Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ®

Supported by Great Minds
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Melissa & Lori Love Literacy® is a podcast for teachers. The hosts are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters learning with you. Episodes feature top literacy experts and teachers who are putting the science of reading into practice. Melissa & Lori bridge the gap between the latest research and your day-to-day teaching. 

  1. Making Sense of Reading Assessments with Michelle Hosp

    6D AGO

    Making Sense of Reading Assessments with Michelle Hosp

    Episode 234  Michelle Hosp joins us to break down the different types of literacy assessments within an MTSS framework in the most approachable way. We talk: universal screenersdiagnosticsprogress monitoringformative assessmentsMost importantly, we talk about when and why to use each one. Michelle helps us shift the question from “Which test should I give?” to “What do I need to know to help my students grow?” We also dig in to the power of curriculum-based measures (CBM), what makes assessment data meaningful, and how schools can align their resources to actually make a difference. If you're feeling overwhelmed by data or unsure how to use it effectively, this episode will help you think more clearly about assessments and walk away empowered to use your data to help all your students become readers.  Resources The ABCs of CBM: A Practical Guide to Curriculum-Based MeasurementNational Center on Intensive InterventionData Teaming Tools 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. Kindergarten Intervention That Gets Results

    AUG 15

    Kindergarten Intervention That Gets Results

    Episode 233  In this episode, we sit down with speech-language pathologist Linsey Jones, who’s leading groundbreaking work in her district by delivering smart, targeted, and manageable literacy interventions to kindergarten students. Linsey shares how her background in speech-language pathology led her to create a data-driven, highly responsive tier 2 intervention program. She walks us through how she uses assessments (think: letter-sound knowledge, early phonemic awareness, and real-time data tracking), what her 15-minute intervention sessions really look like, and how thoughtful collaboration with classroom teachers has created system-wide change. We also talk about how her work has been influenced by literacy expert Julia Lindsey and how their entire district is now seeing almost no students falling behind by the end of kindergarten. Resources Learn more about Linsey's Tier 2 Phonemic Awareness Intervention ProgramCheck out Linsey's website: speechlanguageliteracyconnection.com Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills with Julia Lindsey (podcast episode)  Reading Above the Fray by Julia Lindsey (book)Kindergarten TEAM Reaches (nearly) 100% Success Using Evidence-Based Practices (podcast episode)Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath (book)  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.

    46 min
  3. MTSS for Reading Improvement with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown

    AUG 1

    MTSS for Reading Improvement with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown

    Episode 232 We know MTSS can feel like one more acronym and maybe one more thing on your plate. But what if it was the thing that helped everything else run more smoothly instead? In this episode, we chat with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown, authors of MTSS for Reading Improvement, who help us rethink what strong systems of support actually look like. Together, we explore how to move beyond one-off interventions and start building aligned, school-wide systems that  support every reader.  You’ll hear: The difference between MTSS and interventionWhy Tier 1 instruction is your most powerful lever for changeWhat it looks like to work within your reality, not around itHow class-wide supports and smart teaming can lead to huge growthWays teachers (even without formal leadership roles) can spark changeRESOURCES MTSS for Reading Improvement by Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown Reading Science Academy with Stephanie Stollar  MTSS Data Academy with Sarah Brown Schoolwide Reading MTSS CollaborativeThe Reading League Book Study for MTSS for Reading Improvement (You can still sign up for recordings!)  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.

    53 min
  4. Scaffolding Challenging Texts for All Readers with Christina Cover

    JUL 18

    Scaffolding Challenging Texts for All Readers with Christina Cover

    Episode 231 Working with students who struggle to make sense of complex texts? You’re not alone! Christina Cover, a high school special educator, interventionist, English teacher, and literacy coordinator, is here to help!  In this episode, Christina shares real-world, research-based strategies she uses to help her students break down and make sense of challenging texts. From her go-to routine Getting the Gist to building vocabulary and using morphology instruction in context, Christina walks us through what works in her classroom. You’ll hear: How to support students in summarizing and understanding complex textsWhy vocabulary and morphology matter so much for comprehensionWays to make test prep meaningful without sacrificing deeper readingHow writing can be a powerful tool for reading comprehensionIf you teach in grades 3 and up, this episode is full of tools and inspiration you can take straight back to your classroom. Resources: Getting the G.I.S.T. Word Matrices Frayer Models Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) The Writing RevolutionQFT: Question Formulation TechniqueProject for Adolescent Literacy: email: pal@seekcommonground.org   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.

    47 min
  5. The Power of Text Sets with Freddy Hiebert

    JUL 11

    The Power of Text Sets with Freddy Hiebert

    Bonus Episode In this episode, Melissa and Lori sit down with Freddy Hiebert, founder of Text Project, to dive deep into the critical role texts play in reading instruction. They explore how the types of texts provided to students not only shape their reading practice but also influence their self-perception as readers. Freddy shares her expertise on understanding text features and the vital role of repetition in vocabulary acquisition. The conversation highlights how background knowledge supports comprehension and the thoughtful development of decodable texts to support early readers. They also discuss exciting advancements like the use of AI for generating reading materials and the importance of designing engaging, relevant texts for middle and high school students. Freddy unpacks the significance of morphological families, polysemy, and semantic mapping, stressing how teachers must grasp these complexities to support deeper word learning and understanding. She underscores the importance of offering students a diverse “text diet” to build vocabulary and comprehension skills. Listeners will come away with fresh insights on creating engaging texts for diverse learners and innovative strategies for vocabulary teaching that combine context, repetition, and thoughtful text design. Visit TextProject.org for more info.  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
  6. What the Research Says about Difficult Texts with Kristin Conradi Smith, John Strong, & Steve Amendum

    JUL 4

    What the Research Says about Difficult Texts with Kristin Conradi Smith, John Strong, & Steve Amendum

    Episode 230 In this episode, we discuss this article and the vital role of difficult texts with three experts: Kristin Conradi-Smith, John Strong, and Steve Amendum. They explore how thoughtful scaffolding and motivation help students confidently tackle challenging materials, clarifying the difference between text complexity and text difficulty.  Listeners will hear practical strategies for assessing student needs and differentiating instruction, ensuring every learner can thrive. We also discuss key literacy components including activating prior knowledge, the importance of decodable texts in early grades, and the power of read-alouds for K-1 students.  Drawing from research, expert guests highlight ongoing developments in understanding text complexity and stress the need for strong professional learning opportunities to equip educators with effective tools. This conversation is packed with insights and actionable ideas for supporting diverse learners on their reading journeys. Resources Supporting Elementary Students' Reading of Difficult Texts Read, Stop, Write InterventionText Structures PDF Cheat SheetCheck out our guests' in this book, Handbook on the Science of Literacy in Grades 3-8 (John - Chapter 20; Kristin & Steve - Chapter 8)  Kristin's Article - It's not just about skills: Adopting a motivation-informed approach to instruction with adolescents Listen to No More Strategy of the Week and read the article that inspired the podcast.   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.

    53 min
  7. Making Words Stick with Molly Ness and Katie Pace MIles

    JUN 20

    Making Words Stick with Molly Ness and Katie Pace MIles

    Episode 229 In this episode, Katie Pace Miles and Molly Ness define and explain orthographic mapping as a crucial cognitive process for reading fluency and comprehension. They discuss the importance of mapping words in long-term memory, the difference between memorization and mapping, and the trifecta of phonology, orthography, and meaning that supports effective word learning.  They share a four-step protocol from their new book, Making Words, Stick, for supporting orthographic mapping. They provide insights into effective teaching strategies and resources available for educators. Resources Making Words Stick - Molly & Katie’s book! Making Words Stick One Pager - Preview the Big Ideas in the book! Katie’s Non-Profit - Readinginstitutenyc.orgRosenthal & Ehri 2008 Study The Science of Learning to Read Words - Ehri Grapheme-Phoneme Knowledge - Ehri Laura Steacy’s research  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
  8. Helping Students Read Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kearns

    JUN 6

    Helping Students Read Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kearns

    Episode 228  If you’ve ever wondered how to help your students decode longer words, this episode is for you! We’re joined by literacy researcher and professor Devin Kearns to talk all about teaching multisyllabic words. Many phonics programs focus on single-syllable words, but what happens when students hit big words and get stuck? Devin unpacks the research behind why that happens and what we can do instead. We talk about: flexible decoding strategies,when and how to teach syllables and morphemes,and what “set for variability” really looks like in the classroom (spoiler: it’s not guessing!).You’ll walk away with practical, research-backed ideas to help your students read longer words with confidence. Devin M. Kearns, Ph.D., is the Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at NC State, where he studies early reading and collaborates with experts in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to explore the brain basis of reading. RESOURCES Helping Students With Dyslexia Read Long Words: Using Syllables and Morphemes by Devin M. Kearns and Victoria M. WhaleyFollowing the Rules in an Unruly WritingSystem: The Cognitive Science ofLearning to Read Englishby Devin M. Kearns and Matthew J. Cooper BorkenhagenSyllable Division: New Data that Can Inform Intervention by Joanne Marttila Pierson, Ph.D., CCC-SLPOn Eating Elephants and Teaching Syllabication by Tim Shanahan 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.

    53 min
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About

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy® is a podcast for teachers. The hosts are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters learning with you. Episodes feature top literacy experts and teachers who are putting the science of reading into practice. Melissa & Lori bridge the gap between the latest research and your day-to-day teaching. 

Information

  • Creator
    Supported by Great Minds
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    316
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ®
  • Show Website
    Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ®

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