51. Rethinking Sight Words with Pryor Rayburn, Orton Gillingham Mama

In this episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle sits down with THE Orton Gillingham Mama, Pryor Rayburn to take a deep dive into the hot-button world of sight words and high-frequency word instruction.Pryor busts through common myths, clears up confusing terminology, and explores brain-based practices for teaching high frequency words through the lens of orthographic mapping. Whether you’ve relied on word lists, flashcards, or shape-based strategies in the past, this conversation will help you rethink your approach with evidence and intention.Key Takeaways:What sight words, high-frequency words, heart words, and red words really meanWhy memorization isn’t the goal—and how orthographic mapping is the keyHow to move beyond visual memory and shape-based cuesThe missing pieces in popular “heart word” methods—and how to fix themHow to anchor meaning, teach irregular spellings, and bring context to every wordClassroom-ready routines and tweaks for kinder through upper elementaryResources Mentioned:Pryor’s Free Sight Words QuizPryor’s Sight Words Course: How to Quickly Teach (and Master) Sight WordsConnect with Pryor Rayburn:Website: www.OrtonGillinghamMama.comInstagram: @OrtonGillinghamMamaEmail: Pryor@OrtonGillinghamMamaConnect with Michelle:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos LiveMentioned in this episode:Reading Science AcademyGet your FREE grouping resource bundle here: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/groupingsheets?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=podcast Join The Reading Science Academy: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/register?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=literacy-in-colorSOR Summer Book StudyJoin us: https://colorful-classroom.mykajabi.com/sor-summer-book-study-2026