The Teachers Talk Shop Podcast

Understanding the evolving research about how children learn is critical in bolstering reading success. Dr. Rachael Gabriel and Dr. Peter Afflerbach discuss the intersection of The Sciences of Reading and motivation, engagement, and self-efficacy and how it informs best instructional practices. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

During challenging times, joyful stories are more important than ever.  Christine Taylor-Butler, author of more than 80 books and stories for young people, shares the importance of positive stories that affirm identity and provide uplifting experiences.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

When we simplify writing instruction it becomes joyful, meaningful and deeply fulfilling for everyone involved. Patty McGee, author of ‘Writer’s Workshop Made Simple: 7 Essentials for Every Classroom and Every Writer,’ shares some of the best ways for teachers to support writers in the classroom. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

What can we do to meet the needs of newcomer students in our schools? Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes discusses how to create welcoming environments for these students, from better understanding their unique needs to building their social-emotional and academic confidence to support impactful learning. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Restorative practitioner Steve Fiedeldy joins Patty McGee to discuss the importance of understanding and addressing trauma in an educational community. Discover practical strategies rooted in restorative practices to support the mental health of students, educators, and communities. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

The Science of Reading refers to a much-discussed body of research around how students learn to read. But what could be missing from the conversation? Dr. Peter Afflerbach discusses broadening our view of the science available to inform the instruction of developing readers—from phonics and phonemic awareness to metacognition, motivation and self-efficacy. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

What is agency? And how is it supported by engagement in the classroom? Co-authors of WIRE for Agency, Jean Hayhurst and Jill DeRosa, join Patty McGee to define these terms, discuss how embracing active learning makes an impact in the classroom, and offer tips to help empower students to grow and thrive. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Leah Mermelstein, author of ‘"We-Do" Writing: Maximizing Practice to Develop Independent Writers, talks with author and educator Patty McGee about how collaboration between educators and students boosts student confidence, and maximizes effective instructional time. Discover tips for implementing different types of collaborative writing successfully—in the beginning of the school year and beyond. 

Author / educator Patty McGee and writer / social activist Lena Schmidt explore the work of creating spaces that affirm the identities of LGBTQIA+ students within the classroom, the school, and the community. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Dr. Margarita Calderón discusses best practices for vocabulary development for newcomers and other multilingual learners. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Literacy expert C.C. Bates, author of Interactive Writing: Developing Readers Through Writing, talks with author and educator Patty McGee about how teachers use Interactive Writing and how they can do it better, in-person or virtually. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com . 

What voices and gendered perspectives do students experience in your classroom? How can you develop a more inclusive teaching practice? Author and educator Patty McGee and Maria Campanario, National Equity Consultant in Professional Development for Benchmark Education, explore a process for discovering and amplifying the voices, stories and histories of women within your curriculum. Learn more at...

Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent of Ithaca City School District, shares his insights on the process, the pedagogies and the necessity of implementing culturally responsive teaching practices and how they can transform an educational community. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Dr. Jan Hasbrouck describes the latest research on dyslexia, its early warning signs, and what families and educators can do to support success with structured literacy, multimodal experiences, and social-emotional support. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Dr. Jan Hasbrouck defines dyslexia, clears up common misconceptions, and shares why this topic matters so much to her and should matter to everyone, in every school.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Patty McGee taught daily lessons for 9 weeks on the Benchmark Distance Learning - Literacy Block Facebook group. In this episode she talks about that experience and how it changed her teaching. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Patty McGee talks with reading expert Laura Robb about making the space, time, and commitment to independent reading. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com .

Patty McGee talks with teacher and author Travis Crowder about practical ways to invite students to notice their every day worlds. Through observing, reflecting, and writing, each of us can recognize how much the ordinary things around us sustain us. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

When it comes to online teaching, it’s about connection, not perfection. Patty McGee and Julie Wright discuss how to prepare for daily online instruction and offer teachers advice on distance learning, Spoiler alert: simplicity is key. For more information, please visit TeachersTalkShop.com .

Patty McGee and Dr. Adria Klein discuss how teachers and home-schooling parents can keep read alouds simple and instructionally effective while bringing the joy into reading with children. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

Dr. Daniella Lukashok shares practical advice for teachers about supporting themselves, their loved ones, and their students during this period of social distancing and isolation. Learn more at TeacherTalkShop.com .

Teaching reading is one of the best gifts we can give a child because it can never be taken away. No wonder people get so whipped up about this topic. In this podcast, Wiley Blevins brings a calm voice to the hubbub about the Science of Reading, revealing how every educator can use its findings to meet the majority of young students’ literacy needs efficiently, effectively, and with equity. The be...

Teachers need easy-to-use, efficient ways to check for mastery so students’ understanding builds swiftly and surely.  In this podcast, Wiley Blevins explains the wisdom of assessing both accuracy and automaticity, and the how-to's of comprehensive and cumulative assessments.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

In this podcast, Wiley Blevins explains why explicit, systematic instruction is not only scientifically proven, but easier for teachers to implement than other approaches. Discover the power behind a defined scope and sequence, a built-In spiral review, and how to differentiate instruction in whole and small groups. Learn more at Teacherstalkshop.com .

Not all decodables are created equal. In this podcast, Wiley Blevins explains why these books got a bad rap, how to find great ones, and what teachers can do with them to give Kindergarteners and first graders practice reading connected text and application to writing. More at TeachersTalkShop.com . Produced by Benchmark Education.