Fast Track Literacy Success
The Literacy Collective –We explore everyday issues pertaining to literacy teaching and learning. Equipping educators with practical strategies that they can use instantly to improve their literacy outcomes. We reduce the overwhelm that educators feel in their profession by providing well researched strategies, a plethora of useful freebies and expert coaching tips. Visit www.theliteracycollective.com to explore our amazing program that fast tracks literacy learning with our sound to print visual code. In episode 1 we look at the 8 core foundational skills when teaching Phonemic Awareness and some practical tips and freebies you can use straight away.
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#055 The Literacy Big 6 Series 5. Comprehension
01/31/2021
#055 The Literacy Big 6 Series 5. Comprehension
When we think of reading comprehension we should first start with the understanding of the Simple View of Reading (Gough & Tunmer, 1986), consisting of two essential components for learning to read, Language Comprehension and Word Recognition. Word Recognition has been covered in our previous podcasts of Phonemic Awareness and Phonics and in this episode we share with you some skills, elements, and components of Language Comprehension using the framework of the Simple View of Reading. Reading comprehension ability is complex and multifaceted; it consists of being familiar with a text’s vocabulary, having some background knowledge of the particular topic and grasping an understanding of the language structures used. So let's explore these together and I'll give you some hints and tips to use straight away in your classroom.
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#054 The Literacy Big 6 Series 4. Fluency
01/23/2021
#054 The Literacy Big 6 Series 4. Fluency
In Episode #54 we take a close look at Fluency, the often neglected component of a reading program. It is overlooked because it isn't a stand alone variable. Fluency is a culmination of successful orthographic mapping skills, prosody (intonation and expression) and comprehension. It also looks different in each grade level due to the developmental nature of the ‘learning to read’ process. Join me as I unpack each component of Fluency and load you up with strategies to use in your classroom today. To download the show notes and freebies head to www.theliteracycollective.com/podcast
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#053 The Literacy Big 6 Series - Phonics (with special guest)
11/10/2020
#053 The Literacy Big 6 Series - Phonics (with special guest)
Not all phonics is effective so how do we ensure our program is evidence based and maximising learning? Join me in Episode #53 as I not only share the 5 key components of effective phonics, but I bring in an expert neuroscientist to teach us how the brain uses phonics to learn to read. Neuroscientist, educator and author, Jared Cooney Horvath shares the research and turns theory into practise.
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#052 The Literacy Big 6 Series – 2. Phonemic Awareness
10/28/2020
#052 The Literacy Big 6 Series – 2. Phonemic Awareness
Research shows that Phonemic Awareness is a strong predictor of long term reading and spelling success. “It can predict literacy performance more accurately than intelligence, vocabulary knowledge and socio economic status” (Gillon, 2004) Episode #52 takes a close look at Phonemic Awareness, as this skill is a very crucial component that many teachers and commercial programs often overlook. While we use our eyes to read, the true starting point for reading is speech sounds. Phonemic awareness is 100% auditory, meaning it is only related to the sounds a letter makes, or the sounds letters make together in a word. Tune in as I unpack the 8 core phonemic awareness skills and load you up with practical strategies and explanations. find out more at www.theliteracycollective.com/podcast
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#051 The Literacy Big 6 Series, 1. Oral Language
10/15/2020
#051 The Literacy Big 6 Series, 1. Oral Language
Over the next six weeks I would like to take you through the 6 components that every Science Based reading program should have. Known as the Literacy Big 6, these recommendations are the result of three international reviews commissioned by the Governments in the US, UK and Australia, in an attempt to provide teachers with ‘best practice’ for teaching children to read. In this episode I share with you the first component of the Literacy Big 6, Oral Language, that can sometimes get overlooked in a foundation classroom, to the detriment of our most vulnerable learners. Join me as I unpack expressive and receptive language, phonological awareness and speech rhythms. To Find out more visit
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#050 The Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Sight Words – An Evidence Based Approach
10/07/2020
#050 The Dos and Don’ts of Teaching Sight Words – An Evidence Based Approach
Podcast episode #50 will provide you with practical evidence based teaching tips that can potentially enable a child to store and retrieve hundreds more words than they would be able to if they’d been taught using the widely common 'whole word' teaching methodology. Step into any English speaking, early year’s classroom and you can pretty much be assured of one thing, children are being given copious lists of ‘sight words’ to memorise or learn by heart. Until quite recently, it seems that this practice has received very little opposition. Well I’m here to tell you that science is telling us a different story. There is a better way to teach sight words and (spoiler alert) you may be surprised to learn that all words should be taught this way. For those of you who have already begun your journey into the ‘science of reading’, you may have discovered that there is a real shift away from traditional whole word memorisation to a process called orthographic mapping which I will explain in this episode. We’ve also learnt that the order in which we should introduce sight words needs to be given careful consideration, to ensure it aligns with the developmental decoding process of spelling patterns. Find out more here: https://theliteracycollective.com/podcast/
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#049 A 6 Minute Assessment Tool to Test Phonic Decoding
09/30/2020
#049 A 6 Minute Assessment Tool to Test Phonic Decoding
In episode #49 I share the knowledge and the tools to begin the identification and prevention of decoding fluency difficulties….. There are many quality assessment tools out there that are aligned to the Science of reading but even with those, which ones do you choose and how do you know which assessment is the right one for your students? The simple answer is to have a basic understanding of where the problem lies because from there you can use further assessments to dig down to the root of underlying deficits. Today I want to share with you a basic snapshot diagnostic assessment so you can quickly identify where the gaps are and determine the best way to remediate the problem. I’ve provided the TLC Phonics assessment, for FREE for you today. I recommend using this quick check to see what phonics learning has been retained and what areas need further investigation. It’s also very useful for obtaining a quick snapshot of a new student’s phonic knowledge. This data can also be used to group students with similar gaps and provide Tier 2 intervention in class. Join me as I unpack the 6 components of the assessment. To download your freebie and to explore other podcasts click here
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#048 Blending Strategies – The Multisensory Approach
09/09/2020
#048 Blending Strategies – The Multisensory Approach
Here at TLC we are passionate about The Science of Reading and the methodologies to match because they work for ALL learners, especially for our most vulnerable learners. I’m in classrooms every week working alongside some amazing teachers who are putting these methods into practice and I’m seeing first hand the results of using evidence based instructional methods. Today’s podcast is a response to questions I’ve had from teachers about blending. Have you got students in your class that know letters and sounds but are having difficulties with blending them to read words? Today I want to load you up with multi sensory strategies to help your little learners become confident readers and it all starts with blending skills. To find out more visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#047 Responding To Reading Errors
08/26/2020
#047 Responding To Reading Errors
Well no matter where you are on your SOR journey, I think you will find today’s topic really helpful. What I am about to share can have a HUGE influence on the instructional practises in your classroom….plus today’s freebie is gold, so make sure you get a hold of it on our podcast web webpage. Research examining different instructional materials and methods in reading has often identified the "teacher variable" as a critical factor in effective instruction. Even though teachers may choose to use resources aligned to the Science of Reading, it is you, the teacher, that can have the greatest impact. So today’s topic, ‘responding to oral reading errors’ is about recognizing your key role in effective reading instruction and equipping you with response strategies that align with the science of reading. The way you respond to errors may influence the way your students learn to read. So, as you can see, it’s pretty important topic that we are discussing today. Now, you may have seen those charts with common reading strategies for children that have 10 different characters to help them if they get stuck on a word... like Skippy Frog, Eagle Eye, Tryin’ Lion…. You may even have one on your wall, that’s ok, this is a judgement free zone, but here’s my advice - throw it in the bin! These strategies are not evidence based and can actually have detrimental effects on reading. Not only are there so many to learn (cognitive overload) but they are based on the debunked methodology of the 3 Cueing system. We need students to decode words and crack the alphabetic code, not skip words, look at pictures or take a wild guess. So what a teacher says and directs students to do, heavily influences the way they learn to read. Find out More at www.theliteracycollective.com
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#046 Reading Behaviours Checklist – What Should I Be Looking For?
08/20/2020
#046 Reading Behaviours Checklist – What Should I Be Looking For?
Episode #46 takes a close look at the early ‘reading behaviours’ that are conducive to ongoing reading progress. In knowing what to look for, you’ll also be able to identify deficits and facilitate timely interventions, which will prevent unnecessary reading struggles. Don't forget to also download the freebie to start building your students' reading profiles based on the Science of Reading. You'll notice there’s not even a hint of a suggested behaviours like ‘look at the picture’ or ‘guess a word that makes sense’. That’s because if you are truly on the Science of Reading journey, you're going to encourage evidence based strategies that are most effective for helping your little learners decode and map new words, and in the process, wire their brains for ongoing reading success. “Contextual guessing strategies are supported by the cueing systems model of word recognition which has no basis in reading science. According to this theory, students are said to use graphophonic cues, semantic or meaning cues, and syntax or contextual cues to recognize words. In practice, the emphasis is on anything but the links between speech sounds and spelling. Unfortunately, balanced literacy students are learning strategies that poor readers rely on, not what good readers know” (Moats, L. 2007). Source: Dyslexia SA. To find out more visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#045 How To Make Spelling Stick!
08/13/2020
#045 How To Make Spelling Stick!
Many bolt on spelling programs are doing little to improve children’s spelling abilities, especially for our most vulnerable learners. In fact many of the most common spelling activities have been shown to be a ineffective. This is most apparent in the gap between student’s weekly spelling test scores and their spelling accuracy in their writing. Join me in Episode #45 as I unpack some key evidence based strategies that will help make spelling knowledge stick. To find out more visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#044 The Misconception of ‘Blends’ – It’s a verb NOT a Noun
08/05/2020
#044 The Misconception of ‘Blends’ – It’s a verb NOT a Noun
As a literacy coach I see so many phonics scope and sequences that have multiple weeks focused on this ‘so called’ concept of 'BLENDS', but is it truly necessary? Well podcast #44 will give you important insights into why 'blends' should be seen as a process not a concept. Join me as we discover 4 common errors in phonics programs around this concept of 'blends' and give you practical strategies to fast track phonics success. To find out more visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#043 The 6 Steps to Maximise Learning During Guided Reading
07/28/2020
#043 The 6 Steps to Maximise Learning During Guided Reading
Guided reading time should adopt a powerful instructional approach to teaching reading that promotes a high level of reading growth. Unfortunately, 'round robin' reading methodologies have crept into common practise. There is considerable evidence that this methodology is ineffective so let's understand why…. Join me in Episode #43 as I share the 6 steps to maximise learning during guided reading time. To get a copy of your freebies and show notes visit www.theliteracycollective.com/podcast To find out more visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#042 What’s In and What’s Out With Guided Reading
07/15/2020
#042 What’s In and What’s Out With Guided Reading
Episode #42 takes a close look at guided reading groups and the negative talk in the 'Science of Reading' community. Tune in as I give you some key considerations before jumping on any bandwagon, and more importantly, gain the skills to decipher the information presented out there so you can reflect on your own practice and make decisions that will maximise learning for YOUR classroom and YOUR students. I'll show you how you can have group work and align it to 'Science of Reading' instructional methods if structured and planned well. To find out more visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#041 Navigating The ‘Science of Reading’ Journey, Even When You’re Faced With Resistance (For Leaders)
07/08/2020
#041 Navigating The ‘Science of Reading’ Journey, Even When You’re Faced With Resistance (For Leaders)
Are you a leader in a school wanting to start the process of aligning practices to the Science of Reading, but just don’t know where to start? Change can be hard at the best of times but moving to Science of Reading instructional methods is definitely worth the effort. When schools make the decision to adjust their methodologies to align with SoR, they are choosing to provide the most effective, current, evidence based literacy instruction that caters for all students especially your most vulnerable. Join me in Episode #41 as I share 4 key strategies to get the ball rolling in your school, even if you have resistant teachers. Find out more at www.theliteracycollective.com
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#40 Navigating The ‘Science of Reading’ Journey, Even When You’re Faced With Resistance
06/30/2020
#40 Navigating The ‘Science of Reading’ Journey, Even When You’re Faced With Resistance
Whether you're on the 'Science of Reading' journey on your own, with a small group of collegues or as a whole school, Episode #40 is full of practical strategies for everyone who is wanting to effect change in their schools. As the saying goes, 'when we know better, we do better' so join me on the journey to fast track literacy success in your school even if you're faced with resistance from colleagues or members of leadership. The tide is turning, governments and school systems are slowly beginning to realise that 'Science of Reading' holds the key to fixing the failing literacy problem so you just might be the one leading the change in your school. Next week, in Part 2 of this topic. I’ll look at the scenario of school environments where administration is wanting to implement a SoR program but is faced with resistance from their teachers. To download the freebies and hear more of our podcasts visit
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#039 The Running Record Rebuttal: Calling for a Review of Beginner Reader Assessments
06/24/2020
#039 The Running Record Rebuttal: Calling for a Review of Beginner Reader Assessments
Join me in Episode #39 as I address the strong views of teachers around the use of running records. I want to help teachers enhance the literacy development of all students by preventing them from wasting time and resources on ineffective, expensive and outdated approaches to reading assessment. I'll share some strategies of how to replace ineffective assessments with rigorous, evidence-based tools for reading assessment and take an important step towards evidence-based reading instruction and remediation. For more, visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#038 Are Running Records a Waste of Time?
06/17/2020
#038 Are Running Records a Waste of Time?
Podcast #38 was inspired by some great conversations that I had last week with teachers who are coming up to a reporting period and are implementing their 'end of semester' assessments. The questions and stories that the teachers had around their benchmark testing were so relevant to everyone who is transitioning to methodologies that are based on the ‘science of reading’ and they were just too good not to share. Join me as I unpack the purpose of reading assessments and give you the knowledge to make effective decisions, challenge the old, save yourself a whole lot of valuable time all while providing the best monitoring and assessment systems to cater for early intervention. To find out more, visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#37 How To Identify Reading Deficits Early and The Practical Strategies To Fill The Gaps PART 2
06/10/2020
#37 How To Identify Reading Deficits Early and The Practical Strategies To Fill The Gaps PART 2
PART B: As a literacy coach, I visit many schools supporting teachers in their journey implementing literacy programs using the ‘Science of Teaching Reading’ methodologies. Last week I was chatting with Prep staff at one particular school. They were mentioning how quickly most of the children were progressing, already blending and segmenting words successfully and transferring this to reading and writing. However, there were still a small group of students in each class that they felt were progressing a lot slower. They asked some great questions like…. ‘What skills should students have by now?’ ‘What should we do for these students?’ ‘When and how should we be assessing them?’ ‘When should we provide withdrawal intervention?’ Join me in Episode #36 and #37 as I unpack the crucial strategies of Phonemic Awareness. I'll show you how to identify deficits and give you some practical strategies to implement with your vulnerable students. Don't forget to grab your FREE Phonemic Awareness Reading Readiness Assessment and also scroll down to our Lesson Library. See our Video Library and download your freebie at: https://theliteracycollective.com/36-how-to-identify-reading-deficits-early-and-the-practical-strategies-to-fill-the-gaps/
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#36 How To Identify Reading Deficits Early and The Practical Strategies To Fill The Gaps PART 1
06/03/2020
#36 How To Identify Reading Deficits Early and The Practical Strategies To Fill The Gaps PART 1
As a literacy coach, I visit many schools supporting teachers in their journey implementing literacy programs using the ‘Science of Teaching Reading’ methodologies. Last week I was chatting with Prep staff at one particular school. They were mentioning how quickly most of the children were progressing, already blending and segmenting words successfully and transferring this to reading and writing. However, there were still a small group of students in each class that they felt were progressing a lot slower. They asked some great questions like…. ‘What skills should students have by now?’ ‘What should we do for these students?’ ‘When and how should we be assessing them?’ ‘When should we provide withdrawal intervention?’ Join me in Episode #36 as I unpack the first 4 crucial strategies of Phonemic Awareness. I'll show you how to identify deficits and give you some practical strategies to implement with your vulnerable students. Next week we will unpack the last 4 strategies (Part 2) and give our teachers more strategies that will fast track their vulnerable student's success.
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#034 What Readers Should I Use In My K-2 Classroom? Decodable, Predictable or Storybooks?
05/19/2020
#034 What Readers Should I Use In My K-2 Classroom? Decodable, Predictable or Storybooks?
Today’s topic is hotly debated amongst teachers and schools. Join me in episode #34 where I present the facts on what type of readers you should be using in your classroom and help you see that this requires serious consideration by early years teachers and curriculum coordinators in every school. I know this may sound dramatic, but for some children (potentially 20-30% of your class) it could literally mean the difference between a successful launch into reading or a lifelong struggle with reading. Yep, it’s a big deal! For more information visit www.theliteracycollective.com
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#033 The False Positive Results - How Not To Be Lured In By This Fallacy
05/13/2020
#033 The False Positive Results - How Not To Be Lured In By This Fallacy
The attraction of a common early reading success fallacy has been a consistent lure for teachers, and has sufficiently undermined English reading instruction ever since it was first stumbled upon. It did not take long for this 'golden bullet' to hit globally, providing enormous commercial enterprise for companies producing resources with this debunked philosophy. These resources and programs are so ingrained that even educational systems today mandate the use of their commercialised assessments and data and it is producing concerning ‘false positives’ result. In today’s early primary classrooms, teachers are feeling an ever-increasing pressure to get their students reading. It is easy to lose sight of the developmental process and try to skip steps in order to get our kids reading as soon as possible. There is just one problem: skipping steps is not going to work in the long run. Children’s progress in reading will be limited if they haven’t learned the crucial fundamentals of reading. Remember the saying, ‘short term gains result in long term pains’.... Join me in Episode #33 to find out about the concept of ‘false positive’ results and hear how you can protect your students’ learning for their long term education.
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#032 The Most Important Reading Scientific Discovery You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
04/29/2020
#032 The Most Important Reading Scientific Discovery You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
In Episode 31 & 32 you'll find out what is now considered “the most current theory of how children form sight word representations”. We will dive deep down into the most current research and see what top cognitive neuroscientists and educational psychologists are telling us about the process we use to store printed words in our long-term memory. When we understand the research we can ensure best practise is occurring in our classrooms, giving students the essentials for successful learning. The skill we are talking about is called Orthographic Mapping and today we will unpack its meaning then give you practical strategies to get your students using this advanced strategy and fast tracking their literacy success.
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#031 The Most Important Reading Scientific Discovery You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
04/22/2020
#031 The Most Important Reading Scientific Discovery You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
In Episode 31 I will be sharing what is now considered “the most current theory of how children form sight word representations”. We will dive deep down into the most current research and see what top cognitive neuroscientists and educational psychologists are telling us about the process we use to store printed words in our long-term memory. When we understand the research we can ensure best practise is occurring in our classrooms, giving students the essentials for successful learning. The skill we are talking about is called Orthographic Mapping and today we will unpack its meaning then give you practical strategies to get your students using this advanced strategy and fast tracking their literacy success. Don't Forget to download your awesome FREEBIE! https://theliteracycollective.com/podcast/
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#030 The 6 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Transitioning Students to Remote Learning
04/15/2020
#030 The 6 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Transitioning Students to Remote Learning
Episode 30 is all about making the most of this lock down time and avoiding common mistakes that teachers may unknowingly make when transitioning students to home learning. This is new territory for everyone and I know as teachers you are doing everything you can to keep afloat and manage this new way of supporting learning. The early primary school years can be the most difficult as the independent skills of your students are minimal, students require more explicit teaching and activities require guidance and feedback for learning to occur so teachers have a far more difficult job in setting up the right learning framework. Today we shed some light on common mistakes that hinder the learning process so that you can ensure you’re not falling into the trap of these. We also unpack strategies to use that will combat all of these mistakes and continue the deep learning journey for all students.
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#29 Three Steps to Teach Any Child To Read - From School or Home
04/08/2020
#29 Three Steps to Teach Any Child To Read - From School or Home
As we know, the most crucial years of learning for any child are the years they learn to read. How well they master this skill can have far reaching consequences for their ongoing achievement at school,their social and emotional well being, their vocational and financial success and their ability to thrive in and contribute to society. Episode 29 takes a look at how we can ensure our little learners in their first year of school can continue to learn the essential skills they need in order to read whether they are at school or home. Every day counts and the Covid 19 interruptions can have devastating effects. So let’s take a look at the reading skills that every child must master in order to become a competent reader. And I’ll give you a tool kit of strategies to get you through the challenges ahead.
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#28 6 Simple Steps to Ensure Your Students Keep Learning Through School Closure Times
03/23/2020
#28 6 Simple Steps to Ensure Your Students Keep Learning Through School Closure Times
Episode 28 is a 6 step checklist and support plan to help students and their families make a smooth transition to home learning during the COVID19 outbreak. Many parents will be feeling anxious about their ability to step in as their children’s teacher so we want to empower them in that role and make their job as easy as possible.
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#027 The Proven Method to Improve Early Spellers
03/11/2020
#027 The Proven Method to Improve Early Spellers
I’m pretty sure you’ve had students in your class at the end of Kindy, Grade 1, Grade 2 and in fact every grade, who can get 100% accuracy in a spelling test and then their writing is riddled with spelling errors. There seems to be very little transference of spelling knowledge into their writing. Frustrating, right? Well lets take a close look at the teaching strategy of ‘Dictation Exercises’. This one strategy can be an important key to unlock the connection between spelling and writing. Join me in Episode #27 and get the 5 step guide to effective dictation exercises that improve working memory.
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#026 Phonological Weakness: The Road Block For Successful Reading
03/04/2020
#026 Phonological Weakness: The Road Block For Successful Reading
Reading scientists, cognitive neuroscientists and educational psychologists all agree that Phonological weakness is the most common blocker for reading success. According to researchers, at least 80 percent of all poor readers demonstrate a weakness in phonological awareness and/or phonological memory. Readers with phonological processing weaknesses also tend to be the poorest spellers. So join me in Episode #26 and learn many practical strategies that teachers can use to ensure they are giving their learners the best start to becoming successful readers. find out more at www.theliteracycollective.com
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#025 Two Simple ‘Rocket Fuel’ Drills to Launch Your Students Into The Reading Success Stratosphere?
02/23/2020
#025 Two Simple ‘Rocket Fuel’ Drills to Launch Your Students Into The Reading Success Stratosphere?
Episode 25 will give you two very simple rocket fuel daily drills that will successfully launch all of your students into the reading success stratosphere. Literacy time is limited in our crowded curriculum so I want to give you practical strategies that use proven methods and have high impact to optimise learning time….. this podcast takes a look at the benefits of adding a daily drill and gives you some key take aways to use immediately in your classroom.
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