Join me as we explore the Language Comprehension side of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, a critical yet often under-discussed component in the Science of Reading. While Word Recognition gets much of the spotlight, Language Comprehension is equally vital for developing skilled readers. We’ll unpack the five strands of this half of the rope—Background Knowledge, Vocabulary, Language…
In this episode, Michelle welcomes Alicia Drozd, a literacy coach and leader at the Rutgers University Center for Literacy Development, to discuss the art of delivering meaningful and well-received feedback to teachers. They explore the nuances of giving feedback that not only supports growth but fosters trust and collaboration. Alicia shares her insights on the…
Let’s dive deep into the intricacies of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, focusing specifically on the Word Recognition side. I break down how phonological awareness, decoding, and sight recognition work together to form the foundation of skilled reading. With insights into each strand, practical examples, and research-based explanations, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of…
Michelle sits down with Erin McBride, a seasoned literacy coach who has worked in various educational settings. Together, they explore the power of coaching cycles—how they work, why they’re essential, and how they differ from traditional coaching. Erin shares her experiences navigating different coaching environments, from district-wide roles to her current work with the Rutgers…
In this episode of The Literacy in Color Podcast, Michelle shares the story and inspiration behind her platform, The Colorful Classroom. From her background in color and design to her passion for literacy, Michelle explores what it means to have a “colorful” classroom. She introduces the acronym COLORFUL: Captivating Our Learners on Reading Fluently and…
In this Coaching Conversation, Michelle chats with Hannah Irion-Frake, a first-year literacy coach who shares her inspiring journey from classroom teacher to instructional coach. They discuss the challenges and rewards of her new role, how her background prepared her, and the importance of building trust with teachers. Hannah offers valuable insights for coaches just starting…
In this episode, we get into some heat about the Reading Wars. While Balanced Literacy aims to create a joyful reading experience, Structured Literacy provides the explicit instruction necessary for students to actually learn how to read. —But can’t we have BOTH joy & proficiency when implementing the Science of Reading research? We explore why…
Welcome to the Coaching Conversations Bonus Series of The Literacy in Color Podcast! In this episode, we dive into what it truly means to “coach with heart”. I share three essential tips to help you succeed as a literacy coach. Whether you’re just starting out or already in the thick of it, these tips focus…
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Literacy in Color, where we’re diving into the rich world of words and why you should become a fellow logophile (literally ‘lover of words’) on this journey with me! Celebrating my 37th birthday today, I feel a renewed sense of purpose to tackle the literacy crisis in our classrooms….
🎙 Welcome to The Literacy in Color Podcast! 🎙 Hosted by Michelle Sullivan, your go-to structured literacy BFF, this podcast is here to guide teachers through evidence-based practices while making learning colorful, engaging, and effective. With over a decade of experience as a reading interventionist and literacy coach, Michelle is on a mission to equip educators with…