Literacy Lunch Break

Series 4, Episode 4: Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Christine Quesada, the Assistant Director of Literacy and Humanities at the New Mexico Public Education Department. Christine shares her expertise on leading literacy instruction from a statewide perspective, discussing key initiatives, effective leadership strategies, and the vital support systems in place for educators...

Series 4, Episode 3: Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Carrie Willer, the Director of Elementary Education (5K-6) at Appleton School District, the sixth largest district in Wisconsin. Carrie shares her expertise on how effective school leadership can drive literacy instruction, fostering a love for reading and learning in young students. We discuss the strategies Appleton uses...

Series 4, Episode 2: Join us for a conversation about literacy instruction with Shanna Beber, Executive Director of Literacy at the Louisiana Department of Education. Shanna shares her journey and commitment to education, along with Louisiana's initiatives to enhance literacy instruction. Explore how the department supports educators through innovative programs and professional development op...

Series 4, Episode 1: Join us for a dynamic Literacy Lunch Break episode with Dr. Ernesto Ortiz, Jr., as we dive into the transformative power of literacy leadership. Dr. Ortiz shares his expertise on district-wide literacy initiatives, the role of leadership in driving literacy change in elementary schools, and strategies for supporting educators. Discover how educational leaders are addressing ch...

Join us for an engaging episode of our podcast, where Stefanie Tenenbaum, an experienced classroom teacher, shares insights into small group literacy instruction and student engagement. Stefanie walks us through the logistics of a typical day of small group instruction, discussing decision-making processes, fluid group dynamics, and data-driven adjustments.  As a current teacher, she offers practi...

One shift as we rethink small group instruction is the amount of time students spend in a group. Previously, we would often "re-group" students according to a specific timeframe. Perhaps every 4-6 weeks. We realize now that true differentiation requires groups to be fluid. One key component to fluidity is considering how long skills take to learn and how complex they are. Katherine Dough...

Join our latest episode featuring Shawn Toy, an Orton–Gillingham certified K-3 Reading Intervention Teacher, who brings a wealth of insights and knowledge to the table. Explore the world of data-driven instruction and gather strategies for small-group literacy planning. Follow Shawn on Instagram:  @learningalatteinfirst Learn more about Heggerty!  Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to downl...

In this episode, we continue to explore life beyond guided reading. Join us as Jamey Peavler, instructor in the Reading Science program at Mount St. Joseph University, shares her insights on how to maximize small group, targeted instruction for foundational skills.   Learn more about Heggerty!  Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.  Follow us on Social Me...

Join us for Series 3 of Literacy Lunch Break, where we dive into the journey of replacing guided reading with powerful small-group instruction. In Series 2, we explored shifting literacy practices and advocating for a structured literacy approach. As educators reflect and transition, the question arises: "So, what happens to guided reading?" Discover the answers in our upcoming discussio...

In this enlightening podcast episode, we dive into the world of structured literacy and its profound impact on English language learners and bilingual students. Join us as we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Lucia Rocha-Nestler, an expert in the field of biliteracy education. Explore the transformative power of the science of reading and discover how it fosters equity and empowers s...

Our guest for this episode is Lindsay Kemeny, a dedicated teacher, parent, and author who understands the power of structured literacy firsthand. Lindsay shares stories from the classroom, discussing the challenges and successes of implementing structured literacy techniques. Join us as we uncover practical strategies for teachers and gain insight into how classroom experiences can drive meaningfu...

Equity within Literacy Instruction: In this episode, we engage with Naomi O'Brien, a prominent education influencer and literacy advocate. We discuss how educators can use their online presence and influence to champion the cause of structured literacy. From social media to community engagement, learn how Naomi is mobilizing a network of educators to raise awareness and drive change in litera...

In this episode of Literary Lunch Break, we sit down with Brent Conway, an instructional leader with a passion for effective literacy instruction. We dive into the crucial role assistant superintendents play in shaping curriculum decisions, resource allocation, and policy changes. Join us as we explore Brent Conway's insights on advocating for structured literacy to ensure strong foundations...

In this exciting episode, we continue our discussion with decodable book author Cheryl Allison. Cheryl shares her expertise, providing valuable insights on what specific traits to look for when selecting decodable texts. Gain a clearer understanding of the key characteristics that contribute to the success of decodable texts in supporting reading development. Learn more about Heggerty!  Visit Hegg...

Join us in Episode 5 as we delve into the diverse range of decodable texts and explore how they can be effectively matched to the appropriate stage or phase of reading. Gain valuable insights into the varying levels of decodability and learn strategies for selecting decodable texts that align with learners' needs. Learn more about Heggerty!  Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to downlo...

Join us for Episode 6 of Literacy Lunch Break as we have an insightful conversation with Amanda Hager, an Orton-Gillingham certified Reading Interventionist. Amanda shares her journey from being a classroom teacher to a literacy coach and ultimately becoming a reading interventionist. She discusses the importance of phonemic awareness in reading instruction and the need to adapt teaching methods t...

In Episode 7 of the Literacy Lunch Break, we continue our conversation with Amanda Hager, a reading interventionist who reveals her effective approach to using district materials in small group instruction to support reading intervention. Amanda shares her insights on how to leverage benchmarking assessments to identify students' needs, tailor instruction accordingly, and integrate phonemic a...

Join our host, Marjorie Bottari, on this episode of Literacy Lunch Break as we dive into the world of decodable texts and leveled readers. As you tune in, Marjorie will guide you through the definitions of decodable texts and leveled readers, providing an in-depth understanding of each. Marjorie also shares insight into the unique roles decodable texts and leveled readers play within the context o...

In this podcast episode, host Marjorie Bottari welcomes Cheryl Allison, a decodable book author, to discuss the importance of using decodable texts when teaching foundational reading skills to students. Cheryl shares her personal experiences with delayed reading and her journey to becoming an author of decodable texts. They discuss the significance of making decodable texts engaging and why decodi...

Join us as we explore the essential elements of "quality" decodable texts. Discover a comprehensive checklist and valuable insights to guide your selection of decodable texts. Unlock the secrets to finding decodable texts that effectively support early literacy instruction and empower learners on their reading journey. Learn more about Heggerty!  Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and...

Welcome to the Literacy Lunch Break, a Heggerty podcast that brings you quick and insightful episodes on literacy topics, designed to be easily consumed during your lunch break. Join our host, Marjorie Bottari, as she guides you through the journey of enhancing literacy instruction in a snack-sized format.  Learn more about Heggerty!  Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples o...