Anna Geiger's Blog, page 4

EPISODE 200!

TRT Podcast #200:

In today’s celebratory episode, I share my science of reading journey so far and identify my very favorite guest from the last five years. Just kidding! But I do give podcast “awards” as I identify my favorite podcast series, the most genuine guests, the most passionate, the most knowledgeable … and more. Listen in to find out which guests were named! 

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Resources mentioned in this episode:Decodable books with supplementary resourcesFree decodable booksScience of reading podcast indexScience of reading article indexAnna’s membership website, The Measured Mom PlusAnna’s book, Reach All Readers Reach All Readers, the online courseAnna’s free email list Form for professors who would like to consider Reach All Readers as a textbook for their course
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post EPISODE 200! appeared first on The Measured Mom.

How to address the needs of advanced readers – with Dr. Nancy Young

TRT Podcast #199: How to address the needs of advanced readers – with Dr. Nancy Young

Dr. Nancy Young, creator of The Ladder of Reading & Writing infographic, explains why we need to challenge students who are advanced in reading and why research does not support the notion that they will be “just fine” regardless of their instruction. This is an important issue that deserves more attention. 

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Dr. Young’s resources The Ladder of Reading & Writing infographic Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners book co-edited with Jan HasbrouckGiftedness resources from Dr. Young’s websiteAdditional resources mentioned in this episodeThe National Association for Gifted ChildrenThe Acceleration Institute Failing Our Brightest Kids: The Global Challenge of Educating High-Ability Students book by Chester Finn, Jr. and Brandon Wright
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post How to address the needs of advanced readers – with Dr. Nancy Young appeared first on The Measured Mom.

Equipping students to make strong inferences – with Dr. Amy Elleman

TRT Podcast #198: Equipping students to make strong inferences – with Dr. Amy Elleman

Comprehension is complex – and helping students improve comprehension is no straightforward task! Thankfully, Dr. Amy Elleman shows us how to teach the subskills that will enable our students to make strong inferences and become better comprehenders in the process.

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Resources Dr. Elleman mentionedKintsch’s construction-integration modelthe RAND reading modelCoh-MetrixWhat Works ClearinghouseNewselatextproject.orgthe LEXILE text complexity toolLearn more from Dr. EllemanEvidence-based Practices for Reading Comprehension interview with The Windward InstituteThe Power of Persistence presentation with the Center for Educational MediaDr. Elleman’s bio at Middle Tennessee State UniversityDr. Elleman’s curriculum vitae
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post Equipping students to make strong inferences – with Dr. Amy Elleman appeared first on The Measured Mom.

How to use think alouds to improve students’ reading comprehension – with Dr. Molly Ness

TRT Podcast #197: How to use think alouds to improve students’ reading comprehension – with Dr. Molly Ness

Dr. Molly Ness joins us to examine the power of think alouds. We discuss how to prepare for effective think alouds and how to use them to boost student comprehension. 

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Books by MollyThink Big with Think Alouds: A Three-Step Planning Process That Develops Strategic ReadersMaking Words Stick with Katie Pace Miles (releasing June 2025)Read Alouds for All Learners: A Comprehensive Plan for Every Subject, Every Day, Grades PreK���8Every Minute Matters: 40+ Activities for Literacy-Rich Classroom TransitionsThe Question is the Answer: Supporting Student-Generated Queries in Elementary ClassroomsLessons to Learn: Voices from the Front Lines of Teach for AmericaResources from MollyThink aloud videosThink aloud sentence startersMolly’s websiteOther interviews with MollyLeveraging Read-Alouds to Build Language on the De Facto Leaders podcastThe Impact of Read-Alouds on Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Reading Skills on Amira LearningHow to Get Kids Reading at Home with Melissa & Lori Love LiteracyMake the Most of Your Read Alouds with SoR-What I Should Have Learned in College
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post How to use think alouds to improve students’ reading comprehension – with Dr. Molly Ness appeared first on The Measured Mom.

The nuts and bolts of building oral language in the classroom – with Jocelyn Seamer

TRT Podcast #196:��The nuts and bolts of building oral language in the classroom – with��Jocelyn Seamer

Don’t have time to build oral language skills?��Jocelyn��Seamer shows you how to build them into what you’re already doing and offers specific oral language routines to incorporate. This episode is for you, no matter what grade you teach!

Listen to the episode hereFull episode transcript Learn more from JocelynJocelyn’s Questioning Matrix Jocelyn’s book: Reading Success in the Early Primary Years Jocelyn’s podcast: The Structured Literacy Podcast Jocelyn’s website: Jocelyn Seamer Education
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post The nuts and bolts of building oral language in the classroom – with Jocelyn Seamer appeared first on The Measured Mom.

How to train future reading teachers – with Dr. Carrie Pfeifer

TRT Podcast #195: How to train future reading teachers – with Dr. Carrie Pfeifer

Dr. Carrie Pfeifer shares how her structured literacy clinic and redesigned coursework prepare future reading teachers. Students get hands-on tutoring experience while mastering evidence-based teaching methods. It’s a win for everyone!

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Resources Contact Dr. Pfeifer Bethany’s structured literacy clinic (document by Dr. Pfeifer) More about the structured literacy clinic
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post How to train future reading teachers – with Dr. Carrie Pfeifer appeared first on The Measured Mom.

Going deep beneath the surface of words – with Sue Hegland

TRT Podcast #194: Going deep beneath the surface of words – with Sue Hegland

One of my favorite education books is Beneath the Surface of Words, by Sue Hegland – it’s a truly mind-blowing book that opened my eyes to the sense behind English spelling. Even though I’ve always been a strong speller, this book led to understandings that make me a better teacher of spelling. In this episode I sat down with Sue Hegland to dive deep beneath the surface of words.

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Recommended ResourcesSue’s book: Beneath the Surface of WordsSue’s website: Learning About Spelling Sue’s list of recommended resources (books and websites)Presentation: The Science of the Writing System and Its Importance for Effective Structured Literacy Teaching (for PaTTAN)Presentation: Morphological Awareness and Written Language (for IDA NorCal)Presentation: Morphology: Important from the Beginning (for IDA)Presentation: Making Sense of “Irregular” Words (for IDA UMB)
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post Going deep beneath the surface of words – with Sue Hegland appeared first on The Measured Mom.

Specific ways to teach morphology in the lower grades – with Fiona Hamilton

TRT Podcast #193: Specific ways to teach morphology in the lower grades – with Fiona Hamilton

If you’re looking for specific ways to teach morphology in the primary grades – starting in kindergarten – THIS is the episode for you. Fiona Hamilton breaks it all down for us, even giving us the exact words to say. This episode is a must-listen for any lower grades teacher who’s ready to get started with morphology instruction! 

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Resources from Fiona HamiltonWebsite: WordTorque Workshops: Self-paced online workshops (I have taken them and recommend them! Fascinating!) Engage with the Page The hfw Project
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post Specific ways to teach morphology in the lower grades – with Fiona Hamilton appeared first on The Measured Mom.

An introduction to Morphology – with Michelle Sullivan

TRT Podcast #191: An introduction to morphology – with Michelle Sullivan

This episode begins an exciting series about morphology! Michelle Sullivan, of The Colorful Classroom, defines basic morphology terms and gives practical ways to begin morphology instruction across the grades.

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript Recommended books about morphology Teaching How the Written Word Works, by Peter Bowers Beneath the Surface of Word s, by Sue Scibetta Hegland Backpocket Words , by Gail Portnuff Venable

Connect with Michelle The Colorful Classroom website The Colorful Classroom on Instagram Free guide: Phonics & Morphology Terms
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post An introduction to Morphology – with Michelle Sullivan appeared first on The Measured Mom.

Structured Word Inquiry – with Dr. Pete Bowers

TRT Podcast #192: Structured Word Inquiry – with Dr. Pete Bowers

Dr. Pete Bowers explains “structured word inquiry,” an exciting type of instruction that engages learners of all ages in making sense of our (surprise!) logical spelling system. In this episode, Dr. Bowers shares the research behind morphology, explains why words typically called “irregular” are usually not, and advocates for morphology instruction even with our youngest readers.

Listen to the episode here

Full episode transcript

Coming soon!

Images courtesy of Dr. BowersResources mentioned in this episode (in order of mention)Article: Bowers, P.N. & Kirby, J.R. (2010) Effects of Morphological instruction on Vocabulary Acquisition, Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 23, 515–537.Website:  Real Spelling Toolbox Article: Devonshire, V., Morris, P., & Fluck, M. (2013). Spelling and reading development: The effect of teaching children multiple levels of representation in their orthography. Learning and Instruction, 25, 85-94.Article: Ng, M. M., Bowers, P. N., & Bowers, J. S. (2022). A promising new tool for literacy instruction: The morphological matrix. Plos one, 17(1), e0262260.Article: Goodwin, A. P., & Ahn, S. (2013). A meta-analysis of morphological interventions in English: Effects on literacy outcomes for school-age children. Scientific Studies of reading, 17(4), 257-285.Article: Goodwin, A. P., & Ahn, S. (2010). A meta-analysis of morphological interventions: Effects on literacy achievement of children with literacy difficulties. Annals of dyslexia, 60(2), 183-208.Article: Galuschka, K., Görgen, R., Kalmar, J., Haberstroh, S., Schmalz, X., & Schulte-Körne, G. (2020). Effectiveness of spelling interventions for learners with dyslexia: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Educational Psychologist, 55(1), 1-20.Article: Chomsky, C. (1970). Reading, writing, and phonology. Harvard Educational Review, 40 (2), 287–309.Article re: Active View of Reading: Duke, N. K., & Cartwright, K. B. (2021). The science of reading progresses: Communicating advances beyond the simple view of reading. Reading Research Quarterly, 56, S25-S44.Article re: Morphological Pathways Framework: Levesque, K. C., Breadmore, H. L., & Deacon, S. H. (2021). How morphology impacts reading and spelling: Advancing the role of morphology in models of literacy development. Journal of Research in Reading, 44(1), 10-26.Article: Share, D. L. (2023). Blueprint for a universal theory of learning to read: The Combinatorial Model. Society for the Scientific Study of Reading Conference.
ChicagoArticle: Share, D. L. (2021). Is the science of reading just the science of reading English?. Reading Research Quarterly, 56, S391-S402.Video: Pete Bowers teaching “does”Chapter in a book: Perfetti, C. A., & Hart, L. (2002). The lexical quality hypothesis. Precursors of functional literacy, 11, 67-86.Book: The American Way of Spelling, by Richard L. VenezkyPete Bowers’ book:  Teaching How the Written Word Works Facebook group:  Learning How Words Work with Structured Word Inquiry ( SWI ) Facebook page: SWIRV: Structured Word Inquiry Research VanguardBook:  Beneath the Surface of Words , by Sue Scibetta HeglandWebsite:  Word Works Kingston Web page:  High Frequency Word Project Website: Rebecca Loveless’  Illuminate Words Website: Fiona Hamilton’s  Word Torque Book:  Reader, Come Home , by Maryanne WolfeArticle: de Jong, T., Lazonder, A. W., Chinn, C. A., Fischer, F., Gobert, J., Hmelo-Silver, C. E., … & Zacharia, Z. C. (2023). Let’s talk evidence–The case for combining inquiry-based and direct instruction. Educational Research Review, 39, 100536.Other helpful resourcesVideo: Spelling-Out Orthography in SWI to build graphemic and morphological knowledge Video: Make Spelling Joyful through Scientific Inquiry: Pete Bower’s TEDxYouth talk
Have you seen my book?

Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you.

Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

The post Structured Word Inquiry – with Dr. Pete Bowers appeared first on The Measured Mom.