Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers

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Melissa & Lori Love Literacy® is a science of reading podcast for teachers who want to understand how reading really works and what that means for classroom instruction. Each month, we explore key topics in the science of reading and literacy instruction through thoughtful conversations with researchers, authors, and classroom teachers who are putting reading research into practice. Melissa & Lori are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters, learning alongside you and asking the same questions teachers everywhere are asking: What does the research say about reading? What does strong literacy instruction actually look like in real classrooms? And how can teachers apply the science of reading in ways that make sense for their students? Through conversations with leading literacy experts and educators from classrooms across the globe, Melissa & Lori help bridge the gap between reading research and day-to-day teaching. Whether you are a classroom teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or school leader, you’ll find clear explanations of science of reading concepts and practical insights for your classroom, school, or district. Topics across the podcast align to science of reading research, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and spelling, along with broader conversations about reading development, multi-tiered systems of support, and supporting struggling readers. If you care about strong reading instruction, evidence-based literacy practices, and helping every student become a successful reader, you’re in the right place.

  1. Small Groups, Big Results with Julia Lindsey

    3D AGO

    Small Groups, Big Results with Julia Lindsey

    Episode 247 Small-group instruction can feel powerful and overwhelming at the same time. Questions about grouping, time, routines, and impact come up constantly. In this episode, we’re joined by Julia Lindsey, author of Small Groups, Big Results, to talk about what actually makes small-group instruction work. Julia helps break down small groups into manageable, intentional practices that don’t require more time or complexity, just clearer purpose. In this conversation, we discuss: Why small groups don’t need to be long to have a big impactHow flexible, needs-based grouping supports student growthThe role of immediate, specific feedback in small-group readingPractical routines teachers can use right awayHow small-group instruction connects to Tier 1 teachingWhether you’re new to small groups or looking to refine your approach, Julia offers clarity, research, and realistic guidance. RESOURCES Small-Group Instruction Listening GuideSmall Groups, Big Results: Evidence-Based Routines to Get Every Child Reading by Julia Lindsey Reading Above the Fray: Reliable, Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills by Julia LindseyOther podcast episodes with Julia Lindsey: Science of Reading Part 1: Decodable Texts, Sound Walls, & the Aim of Early LiteracyScience of Reading Part 2: Decodable Texts, Sound Walls, & the Aim of Early LiteracyResearch-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills with Julia LindseyReaders' Theater: Easy, Effective, & Fun! with Chase YoungUFLI Foundations Toolbox FCRR Student Center Activities We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com. Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    54 min
  2. Top Fluency Strategies Teachers Love from K–8 Classrooms

    FEB 20

    Top Fluency Strategies Teachers Love from K–8 Classrooms

    Episode 246 Fluency looks different across grade levels, but it always matters. In this special mashup episode, Melissa and Lori bring together voices from seven classroom teachers, spanning first grade through eighth grade, to show how fluency comes to life in real classrooms. Each teacher shares a best practice they use to support accuracy, automaticity, and expression, always grounded in meaningful reading. You’ll hear about a range of approaches, including: Songs, shared reading, and read-alouds in early gradesPartner reading routines that build accountability and supportPerformance-based practices like Readers’ TheaterUsing oral reading as assessment and feedbackStructuring small groups to support different fluency needsThis episode is full of practical ideas, classroom insight, and teacher wisdom, whether you’re teaching in the primary grades or supporting older readers. Resources:  Check out our Fluency Listening Guide for links to all of the episodes! Featured Episodes: First Steps to Fluency: How Young Learners Become Independent Readers with Virginia Quinn-Mooney Improving Student Reading Growth in Months with Fluency Instruction and Practice with Lorraine Griffith and Lindsay Kemeny A Classroom Fluency Protocol That Works with Aaron GrossmanBaltimore Secondary Literacy Teachers Talk Fluency with Tanisha Dasmunshi, Emily Jaskowski, and Emery Uwimana Watch Virginia Teach Fluency in this video Let’s bring back the magic of song by Tim RasinskiLindsay Kemeny YouTubePartner Reading with Paragraph Shrinking3 Phases for Fluency by Aaron GrossmanTim Rasinski's Multidimensional Fluency RubricAaron's website: Just Two We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com. Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    51 min
  3. Read Like Us: Building Fluency Through Repeated Reading & Challenging Texts with Jake Downs & Chase Young

    FEB 6

    Read Like Us: Building Fluency Through Repeated Reading & Challenging Texts with Jake Downs & Chase Young

    Episode 245 In this episode, Melissa and Lori are joined by researchers Jake Downs and Chase Young to discuss Read Like Us, a research-backed fluency routine designed to help students reread challenging texts with purpose. Jake and Chase share the findings from their recent study, explain how the routine works in real classrooms, and explore why fluency grows when students have multiple supported opportunities to read connected text. The conversation unpacks: what makes Read Like Us different from traditional repeated reading approaches,how wide reading fits alongside repeated reading,and why text choice plays such a critical role in fluency development.You’ll also hear why the study showed especially strong results for fourth-grade readers and how teachers can think about applying this work across grade levels. This episode offers both a clear explanation of the research and practical insights teachers can use as they plan fluency instruction that supports real reading where skills come together in text.  Resources: Grab your Read Like UsTexts Research Article: "Promoting Fluency Through Challenge: Repeated Reading With Texts of Varying Complexity"Fluency Listening GuideContact Chase Young at https://lfcreading.com/podcast with your questions! We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com. Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    48 min
  4. Making Sentences Make Sense with Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone

    12/05/2025

    Making Sentences Make Sense with Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone

    Episode 241 Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone discuss the often-overlooked topic of syntax and its critical role in reading comprehension. With Melissa & Lori, they discuss the architecture of sentences, the importance of understanding parts of speech, and the interconnectedness of syntax and meaning. The conversation highlights effective teaching strategies, the challenges posed by complex sentences, and the necessity of integrating background knowledge for comprehension. Nancy and Julia share practical instructional moves, emphasizing the need for explicit instruction and cognitive preparation to enhance students' understanding of sentence structures. Takeaways Syntax is the architecture of a sentence. It is essential for understanding sentence structure and meaning.Explicit instruction is necessary for effective learning of syntax.Teaching grammar needs to focus on meaning, not just labeling.Engaging students with authentic texts improves comprehension.Integrating background knowledge is crucial for comprehension.Resources  Tips & Tools: Sentences (resource sheet)  We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com. Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    56 min
  5. Placing Text at the Center of the Primary Classroom with Meghan Hein

    11/21/2025

    Placing Text at the Center of the Primary Classroom with Meghan Hein

    Episode 240 Primary teacher Meghan Hein shares how she keeps the text front and center of learning. She discusses the shift from a skills-based focus to an approach where meaning-making drives instruction. The conversation highlights practical strategies for teachers to build knowledge through texts and create a more authentic learning experience. Meghan's insights reflect a commitment to continuous learning and adapting teaching practices to better serve students' needs. ✨ You’ll definitely want to listen to the podcast that inspired this conversation! Episode 37 with Sue Pimentel and Meredith Liben dives into their article Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom. Takeaways Shifting from skill-based to meaning-making instruction is crucial.Building knowledge through texts is essential for comprehension.Teachers must empower themselves through continuous learning.Curriculum should support, not dictate, teaching practices.Understanding the intent behind texts enriches the learning experience.Interleaving skills and content enhances understanding.Students thrive when they connect learning to real-world contexts.Resources  Refreshed Companion Episode with Meredith Liben & Sue Pimentel (podcast)Placing Text at the Center of the Standards-Aligned ELA Classroom (article) Teacher Meghan Hein on Instagram (you might know her as always more to learn!) We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com. Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    40 min
4.7
out of 5
421 Ratings

About

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy® is a science of reading podcast for teachers who want to understand how reading really works and what that means for classroom instruction. Each month, we explore key topics in the science of reading and literacy instruction through thoughtful conversations with researchers, authors, and classroom teachers who are putting reading research into practice. Melissa & Lori are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters, learning alongside you and asking the same questions teachers everywhere are asking: What does the research say about reading? What does strong literacy instruction actually look like in real classrooms? And how can teachers apply the science of reading in ways that make sense for their students? Through conversations with leading literacy experts and educators from classrooms across the globe, Melissa & Lori help bridge the gap between reading research and day-to-day teaching. Whether you are a classroom teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or school leader, you’ll find clear explanations of science of reading concepts and practical insights for your classroom, school, or district. Topics across the podcast align to science of reading research, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and spelling, along with broader conversations about reading development, multi-tiered systems of support, and supporting struggling readers. If you care about strong reading instruction, evidence-based literacy practices, and helping every student become a successful reader, you’re in the right place.

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