Literacy Matters: Empowered Conversations

In this episode of Literacy Matters: Empowered Conversations, Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift welcomes Sara Marye of the Stellar Teacher Company to explore how educators can balance phonics and comprehension, support COVID-era learners, and build strong writing foundations. They discuss practical routines, sentence-level instruction, and integrating literacy across subjects. It’s real talk for teachers navigating today’s busy classrooms.

In part two of their conversation, Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift and Joan Sedita dive deeper into the Writing Rope framework, offering practical strategies for K–6 writing instruction. From Play-Doh activities to sentence work and paragraph structure, this episode explores how to build confident writers across all stages.

Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift interviews Joan Sedita about her Writing Rope framework, emphasizing explicit writing instruction, integrating reading and writing, and supporting students with practical strategies to build confident, proficient writers across diverse learning needs.

In this energizing episode, Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift chats with literacy expert Malia Hollowell about turning the science of reading into daily classroom practice. From phonics to Play-Doh, Malia shares brain-friendly strategies, practical tools, and ways to engage every reader. Whether you're just getting started or ready to level up, this episode offers smart, actionable insights to help every student thrive.

Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift and Amy Siracuscano examine the simple view of reading and the not so simple view of writing. The conversation highlights the differences between the Simple View of Reading and the Not So Simple View of Writing. Amy shares practical strategies for teaching writing and the need for data-driven decision-making in literacy instruction. She also underscores the significance of fine motor skills and cursive writing in developing strong literacy foundations. The interview provides valuable insights and actionable advice for educators to enhance their writing instruction and support student success.

Dr. Anna Taboada Barber explores the cognitive and motivational factors affecting reading comprehension in linguistically diverse students. She highlights challenges bilingual learners face and emphasizes executive functioning, oral language development, and culturally relevant teaching. Advocating for bilingualism as an asset, she encourages family support for first-language literacy and strategic classroom instruction. Dr. Barber shares practical strategies to boost confidence, engagement, and comprehension, reinforcing the importance of choice, discussion, and meaningful learning opportunities.

Small-group instruction is a powerful tool for literacy, but how can educators make it truly effective? In this episode of Literacy Matters, Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift and literacy expert Alison Ryan explore best practices for balancing whole-group and small-group instruction, using data to form flexible reading groups, and scaffolding effectively. With a focus on quality over quantity, Alison shares practical strategies to help teachers refine their approach and maximize student success.

In this episode of Literacy Matters: Empowered Conversations, Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift speaks with Dr. Denise Donica and Dr. Peter Giroux about the overlooked role of handwriting in literacy. They discuss why just 10 minutes a day can improve student success, how handwriting connects to the science of reading, and why cursive can be a game-changer for struggling writers. Plus, they break down the key differences between dysgraphia and dyslexia and what educators and parents can do to help.

Dr. Carolyn Strom is a clinical professor, reading specialist, and former first-grade teacher. She collaborates widely with school districts, teachers, pediatricians, and tech companies to bridge the disconnect between neuroscientific research and educational practice. Dr. Strom is a recent recipient of NYU Steinhardt's Teaching Excellence Award and has published her work in The Reading Teacher, The Reading League Journal, and The Handbook of Learning Disabilities. She maintains a clinical practice in New York working with children who have dyslexia.

Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. Dr. Ness has extensive experience in reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction. She provided literacy leadership for nationally recognized literacy non-profits, as well as major educational publishers. IG: a_reading_mother Twitter @drmollyness

Spencer Russell, founder of Toddlers CAN Read, shares his journey from struggling reader to literacy leader. He highlights the crucial role parents play in teaching reading and offers practical, data-driven strategies for creating engaging literacy experiences at home. Empower your approach to early reading with Spencer's expert tips!

Dr. Chase Young, an award-winning literacy expert, reveals the power of "synergistic instruction" by blending phonics, creativity, and content learning. Discover his secrets to crafting engaging and effective lessons that captivate students and cater to their needs and interests. Learn practical strategies to transform your literacy instruction today.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Melanie R. Kuhn from Purdue University who shares insights on reading fluency. She discusses its role in the Science of Reading and offers practical strategies like repeated reading and scaffolding techniques. This episode is a must-listen for educators and families aiming to help students become confident, fluent readers.

Dr. Karen R. Harris, Regents Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University, unveils the secrets behind Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) and its transformative impact on student writing. Dr. Harris shares practical tips for educators to tackle current challenges and build a supportive writing community.

Leah Mermelstein, literacy expert and author, explores the vital roles of encoding and decoding in our latest episode. She discusses the impact of phonics in classrooms and the importance of balanced literacy instruction.

Maya Payne Smart, a literacy advocate and author, emphasizes family engagement and strong school-family partnerships as crucial for early literacy development. She highlights interactions and community support as key strategies for parents to nurture proficient readers.

Kareem Weaver, Co-Founder of FULCRUM, shares insights into championing children's literacy through the Science of Reading.

Dr. Tim Shanahan shares insights on using grade-level texts to elevate reading instruction and meet diverse learning challenges.

Drs. Christina Bretz and Suzanne Asherson advocate for cursive writing's role in modern education, emphasizing its lifelong benefits.

Dr. Shayne Piasta breaks down alphabetic knowledge teaching, focusing on the sequence and pacing of letter learning.

Tim Cusack and Vince Bustamante outline pathways to leadership in education, highlighting mentorship's role in developing school leaders.

Keisha Smith-Carrington discusses boosting literacy and self-worth by connecting emotionally with students.

Dr. Gravity Goldberg reveals how embracing student challenges fosters independence, shifting the teaching paradigm.

Kelly Cartwright and Leah Mermelstein explore the multifaceted process of reading, aligning teaching with the science of reading.

Lester Laminack shares the power of read-alouds to bolster comprehension, detailing three strategic approaches for educators.

Discover the impact of language on children's thinking and learning with Lily Howard Scott's transformative phrases.

Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey dive into effective scaffolding techniques to build reading confidence and independence.

Dana Clark explores how picture books foster comprehension and empathy, enhancing students' reading experiences.

Dr. Eliza Braden discusses "revolutionary love" in teaching, offering strategies for creating an inclusive, supportive classroom culture.

Leslie Zoroya emphasizes the vital role of families in literacy, sharing ways to extend learning beyond the classroom.

Uncover methods to maximize the impact of literacy coaches in enhancing educational experiences with Leslie Zoroya.

Learn the pivotal role of paraprofessionals in literacy success and strategies for strengthening school-to-home connections.

Discover how to optimize your literacy block with Leslie Zoroya's strategies for maximizing instructional time and effectiveness.

Leslie Zoroya and Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift discuss transitioning to structured literacy for enhanced learning outcomes in this season opener.

Dr. Miriam Ortiz provides strategies for addressing diverse student learning needs, ensuring every child finds success in the classroom.

Pam Koutrakos unveils the art of interactive read-alouds to boost comprehension and conversation skills, offering tips for engaging sessions.

Join Michelle Paster for insights into executive functioning, offering strategies for better organization and impulse control.

Michelle Paster, M.A., the executive director of LearningWorks, joins Cheryl to address the impact of disrupted learning on reading comprehension and visual strategies that can help your students get back on track.

Patty McGee unveils the power of mini-lessons in enhancing literacy instruction with simple, supportive steps.

Learn from Dr. Julia Lindsey about maximizing decodable texts in the classroom to boost word recognition and fluency.

Dr. Miriam Ortiz, owner and chief consultant of K12 Matters, sits with Cheryl to share advice for making the start of the school year a success. Hear tips for setting clear objectives, using formative assessments at the beginning and throughout the year, and targeting your instruction to the needs of your classroom.

Kathleen Mohr discusses the significance of handwriting fluency in early literacy development, drawing on her extensive educational experience.

Dive into foundational literacy principles with C.C. Bates, focusing on teaching young learners to decode and comprehend text.

Dr. Nancy Akhavan shares insights on integrating phonics with reading instruction to enhance student engagement and literacy development.

Dr. Nancy Akhavan shares insights on integrating phonics with reading instruction to enhance student engagement and literacy development.

On this episode of Literacy Matters, Cheryl Lundy Swift connects with Dr. Ortiz, owner and chief consultant of K12 Matters. Dr. Ortiz has helped countless schools and organizations incorporate evidence-based practices into their curricula and achieve positive educational outcomes for learners of all backgrounds.