It's Christmas Eve! In today’s special holiday-themed episode, we’re bringing a little winter magic to phonological awareness. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just looking for a festive and educational activity, this interactive episode is for you! Together, we’ll play with sounds and words, engaging in fun phonological awareness activities that include rhyming, blending, segmenting, and so much more—all with a cozy winter theme. While this is just for fun and not aligned with targeted phonics skills, it’s a great way to spark joy and engage in wordplay with your kids or students.

Activities Included:

• Rhyme Production
• Sound Isolation (Beginning and Ending Sounds)
• Blending (Compound Words, Syllables, and Sounds)
• Segmenting (Syllables, Onset-Rime, and Individual Sounds)
• Substitution
• Sentence Segmentation

Grab a cup of cocoa, play along, and enjoy a bit of winter-inspired wordplay!

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Mentioned in this episode:

Truth About Reading

Watch The Truth About Reading: http://johncorcoranfoundation.org/watch

In this heartfelt, powerful, and impactful episode, I am joined by Dr. Jasmine Rogers, a leading national voice in literacy instruction and a trailblazer in culturally competent teaching practices. Dr. Rogers specializes in approaches that affirm Black Language (Black English) in the classroom and has dedicated her career to revolutionizing literacy instruction by honoring every student's linguistic heritage.

With nine years of classroom experience in charter and DC Public Schools, Dr. Rogers witnessed firsthand how traditional reading instruction often left Black Language-speaking students behind. Her groundbreaking research at American University’s School of Education challenges long-held misconceptions and shows that even minimal training on Black Language significantly improves teacher effectiveness.

In this episode, Dr. Rogers shares insights from her research, discussing how recognizing and celebrating Black Language—rather than correcting it—is essential to honoring students' identities and supporting their academic growth. She explains how Black Language is not a dialect or slang but a fully developed linguistic system with its own phonology, morphology, and syntax, and why we must celebrate this diversity in our classrooms.

We dive deep into misconceptions about Black Language, explore the difference between deficit-based and asset-based approaches, and discuss how educators can integrate culturally responsive literacy practices into their teaching - especially in the Structured Literacy classroom. Dr. Rogers introduces the concept of the "Revolutionary Love Response" as a powerful teaching move, emphasizing the importance of affirming students’ linguistic choices while still guiding them toward proficiency in generalized English.

This episode is a clarion call for educators to reflect on their teaching practices, embrace linguistic diversity, and create classrooms where every student’s language and identity are celebrated. Dr. Rogers’ mission is clear: to transform literacy instruction by affirming students' linguistic heritage, and in this conversation, she equips us with the knowledge & tools to get us started.

• Linguistic Justice by Dr. April Baker Bell
• Black Communications and Learning to Read by Terry Meier
• Revolutionary Love: Creating a Culturally Inclusive Classroom by Kamania Wynter-Hoyte, Eliza Braden, and Michele Meyers
• Dr. Megan-Brette Hamilton’s Website
• Dr. Megan-Brette Hamilton’s Podcast: Honeybee Connection Podcast by MB
• Dr. Dionna Latimer-Hearn’s Website
• Dr. Dionna Latimer-Hearn’s Podcast: The Culture We Speak

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Where to Find Dr. Jasmine Rogers:

• DC Reading Clinic
• Website: www.jasminerogers.com
• LinkedIn:

We’re wrapping up this Literacy Coaching Conversations series with my good friend and colleague, Alison Kantor, a literacy coach and Orton-Gillingham trainer, to discuss the unique and impactful role of a literacy coach. Alison shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, her daily responsibilities, and her strategies for supporting teachers as they navigate the shift from Balanced Literacy to Structured Literacy. Whether you’re a new coach or a seasoned veteran, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

Key Takeaways:

• A Day in the Life of a Literacy Coach
• Building Trust with Teachers
• Impactful Coaching Moments

Resources Mentioned:

• Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Center for Dyslexia Studies
• Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program

Tools for Literacy Coaches:

1. Google Calendar: Alison’s top recommendation for staying organized and following through on commitments.
2. A Mobile “Tackle Box”: Filled with literacy materials like letter cards, mini whiteboards, and manipulatives to model strategies with teachers.
3. Professional Development: Resources like blogs, podcasts, and coaching communities to stay up-to-date and continue learning.

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Mentioned in this episode:

Truth About Reading

Watch The Truth About Reading: http://johncorcoranfoundation.org/watch