Episode 240

Primary teacher Meghan Hein shares how she keeps the text front and center of learning. She discusses the shift from a skills-based focus to an approach where meaning-making drives instruction. The conversation highlights practical strategies for teachers to build knowledge through texts and create a more authentic learning experience. Meghan's insights reflect a commitment to continuous learning and adapting teaching practices to better serve students' needs.

✨ You’ll definitely want to listen to the podcast that inspired this conversation! Episode 37 with Sue Pimentel and Meredith Liben dives into their article Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom.

Takeaways

• Shifting from skill-based to meaning-making instruction is crucial.
• Building knowledge through texts is essential for comprehension.
• Teachers must empower themselves through continuous learning.
• Curriculum should support, not dictate, teaching practices.
• Understanding the intent behind texts enriches the learning experience.
• Interleaving skills and content enhances understanding.
• Students thrive when they connect learning to real-world contexts.

Resources

• Refreshed Companion Episode with Meredith Liben & Sue Pimentel (podcast)
• Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom (article)
• Teacher Meghan Hein on Instagram (you might know her as always more to learn!)

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.

Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 37

The article Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom is a must-read — before or after you listen to this episode!

Meredith Liben and Sue Pimentel join us to unpack the true intentions behind the Common Core State Standards and how they’ve sometimes been misinterpreted in practice. They share what they’ve observed in classrooms and schools — both when high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) are in place and when they’re not.

We also ask them some tough (and important!) questions:

• What does this mean for assessment, especially “data-driven” instruction?
• What are better ways to assess and track student progress?

Meredith and Sue are smart, funny, and incredibly relatable — you’ll love this conversation. It’s truly a must-listen episode!

📖 Read the article that inspired this episode:
Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom

• Introduction to Poetry - Billy Collins poem Meredith mentions
• Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.

Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Episode 239

Experts Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, and Erica Woolway join Melissa & Lori to tackle one of the biggest questions in teaching today: What happened to reading whole books in school? From the pull of digital distractions to the rise of skill-focused instruction, they explore why diving into full texts matters more than ever. You’ll hear inspiring ideas for making books come alive in the classroom, the magic of read-alouds, and the power of close reading. Plus, each guest reveals their favorite book to teach. Reading entire books ignites curiosity, builds stamina, and so much more.

Resources

• The Teach Like A Champion Guide to the Science of Reading (book)
• Teach Like A Champion (Website - Resources, Workshops, Blogs, & More!)
• Close Reading: Uncover Deeper Meaning (blog)
• The Indispensable Power of [Full] Books (blog)
• Melissa & Lori Podcast Knowledge & Comprehension (Daniel Willingham & Barbara Davidson)

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.

Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.