
Advertise on podcast: Together in Literacy
Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
94 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Emily Gibbons & Casey HarrisonExplicit
No
Date created
2021/10/04
Latest episode
2026/11/09
Average duration
59 min.
Release period
25 days
Description
Join us as we connect the science behind reading to the social-emotional connections for our students.
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Check latest episodes from Together in Literacy podcast
6.2 Changing the Story: From Understanding to Action
2026/11/09
In this episode of Together in Literacy, we build on our conversation about how literacy experiences shape students' self-perception and explore practical ways to build skills and confidence through intentional instruction. We discuss how behaviors like avoidance and frustration may signal unmet learning needs, and share new ideas for responsive instruction, meaningful scaffolds, and authentic feedback that help students develop learning agency, self-awareness, and self-advocacy. Until next time, remember: Learning shapes us, and our experiences shape how we learn.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis: Empowering Students with Dyslexia by Casey Harrison
Report of the National Reading Panel
6.1 The Stories We Carry: When Learning Feels Different
5.10 Restraint Collapse: What’s Really Going On for Kids with Dyslexia After School?
5.8 The Emotional & Social Impact of Dyslexia with Dr. Jacob Santhouse
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If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
6.1 The Stories We Carry: When Learning Feels Different
2026/10/26
Welcome to Season 6 of Together in Literacy! This season, Casey Harrison and Emily Gibbons are exploring how literacy experiences shape more than reading and writing skills. Together, we’ll look at how learning connects to confidence, identity, belonging, and self-advocacy, and how the experiences we create for students can influence the way they see themselves and their potential.
In this season opener, we share reflections on our own early reading experiences and explore how reading challenges or instruction that misses the mark can affect students’ confidence and classroom participation. We talk about why frustration and avoidance may be signs of an unmet learning need, not a lack of effort, and ways to help students build skills while feeling supported and capable. Join us for a new season of thoughtful conversations, research-backed insights, and practical ideas you can bring to your teaching. Together, we’ll explore how we can help students shape more positive stories about themselves as learners.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Nancy Young’s Ladder of Reading and Writing
A longitudinal study of beginning reading achievement and reading self-concept., Chapman, J. W., & Tunmer, W. E. (1997)
5.9 The Gift and Curse of Dyslexia with Deon Butler
5.18 Season 5 Finale: What Do Students with Dyslexia Really Need?
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If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
5.18 Season 5 Finale: What Do Students with Dyslexia Really Need?
2026/06/01
In this Season 5 finale, Emily and Casey return to their central question: What do students with dyslexia really need? Drawing on short clips from guests including Dr. Melissa Orkin, Sarah Gannon, Dr. David Kilpatrick, Dr. Rosine Dougherty, Dr. Jacob Santhouse, Aliyah Banchik, Nancy Duggan, and Deon Butler, they explore how effective support reaches beyond reading skills alone. They also talk about themes of explicit, evidence-based instruction, thoughtful use of authentic text, flexible and diagnostic teaching, and the emotional experiences of students with dyslexia, including self-acceptance, confidence, and mental health. The episode looks at how families, schools, and systems share responsibility, and how offering multiple ways for students to show what they know can change their day-to-day experience in school.
Thank you for joining us for the 5th season of Together in Literacy – have a wonderful summer, we’ll see you in September for season 6!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Empowered Beyond the Program membership
Building Readers for Life Annual Conference
5.5 Creativity, Conservation, and Celebrating Neurodiversity with Aliah Banchik
5.6 The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon (Part 1) (Part 2)
5.8 The Emotional & Social Impact of Dyslexia with Dr. Jacob Santhouse
5.9 The Gift and Curse of Dyslexia with Deon Butler
5.11 Rethinking Phonemic Awareness with David Kilpatrick, PhD
5.12 From “Don’t Say Dyslexia” to Right to Read with Nancy Duggan
5.14 Strategies for Twice-Exceptional Children with Dr. Rosine Dougherty
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear next season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.17 Syllable Types: Helpful Tools or Harmful Crutch?
2026/05/18
You may have heard conflicting messages in the literacy space about whether you should be teaching syllable types—this episode is all about helping you sort it out. We unpack the controversy around syllable type instruction and ground the conversation in research, Orton-Gillingham principles, and real work with students who have dyslexia. We explore where syllable types genuinely support decoding, spelling, and morphology, and where instruction can go wrong or become more of a labeling exercise than a useful tool. We dig into the key questions: for which students? In what context? And how is the instruction actually being implemented? Most importantly, you’ll hear how to make thoughtful decisions about instruction so you can better meet the needs of the students sitting in front of you every day.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
5.11 Rethinking Phonemic Awareness with David Kilpatrick, PhD
5.6 The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon (Part 1) (Part 2)
Graphosyllabic analysis helps adolescent struggling readers read and spell words by Linnea C Ehri, Alpana Bhattacharya
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the Structured Literacy infographic
What Works Clearinghouse
Orton-Gillingham approach
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.16 Rerelease: 2.14 Using Evaluations to Better Understand Our Learners with Katy Vassar
2026/05/18
Join us for a rerelease of one of our favorite old episodes you may have missed!
In 2.14, we were joined by Katy Vassar. Katy is a Dyslexia and Reading Consultant, Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, Qualified Instructor of therapists, and Educational Diagnostician with over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Her history includes roles in special education, general education, reading/dyslexia intervention, and coaching at the elementary and secondary levels in both public and independent school systems.
Katy currently teams with various centers to train teachers as dyslexia therapists, train educators to better work with students with dyslexia in the classroom, provide psychoeducational evaluations, and support individual students and families as they navigate the world of dyslexia. She also contracts with schools, districts, and other state and local organizations to provide consultation services and professional development.
Katy is passionate about supporting the learning needs of all students as they navigate their journey toward being successful life-long learners.
We’ll talk about how Katy got started on her journey, the role of an educational diagnostician, what tests and assessments are used, what testing can reveal about a child, and so much more!
Join us as we take a deeper look at special education evaluations with a focus on both families and educators.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Season 1, Episode 16: The Legal Aspect of Dyslexia Advocacy with Sabrina Axt
Dyslexia Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock L. Eide M.D. M.A. and Fernette F. Eide M.D.
Dyslexic Advantage Newsletter
Casey on TpT - The Dyslexia Classroom or The Dyslexia Classroom
Emily on TpT - The Literacy Nest or The Literacy Nest
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.15 Why Multisensory Teaching Can Help Dyslexic Students With Memory
2026/04/20
In this episode, we discuss the often-misunderstood world of multisensory or multimodal instruction and why it matters so much for students with dyslexia. We talk about those kids who seem to “have it” one day and then it’s gone the next, and why that’s not laziness, but a sign they need stronger, better-connected pathways for memory and retrieval. We break down what multisensory teaching really is (purposeful, integrated, and grounded in research) and what it definitely isn’t (learning styles, cute activities, or engagement just for show). We’ll also share some practical, classroom-ready ideas you can start using right away to make instruction more efficient, memorable, and truly supportive of what your students with dyslexia need.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
5.11 Rethinking Phonemic Awareness with David Kilpatrick, PhD
5.5 Creativity, Conservation, and Celebrating Neurodiversity with Aliah Banchik
4.15 Five Pathways to Increase the Transfer of Learning
Brain Matters: Translating Research into Classroom Practice by Patricia Wolfe
Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, edited by Judith Birsh and Suzanne Carreker
IDA: What is MSL Instruction?
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.14 Strategies for Twice-Exceptional Children with Dr. Rosine Dougherty
2026/04/06
In this episode, we’ll dive into the world of twice-exceptional (2e) and 3e learners—students who are intellectually gifted who also have learning differences or disabilities. Our guest is Dr. Rosine Dougherty, author of Strategies for Twice Exceptional Children, who shares both professional expertise and personal experience raising a 2e child. We explore why so many 2e kids fall through the cracks, including how giftedness and disability can mask each other, and what signs might suggest a 2e profile even if they have not been identified as such. Dr. Dougherty offers practical, accessible strategies for parents and educators, from building supportive environments and using technology to designing instruction that honors both strengths and challenges. The episode also addresses dysregulation, meltdowns, and after-school restraint collapse, plus the critical role of self-advocacy in helping students with dyslexia and other learning differences succeed long-term. If you support bright kids who are struggling, this conversation will help you see the whole child and start removing barriers so they can truly thrive.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Strategies for Twice-Exceptional Children: A Practical Resource Toolkit Supporting Bright Minds with Complex Needs
IEP Maximizer: Effectively Decode and Navigate the IEP Process
Episode 5.10 Restraint Collapse: What’s Really Going On for Kids with Dyslexia After School?
Episode 2.2 The Contradictory Signs of Dyslexia
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.13 The National Reading Panel: Why It Still Matters in 2026
2026/03/16
In this episode, we explore why the National Reading Panel (NRP) still matters for our classrooms and homes in 2026. We look at how the NRP’s review of more than 100,000 studies led to the well-known “Big Five” components of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—and why these elements were never meant to be taught in isolation. We also examine how this foundational research connects directly to structured literacy and the science of reading, especially for students with dyslexia and other struggling readers. We’ll clear up common misconceptions, like the idea that the NRP is outdated or “just about phonics,” and discuss how its findings continue to influence legislation, curriculum decisions, and intervention today. We wrap up with practical reflection questions to help us think about whether our instruction is truly aligned with what decades of research say about how children learn to read.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
National Reading Panel
The National Reading Panel Report: Practical Advice for Teachers
EdView 360 Webinar Recording with Casey
TIL 1.13 The Matthew Effect and Literacy Development in Children
TIL 3.10 Effective Vocabulary Strategies in Literacy Intervention
TIL 4.7 The Power of Observation: What, When, and How
TIL 5.4 Beyond the Basics: 5 Deeper Truths About Teaching Spelling in Structured Literacy
TIL 5.6 The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon (Part 1)
TIL 5.7 The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon (Part 2)
TIL 5.11 Rethinking Phonemic Awareness with David Kilpatrick, PhD
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.12 From “Don’t Say Dyslexia” to Right to Read with Nancy Duggan
2026/03/02
In this episode, we sit down with Nancy Duggan, co-founder and executive director of Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts. We talk about how Nancy’s path from parent of a dyslexic child to statewide advocate helped move Massachusetts from “we don’t say dyslexia” to mandated screening and the Right to Read law. Nancy explains how grassroots parent organizing, neuroscience research, and relentless policy work combined to drive real change, and why early identification, evidence-based instruction, and intensive, comprehensive intervention (far beyond phonics alone) are non-negotiable for students with dyslexia.
Whether you’re an educator or a family member, you’ll walk away with practical strategies for IEP advocacy and a clear-eyed look at how systems can actually change.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts
Decoding Dyslexia (national network)
International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
Mass Reads Coalition
2015 “Say Dyslexia” Letter (OSERS, U.S. Dept. of Education)
National Reading Panel
Massachusetts Right to Read / High-Quality Curriculum Bill
Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally Shaywitz
Wilson Reading System
RAVE-O
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.11 Rethinking Phonemic Awareness with David Kilpatrick, PhD
2026/02/16
We are thrilled to welcome David Kilpatrick, Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York at Cortland and one of the most influential voices in reading research, assessment, and instruction, to the podcast. In our chat, Dr. Kilpatrick breaks down decades of research and gets straight to the heart of what really drives reading success—especially for students with dyslexia. He tackles one of the biggest myths in education: that phonemic awareness is just an early skill you “check off” and move past. Instead, you’ll discover why advanced phoneme proficiency is the engine behind orthographic mapping and automatic word recognition, and why it matters far beyond the primary grades.
What we hope you’ll take away from this is a clarity about which phonemic awareness skills truly move the needle, how to integrate them powerfully with phonics instruction, and how assessment can help you target instruction with precision. If you’ve ever wondered whether going back to phonemic awareness with older students means going backward, this episode will completely reframe that thinking. When you strengthen advanced phonemic awareness, you give students with dyslexia the foundation they need to become confident, capable readers—and that changes everything.
David A. Kilpatrick, PhD is a professor emeritus of psychology for the State University of New York at Cortland and currently serves as Adjunct Lecturer in Psychology. He is a New York State certified school psychologist with 28 years experience in schools. He has been teaching courses in learning disabilities and educational psychology since 1994. David is a reading researcher and the author of two books on reading, Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties, and Equipped for Reading Success, and is a co-editor of a third, Reading Development and Difficulties: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Perspectives on Language and Literacy 2020: How the Phonology of Speech is Foundational For Instant Word Recognition by David Kilpatrick
The PAST Test (Phonological Awareness Screening Test)
NICHD – National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR)
Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR)
National Reading Panel Report (U.S. National Reading Panel)
Zeno Word Frequency List
Annals of Dyslexia
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.10 Restraint Collapse: What’s Really Going On for Kids with Dyslexia After School?
2026/01/26
If your child seems “fine” at school but falls apart the moment they get home, you are so not alone. In this episode of Together In Literacy, we unpack the concept of restraint collapse—what happens when kids use up all their emotional and cognitive energy during the school day and then finally let it all out in their safest place: home.
We talk specifically about why this is especially common for children with dyslexia and other learning differences, what this can look like after school, and how families can respond in ways that are supportive, realistic, and manageable (even on the busiest days).
You’ll walk away with language to better understand what’s happening, practical ideas for creating a softer after-school landing, and simple strategies that support both kids and the adults who love them.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Audible app
Libby app
Decoding Dyslexia
SuperDville
3.12 Harnessing the Power of Assistive Technology with Katie Larew
4.3 Strengthening the Understanding of Dyslexia Through Media with Peggy Stern
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.9 The Gift and Curse of Dyslexia with Deon Butler
2026/01/12
In this episode we sit down with Deon Butler, former NFL wide receiver, author of The Gift & Curse, and a powerful advocate for people with dyslexia. Deon shares his remarkable journey from growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia to navigating the high-pressure, text-heavy world of the NFL, and finally receiving answers as an adult through a formal diagnosis and Orton-Gillingham tutoring. He reflects on the school experiences that didn’t make sense at the time, the emotional mix of relief and grief that came with his diagnosis, and the unwavering belief of his grandmother that helped shape his resilience. Deon also unpacks the “gift” and the “curse” of dyslexia, offering insight into what students truly need and the importance of systematic change.
Deon's Bio:
Deon Butler is a national speaker, author, and advocate for students who learn differently. A former NFL wide receiver, Deon’s journey defies expectation. He reached the NFL while carrying a hidden struggle: undiagnosed dyslexia. At 27, he sat down with a tutor and began learning what the system never taught him. That turning point became the foundation for his life’s work.
In his book The Gift & Curse: One Man’s Journey with Dyslexia, Deon shares how poverty, trauma, and learning challenges shaped his early life and ultimately cost him a contract with the Detroit Lions. Today, he is a national voice for literacy, resilience, and educational equity. He has helped advance dyslexia legislation, speaks in schools and universities across the country, and inspires audiences to redefine success, build hope, and believe in greatness despite the odds.
Deon is the CEO of Stand Strong Services LLC and continues to mentor, advocate, and speak across the nation. His story resonates deeply with students, educators, and families, leaving a lasting impact long after the event ends.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Gift & Curse: One Man’s Journey With Dyslexia by Deon Butler
Deon Butler’s website
Deon Butler’s Instagram
Deon Butler’s Facebook page
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.8 The Emotional & Social Impact of Dyslexia with Dr. Jacob Santhouse
2025/12/29
In this episode, we’re speaking to Dr. Jacob Santhouse, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, dyslexic learner, and passionate advocate who you may recognize from TikTok and Instagram. We talk about the importance of addressing both the academic and emotional aspects of dyslexia, including the need for self-acceptance and resilience, the necessity of understanding the whole learner, creating safe spaces, and providing emotional support alongside academic interventions. Dr. Santhouse also shares his journey from struggling with dyslexia to becoming a counselor and coach.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Santhouse on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
Olive Counseling
Blue J Coaching
Good Inside: A Practical Guide to Resilient Parenting Prioritizing Connection Over Correction by Dr. Becky Kennedy
SuperDville
Eye to Eye Mentoring
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.7 The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon (Part 2)
2025/12/15
In this episode, we’re continuing our wonderful conversation with Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon, authors of The Structured Literacy Playbook: Preplanned Lessons for Building Phonics and Fluency Skills. We discuss strategies for empowering teachers to support all learners, particularly older students and those with double deficit dyslexia. We touch on topics including backward design, using sophisticated texts, the POSSuM framework, corrective feedback, and adapting lessons for multilingual learners.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Crafting Minds website
The Structured Literacy Playbook: Preplanned Lessons for Building Phonics and Fluency Skills
Rave-O curriculum
Orkin, Melissa, Martha Pott, Maryanne Wolf, Sidney May, and Elyssa Brand. “Beyond Gold Stars: Improving the Skills and Engagement of Struggling Readers through Intrinsic Motivation.” Journal of Education (2017)
POSSuM in Orkin, M., Vanacore, K., Rhinehart, L., Gotlieb, R., & Wolf, M. “The more you know: How teaching multiple aspects of word knowledge builds fluency skills.” The Reading League Journal (2022)
5.2 Honoring the Emotional Landscape of Older Students with Dyslexia
5.3 From Struggle to Strategy
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
5.6 The Structured Literacy Playbook with Dr. Melissa Orkin and Sarah Gannon (Part 1)
2025/12/01
We had such a great conversation with our guests Dr. Melissa Orkin, an expert in literacy development and dyslexia research, and Sarah Gannon, a seasoned educator and curriculum designer, that we’re breaking up our conversation into two episodes! For this episode, 5.6, we discuss their new book, The Structured Literacy Playbook: Preplanned Lessons for Building Phonics and Fluency Skills. The book features case studies and lesson scripts that help teachers effectively implement strategies such as decodable texts, backward design, and multi-component approaches to strengthen students’ reading fluency. Please enjoy our discussion, and join us for the second half in episode 5.7!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Crafting Minds website
Rave-O program
High Noon Sound Out Chapter Books
Equipped for Reading Success by David Kilpatrick
We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!
If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!
Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!
If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.
For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom.
Let us know what you want to hear this season!
Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!
Podcast reviews
Read Together in Literacy podcast reviews
TutorChick 2026/02/24
Excellent podcast
I like the clarity around phonemic awareness. Automaticity and mastery a must for students. Especially those impacted by dyslexia. I throughly enjoyed...
MSullivan-Literacy in COLOR 2025/09/22
True SOR Experts
As the Science of Reading wonderfully gets more attention, we also must be more mindful of the content we’re consuming. Casey and Emily are truly lite...
EmMomNew555 2025/07/06
So helpful!
I wish I had known about this podcast my first year as a dyslexia specialist. Going from my OG training to the classroom was tough and this would have...
mohoguate 2024/10/08
I listen to every episode!
So glad you guys are back for another season!! I am looking forward to learning more with every episode.
Amanda Mortimer 2024/02/02
Amazing!
Casey and Emily are a joy to listen to! I look forward to their new podcast episodes and can carry the ideas back to my classroom. Thank you, Casey an...
Mrs. Filko 😊 2024/02/01
SO Helpful
I started listening to the podcast the middle of last year and each episode I’ve listened to, I’ve learned something and you have affirmed things I’m ...
Dyslexia and SPED teacher 2024/02/01
Thank you!
I get so much great information from the Together in Literacy Podcast. You both make a great team and I appreciate you both sharing your extensive kno...
Dyslexia Discovered 2024/01/31
Practical Help
I discovered this podcast about a year ago, and as a dyslexia therapist, I get so many practical ideas and helpful insights from all you discuss!
Katiegbear 2024/01/27
Thank you!
I have been listening since the very first episode and I’d like to say THANK YOU!!!!
I learn, laugh, and nod in agreement through each episode.
Liste...
Anonymous- no name 2024/01/24
Great podcast!
I am a Reading Specialist and am passionate about supporting students with language based disabilities. This captivating podcast is concise and brings...
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