Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers: Daily Summaries Delivered

308: Phonics & Phonemic Awareness: Closing Gaps in Upper Elementary

Your Literacy Block: Part 3If you've ever wondered whether phonemic awareness and phonics still matter in upper elementary, this episode is for you!While these foundational skills are often associated with primary grades, many students in third, fourth, and fifth grade continue to struggle because of gaps in their word recognition skills. In this episode, we're unpacking the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics, why both are essential for reading success, and how teachers can provide targeted support without overhauling their entire literacy block.In this episode, we'll discuss:The difference between phonemic awareness and phonicsWhy foundational reading skills still matter in grades 3–5How gaps in word recognition impact fluency and comprehensionScarborough’s Reading Rope and the role of word recognitionPractical phonemic awareness activities for upper elementary studentsEffective phonics routines and instructional strategiesWays to provide targeted support without adding more to your plateResources Mentioned:⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/slc

[Listen Again] How the Brain Learns Words (and Why It Matters for Reading Success) with Dr. Molly Ness

We replayed an interview with Dr. Molly Ness last week... and we just could not help airing this one too! We love our interview episodes. What helps a word move from something students have to sound out to something they instantly recognize?In this episode, literacy researcher and educator Dr. Molly Ness joins us to explore orthographic mapping—the process that allows readers to permanently store words in memory for quick and effortless retrieval.If you've ever worked with students who can decode a word one day but seem to forget it the next, this conversation will help explain why. Dr. Ness breaks down the science behind how the brain learns words and shares a practical four-step routine teachers can use to support word learning, fluency, and reading comprehension.Whether you're a classroom teacher, interventionist, or literacy coach, you'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how skilled reading develops—and simple instructional moves you can implement right away.In this episode, you'll learn:What orthographic mapping is and how it supports fluent readingWhy automatic word recognition is critical for comprehensionThe connection between phonemic awareness, phonics, and word memoryCommon misconceptions about how students learn wordsA simple four-step routine that helps words "stick"If you love what Dr. Molly Ness has to say in this episode, you will love what is happening in our Summer Learning Series. We are reading her book Making Words Stick. There is still time to join in - visit stellarteacher.com/summerpd.

307. The 5-Minute Word Study Routine That Builds Reading Confidence

Your Literacy Block Series: Part 2If your students freeze when they come across long, unfamiliar words while reading, this episode is for you.In today’s episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we’re talking about how morphology instruction can completely change reading confidence for upper elementary students. You’ll learn how teaching prefixes, suffixes, roots, and base words helps students decode unfamiliar vocabulary, improve spelling, and strengthen comprehension.We also break down what explicit morphology instruction actually looks like during whole group, small group, and independent reading—without adding another complicated routine to your literacy block.Inside this episode:What morphology is and why it mattersSimple questions students can ask when decoding big wordsExamples using words like “unexplainable” and “transportation”Easy word study routines you can use in 5–10 minutes a dayHow morphology supports both decoding and comprehensionIf you teach grades 3–5, this episode will give you practical strategies you can start using right away.Resources Mentioned:⭐ FREE Reading Big Words Poster stellarteacher.com/bigwords⭐ Whole Group Lessons with built-in morphology instruction only available in the Stellar Literacy Collective ⤵︎⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/slc

[Listen Again] Why Every Literacy Block Needs Read-Alouds with Molly Ness

Are read-alouds still worth making time for in an upper elementary classroom? According to literacy researcher and author Dr. Molly Ness—they absolutely are.In this episode, we dive into the research-backed benefits of read-alouds and why they still play an essential role in a Science of Reading-aligned literacy block. From building vocabulary and background knowledge to increasing engagement and comprehension, Dr. Ness shares practical insights teachers can immediately apply in their classrooms.If you’ve ever questioned whether read-alouds are “enough” academically, this conversation will remind you just how powerful they can be.

306. Comprehension: A Simple Research-Backed Framework That Actually Works

Your Literacy Block Series: Part 1If you’ve ever wondered:“How do I actually help my students comprehend what they read?” …this episode is for you.Reading comprehension is the goal of reading instruction—but it’s not just one strategy or skill. In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we’re kicking off a brand-new series all about building an effective upper elementary literacy block.We’re sharing:What reading comprehension actually isWhy comprehension should be woven throughout your literacy blockThe key components that support comprehensionA simple research-backed 3-2-1 framework you can use with ANY textYou’ll walk away with practical ideas for building background knowledge, teaching vocabulary, supporting sentence-level understanding, asking meaningful questions, and using writing about reading to deepen comprehension.If you’ve ever wondered how to actually help students better understand what they read, this episode is for you.Resources Mentioned:⭐ Whole Group Lessons with built-in 3-2-1 comprehension support only available in the Stellar Literacy Collective ⤵︎⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/slc

305. [Listen Again] Let Them Be Bored: Why Boredom Might Be Exactly What Kids Need with Mike Bender and Chuck Dillon

304. 7 Things Your Future Teacher Self Will Thank You For

The school year is almost over, but before you fully switch into summer mode, there are a few things your future teacher self will be so thankful you did. In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, Sara and Emily share 7 end-of-year reflection and reset strategies that can help make next school year feel more organized, intentional, and less overwhelming.Episode Takeaways:Reflect on your favorite moments, lessons, and routines from the school yearIdentify what brought you and your students the most joy and engagementMake a plan to intentionally repeat those successful moments next yearReflect on areas where you wish you had spent more instructional timeAudit and organize your resources—keep what worked and let go of what didn’tClean up and reset your classroom now so you start next year with a clean slateBe intentional about planning a summer that actually helps you rest and rechargeStay connected with us this summer! Visit stellarteacher.com/summer to sign up for our free learning experience starting June 1!

303. Want More Engagement in May? Try These 3 Literacy Moves

In this episode, Emily shares 3 simple, low-prep literacy moves that still make a big impact at the end of the year (hello increased engagement!). You’ll hear practical ideas for:Student-led book talks that build excitement around readingFluency performances that combine comprehension, rereading, and engagementBringing back your favorite read-alouds using a simple 3-2-1 comprehension structureThese ideas are designed to help you add structure back into your literacy block while still enjoying the final weeks with your students.Want a freebie to get started? Grab 5 Book Talk Anchor Charts at stellarteacher.com/freebieGrab our Book Talk Templates + Guide on under $5 at stellarteacher.com/booktalkReady to keep the momentum going this summer? Be sure to sign up for our Summer Learning Series for book study, bonus trainings, and practical literacy support. stellarteacher.com/summer