What does it really mean to be “set for variability”? In this episode, Michelle is joined by Jen Yagid and Wendy Darasz of Informed Literacy to break down this complex-sounding but classroom-friendly concept. Together, they demystify set for variability, explore its role in decoding, and share practical classroom examples.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support students in correcting their own mispronunciations or how to help them flex vowel sounds when the code doesn’t quite match the pronunciation, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• What “set for variability” actually means (in teacher terms)
• Why strong decoding is the first step—and flexibility is the second
• When and how to support struggling readers using this approach
• How SSV differs from guessing or 3-cueing
• How to build flexibility through small-group cues, hand motions, and sentence context
• Why “the world is not decodable”—and what that means for our instruction

Resources Mentioned:

• Informed Literacy Blog Post: What is Set for Variability and Why is it Important?
• Informed Literacy Decodables: Jen & Wendy are offering a coupon code: COLOR2025 for one month (until September 2025) just for you! When you purchase a set of their hardcopy decodables, you will get our Supplemental Resource pack for free (You need to put the decodables and the supplemental resource pack into the cart and enter the coupon code: COLOR2025)
• Informed Literacy Decodable Book Freebie

Helpful References:

• Set for Variability as a Critical Predictor of Word Reading: Potential Implications for Early Identification and Treatment of Dyslexia
• Unpacking the Unique Relationship Between Set for Variability and Word Reading Development: Examining Word- and Child-Level Predictors of Performance
• Spelling as Statistical Learning: Using Consonantal Context to Spell Vowels
• The Importance of Flexibility of Pronunciation in Learning to Decode: A Training Study in Set for Variability
• The Role of Set for Variability in Irregular Word Reading: Word and Child Predictors in Typically Developing Readers and Students At-Risk for Reading Disabilities

Connect with Jen & Wendy from Informed Literacy:

• Website: InformedLiteracy.com
• Instagram: @informedlit
• Informed Literacy on YouTube
• Facebook: @informedlit
• Pinterest: