101. Science of Reading Hot Topics: Navigating the Nuance with Anna Geiger, Reach All Readers

The Science of Reading has transformed literacy instruction, but with that shift has come a new challenge: navigating the growing number of debates, disagreements, and hot topics within the field itself. Author, podcaster, and doctoral student Anna Geiger of Reach All Readers joins the show to explore the nuance behind some of the most talked-about conversations in literacy today. We discuss what research can (and cannot) tell us, why instructional decisions are not always black and white, and how educators can thoughtfully evaluate practices while keeping student outcomes at the center. From heart words and phonemic awareness to decodable texts, sound walls, and structured literacy approaches, this conversation offers a perspective that encourages teachers to think critically and embrace the complexity of literacy instruction. Whether you're new to the Science of Reading or deep into your own learning journey, this episode will leave you reflecting on what it means to be both evidence-informed and responsive to students. We Discuss: • How teachers can navigate conflicting opinions in literacy education • Heart words • Whether any English word is truly irregular (with the role of etymology and morphology) • The debate surrounding oral-only phonemic awareness • Structured Linguistic Literacy vs. traditional phonics approaches • Are we overdoing phonics? • Syllable division • Decodable texts versus authentic reading experiences • Sound walls • Why teaching remains both a science and an art • How educators can become wise consumers of literacy research Resources Mentioned: • Book: Reach All Readers by Anna Geiger (https://amzn.to/4gZ0Zi3) • The Right to Read Project (https://righttoreadproject.com/) • Blog Post: What Do I Do with All These Predictable Books? by Margaret Goldberg (https://righttoreadproject.com/2021/0...) • Reading Science Academy (https://www.stephaniestollarconsultin...) with Dr. Stephanie Stollar (https://www.stephaniestollar.com/) 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 Anna Geiger: • Email: [email protected] • Website: https://reachallreaders.com/ • Reach All Readers Podcast (https://reachallreaders.com/category/...) • Reach All Readers Plus Membership (https://pages.reachallreaders.com/rea...) This podcast is brought to you by (https://www.stephaniestollarconsultin...) Reading Science Academy (https://www.stephaniestollarconsultin...) , where our friend Stephanie Stollar is giving Literacy in Color listeners an exclusive, free grouping resource bundle to help you turn fall screening data into skill-based groups that actually move students forward. Get your FREE grouping resource bundle here. (https://www.stephaniestollarconsultin...) Or, become a member of Reading Science Academy (https://www.stephaniestollarconsultin...) to learn in community and receive research-backed support alongside over 1,400 literacy educators. Connect with Michelle: 1. Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom (  / michelle_thecolorfulclassroom  ) & @logosliteracyacademy (  / logosliteracyacademy  ) 2. Join our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...) Community 3. Sign up for my Newsletter (https://colorful-classroom.mykajabi.c...) 4. Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/s...) 5. Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com (http://www.michelleandthecolorfulclas...) 6. Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership (https://colorful-classroom.mykajabi.c...) Want to Support the Podcast? 1. Make a Donation (https://literacy-in-color.captivate.f...) to Support Production Interested in Learning More about Morphology? 1. Logos Literacy Academy (https://beacons.ai/logosliteracyacademy) 2. Course 1: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator (https://logosliteracyacademy.thriveca...) 3. Course 2 & Curriculum: K-2 Morphology (https://logosliteracyacademy.thriveca...) 4. Monthly Coaching Calls: Logos Live (https://logosliteracyacademy.thriveca...) Mentioned in this episode: SOR Summer Book Study Join us: https://colorful-classroom.myk...