Get to the Root: Using 5 Why’s to Drive Reading Instruction

Beyond the Program: Using AI to Personalize Student Learning

How AI Is Helping Us Teach Students to Read—A Conversation About Flexibility, Creativity, and Student-Centered Support I had the chance to sit down with my friend Jacklyn for a powerful conversation about how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way we support students—especially when it comes to reading instruction. From reluctant readers to collaborative lesson planning, AI is helping educators meet student needs with creativity, speed, and flexibility. Listen to hear how Jacklyn uses AI to differentiate teaching.  * Creating appropriate reading material * Supporting vocabulary instruction * Adapting lessons Some of her favorite tools? IEP Pilot and ChatGPT top the list for their practicality and flexibility. And if you’re just getting started with AI in your own practice, here are a few prompting ideas from Jacklyn: 1. Be specific.  2. Don’t settle.  3. Vet everything.  4. Talk to it like a colleague.  Listen for more ideas about how AI could change how you meet the varied needs of your students. ~Jennifer

Kids Are a Product of Their Opportunities

Are your students stuck in a reading rut? In this episode, we explore how expanding text formats—not just genres—can unlock * engagement, * reduce boredom, * and create richer reading opportunities for all learners. Use your summer freedom to rethink what counts as reading and prep for a year of curiosity, creativity, and real growth. Ideal for K–5 teachers seeking responsive, student-centered literacy practices. Episode Notes: Have you ever looked around your classroom and felt like something was missing? Maybe your highest readers aren’t growing. Maybe your students are disengaged. Maybe you’re caught in the rut of sameness—where reading is defined by a basal, a video, or another paragraph on the projector. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Summer is the perfect time to reset. With the curriculum paused and creativity on high alert, it's your chance to reimagine what reading looks like for your students—and for you. THE PROBLEM ISN'T ALWAYS SKILL. IT'S OPPORTUNITY. When students seem bored or stuck, we often reach for interventions or new programs. But what if the issue isn’t ability or behavior... but opportunity? What if the texts we put in front of students don’t reflect their interests, their curiosities, or their lived experiences? In this episode of the podcast, we’re rethinking the idea of "text." Not just books. Not just passages. But formats—ways that words and sentences show up in the world. A SIMPLE SUMMER CHALLENGE To get started, try this: 1. Write down three students you’ve taught. Next to each name, list one or two of their top interests. Then, brainstorm a list of possible text formats that match those interests. For example: Johnny loves construction. He might enjoy * DIY home guides * Local construction news * Tool catalogs * How-to websites * Email exchanges or letters about building projects 2. Make a list of everything you read in a day. Think beyond books: recipes, menus, texts, newsletters, blog posts, instructions, social media posts, comment sections... 3. Challenge yourself to brainstorm 50 different text formats. See how many ways people engage with print in real life. You’ll quickly see how narrow classroom texts can feel in comparison. WHY IT MATTERS When students experience more variability in what they read, it leads to: * Reduced boredom * Increased engagement * More authentic reading experiences * Better options for take-home texts * Clearer mentor texts for writing * A stronger connection between reading and the real world By the end of the summer, you’ll be equipped with a refreshed mindset—and practical ideas to reach every reader in your room, from the highest flyer to the most reluctant learner. A RESPONSIVE TEACHER'S SUPERPOWER Whether you're planning whole-group lessons, small-group instruction, or one-on-one reading conferences, expanding your text formats gives you a powerful tool: choice. And choice creates opportunity. And opportunity? That’s what helps kids grow.

What evidence do you have? The heart of responsive teaching!

In this episode of Building a Reader, I'll share one powerful question every teacher should ask when making instructional decisions: “What evidence do you have?” Consider how your notes can help you to indicate one-off behaviors and patterns.

Get to the Root: Using 5 Why’s to Drive Reading Instruction

When a student struggles to read a word, it’s easy to jump to conclusions or offer surface-level solutions. But what if we paused and asked why—not just once, but five times? In this episode of Building a Reader, we explore the 5 Why’s strategy, a simple yet powerful tool borrowed from problem-solving frameworks, and show how it can be used by teachers to uncover the root causes behind students' reading behaviors. Whether a student can’t decode a word, remember a sight word, or apply a strategy you've taught, the 5 Why’s can guide you from confusion to clarity—and from frustration to action. Tune in to learn how asking better questions leads to better instruction.

What Basketball Can Teach Us About Reading Instruction

What do learning to read and playing basketball have in common? In this episode of Building a Reader, we explore how reading involves much more than just phonics and sight words—just like basketball involves more than shooting hoops. Discover how cognitive skills, practice, and strategy apply to both literacy development and athletic training. This analogy will help you understand the full complexity of how children learn to read. Perfect for teachers looking to explain the reading process in an accessible and engaging way.