The Road to Reading Podcast

S5: Summer Episode 1: All About the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) with Kurt Engelmann and Alisa Kerr

In this episode, Kurt Engelmann and Alisa Kerr from the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) join me to talk about what NIFDI is and how the organization supports teachers and schools who are implementing Direct Instruction (DI) programs. Show Notes: Engelmann Foundation [https://engelmannfoundation.org/] Background Videos on DI Origins of DI: Origins and Elements of Authentic Direct Instruction [https://youtu.be/0vAvbdPRFnY?si=uTU1uo50fLvz0rmB] Language Webinar: Science of Reading: Explicit Fundamental Language Instruction to Improve Reading Comprehension [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g6QGPDZ4-I] Preschool “Show-Off” Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKYvMBJJIGc&t=15s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKYvMBJJIGc&t=15s]  Get Started with NIFDI Interested in bringing Direct Instruction to your school or district? Fill out our contact form: https://bit.ly/4nd1G7v [https://bit.ly/4nd1G7v] Implementation Models: Implementation Options [https://www.nifdi.org/services/implementation-options.html] DI in Preschool [https://www.nifdi.org/docman/new-to-di/new-school-handouts/1002-direct-instruction-in-preschool/file.html]  2026 National Direct Instruction Conference & Institutes In-Person Training | July 20–24, 2026 Conference and institute sessions for educators, coaches, administrators, and trainers. 2026 National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes (July 20-24)-In-Person Training [https://www.nifdi.org/training-events/events-calendar/training-event/2026-di-conf.html]  Featured Resource from Dr. Kurt Engelmann Direct Instruction: A Practitioner’s Handbook (2024) Published by John Catt / Hodder Education The most comprehensive guide available for implementing authentic Direct Instruction. Book link: https://tinyurl.com/direct-instruction-handbook [https://tinyurl.com/direct-instruction-handbook]  Questions? Email NIFDI: info@nifdi.org [info@nifdi.org] Show Notes: Road to Reading Webpage [https://bit.ly/roadtoreadingpodcast] SoR Resource Page [https://bit.ly/3HXNH2L] Season 2 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wdio5ZfFqXx6-f4nDshwVVvqSq8MC4rfaEWx6JAXoxY/edit]-episodes Season 3 [https://sites.google.com/cicd99.edu/roadtoreadingpodcast/podcast-season-3]-episodes

S4E21: Precision Teaching with Daniel Carroll

In this episode, Daniel Carroll will share what Precision Teaching is and how it can be used in fluency instruction.  Show Notes: * The Precision Teaching System [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UbK9lUxqwEJGcls5PdXwhFFYGDDCiAv_/view?usp=sharing] * Response to Intervention and Precision Teaching [https://www.morningsidepress.org/shop/p/response-to-intervention-precision-teaching] * Precision Teaching Webinar  [https://educationrickshaw.com/2025/02/07/precision-teaching-webinar-recording/] * Improving Reading Fluency with Precision Teaching [https://celeration.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1995_JPTC_V12.02_09.pdf] * Precision Teaching Guide [https://www.structural-learning.com/post/precision-teaching-a-teachers-guide] * Morningside Academy [https://morningsideacademy.org/] Show Notes: Road to Reading Webpage [https://bit.ly/roadtoreadingpodcast] SoR Resource Page [https://bit.ly/3HXNH2L] Season 2 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wdio5ZfFqXx6-f4nDshwVVvqSq8MC4rfaEWx6JAXoxY/edit]-episodes Season 3 [https://sites.google.com/cicd99.edu/roadtoreadingpodcast/podcast-season-3]-episodes

S4E20: Rachel Ball & the Scaffolding Effect

In this episode, Rachel Ball, the Coaching Development Lead at Steplab and the author of the book The Scaffolding Effect, will share the intention behind scaffolding, how and when we should put scaffolds in place, and how we can fade scaffolds. Show Notes: * Podcast-Progressively Incorrect with Rachel Ball [https://educationrickshaw.com/2025/05/14/s4e32-rachel-ball-on-scaffolded-instruction-and-adaptive-teaching/] * The Scaffolding Effect [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1032739835?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_RSGX7866TXG1S2VH3BSR&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_RSGX7866TXG1S2VH3BSR&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_RSGX7866TXG1S2VH3BSR&bestFormat=true]by Rachel Ball & Alex Fairlamb * Scaffolding Students to Success [https://hwrkmagazine.co.uk/scaffolding-students-to-success/]article by Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb * Webinar on Mind the Gap [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW6YbQq8WLk]with Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb * EEF blog: Moving from Differentiation to Adaptive Teaching [https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/moving-from-differentiation-to-adaptive-teaching] * EEF blog: Scaffolds-what goes up must come down [https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/what-goes-up-must-come-down-promoting-pupil-independence-through-scaffolding] * EEF Send Guidance Report [https://d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/eef-guidance-reports/send/eef_special_educational_needs_in_mainstream_schools_guidance_report_2025-04-10-110432_klxp.pdf] Show Notes: Road to Reading Webpage [https://bit.ly/roadtoreadingpodcast] SoR Resource Page [https://bit.ly/3HXNH2L] Season 2 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wdio5ZfFqXx6-f4nDshwVVvqSq8MC4rfaEWx6JAXoxY/edit]-episodes Season 3 [https://sites.google.com/cicd99.edu/roadtoreadingpodcast/podcast-season-3]-episodes

S4E19: Marcie Samayoa Shares How to Build Schema in Our Classrooms

In this episode, Marcie Samayoa, a high school science teacher, shares ways that we can build students’ schema. Show Notes: * Scientist in the Making [https://scientistsinthemaking.substack.com/]Substack * Knowledge organizers [https://teachlikeachampion.org/blog/sadie-mcclearys-guide-making-using-knowledge-organizers/] * Brain, Book, Buddy [https://theeffortfuleducator.com/2019/03/13/brain-book-buddy-a-strategy-for-assessment/]Retrieval Activity (Blake Harvard) * Brain Book Buddy [https://scientistsinthemaking.com/retrieval-practice-using-the-brain-book-buddy-system/] from Scientist in the Making * Effortful Educator [https://theeffortfuleducator.com/] Blog * Teach Fast [https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Fast-Adaptable-Structured-Teaching-ebook/dp/B0BQ2Z5857/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G1OHXZBY6LP0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R6sNnz4zPRTuFpYr6GrQ7iW1OPmDE71AKFwVkt6WVx-_xDBhNIX2uG98t8RJY3u6p7u8zq4NyRPGbzEajPQ0wA.mPaKStQLgBsy2sPv07PF_uLbNcoIQJE2kUtsrCmYHHc&dib_tag=se&keywords=teach+fast&qid=1777146492&s=books&sbo=QS21L9be7oZFAGyl4IXR%2Bw%3D%3D&sprefix=teach+fast%2Cstripbooks%2C114&sr=1-1] by Gene Tavernetti * How Do We Learn [https://www.amazon.com/How-Learn-Scientific-Evidence-Based-Education/dp/1394230516]by Hector Ruiz Martin * Just Tell Them [https://www.amazon.com/Just-Tell-Them-Explanations-Explicit/dp/103600368X]by Zach Groshell Show Notes: Road to Reading Webpage [https://bit.ly/roadtoreadingpodcast] SoR Resource Page [https://bit.ly/3HXNH2L] Season 2 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wdio5ZfFqXx6-f4nDshwVVvqSq8MC4rfaEWx6JAXoxY/edit]-episodes Season 3 [https://sites.google.com/cicd99.edu/roadtoreadingpodcast/podcast-season-3]-episodes

S4E18: Dr. Sunbar Shares How to Get the Most Out of Concept Maps

In this episode, Dr. Kripa Sundar shares why concept maps can help students learn and retrieve. She shares how they can be used in both primary and intermediate grades and how teachers can use them to both build and assess learning in the classroom. Show Notes: * Expertise-Reversal Effect [https://www.innerdrive.co.uk/blog/expertise-reversal-effect-scaffolding/] * The Learning Scientists [https://www.learningscientists.org/] * Smart Teaching: Stronger Learning [https://www.retrievalpractice.org/smart-teaching] * Concept Mapping: A Powerful Tool for Learning [https://www.aft.org/ae/spring2022/sundar] by Dr. Kripa Sundar * Concept Maps: [https://www.readingrockets.org/classroom/classroom-strategies/concept-maps]Reading Rockets * How to Start Concept Mapping [https://www.readingrockets.org/sites/default/files/migrated/pdfs/Starting%20Concept%20Mapping.pdf]-Reading Rockets Show Notes: Road to Reading Webpage [https://bit.ly/roadtoreadingpodcast] SoR Resource Page [https://bit.ly/3HXNH2L] Season 2 [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wdio5ZfFqXx6-f4nDshwVVvqSq8MC4rfaEWx6JAXoxY/edit]-episodes Season 3 [https://sites.google.com/cicd99.edu/roadtoreadingpodcast/podcast-season-3]-episodes