58. Teaching Phonemic Awareness: A Guide for Educators with Dr. Jane Ashby

Phonemic awareness (PA) interestingly is one of the most debated areas of literacy instruction. Should it be taught with letters, without letters, or both? Which tasks matter most? And how much is enough?In this episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle sits down with Dr. Jane Ashby, professor, researcher, and first author of Teaching Phonemic Awareness in 2024: A Guide for Educators. This conversation brings clarity to the ongoing dialogue around PA instruction and the growing body of research that surrounds it.Key Takeaways:What phonemic awareness is (and how it differs from phonics)Signs that a student may need explicit PA instruction past first gradeWhy deletion and substitution tasks matter for striving readersTeaching PA with letters vs. without letters – and why asking “for whom” mattersHow to interpret recent meta-analyses A clear message (and one non-negotiable) that every teacher can take back to their classroomHelpful Resources:Teaching Phonemic Awareness in 2024: A Guide for Educators10 Maxims: What We've Learned So Far About How Children Learn to ReadConnect with Dr. Jane Ashby:Email: [email protected] 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:SOR Summer Book StudyJoin us: https://colorful-classroom.mykajabi.com/sor-summer-book-study-2026Reading 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-color