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Reading Teachers LoungeAuthor: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi
This is the Reading Teachers Lounge where listeners can eavesdrop on professional conversations between elementary reading teachers. We are passionate about literacy and strive to find strategies to reach all learners. Shannon and Mary are neighbors who realized that they were literacy soul sisters at a dinner in their Atlanta neighborhood. Once they started chatting about reading they havent really stopped. Come join the conversation. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Education for Kids, Kids & Family Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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8.5 The Literacy Block
Episode 5
Sunday, 7 December, 2025
Mary and Shannon are joined by Lindsay Kemeny, a returning guest and 1st grade teacher. Lindsay discusses her latest book and shares insights into structuring an effective literacy block. During the chat, Lindsay stresses the importance of routines, transitions, and frequent student responses in her data-driven instruction. Lindsay also opens up about her personal journey, detailing how her son's struggles with dyslexia transformed her teaching methods. The conversation covers practical tips for teaching phonics, spelling, high-frequency words, and integrating content into literacy. Listen to the episode to learn valuable tips for optimizing your reading instruction.01:17 Welcoming Back Lindsay Kemeny01:49 Lindsay's Journey and New Books03:36 Implementing Literacy Block Changes07:04 Structuring the Literacy Block08:53 The Importance of Data and Intervention21:09 Green Chef Sponsorship22:07 Phonics and Spelling Integration28:20 Reflecting on Classroom Data28:39 Optimizing Lessons and Routines35:06 The Importance of Student Responses37:08 Focusing on Progress, Not Perfection39:55 A Personal Journey with Dyslexia52:36 Final Thoughts and ResourcesRECOMMENDED RESOURCES RELEVANT TO THE EPISODE:Our Season 6 episode with Lindsay: Best Reading Instruction MovesOur Season 7 episode: The Reading TeamLindsay's websiteLindsay's podcast: Literacy TalksRock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny *Amazon affiliate link7 Mighty Moves by Lindsay Kemeny *Amazon affiliate link7 Mighty Moves Reading Resources (companion book) by Lindsay Kemeny *Amazon affiliate linkReading Rockets: An Example of the 90 Minute Reading BlockAscend (Smarter Intervention): How Do I Fit It All In? Reading Rockets: What Does Your Literacy Block Look Like? It Depends.Timothy Shanahan: How Would You Schedule the Reading Instruction?Mississippi Dept of Ed: Suggested Instructional Routines for Teaching Reading First Through Fifth GradeSupport the show Get Literacy Support through our Patreon Bonus Episodes access through your podcast app Bonus episodes access through Patreon Buy us a coffee Get a FREE Green Chef box using our link
