What does it really look like to move from balanced literacy to the science of reading? In this episode, veteran teacher Meghan Hein shares her honest, four-year journey—complete with mindset shifts, classroom trials, and practical wins.

Whether you're just starting or deep in the transition, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to take your next small step.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• The moment Meghan realized balanced literacy wasn’t working for all students.
• How she started changing her instruction—without throwing everything away.
• The data shift that helped her identify who needed more phonics support.
• Why decodable books became her must-have for small group reading.
• What to do when you're overwhelmed by everything you didn't know.

Show Links

Find Meghan on Instagram.
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Planning phonics lessons shouldn't leave you stressed and scrambling. In this episode, we're sharing a simple, science-backed routine that takes the guesswork out of teaching phonics—so your lessons practically plan themselves.

In this episode, we’ll talk about...

• My Thanksgiving-themed phonics mistake you don’t want to repeat.
• The 4-step routine that works with any skill.
• How to help students build accuracy, automaticity, and application.
• Fun, low-prep ways to reinforce phonics skills through games.

Show Links

Phonics Questions and Chants
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What if the student who "won’t sit still" or "never starts their work" isn’t trying to misbehave—but is quietly asking for support? In this episode, veteran educator Cheryl Agrawal helps us rethink ADHD in the primary classroom. You’ll walk away with fresh insights and game-changing strategies that make your school days smoother—for you and your students.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• What ADHD really looks like in PreK–2 students (it’s not just hyperactivity).
• The overlooked link between reading struggles and inattentive ADHD.
• Movement and “sensory snacks” that support regulation without disrupting class.
• How to team up with families and paraprofessionals without feeling overwhelmed.
• Why small shifts in seating, check-ins, and routines can transform your day.

Show Links

Pulsehive
Cheryl on LinkedIn / Instagram
ADHD 2.0 Book on Amazon
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Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

Moving too fast in phonics instruction can lead to shaky reading foundations—but how do you know when students are truly ready to progress? In this episode, we’ll show you exactly what to look for so you can successfully move forward with confidence.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• Why checking a box on a scope and sequence isn’t enough.
• The “Three A’s” every student must show before moving on.
• What fluent reading and spelling of target skills actually looks like.
• How to use sentence dictation to test real-world application.
• What to do when some students aren’t ready yet.

Show Links

Sight Word Lists Sorted by Phonics Skill
Decodable Sentence Strips
Decodable Passages
Decodable Literacy Centers
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Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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What if the key to better decoding, spelling, and vocabulary was hidden in the very structure of words? In this episode, we're diving deep into how morphology can transform literacy instruction—starting as early as PreK. Our guest, Sarah from Snippets by Sarah, shares how she helps students understand meaningful word parts and why it's never too early to start.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• How to teach morphology in PreK–3rd grade classrooms.
• Why even young students are ready for prefixes, suffixes, and bases.
• Easy ways to introduce morphemes through word sums and read-alouds.
• The difference between roots, bases, and affixes (and how to explain them to kids).
• How morphology builds a foundation for stronger decoding and spelling skills.

Show Links

Sarah Paul- Website / Instagram
Shine Learning Services
Sarah's Morphology Training
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Earning National Board Certification can feel overwhelming—but what if you could pass on your first try? In this episode, Malia shares the exact strategies she used to do just that, along with the hard lessons she learned along the way.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• The #1 mistake teachers make when submitting student work samples.
• Why choosing “outlier” students is key to showcasing your impact.
• How to stay organized (and sane) with early evidence collection.
• Why standards alignment should start on day one.
• How a support system can make or break your success.

Show Links

National Board Certification
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In this powerful conversation, veteran educator Lori Josephson breaks down what dyslexia really is—and how you can spot the early signs in your preschool and kindergarten students. If you’ve ever had a gut feeling that something was “off” with a student’s reading but didn’t know what to look for or how to help, this episode is your guide.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The most common myths about dyslexia (and what to stop believing today).
• Early red flags to watch for in pre-K and K students.
• Why phonemic awareness—not rhyming—is the real key.
• What orthographic mapping means and how it affects struggling readers.
• Simple strategies you can use right now to support at-risk students.

Show Links

Lori Josephson: Website / LinkedIn / X / Facebook / Instagram / Medium
Calling All Neurons Book
Science of Reading-What I Should Have Learned in College Facebook Group
International Dyslexia Association
GAAB Early Screener
Well Screening
Ladder of Reading by Dr. Nancy Young
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For decades, schools have relied on leveled readers to teach kids how to read—but what if they’ve been setting students up to guess instead of actually read? In this episode, I’m breaking down the difference between leveled readers and decodable books, and why one approach is backed by science while the other reinforces bad reading habits.

We’ll explore what makes decodable books so powerful, how they align with phonics instruction, and when to transition students to authentic texts. If your school still pushes leveled readers, I’ll also share practical ways to advocate for change (with data to back you up!).

In this episode, I'll dive into...

• Why leveled readers encourage guessing instead of decoding.
• How decodable books strengthen phonics and spelling skills.
• When (and how) to transition students from decodable books to authentic texts.
• Actionable steps to advocate for research-based reading instruction in your school.

Show Links

Nonfiction decodable books: Penguins
Decodable books
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Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.