Episode 27 - Building Independent Writers with Spelling & Sentence Routines

SMARTER Literacy Chat: Natalie Pryor

What does literacy intervention look like when you start from scratch, in a studio with mini trampolines, and a background in law? In this first literacy chat, Lindsey sits down with Natalie, co-founder of Hidden Key Literacy Specialists on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Natalie's path to literacy work was anything but traditional, and that's exactly what makes her perspective so worth hearing. In this conversation, they dig into what it really looks like to build a private practice around connection and confidence, not just curriculum. Natalie talks honestly about the challenges of bringing science-of-reading aligned instruction into a system that wasn't quite ready for it, the power of giving students choice and movement in their learning environment, and why she believes a diagnosis can be one of the most empowering things a struggling learner can receive. Whether you're thinking about stepping into private practice, working with students who have additional needs, or just looking for a reminder that this work matters - this one is for you. Connect with Natalie: Facebook: Hidden Key Literacy Specialists [https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkeyls/] Instagram: @hidden_key_ls [https://www.instagram.com/hidden_key_ls/] ✉️ Email: natalie@hiddenkey.com.au [natalie@hiddenkey.com.au] 🛍️ Products: www.hiddenkeycreations.com [http://www.hiddenkeycreations.com]

Introducing: Summer Literacy Chats

Something a little different is coming to the Smarter Literacy Podcast this summer. Over the next several weeks, we're stepping back from our regular format to share something we think you really enjoy right now: real conversations from real educators who are doing this work every single day. These literacy chats feature interventionists, SLPs, classroom teachers, and school leaders from our SMARTER community, and they're a reminder that evidence-based literacy instruction isn't just about programs and research. It's about the thoughtful, intentional decisions educators make for the students in front of them. You are not doing this work alone. These conversations are proof of that.

Episode 30 - Why Developing Reading Fluency isn't Just about Reading Faster

Fluency is often reduced to words-per-minute scores, but strong readers do much more than read quickly. In this episode, we discuss what fluency actually means and why speed alone doesn’t lead to comprehension. We share simple strategies that help students read in phrases, attend to punctuation, and sound more like natural speakers. The focus shifts from racing through text to reading with meaning, expression, and understanding.  💡 Explore strategies for all components of literacy with our free SMARTER Routines Guide [https://programs.smarterintervention.com/routines-guide] Fluency isn’t about going faster; it’s about reading in a way that helps students understand what they read.

Episode 29 - How to Support Editing in Writing

Editing often gets treated like the quick final step in writing, but in reality, it’s where the real work begins. In this episode, we unpack why students rush through editing, what they actually need to become stronger writers, and how teachers can make editing meaningful instead of overwhelming. We share practical strategies that help students slow down, build stamina, and learn how to truly refine their writing. From shifting students’ mindsets about the writing process to using simple color-coding systems and sentence-level editing routines, this conversation focuses on making editing visible, manageable, and even enjoyable. 💡 Learn more about writing routines in the Spotlight PD: Long Form Writing Routines [https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/longformwriting] https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/longformwriting [https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/longformwriting] Then, subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode, where the conversation shifts to fluency and why it’s about much more than reading faster.

Episode 28 - Building Independent Writers with Long Form Writing Routines

In this episode, we explore why students often struggle with longer-form writing like paragraphs and essays, and how those struggles usually show up as either “stream of consciousness” writing or rigid, rubric-driven writing. We break down why both challenges often come from the same root problem: students haven’t learned a clear planning process for writing. You’ll hear practical strategies for teaching a simple three-step routine, brainstorming, drafting, and editing, that helps students balance creativity with structure and become more confident, independent writers. 👉 Apply what you learned today with the free SMARTER Literacy Guide. Get it now at smarterintervention.com/guide [http://smarterintervention.com/guide] 🍎 Learn more about Long Form Writing Routines [https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/longformwriting] https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/longformwriting [https://smarterintervention.com/ondemand-pd/longformwriting]