Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom

What is Reading Fluency?: Practical Advice for Families and Caregivers to Support Children’s Literacy Development

In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, hosts Emily Smith, Amanda Hartman, and Kristi Guinness — staff developers at Advancing Literacy at Teachers College, Columbia University — explore the many ways families and caregivers can support children’s reading fluency, which serves as the vital bridge between a child's ability to decode words and their ability to comprehend them. Drawing on research from scholars they discuss how fluency is not merely about speed, but a combination of accuracy, automaticity, and prosody that frees up cognitive resources for deeper understanding. The episode offers practical, creative recommendations for families and caregivers to encourage kids of all ages to build their confidence, voice and oral reading skills. Episode Resources and Book Recommendations:  * Tips for Engaging your Child  - color [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XHeGFcwe834iXrAgY2PFn-P08Ihsrkri/view?usp=sharing] | black/white [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmGkah-Dn0h4rrM1M2crhr125p4LBxZF/view?usp=sharing] * Hello, Tobi! [https://www.candlewick.com/9781536222807/hello-tobi/] by Andrea Cásceras * The Ultimate Book of Water [https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/the-ultimate-book-of-water?srsltid=AfmBOopLIKHU7c--tsFrprnVIPqA7OI80snBJXZxl0fzWIne7l5E1jWt] by Anne-Sophie Bauman * Honeybee [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/600028/honeybee-by-by-candace-fleming-illustrated-by-eric-rohmann/9780823451166] by Candace Fleming * One Big Open Sky [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737976/one-big-open-sky-by-lesa-cline-ransome/] by Lesa Cline-Ransome * Truth Is [https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/truth-is_9781419776830/] by Hannah Sawyerr  * Dear America: Young Readers’ Edition [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/dear-america-young-readers-edition-jose-antonio-vargas?variant=32117505196066] by Jose Antonio Vargas Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/].  If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/resources/supports-for-familes] and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes.  The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University. Connect with us on Social Media Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TCAdvancingLit] X [https://twitter.com/TCAdvancingLit] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tcadvancinglit] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advancing-literacy-at-teachers-college/]

Practical and Positive Strategies to Support Grammar and Spelling Development

In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, hosts Emily Smith, Amanda Hartman, and Kim Brooks — staff developers at Advancing Literacy at Teachers College, Columbia University — explore the many ways families and caregivers can support children’s grammar and spelling development through practical, science based strategies. Drawing on research from scholars, they discuss how literacy is a lifelong journey where errors are seen as vital approximations in the learning process rather than simple mistakes. The episode offers practical, creative recommendations for fostering a love of language, including using inventive spelling to build confidence, engaging in oral language rehearsal, and shifting the focus from rigid rules to the power of clear communication. Episode Resources and Book Recommendations:  * Tips for Supporting Your Child with Spelling and Grammar - color [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ivan4-2XNNO3wijZj-KosMS7vN0nsOM1/view?usp=sharing] | black/white [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IBs6-0FdtSjQr7fvARr8oiYz0Zjtd-Rb/view?usp=sharing] * All Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson  [https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/all-the-blues-in-the-sky-9781547605897/] * The Library in the Woods [https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/25145?srsltid=AfmBOopufcl5_NqnLPsBi5C23I5WQJF9c2JOxawimW7yl_tgBDjQlbJo] by Calvin Alexander Ramsey  * Will’s Race for Home [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jewell-parker-rhodes/wills-race-for-home-coretta-scott-king-author-award-winner/9780316299336/?lens=little-brown-books-for-young-readers] by Jewell Parker Rhodes * Legendary Frybread Drive In [https://www.harpercollins.ca/9780063314269/legendary-frybread-drive-in/]by Cynthia Leitich Smith  * The Pecan Sheller [https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/25240?srsltid=AfmBOoq8u2fPaXrQnQHizxxhZhtaLDbDiRl460TL9JOhGq3PSWv8slkG]by Lupe Ruiz-Flores * Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250838612/albertosalasplayspakapakaconlapapa/] by Sara Andrea Fajardo * Fireworks [https://www.harpercollins.ca/9780063216723/fireworks/] by Matthew Burgess  * Popo the Xolo [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/773655/popo-the-xolo-by-paloma-angelina-lopez-author-abraham-matias-illustrator/] by Paloma Angelina Lopez  Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/].  If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/resources/supports-for-familes] and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes.  The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University. Connect with us on Social Media Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TCAdvancingLit] X [https://twitter.com/TCAdvancingLit] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tcadvancinglit] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advancing-literacy-at-teachers-college/]

All the Places for Meaningful and Joyful Writing in the World: Journals, Letters, and Essays and More!

In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, hosts Emily Smith and Amanda Hartman — staff developers at Advancing Literacy at Teachers College, Columbia University — explore the many ways families and caregivers can make writing a meaningful and joyful part of everyday life. Drawing on research from scholars they discuss how writing (from grocery lists and thank-you notes to letters of advocacy and fan fiction) can build purpose, connection, and a sense of community in children of all ages. The episode offers practical, creative recommendations for weaving writing into daily routines beyond school requirements. Episode Resources and Book Recommendations:  * Tips for Engaging your Child in Joyful Writing - color [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zDB3Zyf56pu1iauk0hxbkxp9-Bad3RVX/view?usp=sharing] | black/white [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lyYXFsUtMoqHRcQTZWer8a_i5Thy3G9f/view?usp=sharing] * The Correspondent [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755600/the-correspondent-by-virginia-evans/] by Virginia Evans * The Book of Alchemy [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768288/the-book-of-alchemy-by-suleika-jaouad/] by Suleika Jaouad * I Can Write The World [https://joshundasanders.com/2019/04/04/my-new-childrens-book-series-i-can-write-the-world/] by Joshunda Saunders * Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/planting-stories-the-life-of-librarian-and-storyteller-pura-belpre-anika-aldamuy-denise?variant=39741488758818] by Anika Aldamuy Denise * More to the Story [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/More-to-the-Story/Hena-Khan/9781481492102] by Hena Khan * The Cat I Never Named [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/cat-i-never-named-9781547604555/] by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess * Together We Are Sunshine [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727132/together-we-are-sunshine-by-jamilah-thompkins-bigelow-illustrated-by-raissa-figueroa/] by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow * A Sea of Lemon Trees [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250342614/aseaoflemontrees/] by María Dolores Águila  * World Without End [https://zandoprojects.com/books/world-without-end-hardcover] by Jean-Marc Jancovici and Christophe Blain Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/].  If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/resources/supports-for-familes] and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes.  The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University. Connect with us on Social Media Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TCAdvancingLit] Twitter [https://twitter.com/TCAdvancingLit] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tcadvancinglit] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advancing-literacy-at-teachers-college/]

Fostering a Love for Fiction Reading in Kids of All Ages

In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, hosts Emily Smith and Kristin Smith — staff developers at Advancing Literacy at Teachers College, Columbia University — explore how families and caregivers can nurture a lifelong love of fiction reading in children of all ages. Drawing on research by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop (windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors), brain science, and vocabulary development studies, they discuss how fiction builds empathy, expands language, and helps kids navigate real-life challenges. The episode also offers practical tips for making fiction reading a joyful part of everyday life. Episode Resources and Book Recommendations:  * The Coquíes Still Sing [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250787187/thecoquiesstillsing/] by Karina Nicole González  * El Niño [https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/el-nino-9781338068559.html] by Pam Muñoz Ryan * The Bletchley Riddle [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/709008/the-bletchley-riddle-by-ruta-sepetys-and-steve-sheinkin/] by Steve Sheinkin * Chinese Menu [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/grace-lin/chinese-menu/9781668632598/] by Grace Lin * Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Love of Fiction Reading - color [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JR79PshaoB3e9XX2Yi9IhbQpFy5JQgV_/view?usp=sharing] | black/white [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e_jV0HXO7So3mPUyvU6HreijGV-2HJ8T/view?usp=drive_link] Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu].  If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/resources/supports-for-familes] and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes.  The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University. Connect with us on Social Media Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TCAdvancingLit] Twitter [https://twitter.com/TCAdvancingLit] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tcadvancinglit] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advancing-literacy-at-teachers-college/]

What Does It Mean for a Book to be Decodable?: Recommendations for Reading with Your Beginning Readers

What types of books should beginning readers spend time reading? In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, we dive into decodable books — what they are, why they matter for beginning readers, and the research behind them. We'll break down the use of decodable books in plain language, share what makes a decodable book a good one, and give you practical tips for reading alongside your young learner. If your child is a beginning reader or if you just want to learn more and feel more confident with the support you provide, this one's for you. Episode Resources and Book Recommendations:  * Supporting Your Beginning Reader Beyond the Classroom - color [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aO0yvGT2u5DqsBSPkTAEb7zoySl1as_I/view?usp=drive_link] and black and white [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z01gGoQjwqQb3-IdIxY8_e9el0uNZILh/view?usp=sharing]  * The Day the Books Disappeared [https://books.disney.com/book/the-day-the-books-disappeared/] by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin * Ruthie Rose’s Big Idea [https://www.candlewick.com/9781536226492/ruthie-roses-big-idea-a-poetry-story/] by John Schu * Plátanos are Love [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Platanos-Are-Love/Alyssa-Reynoso-Morris/9781665957250] by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris * Little Rebels [https://holidayhouse.com/book/little-rebels/] by Yuyi Morales  * Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears? [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/steve-jenkins-2/why-do-elephants-have-big-ears/9780316456791/?lens=little-brown-books-for-young-readers] by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page * How to Bird [https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/products/how-to-bird-930745] by Rasha Hamid Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu].  If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series [https://advancingliteracy.tc.columbia.edu/resources/supports-for-familes] and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.