<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Elise Lovejoy tackles one of the most important topics in early literacy instruction: how to use decodable books effectively – and how to thoughtfully bridge students from controlled text into authentic reading.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Elise explains why decodable texts are such a critical tool for early reading development. She also, though, emphasizes an important truth: decodables are not the entire literacy experience; they are one piece of a larger instructional puzzle.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, you’ll hear Elise discuss practical ways teachers can maximize decodable books for phonics practice, build comprehension within decodable texts, and scaffold students toward more complex and authentic reading experiences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll also gather actionable routines teachers can use during small-group instruction, how to help students develop flexibility when encountering unfamiliar spellings, and the signals that students may be ready to move beyond tightly controlled text.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Key Takeaways:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Why decodable texts are essential for practicing newly taught phonics skills&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;The difference between using decodables intentionally vs. using them like leveled readers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Why comprehension should still be addressed within decodable texts&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Practical small-group routines for using decodable books effectively&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;How to help students develop flexibility with spelling and pronunciation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Signs that students are ready to move beyond tightly controlled text&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Why teachers should use decodable texts and authentic texts side-by-side&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Resources Mentioned:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://theteacherstable.org/auth/signup?type=individual&amp;amp;ref_code=REF645BD2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;The Teachers Table&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://expressreaders.org/lyn-stone/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Lyn Stone’s Book: Foundations for Life&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Connect with Elise Lovejoy of Express Readers:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Website: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://expressreaders.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Express Readers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Instagram: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/expressreaders/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@expressreaders&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;LinkedIn: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/express-readers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Express Readers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Facebook: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/expressreaders/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Express Readers Inc.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thank you to &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.reading.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Reading.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt; for supporting the production of this episode.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Visit &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="http://reading.com/color" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;reading.com/color&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt; for 60% off the annual plan today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Instagram: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/_readingcom/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@_readingcom&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;YouTube: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRELS3nDj7Pxvw9PSc9aeuA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;ReadingCom&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Facebook: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/readingcom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Reading.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Pinterest: &lt;u&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.pinterest.com/reading_com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Reading_com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Connect with Michelle:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li data-list="bullet"&gt;&lt;span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Follow me on Instagram: &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/michelle_thecolorfulclassroom/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;@michelle_thecolorfulclassroom&lt;/a&gt; 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Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators

Michelle Sullivan • Literacy Coach & Science of Reading Advocate

85. How to Use Decodable Books (and When to Move Beyond Them) with Elise Lovejoy, Express Readers

MAR 17, 202645 MIN
Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators

85. How to Use Decodable Books (and When to Move Beyond Them) with Elise Lovejoy, Express Readers

MAR 17, 202645 MIN

Description

In this episode, Elise Lovejoy tackles one of the most important topics in early literacy instruction: how to use decodable books effectively – and how to thoughtfully bridge students from controlled text into authentic reading.Elise explains why decodable texts are such a critical tool for early reading development. She also, though, emphasizes an important truth: decodables are not the entire literacy experience; they are one piece of a larger instructional puzzle.In this episode, you’ll hear Elise discuss practical ways teachers can maximize decodable books for phonics practice, build comprehension within decodable texts, and scaffold students toward more complex and authentic reading experiences.You’ll also gather actionable routines teachers can use during small-group instruction, how to help students develop flexibility when encountering unfamiliar spellings, and the signals that students may be ready to move beyond tightly controlled text.Key Takeaways:Why decodable texts are essential for practicing newly taught phonics skillsThe difference between using decodables intentionally vs. using them like leveled readersWhy comprehension should still be addressed within decodable textsPractical small-group routines for using decodable books effectivelyHow to help students develop flexibility with spelling and pronunciationSigns that students are ready to move beyond tightly controlled textWhy teachers should use decodable texts and authentic texts side-by-sideResources Mentioned:The Teachers TableLyn Stone’s Book: Foundations for LifeConnect with Elise Lovejoy of Express Readers:Website: Express ReadersInstagram: @expressreadersLinkedIn: Express ReadersFacebook: Express Readers Inc.Thank you to Reading.com for supporting the production of this episode.Visit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today.Instagram: @_readingcomYouTube: ReadingComFacebook: Reading.comPinterest: Reading_comConnect with Michelle:Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomVisit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comJoin The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit MembershipWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Logos Literacy AcademyCourse 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every EducatorCourse 2 & Curriculum: K-2 MorphologyMonthly Coaching Calls: Logos LiveMentioned in this episode:Reading.comVisit reading.com/color for 60% off the annual plan today!