SMARTER Literacy

What does literacy intervention look like when your students are spread across microschools, homeschool co-ops, and even another continent? In this literacy chat, we sit down with Rosemary, a licensed educator and educational therapist who has built a flexible, thriving practice that serves learners in person, online, and everywhere in between. Rosemary talks about the challenge of finding a progr...

What happens when a speech-language pathologist with hundreds of hours of literacy training still can't find a curriculum that pulls it all together? In this literacy chat, we sit down with Vicki, an SLP whose career has taken her from Alaska to Virginia, and from the schools to a private practice she's built entirely on her own terms. Vicki talks honestly about the gap between having the training...

What does literacy intervention look like when you start from scratch, in a studio with mini trampolines, and a background in law? In this first literacy chat, Lindsey sits down with Natalie, co-founder of Hidden Key Literacy Specialists on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Natalie's path to literacy work was anything but traditional, and that's exactly what makes her perspective so wor...

Something a little different is coming to the Smarter Literacy Podcast this summer. Over the next several weeks, we're stepping back from our regular format to share something we think you really enjoy right now: real conversations from real educators who are doing this work every single day. These literacy chats feature interventionists, SLPs, classroom teachers, and school leaders from our SMART...

Fluency is often reduced to words-per-minute scores, but strong readers do much more than read quickly. In this episode, we discuss what fluency actually means and why speed alone doesn’t lead to comprehension. We share simple strategies that help students read in phrases, attend to punctuation, and sound more like natural speakers. The focus shifts from racing through text to reading wi...

Editing often gets treated like the quick final step in writing, but in reality, it’s where the real work begins. In this episode, we unpack why students rush through editing, what they actually need to become stronger writers, and how teachers can make editing meaningful instead of overwhelming. We share practical strategies that help students slow down, build stamina, and learn how to truly refi...

In this episode, we explore why students often struggle with longer-form writing like paragraphs and essays, and how those struggles usually show up as either “stream of consciousness” writing or rigid, rubric-driven writing. We break down why both challenges often come from the same root problem: students haven’t learned a clear planning process for writing. You’ll hear practical strategies for t...

In this episode, we explore why teaching spelling patterns and grammar rules alone does not always translate into stronger student writing. We discuss how simple sentence routines can help students move from memorizing rules to actually thinking through and constructing their own sentences independently. You’ll hear practical strategies for guiding students through sentence structure, editing, and...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most common challenges in literacy instruction: teaching reading comprehension effectively. We explore why isolated, skill-by-skill approaches (like spending a week on the main idea before moving on to inferences) often fail to stick with students. Instead, we should be building consistent comprehension routines. You'll walk away with a new way of thinkin...

In this episode, we take a closer look at how structured literacy principles can be applied flexibly to meet real classroom needs. We discuss what it means to thoughtfully bridge gaps for students who are close to grade-level expectations and how intentional routines can support skill development without overwhelming teachers or learners. 👉 If you’re looking for practical, research-based literacy...

Many students fall into the “messy middle” of literacy, needing more support than core instruction but not a full intensive intervention. In this episode, we walk through what a bridge intervention actually looks like, breaking down how structured literacy routines can be applied to real classroom content like science and social studies texts. You’ll hear how Fast 5 Literacy Lessons bring phonolog...

Many educators feel overwhelmed trying to support students who don’t clearly fit into traditional literacy intervention models. In this episode, we explore the “messy middle,” where structured literacy meets professional judgment, and why evidence-based instruction is both a science and an art.  ‍🎧 You’ll hear how a flexible bridging approach can help students who aren't quite ready for clas...

We break down how to use a simple five-step executive functioning framework with students to support focus, regulation, and task completion. You’ll learn practical ways to set clear goals, build attention stamina, create manageable plans, and reflect with students so learning feels calmer, more predictable, and more effective. 📚 Grab the FREE 5-Step Executive Functioning Routine ✨ Continue...

In this episode, we share a reflective approach to starting the new year (or at any time of the year!) using an executive functioning framework designed to create calm, clarity, and alignment. Instead of pushing harder, focus on setting intentions, regulating burnout, focusing your attention, and planning sustainably so you can show up with more energy and impact for your students and yoursel...

In this episode, we share simple, no-prep ways to bring games into your literacy lessons using simple materials like a whiteboard, a die, or a word list. Learn how to make reading practice more engaging, boost motivation, and hit multiple literacy skills, all without adding to your workload. Check out the games and additional training mentioned in this episode: 🎉  >>Literacy games...

In this episode, we share why games aren’t just for fun. They’re one of the most effective ways to teach, review, and differentiate literacy skills. Learn how to use games strategically within your lessons to boost engagement, build confidence, and make reading instruction more enjoyable for students and teachers alike. 💡Learn more about using games in your literacy instruction in the 5CCL S...

In this episode, we tackle one of the toughest moments in intervention: when you’ve been faithfully tracking progress, but the data just isn’t budging. We share how to recognize whether it’s a true trend or just an off day, and how to dig deeper when scores consistently stall. You’ll learn how to use the Simple View of Reading to diagnose whether the root issue is word recognition, language c...

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, we dive into progress monitoring - what it really is, why it matters, and how to make it part of everyday lessons without losing instructional time. We share practical strategies for tracking growth with simple tools like word lists and fluency passages, tips for writing clear goals, and ways to build data collection into your lesson flow. You’...

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast, we break down the difference between accommodations and modifications, two terms often misunderstood in education. They discuss why these supports matter, how to choose the right ones, and what changes when they’re implemented well. You’ll hear practical examples tied to student needs, strategies for making supports part of everyday classroom r...

We kick off Dyslexia Awareness Month by breaking down what dyslexia is and clearing up the most common myths. They share how it shows up across grade levels, what signs teachers can watch for, and practical strategies and accommodations that help students thrive. ➡️ Grab the Dyslexia Symptoms Checklist mentioned in the podcast:  https://smarterintervention.com/blog-highlights/dyslexia-sy...

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes to discuss the standardized assessments they rely on with students, from the WIAT and CTOP to the TOWRE and GORT. They share what each tool reveals about literacy skills, their strengths (and shortcomings), and how these assessments connect to the literacy processing triangle. You’ll also hear why no single test is enough, and how combining measu...

Feeling overwhelmed by student data? In this episode, we walk through a simple 7-step process to move from numbers on a page to meaningful instructional decisions. You’ll learn how to: Use screeners as a starting point Add context with quick observations Identify whether challenges stem from word recognition or comprehension Pinpoint specific skill gaps Summarize data into a clear student story Gr...

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast , we break down how to deliver effective literacy intervention for secondary students,  a topic that rarely gets the attention it deserves. Key Takeaways: Learn three instructional pathways Discover how to make lessons age-appropriate and engaging Get practical ideas for flexible lesson pacing and diagnostic instruction 🖥️ Continue learning...

In this episode, we break down the exact structure of a structured literacy lesson at the elementary level . If you’ve ever stared at a blank lesson plan wondering where to start, this episode gives you a step-by-step framework to follow. Key Takeaways: Understand the five key components of a structured literacy lesson Learn how to balance word recognition and language comprehension instructi...

In this episode of the Smarter Literacy Podcast , we discuss the process of delivering effective Tier Three literacy instruction without the overwhelm. Whether you're a special educator managing IEP goals or a private practitioner working one-on-one, this conversation will help you move from uncertainty to clarity. Key Takeaways: Understand the purpose and goals of Tier Three instruction...