Texas Reading Teacher

In an era when many states struggle to lift reading achievement, one state has captured national attention for its remarkable progress. Mississippi, once ranked near the bottom in national reading scores, has transformed its literacy outcomes through determination, structured teaching, and an unwavering belief in the power of effective instruction. This transformation is now widely known as the Mi...

Turn Your Commute Into a Classroom on Wheels Long car rides can be more than just a way to get from one place to another, they’re the perfect opportunity to sneak in some literacy learning. Whether you’re heading to school, on a road trip, or just running errands, car time is a great time to boost reading skills through simple and fun games. Here are some engaging, low-prep  reading games  that bu...

Don’t Skip the Bedtime Story!  Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think Bedtime stories may seem like a sweet ritual, a way to end the day with calm and connection. But did you know those few quiet minutes of reading before sleep can actually have a lifelong impact on your child’s development? Here’s why it’s worth making bedtime reading a daily habit: 1. It Builds Vocabulary and Language Skills...

It’s a phrase many parents hear at some point: “Reading is boring.” If your child has said this, you’re not alone. But do not panic. This is not a sign that you have failed as a parent or that your child will never enjoy books. In fact, this moment can open the door to better understanding your child’s reading experience and needs. Reading is not boring. But for many children, reading the wrong bo...

Creating a home where reading and learning are part of everyday life can set your child up for long-term success. A literacy-rich environment encourages curiosity, builds vocabulary, and supports strong reading habits, no matter your child’s age or reading level. Here are simple and effective ways to turn your home into a place where literacy thrives. 1. Make Books Accessible Keep books in every r...

Understanding the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics is essential for both parents and educators working to build strong, confident readers. Though these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different but equally important components of early literacy. Phonemic Awareness: Hearing Sounds in Spoken Language Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipu...

Reading is more than just sounding out letters on a page. At the heart of skilled reading lies a remarkable mental process called  orthographic mapping . Though it may sound complex, it’s actually a straightforward and essential function that helps children move from slow, effortful decoding to fluent, automatic reading. What is Orthographic Mapping? Orthographic mapping is the mental process we u...

Reading may seem automatic to skilled readers, but under the surface, it’s one of the most complex tasks the human brain performs. When a child learns to read, or when an adult reads silently or aloud, the brain activates multiple regions across both hemispheres in a tightly coordinated sequence. Understanding this process helps both educators and parents support developing readers more effectivel...

If your child is learning to read and stumbles on a word, you might feel the urge to jump in and help by saying the word for them. While this instinct is natural, giving away the word too quickly can take away a valuable learning opportunity. Helping your child decode tricky words without giving them the answer builds confidence, improves reading fluency, and strengthens early literacy skills. Her...

If you’ve ever wondered whether listening to an audiobook “counts” as reading, you’re not alone. Some parents question whether their child is truly benefiting from audiobooks the same way they would from traditional reading. The answer is yes, listening to audiobooks does count as reading, and it offers real academic and cognitive benefits. Audiobooks Build Language and Vocabulary Skills Audiobook...

Is your child really reading, or are they just guessing? In this episode, we uncover why relying on pictures, first letters, or context clues might seem helpful but actually holds children back from becoming confident readers. You will learn: The common guessing strategies children use and why they don’t build real reading skills. How decoding and phonics, not guessing, strengthen the brain for fl...

Unlock the secret ingredient to reading success long before your child picks up a book. In this episode, we explore phonological awareness —the critical pre-reading skill that research shows is one of the strongest predictors of later reading achievement. You will learn: What phonological awareness is and how it differs from phonics. The progression of skills from rhyming and syllables to phonemic...

What exactly is a phonics scope and sequence, and why is it so essential for effective reading instruction? In this episode, we walk through a clear guide to phonics scope and sequence, authored by Texas Reading Teacher MaryEllen Gibson. You will learn: What a phonics scope and sequence is and how it functions as a blueprint for literacy instruction. The core components, from letter-sound knowledg...

What is the difference between sight words and high-frequency words, and why does it matter for early reading instruction? In this episode, we break down these two often-confused terms and explain their unique roles in literacy development. You will learn: What high-frequency words are and why lists like Dolch and Fry remain foundational for beginning readers. What sight words really mean and how...

Why do some students struggle to read fluently, while others can decode words but miss the meaning entirely? In this episode of the Texas Reading Teacher podcast, we explore the four most common types of reading challenges: dyslexia, specific comprehension difficulties, hyperlexia, and mixed reading challenges. You’ll learn how each type affects learners in different ways, how to spot the signs, a...

Less Screen, More Story: Why Emerging Readers Need Tech Breaks In this episode of Texas Reading Teacher , we explore the impact of screen time on early literacy development. While technology has its place, too much of it can hinder critical reading skills like attention, vocabulary, and comprehension. We'll break down what the research says about young readers and tech use, share practical tip...

Why do we keep telling kids to "sound it out"? Because it works—and science backs it up. In this episode, we break down the brain science behind sounding out words and explain why this simple, time-tested strategy helps children become confident, fluent readers. You’ll learn: 🔤 What happens in the brain during decoding 📚 Why sounding out supports orthographic mapping 👂 How to help your child or...