Falling for Learning Podcast
This podcast supports parents and caregivers in gaining the tools and information needed to keep the next generation on track for learning and on track for success!New episodes released Saturdays at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.Follow us: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fallingforlearning/. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fallingforlearning/.
AI: Preparing Kids for the Future - Part 1| Ep. 114
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TD Flenaugh and Tarquinn Curry discuss the impact of AI on education and career preparation. Curry, an educator and parent, emphasizes the importance of teaching students to use AI responsibly and effectively. He shares his journey from teaching biology to robotics and film production, highlighting the practical benefits of hands-on learning. Curry introduces AI tools like ChatGPT and prompts, stressing the need for students to develop critical thinking and creativity. He also mentions his role in promoting AI in schools and his recognition as an AI innovator. The conversation underscores the necessity of...
Inside The Pearl Online School: Real Talk on Building Trust, Belonging, and Academic Success | ep. 113
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Dr. Robin Harwick, founder of The Pearl Online Democratic High School, discusses her journey from a curious child to an educator, emphasizing the importance of challenging gifted students to prevent dropout rates. She highlights that 25% of gifted students drop out due to lack of challenge. The school, which started in 2020, serves over 60% BIPOC and 65% neurodivergent students, with classes capped at 10 for personalized learning. The school offers a sliding scale and scholarships, and accepts students globally. Dr. Harwick stresses the importance of listening to students and fostering a supportive learning environment.
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Become a Guerilla Scholar with Dr. Sheldon Greaves | ep. 112
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In this episode of the Falling for Learning podcast, Dr. Sheldon Greaves shares his journey of lifelong learning and the concept of guerrilla scholarship. He discusses the influence of his parents, the importance of public resources like libraries, and how curiosity can foster a love for learning. Dr. Greaves emphasizes the need for critical thinking in today's information age and the value of community in the learning process. He also reflects on his educational journey, the challenges he faced, and the joy of learning as a lifelong pursuit.
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The Dyslexic Professor: Teaching Kids to Overcome Reading Difficulties | Ep. 111
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Join us on the Falling for Learning podcast as TD Flenaugh and Russell Van Brocklen, the dyslexic professor, delve into effective strategies for supporting students with dyslexia. Russell shares his innovative approach, emphasizing the importance of leveraging students' special interests and teaching from the specific to the general. Learn how word analysis followed by articulation can transform learning experiences and empower students to overcome challenges. This episode is packed with practical insights for educators and parents aiming to foster success in dyslexic learners.
Reach out to Russell Van Brocklen
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They Can Do It - Even with Special Needs | Ep. 110
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TD Flenaugh and Michelle Steiner discuss overcoming learning disabilities. Michelle shares her struggles with math and social acceptance, having been diagnosed with a learning disability in kindergarten. Despite setbacks, she found support in a writing group and advocated for herself, achieving a bachelor's degree. Michelle emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, accommodations, and self-advocacy. She highlights her blog, Michelle's Mission, and upcoming projects. Michelle advises parents to encourage self-advocacy and support their children in finding activities that spark joy. TD Flenaugh underscores the need for parents to help their children access necessary accommodations...
How Can We Help Kids With Special Needs Succeed? | ep. 109
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Join Myneedsnetwork.org
Check out the research that fueled this project in the Journal of Participatory Research Methods:
Fafard, M., Lukens-Bull, K., Pinard, M., & Bautista, M. (2025). My Needs Network: How a Community-Based Participatory Research Process Morphed Into a Sustainable Community-Driven Networking Platform. Journal of Participatory Research Methods, 6(2), 1–27
TD Flenaugh interviews Mark Fafard about the challenges of supporting children with special needs and disabilities, emphasizing the importance of connecting them with necessary resources. Mark Fafard introduces the My Needs Network, a nationwide tool designed to help...
Solutions for Children with Trauma Response | ep. 108
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Work with Core Methods! Go to https://www.thebehaviorbootcamp.com for more information about Behavior Boot Camp or Dr. Bilodeau's book Ease the Pain in the Classroom
T.D. Flenaugh and Dr. Bethany Bilodeau discuss strategies for addressing trauma and violent behavior in children. Dr. Bilodeau, an expert in behavioral support, emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of these behaviors, which often stem from feelings of unsafe and dysregulation. She highlights the effectiveness of her program, Core Methods, which provides customized support to schools and families, often...
Fun Math Tips Every Parent Should Try! | ep. 107
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TD Flenaugh and Lauren Moseley discuss strategies for making math enjoyable and ensuring children are on track for success. They emphasize the importance of fostering a positive math mindset, suggesting various activities like counting collections and using real-life examples to teach math concepts. They highlight the shift from rote learning to understanding math processes and the role of parents in supporting their children's math education. They also discuss the significance of real-world applications, such as understanding percentages and fractions, to enhance children's math skills.
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Restorative Justice: Speaking Affirmation into Troubled Students' Lives | ep. 106
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TD Flenaugh and Lauren Moseley discuss the importance of service learning and restorative justice in education. They highlight a Netflix documentary about inmates in a Missouri prison who learn to quilt and make weighted vests for children with autism, emphasizing the transformative power of giving back. They relate this to service learning projects in schools, where students engage in community service, often required before graduation. The conversation also explores the importance of natural consequences and restorative justice, emphasizing that students should understand the impact of their actions and learn to repair harm. They...
Small Progress, Big Dreams: Celebrating Your Learning Journey | ep 105
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TD Flenaugh celebrates the premiere of Season 3 of Falling for Learning Podcast, reflecting on her journey as a solo podcaster and the importance of consistency over perfectionism. Despite a busy schedule, she emphasizes the need for rest and self-care. TD announces the addition of a third guest and a seasoned educator, Lauren Moseley, to enrich discussions. She also shares personal updates, including her daughter moving out, which allowed her to create a dedicated studio space. TD encourages listeners to celebrate incremental progress and to prioritize their well-being, promising exciting new resources and guest...
Sagie the Bookworm | Episode 104
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In this episode, a young reader shares her personal story time with books, while expert Lauren Moseley provides insights on literacy development. Discover practical tips and strategies to promote reading in kids and encourage lifelong learning. Tune in for fun stories and helpful advice!
As an Amazon Associate, I receive a commission for any links you use to buy products recommended.
Sagie the Bookworm, a rising 5th grader, shares her love for reading and how she became a bookworm. She credits her reading journey to her parents, teachers, and e...
Books that Raised Me | ep103
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TD Flenaugh and Lauren Moseley discuss the importance of fostering a love of reading in children. They share personal anecdotes about their favorite childhood books, such as "Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss and "I Can Read" books. They emphasize the value of making reading fun and relatable, suggesting libraries and bookstores as affordable resources. TD recalls the impact of Judy Blume's books on her understanding of personal growth, while Lauren highlights the joy of poetry and the creative process. They also discuss the benefits of integrating reading with creative activities, like...
Top 5 Skills for Learning Beyond the Classroom | Ep 102
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TD Flenaugh discusses five skills to help children avoid summer learning burnout while gaining a competitive advantage. First, she emphasizes teaching children to tie their shoes, using scaffolding techniques. Second, she suggests baking or cooking to develop life skills like measurement and sequencing. Third, she advises on organizing, starting with small tasks like packing a lunch box. Fourth, she recommends building concentration through non-digital activities like jigsaw puzzles and chess. Lastly, she highlights the importance of caring for living things, such as pets or plants, to foster responsibility and natural consequences. These skills...
Homeschool Creativity: Tiffany Curry's Learning Adventures | Episode 101
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Follow Tiffany Curry and her Quest for Learning Academy:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/questforlearningacademy
Turn a Study Guide into an entertaining podcast - https://notebooklm.google.com/
Purchase resources discussed in this episode:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
1. The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method & The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/3ZMJtEf
2. Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming the Wonder in Your Child's Education, A New Way t...
How To Make Your Mornings Awesome Every Day! | Ep. 100
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TD Flenaugh and guest Lauren Moseley discuss strategies for a strong start to the day, emphasizing the importance of a welcoming and productive morning routine. Moseley, a national board-certified teacher, shares the "Strong Start" program, which includes morning greetings, goal setting, purposeful partnering, community-building activities, breath work, and sending love affirmations. She highlights the impact of positive morning routines on student engagement and emotional well-being. Moseley also reflects on her journey from criminal justice to teaching, influenced by the need to inspire and support children. She advises parents to be mindful of their...
Perfectionism - How to Get out of the Loop | Ep 99
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TD Flenaugh discusses perfectionism, sharing personal experiences and strategies for parents to help their children. Perfectionism can lead to stress, burnout, and unrealistic standards. Flenaugh emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, providing clear guidelines, and encouraging progress over perfection. She suggests using checklists, setting deadlines, and delegating tasks to help children manage their workload. Flenaugh also highlights the need for self-compassion and recognizing that mistakes are part of the learning process. She advises parents to support their children in balancing their work ethic with a good quality of life.
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Teacher Appreciation: Teachers Who Shaped My Future | Ep. 98
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T.D. Flenaugh celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week by highlighting four influential teachers who shaped her life. She praises Mr. Beu for instilling potential and honesty, Ms. Nelson for treating students as scholars and preparing her for college, Ms. Coerr for fostering a love for nature and journaling, and Ms. Byler for her meticulous editing of scholarship essays and introducing her to Zora Neale Hurston. Flenaugh emphasizes the importance of teachers in preparing students for life and encourages parents to support their children's education.
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Easy Ways to Boost Your Child's Concentration | Episode 97
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TD Flenaugh discusses the importance of stamina for children's academic success, particularly during end-of-year testing. She emphasizes the need for children to develop the ability to focus for extended periods, suggesting incremental practice starting from early grades. Flenaugh recommends daily reading sessions, think-aloud activities, and tracking progress with charts. For middle schoolers, she advises book talks and timed reading sprints. High school students should engage in practice tests and structured study sessions. She also highlights the significance of perseverance and the use of brain breaks and note-taking systems to enhance concentration and learning...
The Dream Whisperers: Why Librarians Are Your Child's Secret Weapon | ep 96
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Dr. Eno Attah, a school librarian with a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, discusses the transformative power of libraries. She highlights her journey from a Nigerian American background, influenced by PBS and her community, to becoming an educator. Dr. Attah emphasizes libraries' role as safe spaces offering resources beyond books, such as hotspots, calculators, and Chromebooks. She advocates for parents to leverage librarians as allies in supporting their children's interests and passions. Dr. Attah also shares her experience transitioning from teaching to librarianship and the diverse roles librarians play in connecting people with...
Rewrite the Future: Education, AI, and Student Success | Episode 95
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T.D. Flenaugh discusses integrating AI into the writing process, using tools like Otter AI and ChatGPT. Chat GPT assisted in categorizing expenses for taxes and creating a book cover. Flenaugh emphasizes responsible AI use, particularly in education, through a collaborative project with the California Writing Project. Students use AI to enhance their writing, but Flenaugh stresses the importance of maintaining personal intelligence over AI-generated content. The approach involves using AI for revision and feedback, while ensuring students understand the value of their own creativity and critical thinking skills.
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How the GED Could Be a Path to Success | Episode 94
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Educational expert Tauanja Kittrell and host, TD Flenaugh, discuss the General Educational Development (GED) test, explaining its history, purpose, and structure. The GED, developed in the 1940s, is a four-subject test (English, science, math, social studies) that can lead to a high school equivalency. Flenaugh highlights the financial benefits of obtaining a GED, noting an average income increase of $9,000 annually.
Contact Tauanja Kittrell for GED Prep - pursuingpossibleprllc@gmail.com
She is a premier GED Prep coach. Kittrell emphasizes the importance of vocational training and entrepreneurship. She shares her extensive b...
Word Families for Early and Advanced Readers |
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Is your child struggling with reading longer words? Or maybe you want to boost their vocabulary without drilling flashcards?
This week on Falling for Learning, we explore how recognizing word patterns—from simple three letter words to longer multi-syllabic words.
Give it a listen—you'll walk away with practical, easy-to-try strategies that support real literacy growth at any age.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
#FallingForLearning #LiteracyMatters #ParentTips #ReadingStrategies #WordStudy #PatternRecognition #MorphologyInAction #EarlyLiteracy #AdvancedReaders
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Learning Fun during the Break | Episode 92
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Buy the bookset - The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method & The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method Workbook
In episode 92, T.D. Flenaugh discusses strategies for keeping learning fun during breaks. She emphasizes the importance of giving children choices in their learning activities, such as gamifying tasks and setting achievable goals. She also suggests using resources like libraries and YouTube for learning new skills, such as cooking, baking, or building. Flenaugh also highlights the value of documenting and sharing the learning process with family and friends. S...
Critical Thinking & Consumer Awareness: A Deep Dive into Research Skills | Ep. 91
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TD Flenaugh discusses the importance of researching issues that matter personally and sharing these methods with children to foster critical thinking and informed decision-making. She highlights the dangers of synthetic braiding hair, citing a Consumer Reports investigation that found carcinogens in all 10 synthetic hair products tested. Flenaugh emphasizes the need to evaluate source credibility, avoid sponsored content, and cross-verify information from multiple sources. Flenaugh also stresses the importance of building lifelong research skills and applying critical thinking to make informed choices.
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Decodable Passages to Build Fluency | Episode 90
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Get The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method and The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method Workbook!
TD Flenaugh discusses the importance of decodable passages and repeated readings to build reading fluency in children. Decodable passages contain spelling patterns children have learned, such as "cr" and "fr." Flenaugh emphasizes the need for multiple reads to help children recognize and sound out words. She suggests marking up the text with different colors or symbols to highlight patterns. Flenaugh also mentions the importance of reading like speaking and modeling...
Defying Expectations: A Homeschooled Child's Path to Success and Community Impact | Episode 89
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Dr. Pratt, a social media strategist and homeschooler, discusses his journey and insights on parenting and education. He shares his early reading skills, influenced by his mother's homeschooling and his father's street smarts. Dr. Pratt recounts his experiences with standardized testing, his mother's creation of a homeschooling curriculum, and his father's influence. He emphasizes the importance of community support for parents of hyperactive children and the power of positive feedback. Dr. Pratt also highlights his career, including his work at the Port Authority, his honorary PhD in philosophy of pop culture, and his...
Bullying Beware: An Educator's Playbook for Empowering Students | Episode 88
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Dana Fikes, a veteran educator and author, shared her journey from teaching two-year-olds at her aunt's school in Pasadena to working at JPL and NASA, and later at PAC Bell and Head Start. She discussed her book, "The Pirate Who Loved Flip Flops," which addresses bullying and promotes individuality. Dana emphasized the importance of creating a supportive learning environment and shared her experiences with bullying. She also highlighted her nonprofit, the Charles Fikes Foundation, which focuses on youth with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and her work integrating yoga and mindfulness in schools.
The Shifting Parent Relationship: For Parents of High Schoolers | Episode 87
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Falling for Learning Podcast Episode 87 features Melida Haye, a veteran educator, who discusses her journey from Panama to the U.S., where she pursued a career in education despite her parents' initial aspirations for her to become a doctor. She emphasizes the importance of listening to children's interests and supporting their choices, even if they differ from parents' expectations. Haye highlights the significance of self-care and professional development, sharing her experience at a writing retreat that helped her combat burnout and rediscover her passion for teaching. She advises parents to actively listen, support...
Consonant Blends & Sight Words for Reading Development | Episode 86
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TD Flenaugh discusses strategies for teaching children to read fluently, focusing on consonant blends (CR and FR) and sight words from the Dolch 1000 word list. The episode emphasizes the importance of blending sounds in words and using decodable text to help children recognize patterns and improve reading fluency. Practical activities include oral blending and segmenting of words, letter-sound correspondence, and using pictures to aid second language learners. The passage "Fun at the Crab Pit" is used to illustrate these techniques, encouraging children to sound out words and read with expression. The goal is...
Sight Words to Support Reading Development | Episode 85
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Resources
Buy T.D.'s book bundle - The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method and The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method Workbook
Get sight words for your reader - https://superstarworksheets.com/sight-words/fry-sight-words/
TD Flenaugh discusses the importance of sight words, specifically Fry's sight words, for reading fluency. The podcast aims to help parents and caregivers with resources and strategies for their children's learning.
Flenaugh explains that sight words should be recognized automatically and emphasizes the need for consistency i...
Black College Expo & Battle of the Bands | Episode 84
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We drop new episodes every Saturday at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
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Test Ready Writing Strategies | Episode 83
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We drop new episodes every Saturday at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fallingforlearning/
https://linktr.ee/falling4learning
Word Families to Improve Reading Fluency | Episode 82
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TD Flenaugh discusses strategies for improving children's reading fluency through word families. The episode focuses on the CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) pattern, emphasizing the use of short vowel sounds, and the concept of "magic E." Flenaugh introduces -ID and -IDE words, explaining how children can recognize patterns to read more efficiently.
The importance of reading connected text and sight words is highlighted, along with the use of tools like ChatGPT and Project Read AI for creating decodable passages.
Get your book bundle The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method...
Build Reading Fluency with Word Families | Episode 82
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We drop new episodes every Saturday at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
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https://linktr.ee/falling4learning
Trauma Informed Parenting: Support Children with Emotional Problems | Episode 81
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Book: Signed Copy [https://bit.ly/signed-copy-hamm] & Amazon [https://a.co/d/i1NrP35].
Parent-Child Relationship Card Deck: https://bit.ly/parentingrelationship
Facebook Community [Mastering Meltdown Moments with Megan] - https://www.facebook.com/share/1DTYatpmkF/
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/meganhamm-lpc
Instagram & Tik Tok: @meganhammlpc
Megan M. Hamm, a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist, discusses trauma-informed therapy and mental health awareness, particularly for children. She...
Solve Reading Challenges (Part 2) with Structured Literacy - Episode 80
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TD Flenaugh discusses structured literacy, emphasizing its effectiveness in teaching 95% of students to read. The podcast aims to support parents and teachers in improving literacy skills. The lesson plan, divided into two 30-minute sessions, focuses on the short "o" sound using CVC and CVCC words. Activities include word work, word sorting, and reading connected text. Key strategies involve sounding out words, using cards, and hands-on activities. The importance of sight words and high-frequency words is highlighted, with a recommendation to introduce 3-5 per week.
To create your own passages that connect...
Cutting College Costs: Moves to Make Now | Episode 79
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Don't overpay for college! Buy The College Cost Cutter's resources now!
OrderThePlaybook.com
CollegeCostCutter.com
FinancialAidByDesign.com (FAFSA workshop on Jan. 12)
Connect with LaTonja Muhammad on Socials:
www.facebook.com/CollegeCostCutter
www.linkedin.com/company/college-cost-cutter/?viewAsMember=true
www.youtube.com/@CollegeCostCutter-k3r
LaTonja Muhammad is a guest on Falling for Learning Podcast episode 79. Muhammad is a certified college funding specialist, on the Falling for Learning Podcast to discuss strategies for paying for college. LaTonja emphasizes the importance of starting early, even...
Solving Reading Challenges With Structured Literacy: Episode 78
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Watch episode 76 on Letter Sound Blending - https://youtu.be/MU2t1DHD8VM?si=30GAWCGO6Xxnnt8N.
TD Flenaugh discusses structured literacy, a method aligned with the science of reading, aimed at solving reading issues in 95% of children if practiced systematically five days a week.
This episode involves four of the 8 stages of structured literacy: phonological awareness, reviewing letter sounds, letter sound blending (decoding) , and encoding (dictation).
TERMS
Phonological awareness focuses on manipulating sounds in words, which includes the highest stage of phonemic awareness.<...
Restorative Justice: How to Get Kids to Get Along - Episode 77
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Falling for Learning Episode 77 focuses on the journey into education for Restorative Justice Teacher, James Riley. Check out his YouTube Channels - https://www.youtube.com/c/mrrileysworld and https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinPaliFootball.
Purchase the Falling for Learning Book Bundle by T.D. Flenaugh - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW18L9GQ?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk
Support the show
We drop new episodes every Saturday at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
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Reading Techniques That Work: Blending 101 - Ep. 76
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Falling for Learning Podcast episode 76 focuses on Letter Sound Blending, a key technique in helping children learn how to read fluently.
Purchase the Falling for Learning Book Bundle by T.D. Flenaugh - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW18L9GQ?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk
Support the show
We drop new episodes every Saturday at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
Follow us:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fallingforlearning/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fallingforlearning/
https://linktr...
