Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators – Details, episodes & analysis

What exactly is the schwa sound, and why is it such an important part of the English language? Yvette Manns, author of the Phonics Read-Alouds series and founder of National Schwa Day, joins me to dive deep into everything schwa—what it is, how it functions in words, and why teaching it explicitly is a game-changer for reading and spelling instruction. We also chat about the official National Schwa Day, how teachers can celebrate, and fun, engaging strategies to help students understand this “not-so-lazy” vowel sound!

Key Takeaways:

• What is the Schwa Sound?
• Why Teaching Schwa Matters
• How to Teach Schwa Effectively
• Celebrating National Schwa Day!

Resources Mentioned:

1. FREE National Schwa Day Educator Toolkit (FREE 43-page resource!)  - Download the toolkit and celebrate National Schwa Day on April 7th!
2. National Schwa Day Website: https://nationalschwaday.org/
3. The Not-So-Lazy-Schwa Book written by Yvette Manns
4. Phonics Read-Alouds Series Website – PhonicsReadAlouds.com
5. Phonics Read-Alouds Series on Amazon
6. The Viral 44 Phonemes Video featuring Yvette Manns – Watch on YouTube
7. Slant System Passages
8. From Speech to Print - Dr. Louisa Moats
9. See Yvette & I present at the Science of Reading Mini-Con Conference - July 10th, 2025 in Racine, WI!

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 Yvette Manns:

• Website: https://www.yvettemanns.com/
• Instagram: @phonicsreadalouds
• Facebook: Phonics Read-Aloud
• TikTok :@PhonicsReadAlouds
• Email: info@phonicsreadalouds.com

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our

Morphology is one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, components of your literacy block. In this episode, I break down the basics of morphology and explain why it’s essential for structured literacy to help students read, spell, and understand words more effectively. If you’ve ever wondered why students struggle with multisyllabic words, spelling patterns, or vocabulary — morphology might just be the missing piece!

Key Takeaways:

• What is Morphology?
• Different Types of Morphemes
• How Morphology Supports Reading & Spelling
• Why Morphology Matters in Structured Literacy

Resources Mentioned:

• The Colorful Literacy Toolkit Membership 
• Sue Hegland’s Book: Beneath the Surface of Words: What English Spelling Reveals and Why It Matters By Sue Hegland

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!

Other Helpful Resources:

• FREE Word Matrix & Word Sums Template
• Latin Word Matrices Bundle
• MEGA Morphology Growing Bundle
• FREE Guide: Phonics & Morphology Terms Every Teacher Needs to Know

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Happy New Year’s Eve! As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and set intentional goals for your teaching practice. In this episode, we’ll turn your passion for the Science of Reading into actionable, achievable goals that will set you and your students up for success in the new year. Together, we’ll reflect on wins and challenges, pick a “Word of the Year” to guide us, and craft SMART goals that will help turn resolutions into results.

Whether you’re new to the Science of Reading or a seasoned educator looking to grow, this episode is packed with strategies to help you make 2025 your best teaching year yet!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why setting goals for your Science of Reading journey matters.
• How to reflect on your 2024 wins and challenges to guide your focus.
• The importance of choosing a “Word of the Year” as your professional compass.
• How to craft SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to bring structure and intention to your teaching practice.
• A step-by-step example of creating a SMART goal tailored to expanding your teaching toolkit with Science of Reading strategies.

Links & Resources:

• Download the FREE Canva Template to create your “Word of the Year” Vision Board as a phone background!
• Learn more about my upcoming course on orthographic mapping, Word Mapping Mastery!

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

It's Christmas Eve! In today’s special holiday-themed episode, we’re bringing a little winter magic to phonological awareness. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just looking for a festive and educational activity, this interactive episode is for you! Together, we’ll play with sounds and words, engaging in fun phonological awareness activities that include rhyming, blending, segmenting, and so much more—all with a cozy winter theme. While this is just for fun and not aligned with targeted phonics skills, it’s a great way to spark joy and engage in wordplay with your kids or students.

Activities Included:

• Rhyme Production
• Sound Isolation (Beginning and Ending Sounds)
• Blending (Compound Words, Syllables, and Sounds)
• Segmenting (Syllables, Onset-Rime, and Individual Sounds)
• Substitution
• Sentence Segmentation

Grab a cup of cocoa, play along, and enjoy a bit of winter-inspired wordplay!

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this heartfelt, powerful, and impactful episode, I am joined by Dr. Jasmine Rogers, a leading national voice in literacy instruction and a trailblazer in culturally competent teaching practices. Dr. Rogers specializes in approaches that affirm Black Language (Black English) in the classroom and has dedicated her career to revolutionizing literacy instruction by honoring every student's linguistic heritage.

With nine years of classroom experience in charter and DC Public Schools, Dr. Rogers witnessed firsthand how traditional reading instruction often left Black Language-speaking students behind. Her groundbreaking research at American University’s School of Education challenges long-held misconceptions and shows that even minimal training on Black Language significantly improves teacher effectiveness.

In this episode, Dr. Rogers shares insights from her research, discussing how recognizing and celebrating Black Language—rather than correcting it—is essential to honoring students' identities and supporting their academic growth. She explains how Black Language is not a dialect or slang but a fully developed linguistic system with its own phonology, morphology, and syntax, and why we must celebrate this diversity in our classrooms.

We dive deep into misconceptions about Black Language, explore the difference between deficit-based and asset-based approaches, and discuss how educators can integrate culturally responsive literacy practices into their teaching - especially in the Structured Literacy classroom. Dr. Rogers introduces the concept of the "Revolutionary Love Response" as a powerful teaching move, emphasizing the importance of affirming students’ linguistic choices while still guiding them toward proficiency in generalized English.

This episode is a clarion call for educators to reflect on their teaching practices, embrace linguistic diversity, and create classrooms where every student’s language and identity are celebrated. Dr. Rogers’ mission is clear: to transform literacy instruction by affirming students' linguistic heritage, and in this conversation, she equips us with the knowledge & tools to get us started.

• Linguistic Justice by Dr. April Baker Bell 
• Black Communications and Learning to Read by Terry Meier 
• Revolutionary Love: Creating a Culturally Inclusive Classroom by Kamania Wynter-Hoyte, Eliza Braden, and Michele Meyers 
• Dr. Megan-Brette Hamilton’s Website
• Dr. Megan-Brette Hamilton’s Podcast: Honeybee Connection Podcast by MB
• Dr. Dionna Latimer-Hearn’s Website
• Dr. Dionna Latimer-Hearn’s Podcast: The Culture We Speak

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!

Where to Find Dr. Jasmine Rogers:

• DC Reading Clinic
• Website: www.jasminerogers.com 
• LinkedIn:

We’re wrapping up this Literacy Coaching Conversations series with my good friend and colleague, Alison Kantor, a literacy coach and Orton-Gillingham trainer, to discuss the unique and impactful role of a literacy coach. Alison shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, her daily responsibilities, and her strategies for supporting teachers as they navigate the shift from Balanced Literacy to Structured Literacy. Whether you’re a new coach or a seasoned veteran, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

Key Takeaways:

• A Day in the Life of a Literacy Coach
• Building Trust with Teachers
• Impactful Coaching Moments

Resources Mentioned:

• Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Center for Dyslexia Studies
• Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program

Tools for Literacy Coaches:

1. Google Calendar: Alison’s top recommendation for staying organized and following through on commitments.
2. A Mobile “Tackle Box”: Filled with literacy materials like letter cards, mini whiteboards, and manipulatives to model strategies with teachers.
3. Professional Development: Resources like blogs, podcasts, and coaching communities to stay up-to-date and continue learning.

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

What is Structured Literacy, exactly? Let’s take a deep dive into this research-based instructional approach rooted in the Science of Reading. We’ll unpack the guiding principles and elements of Structured Literacy, explain how it differs from Balanced Literacy, and share why it’s so effective for teaching all students—especially those with dyslexia or other reading challenges. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of how Structured Literacy sets students up for lifelong success.

Key Takeaways:

• Structured Literacy vs. Balanced Literacy
• Guiding Principles of Structured Literacy: Systematic, Cumulative, Explicit, Diagnostic
• The Five Elements of Structured Literacy
• Why Structured Literacy Matters

Resources Mentioned:

• Structured Literacy - outlined by the IDA
• The Ladder of Reading Infographic by Nancy Young
• Book: Climbing The Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners by Nancy Young & Jan Hasbrouck
• LETRS Training
• Book: Uncovering the Logic of English by Denise Eide

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 Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this episode of The Literacy in Color Podcast, Michelle chats with Merri Polhemus, a district-wide literacy coach focused on supporting teachers in building strong foundational skills. Now in her second year as a literacy coach, Merri discusses her unique role, her journey from classroom teacher to coach, and the many ways she helps teachers master phonics and phonological awareness instruction. She also shares tips on using data to drive instruction and offers advice for new literacy coaches and interventionists working in foundational skills.

• The unique aspects of Merri's district-wide coaching role and how she supports K-2 teachers.
• How Merri helps teachers analyze data and implement targeted small-group instruction.
• The importance of using decodable assessments and how they shift instruction from leveled readers to phonics-focused teaching.
• Professional development resources Merri recommends for deepening expertise in foundational literacy skills.

1. Modeling Lessons is Key: Merri frequently models whole-group and small-group phonics lessons to help teachers implement effective instruction.
2. Data-Driven Instruction: Shifting from leveled readers to decodable assessments helps teachers identify specific phonics skills that students need to work on.
3. Build Relationships: Establishing trust and strong relationships with teachers is crucial for successful coaching and supporting foundational skills work.

• Professional Books:
• Know Better, Do Better by David and Meredith Liben
• Speech to Print by Louisa Cook Moats
• Reading Above the Fray by Julia Lindsey
• 7 Mighty Moves by Lindsay Kemeny
• Shifting the Balance by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates
• Differentiating Phonics Instruction by Wiley Blevins
• Choosing and Using Decodable Texts by Wiley Blevins
• The Reading Comprehension Blueprint by Nancy Lewis Hennessy
• Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D. and Jonathan Shaywitz, M.D.
• Ready to Read by Mary Lupiani Farrell & Francie M. Matthews
• Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties by David A. Kilpatrick
• Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Dyslexia Program: Merri completed her certification as a dyslexia specialist, which deepened her expertise in foundational skills.

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!

1. A Planner and Pencil: Merri emphasizes the...

In the final episode of this mini-series on Scarborough’s Reading Rope, we tie everything together by exploring the culmination of skilled reading: fluency and comprehension. We’ll recap the interconnected strands of Word Recognition and Language Comprehension, discuss the role of fluency as a bridge between decoding and comprehension, and unpack why both knowledge-building and strategy instruction are essential for fostering reflective, skilled readers.

Key Takeaways:

• Fluency Defined: Fluency is "reasonably accurate reading at an appropriate rate, with suitable expression," leading to deep comprehension and motivation to read (Jan Hasbrouck & Deb Glaser).
• Components of Fluency: Accuracy, rate, and prosody work together to create fluent, engaging readers.
• Fluency as a Bridge: Without fluency, readers struggle to focus on comprehension. Fluency frees cognitive resources to engage deeply with the text.
• Comprehension Strategies vs. Knowledge Building: Both are essential—strategies help students process text deeply, while background knowledge allows them to make meaningful connections.
• Skilled Reading: The fluent coordination of word recognition and text comprehension is the ultimate goal, as defined on the right-hand side of Scarborough’s Rope.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 7: Unraveling Scarborough’s Rope: Word Recognition
• Episode 9: Unraveling Scarborough’s Reading Rope: Language Comprehension

Resources Mentioned:

• Reading Fluency by Jan Hasbrouck & Deb Glaser
• Tim Shanahan’s Blog post: Knowledge or Comprehension Strategies -- What Should We Teach?

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 Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

In this Coaching Conversation, I chat with literacy coach Amie Burkholder about the importance of building trust with teachers. Amie opens up about her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, sharing strategies that have helped her foster supportive and impactful relationships with educators. Whether you're a new or experienced literacy coach, Amie’s advice on building trust is invaluable for creating a strong foundation for coaching success.

Key Takeaways:

• The Importance of Trust in Coaching: Learn why trust is essential to the coaching relationship and how it creates a safe space for teachers to open up and engage in growth-focused conversations.
• Strategies for Creating a Trusting Environment: Amie shares practical steps like student-centered conversations, small acts of kindness, and a commitment to supporting teachers’ individual needs.
• First Steps for New Coaches: Discover Amie’s approach to setting clear goals, collaborating with administrators, and establishing her role in the school.
• Balancing Constructive Feedback and Trust: Amie explains how to approach feedback in a non-evaluative way, encouraging reflection and highlighting strengths to build confidence.
• Tips for Rebuilding Lost Trust: Gain insight into how coaches can reconnect with teachers if trust has been strained, through empathy, patience, and small supportive gestures.

Tools for Literacy Coaches:

1. Clear Role Definition Document: Amie recommends a document outlining a literacy coach’s role to clarify responsibilities for administrators and teachers.
2. Engagement Tools: Items like “witch fingers” or other small props to make literacy fun and engaging for students, which also help teachers see the joy in literacy lessons.
3. Positive Feedback Notes: Amie keeps pre-made sheets on her cart for leaving quick, encouraging notes after classroom observations.

Resources Mentioned:

Coach’s Role Printable

Where to Find Amie:

• Instagram: @literacy.edventures
• Facebook: Literacy Edventures
• Website: https://www.literacyedventures.com/
• 
  
• Amie’s Coaching Cohort