In this episode of Literacy in Color, we’re heading across the pond to Ireland for a powerful conversation with Dr. Treasa Bowe, an international literacy leader and passionate advocate for morphology, etymology, and meaningful instruction. With over two decades of teaching experience in both Ireland and the U.S., Dr. Bowe brings a truly global lens to literacy education.

Together, we explore what structured literacy looks like across contexts, how to empower multilingual learners through word study, and what it takes to implement school-wide morphology instruction - even without formal coaching systems. Treasa also shares how she created a scope and sequence for teaching morphology in the upper grades, weaving in etymology, spelling, and background knowledge in a way that’s cohesive, culturally responsive, and curiosity-driven.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to go deeper with word study, this conversation is packed with insights to spark your thinking and strengthen your practice.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a school-wide structured literacy curriculum in a multilingual setting
• How word study connects to spelling, vocabulary, and writing
• Encourage inquiry without having all the answers

Resources & People Mentioned:

• Lyn Stone
• Zaretta Hammond
• The Reading League
• UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute)
• Etymonline
• JeopardyLabs
• Membean

Connect with Treasa:

• Instagram: @betweenthecoversofagoodbook

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

In this episode of Literacy in Color, we’re diving into 4 quick, high-impact phonics drills that spark engagement and build automaticity, without eating up your entire lesson time.

These warm-ups aren’t about “drill and kill.” Instead, they’re short, intentional routines that help students review and retrieve previously taught phonics content. Whether you’re a classroom teacher or interventionist, these drills can be used flexibly, across whole group, small group, or even 1:1 settings.

4 Types of Drills:

• Visual Drill
• Auditory Drill
• Vowel Drill
• Blending Drill

Whether you’re just starting with structured literacy or looking to refine your phonics block, these quick drills are a powerful way to build momentum and confidence for every student.

Helpful Tools:

• Sound Deck for Visual Drill
• Spelling Frequency Posters

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

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m joined by the incredible Lindsay Kemeny, a trusted voice in the Science of Reading community and author of Seven Mighty Moves and Rock Your Literacy Block. Lindsay shares her journey into structured literacy, sparked by her son’s dyslexia diagnosis, and how that led to a complete transformation in her teaching and professional work.

We dive into her brand-new book, Rock Your Literacy Block, and explore what it means to build a strong, responsive, and efficient literacy block that aligns with the Science of Reading. Lindsay offers practical strategies, encouragement, and a behind-the-scenes look at how she organizes her day, structures her small groups, and maximizes every minute of instructional time.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by scheduling, pacing, or finding the “perfect” literacy routine, this conversation is a breath of fresh air. Lindsay reminds us that it’s not about perfection - it’s about progress.

Key Takeaways:

• The inspiration behind Rock Your Literacy Block
• The must-have components of an effective literacy block
• The art of pacing and maximizing instructional minutes

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Rock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny
• Book: Seven Mighty Moves by Lindsay Kemeny
• Book: Seven Mighty Moves Reading Resources by Lindsay Kemeny
• The Science of Reading in Practice Series (Scholastic)

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!

Connect with Lindsay Kemeny:

• Instagram: @lindsaykemeny
• Facebook: Teaching with Lindsay Kemeny
• LinkedIn: Lindsay Kemeny
• X: @lindsaykemeny

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