SMARTER Literacy

In this episode of the SMARTER Literacy Podcast, we dive into the sometimes chaotic world of Tier 2 literacy instruction. If you're working with limited time and diverse student needs, this conversation offers a practical approach to designing a simple, systematic, and effective scope and sequence. Whether you're operating in a push-in or pull-out model, you'll learn how to make the most of e...

In this episode of the SMARTER Literacy Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest challenges in education: making the science of reading actually work in Tier 1 instruction. Whether you're a classroom teacher or a literacy leader, this episode will help you build a Tier 1 block that’s not only effective but sustainable. You’ll walk away with a clear roadmap for balancing whole group instruction, small...

Are you teaching Tier 1, 2, or 3 instruction — or some blend of all three? In this episode, we break down what the tiers of literacy instruction really mean and why it’s essential to align your strategies with the setting and support your students are receiving. Whether you’re in a classroom, intervention setting, special education, or private practice, this episode gives you clarity on how to mak...

In this episode, we get real about what it’s like to start in literacy intervention without having to know EVERYTHING about literacy education. Mikayla shares her journey of jumping in, learning on the go, and discovering how to adapt instruction to meet students’ individual needs. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, underprepared, or unsure where to start, this conversation is for you...

In this episode, we share the story behind the creation of the SMARTER Intervention Summit. If you've ever walked away from professional development feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, you're not alone. The team dives into why traditional PD often falls short—and how the Summit was intentionally designed to offer educators something different: real strategies, authentic community, and an action p...

What's one of the best ways to keep your kids engaged and learning over the summer? In this bonus episode, we discuss book clubs! Whether you're an educator looking for summer teaching strategies or a parent aiming to keep your child's mind active, this episode offers valuable tips and insights to make your book club a success - whether over the summer or any time of year! 📖 Use the links be...

Join us as we explore building a literacy business and discuss Ascend's origin story. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established educator looking to expand your impact, this episode offers valuable lessons and encouragement for your journey. From the initial spark of wanting more autonomy and creativity to making the leap to starting a business, hear firsthand how trust and hard wor...

In Episode 3, we discussed the importance of language comprehension instruction as part of the literacy intervention process.  Today, we wanted to share our vocabulary framework to help you incorporate vocabulary instruction in a fun and engaging way for your students. B y the end of this bonus episode, you will be ready to try out the vocabulary framework with your students. You can d ownloa...

There are many misconceptions about whether or not you can teach comprehension explicitly. Many of us have been told that the only way to teach comprehension is to build background knowledge and/or through strategies like rote memorization, or vocabulary flashcards. In this episode of SMARTER Literacy, we discuss how You CAN teach comprehension strategies to your students! We will be going over th...

In Episode 2, we discussed the importance of word recognition and decoding instruction across the grade levels as part of the literacy intervention process. Today, we share a quick tip to help you incorporate more of that word recognition instruction in a fun and engaging way for your students. By the end of this episode, we hope you will be willing to try out a spicy sound drill with your student...

One of the challenges was managing the information overload in order to familiarize ourselves with research-based literacy instruction. Today, we'll break down the research to make it a bit more manageable. This insightful discussion sheds light on the crucial aspects often overlooked in literacy instruction, such as the importance of phonics, the role of language comprehension and vocabulary, exe...

In Episode 1, we introduced the 4 phases of literacy instruction - familiarize, systematize, optimize, and generalize. Today's bonus episode includes a quick tip that will help support the Familiarize phase of the journey - which, as we discussed in Episode 1, is the first step of literacy instruction and sometimes the most overwhelming. By the end of this bonus episode, we want you to feel confid...

What's the best way to overcome the challenges of teaching literacy? Discover the insights and strategies from educators who have navigated the complexities of the literacy journey. This podcast explores the significant challenges educators face, from understanding how students learn to adapting curricula to meet diverse needs. Learn about the importance of a structured curriculum, the power of co...

Introducing the SMARTER Literacy Podcast by SMARTER Intervention Join hosts Lindsey Buck and Corey Pollard as they explore transformative strategies and insights needed to enhance your teaching approach. Each episode will be packed with actionable advice, from implementing research-based literacy instruction to tailoring your approach to meet the diverse needs of your students. We will also dive i...