Some students can sound out every letter in a word… but still not read it. In this episode, literacy interventionist Beth Gaskill helps us unpack why that happens and what to do about it. We’re talking about the “fuzzy middle” between phonemic awareness and fluent reading, and why simple, consistent, multisensory routines can make all the difference.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why some kids can sound out words but still can’t blend.
• The role of working memory in decoding struggles.
• Simple multisensory activities (like socks, beans, and chairs!)
• What to try before reaching for letter tiles.
• How to support students who freeze when it’s time to blend.

Show Links

Big City Readers Website // Instagram // Podcast
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What if Tier 2 didn’t feel like a last-ditch effort—but your most powerful tool for early reading success? In this episode, I sit down with Linsey, a school-based SLP who built a Tier 2 intervention program that’s catching struggling readers before they fall behind. Short, targeted, and backed by real results—you’re going to want to hear how she’s doing it.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• What makes most Tier 2 interventions ineffective—and how to fix it.
• A simple framework for high-impact small group instruction.
• The role of adaptive instruction and visual supports in closing gaps.
• How early data collection leads to better outcomes.
• Why collaboration across roles is the secret to success.

Show Links

Linsey's Website
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You know the type—students who can read every word but still have no idea what they just read. In this episode, literacy expert Dr. Tim Shanahan breaks down why this happens and what you can do about it. Get ready for myth-busting moments and practical tools you can use in your classroom tomorrow.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why kids who read fluently may still struggle to comprehend.
• The myth of “just right” texts—and what to do instead.
• How vocabulary, background knowledge, and morphology support comprehension.
• Sentence-by-sentence questioning that rewires student focus.
• Writing and read-aloud strategies that strengthen understanding.

Show Links

Shanahan on Literacy Blog
"Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives" by Dr. Tim Shanahan
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Have you ever wondered why there is a silent W in the word two? In this episode, we explore a surprisingly powerful concept that helps students unlock word meaning just by noticing how a word is spelled. It is called a phonestheme, and once you understand it, you will start seeing these hidden clues everywhere.

We look at how sound clusters like TW, GL, and SN give hints about a word’s meaning and how this awareness helps students become more confident readers. You will also learn how to introduce these ideas in your classroom in a simple and meaningful way without needing a special curriculum or extra prep.

This episode connects spelling, meaning, and morphology in a way that is fun, easy to apply, and deeply engaging for young learners.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• How the word "two" evolved and what its spelling reveals.
• What phonesthemes are and how they work across many English words.
• Why this awareness supports vocabulary growth and decoding.
• How to introduce these concepts in early elementary classrooms using natural conversations.

Show Links

Phonesthemes Chart
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Teaching students how to read longer words shouldn’t feel like a lesson in rule-breaker management. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Devin Kearns, a leading researcher in early literacy, who shares a simpler, more flexible way to teach multisyllabic word reading—without relying on confusing syllable rules that don’t always work. If you’ve ever watched your students freeze at the sight of a longer word, this conversation is going to change the way you teach.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why traditional syllable division rules fall apart in real classrooms.
• Two simple principles to make decoding multisyllabic words easier.
• A step-by-step strategy that helps students self-correct when decoding.
• How to help students feel confident—even when their first try isn’t perfect.
• Why it’s okay to let go of perfection and focus on flexibility.

Show Links

Devin Kearns Website / Phinder
How Many Syllables?
Differentiation Podcast Episode
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Can kids really build phonological awareness by pretending to sell you a $1 million cup of ice cream? According to literacy expert Beck Goodman… yes! In this episode, we’re unpacking how to teach phonological awareness through play—with fun, simple strategies that actually work.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The spectrum of play-based learning—and where structured lessons fit in.
• Easy phonological awareness games using sensory bins, storytelling, and locks!
• What to do when your kids get wiggly, distracted, or “misbehave.”
• How to partner with families to build early literacy skills at home.
• Why modeling sounds (even silly ones) is your most powerful teaching tool.

Show Links

Beck Goodman Website / Instagram / TikTok
Willoughby Wallaby Woo
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Burned out by the system but still love teaching? You don’t have to choose between your passion and your peace. In this episode, you’ll hear how Joy Anderson went from stay-at-home mom with no income to thriving preschool founder—and how you can turn your own living room into a flexible, fulfilling preschool too.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The moment Joy realized she had to create a new future for her kids—and herself.
• How she launched her first preschool using just her living room and kitchen table.
• Why so many teachers are trading the classroom for something better.
• The exact first steps to take if you want to start your own preschool.
• How to overcome fear and finally take action on the dream tugging at your heart.

Show Links

"Start Your Preschool" by Joy Anderson
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How do you really know if what you’re teaching in reading is actually helping kids grow?

If you’ve ever finished a lesson wondering, “Is this even working?” — this episode is for you. We're diving into how to use student data to take the guesswork out of reading instruction and make sure every moment you teach counts.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The 3 types of assessments that show you what’s working (and what’s not).
• How to use student data to plan smarter, faster reading lessons.
• Why guessing is the #1 time-waster in reading instruction.
• How to group students without 25 different lesson plans.
• What to do when your curriculum isn’t delivering results.

Show Links

Assessment Pack
Progress Monitoring Tool
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