The Science of Writing Instruction

April Smith
  • 4.6 (22)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join author and professional learning coach April Smith as she explores research and insights into effective writing instruction in K-12 classrooms. She delves into methodologies, interviews experts, and shares practical strategies to support our students – all backed by evidence and research. Whether you're an educator, parent, or simply curious about literacy development, tune in to discover practical strategies that foster confident and successful writers.

  1. Ep. 27: Confessional: Things I Would Change About My Past Writing Instruction

    03/30/2025

    Ep. 27: Confessional: Things I Would Change About My Past Writing Instruction

    Anna Geiger is the creator of The Measured Mom, Author of Reach All Readers, and the Host of Triple R Teaching podcast. Learn More from Anna: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/ https://www.instagram.com/themeasuredmom/ https://www.facebook.com/themeasuredmom April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training Learn More from April: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    33 min
  2. Ep. 26: Intrinsic Motivation in the Writing Block

    03/16/2025

    Ep. 26: Intrinsic Motivation in the Writing Block

    Phillip is a serial entrepreneur. He has started numerous businesses in many different industries, including publishing, early childhood education, health and wellness, financial planning and consumer electronics. He is the inventor of the invisibleSHIELD and founder of ZAGG. But Phillip's greatest passions in life are story and kids. When his three oldest children were diagnosed with reading disabilities, he decided to do something about it. OperationREAD and DIVI are the results. Learn More from Phillip: https://operationread.com https://linkedin.com/in/phillipchipping April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training. Learn More from April: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    28 min
  3. Ep. 25: Uncovering the Logic of English

    03/02/2025

    Ep. 25: Uncovering the Logic of English

    Denise is the president and founder of Logic of English, a mission-driven publisher that empowers students of all ages to become fluent readers and spellers. Denise is passionate about providing all students access to evidence-based literacy education. When her sons struggled to learn to read, she discovered that there are answers to the “whys” of English spelling. Upon seeing her sons go from nonreaders to reading chapter books within months, she decided to write Uncovering the Logic of English, an award-winning book about reading. She continues her life work of sharing the power of knowing how English works by speaking, writing, and publishing.Learn more about Logic of English at www.logicofenglish.com April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training Learn More from April: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    32 min
  4. Ep. 24: Using the Painted Essay to Structure Writing for Students

    02/16/2025

    Ep. 24: Using the Painted Essay to Structure Writing for Students

    Linda Rhyne is the owner of Linda Rhyne Consulting and founding president of The Reading League North Carolina. Linda is an award-winning National Board Certified, LETRS & Orton-Gillingham trained educator with over 16 years of experience in education including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, one of the nation's 20 largest urban school districts located in Charlotte, NC. She served in multiple positions in CMS: classroom teacher, literacy facilitator, new teacher support coordinator, and Southeast Learning Community coordinator, with 10+ years of experience as an instructional coach. In her free time, you can find her playing with her two boys, hanging with her husband, reading, and working out. Learn More from Linda: Website: https://www.lindarhyneconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindarhyneconsulting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindarhyneconsulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-rhyne-91704b93/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lindarhyne.bsky.social YouTube: ​​http://www.youtube.com/@lindarhyne8246 The Reading League: https://nc.thereadingleague.org April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training Learn More from April: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    27 min
  5. Ep. 23: Data-Driven Writing Instruction

    02/02/2025

    Ep. 23: Data-Driven Writing Instruction

    As the Executive Director and Founder of Jana Lee Consulting, Dr. Jana Lee is a dedicated education professional with a wealth of experience spanning over 15 years. Jana’ partners with school-communities nation-wide, offering sustainable strategies through personalized coaching, professional development, and keynotes. Jana's passion lies in helping close the achievement gap, empowering teachers, and guiding leaders to develop systems and processes that deliver results.With a PhD in Leadership, specializing in Reading, Language, and Literacy and a masters in Special Education and Educational Leadership, Jana brings a unique blend of classroom expertise, leadership experience, and instructional coaching skills to foster impactful learning outcomes for school-communities. Learn More from Dr. Jana Lee: www.janaleeconsulting.com Instagram: @jana.c.lee X: @jana_c_lee LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/in/janaclee/ Youtube: @janaclee April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    31 min
  6. Ep. 22: How WIN Time Can Help Our Students Be Better Writers

    12/15/2024

    Ep. 22: How WIN Time Can Help Our Students Be Better Writers

    Stephanie is a seasoned school leader and Assistant Superintendent from Texas with over 20 years of experience transforming education. She specializes in cultivating strong school cultures, implementing data-driven instructional programs, and empowering educators through her consulting business, Principal Principles. Her latest initiative, WIN Time Software, reflects her passion for fostering academic excellence through innovative, student-centered interventions. Learn More from Stephanie: Website: Principal Principles https://principalprinciples.net/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@principalprinciples  Instagram: Principal Principle April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    23 min
  7. Ep. 21: Laying a Foundation With Sentence Building

    12/08/2024

    Ep. 21: Laying a Foundation With Sentence Building

    Anni Boocher has dedicated 16 years to teaching across K-12, with nine of those years spent shaping young minds in kindergarten. Her commitment to excellence in education has earned her prestigious accolades, including the Jacobs Educator Award from Indiana University and recognition as the 2023 Local Teacher of the Year. A proud mom of three, Anni is passionate about supporting fellow educators by creating resources that simplify lesson planning and teaching, aiming to lighten their workload and reignite the joy in their classrooms. April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    26 min
  8. Ep. 20: Assessing Students Using Sentence Dictation

    12/01/2024

    Ep. 20: Assessing Students Using Sentence Dictation

    Kasey is in her 17th year as a middle school ELA teacher. For 13 of those years, she has also served as her school’s literacy coach. In addition to teaching in the classroom, she provides literacy-related professional development to staff and guides 5-8 ELA curriculum. Kasey holds a bachelor’s degree in 5-12 ELA education, a master’s degree in education, and is a certified K-8 reading interventionist and literary coordinator. For over a decade, she has created reading and writing resources for middle school students and written blog posts on her website, The Literacy Effect. Learn More from Kasey: The Literacy Effect April Smith is the author of the book Simplify Your Writing Instruction: A Framework For a Student-Centered Writing Block. You can find her on socials at the links below. Find her free writing training at https://www.simplifywriting.com/training LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-smith-ed/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilsmithliteracy YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aprilsmith

    27 min
See All (27)

4.6
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Join author and professional learning coach April Smith as she explores research and insights into effective writing instruction in K-12 classrooms. She delves into methodologies, interviews experts, and shares practical strategies to support our students – all backed by evidence and research. Whether you're an educator, parent, or simply curious about literacy development, tune in to discover practical strategies that foster confident and successful writers.

Information