradual release of responsibility helps students build independence and automaticity
The natural transition from oral → whisper → silent blending as students gain fluency

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

76. K–2 Morphology Made Meaningful: Teaching Word Structure Through Bases with Sarah Paul and Michelle Sullivan of Logos Literacy Academy

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Michelle Sullivan is joined by her co-founder of Logos Literacy Academy, Sarah Paul, for a deep dive into K–2 morphology through a base-centered lens.

Together, they unpack a question teachers hear all the time:

“Morphology is important… but isn’t that for later?”

Michelle and Sarah explain why morphology does not start with Greek and Latin – and why young learners are more than ready to explore word structure when instruction begins with oral language, meaning, and the base.

You’ll hear why they intentionally designed a K–2 morphology curriculum that:

includes instruction around bases in addition to more traditional affix instruction
aligns directly with a phonics scope and sequence
builds generative vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension over time
helps students see words as organized systems, not random strings of letters

They also introduce their signature BASE Lesson Framework:

Build Awareness (oral language first)
Analyze the Base (connecting sound, spelling, and meaning)
See Word Relatives (exploring families of related words)
Express Understanding (using the right word in context)

Throughout the conversation, they share concrete classroom examples—from simple CVC bases to bound bases like —and explain how studying one base deeply prepares students to approach unfamiliar words with confidence later on.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why morphology in K–2 is about language development
How base instruction can strengthen phonics rather than compete with it
What it really means for words to be “related” (shared spelling and meaning)
How morphology supports orthographic mapping, vocabulary growth, and grammar
Where base lessons fit naturally into a K–2 literacy block

Free Resource:

Download a FREE base lesson to see the BASE framework in action. This bonus lesson is not part of the curriculum; it’s an additional bonus lesson to give you a true feel for the approach.

Resources Mentioned:

K-2 Course & Curriculum from Logos Literacy Academy
Save with a Bundle: Get Mastering Morphology AND our K-2 Course & Curriculum bundled together!
Logos Literacy Academy

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

34. Orthographic Mapping, Sight Words & High-Frequency Words: What Every Teacher Should Know

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this solo episode of Literacy in Color, we’re cutting through the confusion around sight words, high-frequency words, and orthographic mapping. You’ll get a clear, research-backed understanding of how the brain actually learns words — and why traditional memorization strategies just don’t cut it.

Michelle breaks down why every word "wants to grow up and become a sight word" and shares how teachers can make smart instructional moves that build strong, fluent readers by honoring what we know from the Science of Reading.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Should I still send home sight word flashcards?
What’s orthographic mapping actually mean?
How can I organize my high-frequency instruction around phonics skills?

...this episode will answer ALL of that (and more!) in a practical, empowering way.

Key Takeaways:

The difference between sight words and high-frequency words (hint: they're not the same)
What orthographic mapping is—and why it’s not an activity
How words become mapped for instant recognition
Why explicit instruction—not memorization—is key to building fluent readers
How to group high-frequency words by phonics features for better transfer and mastery

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Making Words Stick: A Four-Step Instructional Routine to Power Up Orthographic Mapping (The Science of Reading in Practice) by Dr. Katie Pace Miles & Dr. Molly Ness

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Other Helpful Resources:

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy

86. Multisyllabic Spelling Made Simpler: 3 Strategies for Spelling Longer Words

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Spelling longer words can feel overwhelming for students - even for those who can read them with ease. In this episode, I unpack why multisyllabic spelling is such a leap and, more importantly, what we can do to support students through it.

Rather than relying on memorization alone, this episode explores how spelling is deeply connected to the structure of our language. You’ll walk away with three practical strategies that help students approach longer words with confidence.

From breaking words into syllables, to leveraging morphology and word relatives, to using a “spelling voice,” this episode offers a toolkit teachers can immediately bring into their instruction.

Key Takeaways:

Spelling multisyllabic words requires more than phonology; students need access to structure and meaning as well.
Syllabication helps reduce cognitive load by chunking words into manageable parts.
Every syllable has at least one vowel (ESHALOV): a helpful anchor for spelling longer words.
Morphology provides stability; morphemes maintain consistent spellings even when pronunciation shifts.
Word relatives can unlock tricky spellings (i.e. preside → president).
A spelling voice can support memory by making less obvious spellings more transparent.
Strong spellers use metacognition; they choose strategies flexibly depending on the word.
English spelling is not random: it reflects the interaction of phonology, morphology, and etymology.

Resources Mentioned:

Building BRIDGES: A Design Experiment to Improve Reading and United States History Knowledge of Poor Readers in Eighth Grade - O’Connor, Beach, Sanchez, Bocian, & Flynn - ESHALOV principle (Every Syllable Has At Least One Vowel)
Helping Students With Dyslexia Read Long Words by Devin Kearns & Victoria Whaley
Logos Literacy Academy
Course: Mastering Morphology
Course & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Morphology Membership (Coaching Calls & Resources)
Book: Seven Mighty Moves by Lindsay Kemeny (Spelling Voice Strategy mentioned)
Multisyllabic Words Skill Explainer from Reading Universe

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Thank you to Reading.com for supporting the production of this episode.

Visit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today.

Instagram: @_readingcom
YouTube: ReadingCom
Facebook: Reading.com
Pinterest: Reading_com

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading.com

Visit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today!

Reading Science Academy

100. A Literacy Manifesto After 100 Episodes: 3 Hills I'd Die On, 3 Things I Hope We Leave Behind, and 3 Things I'm Watching Closely

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Happy 100th Episode!!!

To celebrate this milestone episode, I share:

3 literacy hills I’d die on
3 things I hope we can leave behind, and
3 things I’m watching closely

Thank you for helping make the first 100 episodes possible. Here's to the next 100!

Favorite Episodes Mentioned:

This podcast is brought to you by Reading Science Academy, where our friend Stephanie Stollar is giving Literacy in Color listeners an exclusive, free grouping resource bundle to help you turn fall screening data into skill-based groups that actually move students forward.

Get your FREE grouping resource bundle here.

Or, become a member of Reading Science Academy to learn in community and receive research-backed support alongside over 1,400 literacy educators.

Connect with Michelle:

Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
Join our Facebook Community
Sign up for my Newsletter
Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

Logos Literacy Academy
Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator
Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology
Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

Mentioned in this episode:

Reading Science Academy