Best Miles By Lori Podcasts (2025)

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Reading Interventions for Upper Elementary with Catlin Goodrow 43:06

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1h ago43:06

43:06

Episode 236 Catlin Goodrow discusses her role as a literacy coach and interventionist for older students, focusing on assessing student needs, implementing effective interventions, and the logistics of providing support in the classroom. She shares insights on decoding challenges, comprehension strategies, and the importance of engaging students wi…

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A Bob Dylan Beginner's Guide, with Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell 1:54:17

5d ago1:54:17

1:54:17

With so many dozens of albums over so many wildly disparate eras, it can take a lifetime to truly get your arms around Bob Dylan. On this episode, Kirk is joined by two guests who have spent their lifetimes doing exactly that. Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell, in addition to co-hosting the terrific political history podcast Know Your Enemy, are both …

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How to Make Every Intervention More Effective with Matt Burns 45:08

12d ago45:08

45:08

Episode 235 Matt Burns discusses effective interventions for students struggling with learning. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the learning hierarchy, identifying where breakdowns occur, and matching interventions to individual student needs. The conversation highlights the significance of modeling in teaching, shares a success story…

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Singing and Songwriting, with The Wailin' Jennys 1:11:03

19d ago1:11:03

1:11:03

The Wailin' Jennys have been singing together for more than two decades - recording albums, touring the world, and filling venues large and small. After all these years, the trio—Ruth Moody, Heather Masse, and Nicky Mehta—have reached both a plateau and an inflection point. What's it like for a musical group that's been together for that long; for …

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Making Sense of Reading Assessments with Michelle Hosp 53:54

26d ago53:54

53:54

Episode 234 Michelle Hosp joins us to break down the different types of literacy assessments within an MTSS framework in the most approachable way. We talk: universal screeners diagnostics progress monitoring formative assessments Most importantly, we talk about when and why to use each one. Michelle helps us shift the question from “Which test sho…

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Talkin' Tower of Power, with Adam Maness and Peter Martin [You'll Hear It] 1:12:30

1M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

Back in May, Kirk joined pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin of the You'll Hear It podcast to talk about what makes Tower of Power great. It was a very fun conversation, so he asked if he could run their episode in the Strong Songs feed. And here we are! Listen to You'll Hear It anywhere you find podcasts, and find both Adam and Peter (and many o…

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Kindergarten Intervention That Gets Results 45:58

1M ago45:58

45:58

Episode 233 In this episode, we sit down with speech-language pathologist Linsey Jones, who’s leading groundbreaking work in her district by delivering smart, targeted, and manageable literacy interventions to kindergarten students. Linsey shares how her background in speech-language pathology led her to create a data-driven, highly responsive tier…

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A Song For My Father 39:33

2M ago39:33

39:33

THE APOCALYPSE WERE: Tony Capuano - Guitar, Lead Vocals John Shorb - Alto Sax Gene Meros - Tenor Sax Greg Novik - Bass, Backing Vocals (guitar on Stormy Monday) Oggie Hamilton - Drums, Backing Vocals Featuring The Apocalypse playing: “Good Good Lovin’” and “Try Me” by James Brown “Hi-Heel Sneakers" by Tommy Tucker “The Shadow of Your Smile” by Mand…

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MTSS for Reading Improvement with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown 52:51

2M ago52:51

52:51

Episode 232 We know MTSS can feel like one more acronym and maybe one more thing on your plate. But what if it was the thing that helped everything else run more smoothly instead? In this episode, we chat with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown, authors of MTSS for Reading Improvement, who help us rethink what strong systems of support actually look…

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Scaffolding Challenging Texts for All Readers with Christina Cover 46:32

2M ago46:32

46:32

Episode 231 Working with students who struggle to make sense of complex texts? You’re not alone! Christina Cover, a high school special educator, interventionist, English teacher, and literacy coordinator, is here to help! In this episode, Christina shares real-world, research-based strategies she uses to help her students break down and make sense…

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The Power of Text Sets with Freddy Hiebert 39:49

3M ago39:49

39:49

Bonus Episode In this episode, Melissa and Lori sit down with Freddy Hiebert, founder of Text Project, to dive deep into the critical role texts play in reading instruction. They explore how the types of texts provided to students not only shape their reading practice but also influence their self-perception as readers. Freddy shares her expertise …

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"Lean On Me" by Bill Withers 58:45

3M ago58:45

58:45

For the Season Seven finale, Kirk takes a look at Bill Withers' enduring hit "Lean On Me." In the process, he takes a broader look at a bunch of Withers' other most famous songs to better understand how this plainspoken, seemingly ordinary guy managed to write so many extraordinary songs. Written by: Bill Withers Album: Still Bill, 1972 Listen/Buy …

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What the Research Says about Difficult Texts with Kristin Conradi Smith, John Strong, & Steve Amendum 52:34

3M ago52:34

52:34

Episode 230 In this episode, we discuss this article and the vital role of difficult texts with three experts: Kristin Conradi-Smith, John Strong, and Steve Amendum. They explore how thoughtful scaffolding and motivation help students confidently tackle challenging materials, clarifying the difference between text complexity and text difficulty. Li…

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Bluegrass, Blue Prince, and the Blues 59:33

3M ago59:33

59:33

Kirk answers a bunch of listener questions on topics like bluegrass guitar, the music of Blue Prince, good apps for training theory skills, Robert Fripp's "Frippertronics," a mysterious sound on a Gene Clark song, different types of music notation, and the legacy of the blues. All that, and a trio of terrific singer/songwriters stops by the studio …

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Making Words Stick with Molly Ness and Katie Pace MIles 51:01

3M ago51:01

51:01

Episode 229 In this episode, Katie Pace Miles and Molly Ness define and explain orthographic mapping as a crucial cognitive process for reading fluency and comprehension. They discuss the importance of mapping words in long-term memory, the difference between memorization and mapping, and the trifecta of phonology, orthography, and meaning that sup…

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"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police 1:00:16

3M ago1:00:16

1:00:16

In 1981, Sting brought a demo of a song he'd been working on down to AIR Studios in Montserrat to see what his bandmates thought of it... and they wound up keeping the demo and just recording their parts on top. The result was "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," an unusual Police song, but an enduring hit. On this episode, Kirk goes deep on eve…

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Helping Students Read Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kearns 53:03

4M ago53:03

53:03

Episode 228 If you’ve ever wondered how to help your students decode longer words, this episode is for you! We’re joined by literacy researcher and professor Devin Kearns to talk all about teaching multisyllabic words. Many phonics programs focus on single-syllable words, but what happens when students hit big words and get stuck? Devin unpacks the…

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Revisiting Fluency Instruction and Assessment with Jan Hasbrouck 53:58

4M ago53:58

53:58

Episode 227 In this episode, Jan Hasbrouck discusses the critical components of reading fluency, focusing on automaticity and its measurement through words correct per minute (WCPM). The discussion highlights the relationship between fluency and comprehension, the role of oral reading fluency in assessing student progress, and the importance of fre…

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"All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II 59:47

4M ago59:47

59:47

The jazz standard "All The Things You Are" has been performed countless times by master jazz vocalists, 30s big bands, bebop small groups, hard-bop combos, modern deconstructionists, and even soon-to-be Kings of Pop. On this episode, Kirk takes listeners through the history of the now-famous tune, from its humble Broadway origins all the way to his…

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[Listen Again] Building Fluency with POSSUM with Maryanne Wolf and Melissa Orkin 50:12

4M ago50:12

50:12

Episode 211 from December 6, 2024 Fluency is a crucial aspect of reading. It involves automaticity and the ability to connect different aspects of word knowledge. In this episode, Maryanne Wolf and Melissa Orkin discuss: the importance of fluency in reading the factors that contribute to fluent reading the need for an integrative approach to fluenc…

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First Steps to Fluency: How Young Learners Become Independent Readers with Virginia Quinn Mooney 39:05

4M ago39:05

39:05

Episode 226 In this episode, Virginia discusses the importance of fluency in K-2 grades, emphasizing its role in reading comprehension. She shares strategies for teaching fluency, including within partner reading, read-alouds, and shared reading. Virginia highlights the significance of modeling fluent reading and incorporating songs and poems to en…

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"Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Jim Steinman and Bonnie Tyler 1:00:19

4M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Turn around... every now and then I get a little lonely and the snare is sounding small Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of sleigh bells Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the cannons will not fire Turn around... ...every now and then Kirk decides to take on a classi…

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A Classroom Fluency Protocol That Works with Aaron Grossman 36:10

5M ago36:10

36:10

Episode 225 How do we turn fluency instruction into something engaging, meaningful, and effective? Fourth-grade teacher Aaron Grossman has the answer. In this episode, Aaron shares his fluency protocol, inspired by Chase Young’s work, that helps students develop prosody, comprehension, and confidence through Reader’s Theater. He walks us through hi…

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[Listen Again] Readers' Theater: Easy, Effective, & FUN! with Chase Young 50:57

5M ago50:57

50:57

Episode 209 from November 8, 2024 Chase Young discusses the implementation of Reader's Theater in the classroom, providing a detailed framework for the process. He emphasizes the importance of structured practice, fluency, and expression, as well as the benefits of engaging students in dramatic reading. Reader's Theater can be implemented in ELA an…

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Exploring the Research Behind Paired Oral Reading with Jake Downs 51:18

5M ago51:18

51:18

Episode 224 Helping students become fluent, confident readers isn’t always easy—especially when they’re still sounding out words and struggling with comprehension. That’s why Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques (SPORT) is a game-changer. In this episode, we’re joined by Jake Downs, assistant professor at Utah State University and host of the…

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Bluey, Background Jazz, and the 'Best' Metal Guitar Solo 1:08:00

5M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

How should you count The Police's "Bed's Too Big Without You?" Why do so many people revere Marty Friedman's solo on Megadeth's "Tornado of Souls"? What's going on with those pauses during the Bluey theme? And what the heck is that sound on Sly and the Family Stone's "Sex Machine"? Those questions and many more on the first mailbag episode of Seaso…

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[LISTEN AGAIN] Language Variations and Teaching Reading with Julie Washington 46:51

5M ago46:51

46:51

Episode 151 (from June 23, 2023) How Language Variations Shape Literacy Language and reading go hand in hand—but how can we leverage students’ linguistic strengths to support literacy? In this episode, Julie Washington, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, who specializes in the intersection of language and literacy, breaks down the…

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Effective Reading Instruction for Multilingual Learners (And Why It Works for Everyone) 1:07:20

5M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Episode 223 Antonio Fierro and Gabi Bell Jimenez break down the essentials of teaching English learners—covering the simple view of reading, oracy, and literacy instruction. English learners thrive when we amplify language, not simplify it. They explore how to build language like Legos—piece by piece—so students can truly master it. Key Takeaways: …

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The Music of the Muppets 1:03:43

5M ago1:03:43

1:03:43

Kirk pays a visit the musical world of The Muppets, from their Sesame Street origins in the 60s to the globe-hopping, cinematic heights of the 70s and 80s, with plenty of detours along the way. FEATURING: "Sesame Street Theme" by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone, and Bruce Hart "Mah Na Mah Na" by Piero Umilliani from Sweden: Heaven and Hell "Pinball Number Co…

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Classroom-Tested Literacy Routines for Every Student (Especially Multilingual Learners!) 46:24

6M ago46:24

46:24

Episode 222 In this episode, teacher coach Margarita shares effective strategies for leveraging students' native languages to enhance their learning in the classroom. She discusses the importance of making cross-linguistic connections, structured routines like QSSSA for speaking, and vocabulary strategies that include cognates. She also explains wr…

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[LIVE] Literacy & Justice for All 50:19

6M ago50:19

50:19

Episode 221 This live podcast recording was part of the opening reception for the 2025 Literacy & Justice for All symposium in Oakland, CA on March 7 and 8. It is crucial to ensure every student becomes a proficient reader. In this live podcast, we’re diving into the amazing strides Oakland Unified School District is making with its bold literacy v…

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"Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" by The Mars Volta 59:07

6M ago59:07

59:07

Kirk digs into one of the most dense and challenging records in his collection, with an analysis of "Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" from The Mars Volta's 2003 progressive rock opus De-Loused in the Comatorium. Written by: Omar Rodríguez-López, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and Jeremy Ward Produced by: Omar Rodríguez-López & Rick Rubin Album: De-Loused in t…

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[Listen Again] Vocabulary Instruction with Sean Morrisey 1:00:00

6M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Episode 156 Fifth-grade teacher Sean Morrisey joins us to discuss all things vocabulary! We discuss Tier 2 and 3 words and discuss how you can strategically select words to teach using research-based approaches. We also share the importance of continuously using words in daily language and ways to use data to measure improvement. Finally, we bridge…

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Teacher-Tested Vocabulary Strategies 50:49

6M ago50:49

50:49

Episode 220 In this podcast episode, you'll hear from: Kirsten Taylor, a first-grade teacher turned literacy coach in Washington, D.C., and Kory Jensen, a fourth-grade teacher in Aurora, Colorado. Kirsten shares a powerful explicit vocabulary routine she uses with her students. She explains how to engage students in learning new words, assess their…

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"Fast As You Can" by Fiona Apple 52:41

6M ago52:41

52:41

Kirk digs into Fiona Apple's breakneck 1999 single "Fast As You Can," a cornerstone in her late 90s collaborations with Jon Brion, as well as her work with drummer Matt Chamberlain. Written by: Fiona Apple Produced by: Jon Brion Album: When The Pawn..., 1999 Listen/Buy via Album.Link ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED: Jon Brion in Performing Songwriter Mag…

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[Listen Again] Language for Life with Lyn Stone 56:29

7M ago56:29

56:29

Episode 155 (from July 21, 2023) Curious about how words shape learning? Join us as we chat with linguist and author Lyn Stone about vocabulary, etymology, and their impact on literacy. Lyn shares practical strategies for teaching morphology and etymology, the importance of teacher knowledge, and great resources to build students' word awareness. W…

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Ten Vocabulary Moves Backed by Research with Blythe Anderson 47:24

7M ago47:24

47:24

In Episode 219, Blythe Anderson discusses the importance of vocabulary instruction, specifically through the use of vocabulary talk moves. These "talk moves" are designed to promote word learning and help teachers effectively teach new vocabulary. Blythe covers various types of vocabulary moves, their research backing, and practical examples of how…

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"Where The Streets Have No Name" and "With Or Without You" by U2 59:24

7M ago59:24

59:24

Strong Songs Season Seven kicks off with two of the most famous songs ever recorded, from one of the biggest bands in the world. U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "With or Without You" make up two-thirds of the three-song "suite" of hit singles that kicked off their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. As it turns out, the two songs have a lot to sa…

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[Listen Again] Strengthening Language Comprehension in Young Learners with Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell 47:08

7M ago47:08

47:08

Episode 203 (from August 16, 2024) Our guests today, authors Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell, discuss the concept of Strive-For-Five Conversations, which emphasizes the importance of multi-turn conversations between teachers and students. They explain that the goal is to stretch conversations beyond the typical question-response format and aim for a…

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Building Better Academic Talk Routines in K-8 Classrooms 1:08:55

7M ago1:08:55

1:08:55

Episode 218 is chock-full of super practical ways to implement academic talk in your classroom tomorrow! Elementary science teacher Jami Witherell shares her insights on fostering academic discourse in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of giving students time to think before they speak. She discusses practical strategies for engaging studen…

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[Listen Again] The Relationship Between Phonics and Language Comprehension with Tiffany Hogan 1:07:05

7M ago1:07:05

1:07:05

Episode 167: Researcher Tiffany Hogan explores the relationship between phonics and language comprehension in this episode. She shares practical ways to make these connections in the classrooms - including read-alouds, discourse, and writing. Resources Mentioned in this Episode On the Importance of Listening Comprehension If you don't look, you don…

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Research-Backed Strategies for Academic Talk with Jeff Zwiers 56:30

8M ago56:30

56:30

Episode 217 Have you ever wondered how to get your students talking in a way that builds deeper understanding? In this episode, we chat with Jeff Zwiers, author of Academic Conversations and Next Steps with Academic Conversations, about the power of authentic discussions in the classroom. Here’s what you’ll learn: 3 Key Features of Authentic Conver…

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Research-Backed Writing Strategies from a 5th Grade Classroom 36:47

8M ago36:47

36:47

Struggling to make writing click for your students? In this episode, 5th-grade teacher Elise Frank shares practical strategies to tackle the challenges of teaching writing, inspired by "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen Harris. Key takeaways: Simplify the hidden processes of writing for your students. Boost ownership and feedback.…

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A Bunch of Great Music Recommendations 36:07

8M ago36:07

36:07

In between seasons, Kirk re-ran a bunch of old episodes and prefaced each one with a new music recommendation. He's taking those down recasts in preparation for season seven, but it seemed like a good idea to put all the music recommendations in one place. So that's what this episode is! DISCUSSED AND RECOMMENDED: "The Meadow" by Nickel Creek from …

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A Path to Better Writing with Steve Graham 53:46

8M ago53:46

53:46

Steve Graham discusses the significance of writing in education, the challenges teachers face in teaching writing, and effective strategies to enhance students' writing skills. In this episode, you'll hear about: the interconnectedness of writing and reading the importance of feedback the role of handwriting and typing in writing fluency the necess…

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[Listen Again] The Writing Revolution with Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler 44:37

8M ago44:37

44:37

From July 22, 2022 The Writing Revolution authors, Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler, share a 'revolutionary' approach to writing. The best part: It begins at the sentence level AND content knowledge drives the rigor. Moreover, there is an overlap in reading, writing, and critical thinking. What are the principles of The Writing Revolution? There a…

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Ep. 214 Aligning Early Writing Routines to Research 27:33

9M ago27:33

27:33

What if young students could transform writing from a daunting task into an exciting journey of self-expression? In this episode, Laura Stam, a second-grade teacher from Wyoming, discusses her transformative journey in writing instruction. Struggling initially with an unstructured writing curriculum, Laura discovered innovative methods to support h…

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Ep. 213: Evidence-Based Writing Instruction for Young Learners with Karen Harris & Young Suk Grace Kim 1:04:54

9M ago1:04:54

1:04:54

This episode highlights the close connection between reading and writing and the importance of teaching them together. Young-Suk Kim uses a structural house analogy to explain their interdependence. Karen Harris introduces the SRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) model, focusing on evidence-based practices that build self-regulation and expli…

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Remembering Janis Stockhouse, The Great Band Director 56:39

9M ago56:39

56:39

In light of Janis Stockhouse's unexpected death at the tail end of 2024, we're re-posting Kirk's 2019 interview with her for anyone who might want to listen to it. Janis started teaching at North high school in Bloomington, Indiana, in the early 1980s. It was a time when "jazz education" as a concept was still a relatively new thing. She retired 38…

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Melissa & Lori Love Literacy Trailer 1:03

9M ago1:03

1:03

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy™ is a podcast for teachers. The hosts are your classroom-next-door teacher friends turned podcasters learning with you. Episodes feature top literacy experts and teachers who are putting the science of reading into practice. Melissa & Lori bridge the gap between the latest research and your day-to-day teaching. We answe…