Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators

Michelle Sullivan • Literacy Coach & Science of Reading Advocate
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Literacy in Color is the go-to podcast for elementary teachers, literacy coaches, and reading interventionists who are passionate about bringing the Science of Reading to life in vibrant, engaging, and effective ways. Hosted by Michelle Sullivan — a seasoned literacy expert & Science of Reading advocate - with over a decade of experience as a reading interventionist & literacy coach — this show is designed to help you captivate your learners, boost reading fluency, and foster a deep understanding of language. Each week, you’ll discover practical tips, proven strategies, and creative ideas to make your literacy instruction colorful and impactful. From phonics and morphology to vocabulary building and comprehension techniques, we’ll explore the full spectrum of evidence-based practices that support all learners on their journey to becoming confident readers. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, “Literacy in Color” will empower you with the tools, inspiration, and know-how to make literacy instruction not just effective, but truly unforgettable. Are you ready to teach colorfully? Hit subscribe and join us each week for a splash of fun, insight, and colorful learning. Connect with me on Instagram @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom for more tips, resources, and community!

  1. 93. Foundations for Life with Lyn Stone, Lifelong Literacy

    1 DAY AGO

    93. Foundations for Life with Lyn Stone, Lifelong Literacy

    We hear an awful lot about the importance of foundational literacy skills, but exactly belongs in that foundation? Educational linguist and author Lyn Stone discusses her newest resource: Foundations for Life — a structured literacy intervention manual designed for educators, interventionists, and parents supporting developing readers and writers. Lyn also shares her thoughts on the Science of Reading movement and considerations when it comes to thoughtful implementation. This conversation is equal parts intellectually rich, practical, and deeply hopeful for educators looking to better understand how the English writing system actually works – and how to teach it effectively. Key Takeaways Phonics is necessary, but not sufficient.Writing should begin immediately – not “later”, after reading develops.Graphemes spell morphemes; morphemes spell words.Word relatives help students build durable mental models of the writing system.We also get to hear a live demonstration of one of her lessons, exploring the word family for: one Resources Mentioned: Book: Foundations for LifeMore About “Foundations for Life"Book: Spelling for LifeBook: Language for LifeBook: Reading for LifeLyn Stone’s Courses through Lifelong Literacy This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Connect with Lyn Stone: Website: https://lifelongliteracy.com/LinkedIn: Lyn StoneInstagram: @lynstone8 Email: lynstone@lifelongliteracy.com Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

    52 min
  2. 92. From Ox Heads to Silent Letters: The History of the Alphabet with Dr. Danny Bate, author of "Why Q Needs U"

    5 MAY

    92. From Ox Heads to Silent Letters: The History of the Alphabet with Dr. Danny Bate, author of "Why Q Needs U"

    Linguist and author, Dr. Danny Bate brilliantly shares the fascinating history of the alphabet, while also uncovering some of the logic behind English spelling. You’ll hear about the surprising origins of letters (yes, was once an ox’s head!), that vowels weren’t originally part of the alphabet, how the Great Vowel Shift transformed pronunciation, and of course, “Why Q Needs U”. This episode is a must-listen for educators, language lovers, and anyone who has ever wondered: Why is English spelled this way? Key Takeaways: The earliest alphabet was built on the acrophonic principle (symbols representing the first sound of a word)Early alphabets represented consonants only (vowels were added later by the Greeks)English spelling reflects both: Sound change over time AND Historical and cultural influences (i.e. Norman Conquest, Latin influence)The Great Vowel Shift dramatically changed pronunciation, but spelling stayed mostly the sameSo-called “irregularities” often preserve morphological and etymological meaning connections Connect with Danny Bate Website: https://dannybate.com/Podcast: A Language I Love Is…Book: Why Q Needs U: A history of our letters and how we use them This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

    1hr 12min
  3. 91. Why Vocabulary Changes Everything (and 3 Simple Shifts for Teachers)

    28 APR

    91. Why Vocabulary Changes Everything (and 3 Simple Shifts for Teachers)

    Vocabulary may be just one pillar of literacy, but it’s also the thread that connects reading, writing, speaking, and thinking. In this episode, I’m breaking down why vocabulary truly changes everything when it comes to student learning – and why it deserves more intentional focus in our classrooms. I’ll also share 3 simple, high-impact shifts you can make right away to create a more language-rich environment for your students. Key Takeaways You can decode every word on a page, but without vocabulary, comprehension falls apart.Make Vocabulary Multisensory: Move beyond definitions and engage students’ senses (especially with images) to make meaningful connectionsPrioritize Expressive Understanding: Use sentence stems and structured prompts to push students to think with words, not just repeat them.Build Word Networks: Help students connect words through associations, morphology, and shades of meaning to deepen understanding and retention. Join us at the Science of Reading Mini-Con this June! Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

    16 min
  4. 90. Teach Your Child to Read at Home with Reading.com

    21 APR

    90. Teach Your Child to Read at Home with Reading.com

    Stephanie Barber (Learning Product Manager) and Molly Sullivan (Curriculum Manager) from Reading.com share how families can support early reading development at home, without needing a background in education. Together, they unpack what makes Reading.com different from typical literacy apps: it’s not a passive, screen-time experience. Instead, it’s built around co-learning, where a caregiver and child work together through short, structured lessons grounded in the Science of Reading. Stephanie and Molly share the “why” behind the platform, how research shaped its design, and the intentional features that support real reading development, from explicit phonics instruction to interactive sound sliders that help children bridge from sounding out to blending words. They also address common concerns around screen time, explain how the app avoids guessing habits like picture cueing, and highlight how even non-educators can confidently teach foundational literacy skills with the right support. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or literacy advocate, this episode offers a powerful look at how thoughtful design can bring evidence-based reading instruction into everyday moments. More About Reading.com Website: https://www.reading.comVisit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today.Instagram: @_readingcomYouTubeReading.com’s ABC SongEmail: stephanie.m@teaching.com Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

    35 min
  5. 89. The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin & Sarah Gannon, Crafting Minds

    14 APR

    89. The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin & Sarah Gannon, Crafting Minds

    Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon, co-authors of The Structured Literacy Playbook, join Michelle to unpack what it really takes to move students from accurate decoding to fluent, meaningful reading. They explore how teachers can intentionally plan to build fluency using a backward design approach rooted in the brain science of reading. Drawing on the work of Dr. Maryanne Wolf, Melissa and Sarah introduce the POSSUM framework, a multi-component model that integrates phonology, orthography, semantics, syntax, and morphology within a single lesson. Rather than isolating skills, this approach connects them, reflecting how the reading brain actually works. Key Takeaways: An explanation of the POSSUM FrameworkThe role of retrieval (RAN) in fluency and reading developmentHow to design small-group instruction using a backwards planning approachWhat to try when students get “stuck” in sound-by-sound reading“Winning strategies” and other high-leverage routines – like syntactic phrasing Resources Mentioned: Book: The Structured Literacy Playbook by Dr. Melissa Orkin, Sarah Gannon, and Alexandria OsburnStructured Literacy Game Plan Generator (One Month Trial) - Backward planning tool that generates lessons!Decoding Duo ResourcesMorphology AnthologyRAVE-O Program (Intervention) This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Connect with Crafting Minds Group: Website: https://www.craftingmindsgroup.com/Instagram: @craftingmindsgroup Email: melissa@craftingmindsgroup.com & sarah@craftingmindsgroup.com Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

    1hr 10min
  6. 88. Montessori Storytelling: The History of English Spelling with Zil Jaeger

    7 APR

    88. Montessori Storytelling: The History of English Spelling with Zil Jaeger

    In this episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle chats with Montessori educator and literacy advocate Zil Jaeger to explore a powerful instructional tool: storytelling. Zil shares how Montessori storytelling goes far beyond engagement; it’s a structured, intentional approach to building background knowledge, activating imagination, and anchoring learning in meaningful ways. Key Takeaways: Why storytelling is foundational to Montessori educationThe concept of cosmic education and helping students see the interconnectedness of knowledgeThe “whole-to-parts” approach and how it supports schema-building and retrievalHow storytelling strengthens memory through curiosity, imagery, and repetitionZil’s “Story of English Spelling” & why English spelling is not random and how history lives inside words - Through timelines, maps, and multisensory storytelling, students begin to understand why words are spelled the way they are. Zil also shares how Montessori & Structured Literacy can align with intention, bringing research-based practices into a Montessori framework in thoughtful, systematic ways. Resources Mentioned: Zil’s Story of English Spelling: https://www.ziljaeger.com/shop/p/englishspellingEtymonline (Etymology Dictionary)Book: The High Frequency Word Project by Rebecca Loveless & Fiona HamiltonBook: Dictionary of Word Origins by John AytoBook: Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins by John AytoBook: Spell It Out by David CrystalBook: Language Visible by David Sacks This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Connect with Zil Jaeger: Website: www.ziljaeger.comInstagram: @ziljaeger Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live

    38 min
  7. 87. Spelling Matters: What the Research Says About Teaching Spelling with Brennan Chandler, PhD

    31 MAR

    87. Spelling Matters: What the Research Says About Teaching Spelling with Brennan Chandler, PhD

    Dr. Brennan Chandler, assistant professor at Georgia State University and researcher specializing in spelling, reading intervention, and literacy development — particularly for students with persistent reading difficulties unpacks what the research sayings about spelling instruction. He shares insights from his large-scale meta-analysis examining decades of spelling intervention research and explains why spelling has the capacity to be far more than a writing skill; it can be a lexical lever that strengthens both reading and writing. Key Takeaways: Why spelling is essential for building strong word representationsCommon misconceptions (including the infamous “Friday spelling test”)What current research says actually works in spelling instructionThe impact of technology (spellcheck, AI, predictive text) on literacy developmentPractical ways teachers can embed effective spelling instruction into their day Dr. Chandler also shares actionable guidance for educators, including how just 10–15 minutes of intentional spelling instruction daily can make a meaningful difference. Resources: A Meta-Analytic Review of Spelling Interventions for Students With or At-Risk for Learning Disabilities - Chandler, B. W., Toste J. R., Novelli, C., Rodgers, D., Hardeman, E. (2025)Article: ​​Why your kid can't rely on tech tools to spellSpelling Mastery (Direct Instruction program) Connect with Brennan Chandler, PhD: Website: brennanchandler.comIG: @BrennanChandlerPhDLinkedIn: Brennan Chandler, PhD Thank you to Reading.com for supporting the production of this episode. Visit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today. Instagram: @_readingcomYouTube: ReadingComFacebook: Reading.comPinterest: Reading_com Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live Mentioned in this episode: Reading.com Visit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today!

    1hr 6min
  8. 86. Multisyllabic Spelling Made Simpler: 3 Strategies for Spelling Longer Words

    24 MAR

    86. Multisyllabic Spelling Made Simpler: 3 Strategies for Spelling Longer Words

    Spelling longer words can feel overwhelming for students - even for those who can read them with ease. In this episode, I unpack why multisyllabic spelling is such a leap and, more importantly, what we can do to support students through it. Rather than relying on memorization alone, this episode explores how spelling is deeply connected to the structure of our language. You’ll walk away with three practical strategies that help students approach longer words with confidence. From breaking words into syllables, to leveraging morphology and word relatives, to using a “spelling voice,” this episode offers a toolkit teachers can immediately bring into their instruction. Key Takeaways: Spelling multisyllabic words requires more than phonology; students need access to structure and meaning as well.Syllabication helps reduce cognitive load by chunking words into manageable parts.Every syllable has at least one vowel (ESHALOV): a helpful anchor for spelling longer words.Morphology provides stability; morphemes maintain consistent spellings even when pronunciation shifts.Word relatives can unlock tricky spellings (i.e. preside → president).A spelling voice can support memory by making less obvious spellings more transparent.Strong spellers use metacognition; they choose strategies flexibly depending on the word.English spelling is not random: it reflects the interaction of phonology, morphology, and etymology. Resources Mentioned: Building BRIDGES: A Design Experiment to Improve Reading and United States History Knowledge of Poor Readers in Eighth Grade - O’Connor, Beach, Sanchez, Bocian, & Flynn - ESHALOV principle (Every Syllable Has At Least One Vowel)Helping Students With Dyslexia Read Long Words by Devin Kearns & Victoria WhaleyLogos Literacy AcademyCourse: Mastering MorphologyCourse & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMorphology Membership (Coaching Calls & Resources)Book: Seven Mighty Moves by Lindsay Kemeny (Spelling Voice Strategy mentioned)Multisyllabic Words Skill Explainer from Reading Universe This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Thank you to Reading.com for supporting the production of this episode. Visit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today. Instagram: @_readingcomYouTube: ReadingComFacebook: Reading.comPinterest: Reading_com Connect 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 Membership Want to Support the Podcast? Make a Donation to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live Mentioned in this episode: Reading.com Visit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today!

    22 min
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Literacy in Color is the go-to podcast for elementary teachers, literacy coaches, and reading interventionists who are passionate about bringing the Science of Reading to life in vibrant, engaging, and effective ways. Hosted by Michelle Sullivan — a seasoned literacy expert & Science of Reading advocate - with over a decade of experience as a reading interventionist & literacy coach — this show is designed to help you captivate your learners, boost reading fluency, and foster a deep understanding of language. Each week, you’ll discover practical tips, proven strategies, and creative ideas to make your literacy instruction colorful and impactful. From phonics and morphology to vocabulary building and comprehension techniques, we’ll explore the full spectrum of evidence-based practices that support all learners on their journey to becoming confident readers. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, “Literacy in Color” will empower you with the tools, inspiration, and know-how to make literacy instruction not just effective, but truly unforgettable. Are you ready to teach colorfully? Hit subscribe and join us each week for a splash of fun, insight, and colorful learning. Connect with me on Instagram @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom for more tips, resources, and community!

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