Connect Through Reading: Empowering Inclusion in Small Literacy with Dr. Denae Lawson

In this Literacy Connect podcourse, we feature Dr. Denae Lawson’s presentation on evidence-based small-group literacy instruction, differentiation, support for emergent literacy and at-risk populations, and strategies for bilingual/multilingual learners. Denae, a K–2 reading specialist and former literacy interventionist, explains science of reading practices including word mapping (Elkonin boxes), heart words for high-frequency words, oral blending and segmenting, and the importance of spelling. She outlines a 20-minute small-group routine (fluency, blending, segmenting/encoding, student-centered decodable reading, and writing response) with strong management, seating, and accountability. Denae also describes differentiating by tier, prioritizing quality over quantity and maintaining grade-level exposure, and recommends relationship-building, background knowledge/vocabulary development, book access, and home supports like captions.