Route2Reading

In this episode of the Route2Reading Podcast, I sit down with Katie Pace Miles to unpack one of the biggest challenges in early literacy—why phonemic awareness and phonics instruction don't always translate into real reading and spelling success for struggling readers. Katie shares insights from her extensive work in literacy research, teacher education, and intervention, along with the development of her program, Reading Ready. We dig into what's often missing in classroom instruction, how to intentionally build transfer from sounds to words, and what effective, efficient instruction actually looks like in real classrooms. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

If you've ever thought, "My students just can't write," this episode is for you. Writing is one of the most misunderstood parts of literacy instruction — and often one of the most frustrating for teachers and students alike. In today's conversation with Barbara Friedlander, we unpack what's really happening beneath the surface when students struggle with writing — and what actually makes a difference. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

If your students can decode CVC words but completely shut down when they see fantastic or instruction, this episode is for you. In today's conversation, we dig into what really helps students read multisyllabic words — and it's not just memorizing syllable types. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode, I'm joined by literacy researcher, former classroom teacher, and author Julia Lindsay for a powerful conversation about small group reading instruction—what works, what doesn't, and how we can rethink small groups in a way that actually supports students and teachers. Julia shares insights from her brand-new book, Small Groups, Big Results, and brings clarity to one of the most debated topics in literacy right now. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to turn the Science of Reading into daily classroom practice. From observing other teachers, to tightening routines, to managing time inside overloaded programs, this conversation is all about building a literacy block that actually works. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

Today, I am joined by the brilliant and beloved Elise Lovejoy, author of Express Readers, creator of high-quality decodables, longtime classroom teacher, and founder of The Teachers Table — a growing professional learning platform designed to give every educator access to vetted, practical, research-based literacy support. In this episode, Elise shares her journey from classroom teacher to curriculum creator to entrepreneur, and opens up about the moment she realized teachers needed more than scattered resources and social media tips — they needed a trusted, community-centered space where research meets real classrooms. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In today's episode, I sit down with literacy legend Dr. Jan Hasbrouck — researcher, author, consultant, and co-creator of the widely used Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) norms. Known for her unmatched expertise in reading fluency, assessments, instructional coaching, and dyslexia, Dr. Hasbrouck brings decades of wisdom to this powerful conversation. Together, Jan and I unpack myths about learning to read, the truth behind the "95% of kids can learn to read" statistic, what dyslexic learners really need, how fluency develops, and why teachers are essentially performing "brain surgery by instruction." This episode is packed with clarity, encouragement, and inspiration for educators at every level. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

Are you using decodable books the right way? In this episode, we're breaking down six of the most common mistakes teachers make with decodable texts—and how to fix them. You'll learn how to align books to your phonics lessons, prep students before reading, balance decoding with meaning, and know when it's time to move beyond decodables. Practical, honest, and grounded in the Science of Reading—with insights from experts like Wiley Blevins, Heidi Anne Mesmer, and Jeanne Chall. READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Syllables can feel "big" or confusing—but they don't have to be. In this episode, I chat with reading specialist Savannah Campbell (Campbell Creates Readers) about how to make syllable instruction clear, doable, and effective from k–5. We cover the six syllable types, how (and whether) to teach division patterns, set-for-variability, and simple multisensory tools that help kids read and spell multisyllabic words with confidence. FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

In this episode of Literacy Unlocked, I'm joined by Susan Lambert, host of the Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify, to dig into one of the most essential—and often overlooked—components of reading success: language. Susan shares personal stories and professional insights that make a powerful case for elevating language development right alongside decoding. We explore: Why word recognition is necessary but not sufficient The importance of oral language in early grades How syntax, vocabulary, and background knowledge support writing and comprehension What teachers can do tomorrow to build stronger language routines How oral discussion and sentence-level writing set the stage for later literacy success FULL SHOW NOTE HERE

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Dr. Shayne Piasta — a developmental psychologist, early literacy researcher, and professor at The Ohio State University. Her work has deeply influenced how I think about alphabet instruction, and I couldn't wait to sit down with her to talk about what the research actually says about teaching letter names, sounds, and formation — and how to make it practical for real classrooms. So many teachers are told conflicting things: Should I teach letter names or sounds first? Uppercase or lowercase? Do I teach handwriting at the same time? Is "letter of the week" okay? Dr. Piasta brings clarity to all of those questions and more. She breaks down the current research and provides thoughtful insights that help us move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. Whether you're using a boxed curriculum, piecing together resources, or trying to adjust instruction for student needs, this episode will help you feel more confident and informed. See Full Show Notes Here

Episode Summary: In today's episode, we're tackling one of the biggest transitions in early literacy—helping students move from writing individual letters to constructing full sentences. If you've ever wondered how to bridge the gap between handwriting and confident writing, this episode is for you! We'll walk through: ✅ How to transition from letter formation to writing words ✅ The role of phonemic awareness and sound-to-letter mapping in writing ✅ Scaffolded word-building to strengthen encoding skills ✅ Sentence structure—teaching kids what makes a complete thought ✅ Engaging strategies like "Who/Do" sentences and The Missing Piece Game ✅ Why dictation and shared writing are essential for early writers ✅ How to make writing meaningful and connected to real-life experiences By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear, step-by-step approach to support your students as they grow into confident writers! FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

All About Lisa Russo: Administrator in New York Public Schools at P.S. 152. Became a teacher in 2022 at P.S. 152 and taught for 13 years in a variety of grades. Pursued a masters and became assistant principal at P.S. 152 for seven years - the same school she grew up in! Now serves as the principal at P.S. 152. You mention that you have former students who return as staff members or with their own children. Can you talk about that? It's so incredible and unique - a true family. It makes my job more important because I have a great connection with the families, staff, and kids. I grew up alongside them! Having my own students come back or have their children is just so special. FULL SHOW NOTES HERE