What does the Science of Reading actually look like in a real classroom?

In this powerful and practical episode, we’re joined by Jen Jones from Hello Literacy, who breaks down the research into clear, doable steps teachers can implement straight away.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about guided reading, running records, sight word lists, or online readers - this episode is your permission slip to rethink, refine, and reset.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why grouping by skill (not reading level) changes everything
• The simple assessment shift that gives you clearer data in minutes
• How to use decodable texts without making literacy feel robotic
• A smarter way to teach sight words that actually sticks
• The permission teachers need when shifting to Science of Reading practices

Key Takeaways:

• Teach the skill, not the level
• Align your literacy block with decoding research
• Progress over perfection when making changes
• Use a phonics scope and sequence as your instructional roadmap
• Create small group folders organised by phonics skill

This conversation is honest, empowering, and packed with actionable strategies. And perhaps most importantly? Jen reminds us that growth requires experimentation and imperfection is part of the process.

Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Check our Jen’s website: Hello Literacy
• Hello Decodables website
• Jen’s Free Phonics Assessment and Quick Placement Assessment
• Connect with Jen Jones on Instagram
• Purple Project Video mentioned
• Book mentioned: The ABCs and All Their Trick By Margaret Bishop

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | AMAZON

About Today’s Guest

Jen Jones is a veteran educator, literacy consultant, and the founder of Hello Literacy and Hello Decodables. With over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher and literacy coach, Jen specializes in translating the Science of Reading research into practical, classroom-ready instruction. She is the author of a comprehensive phonics scope and sequence and has created a full library of decodable books and small-group lessons used in schools across the country. Jen is passionate about helping teachers move from confusion to clarity so students can become confident, skilled readers.

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Today, we’re diving into multiplication and how to help students build the fluency they need while still keeping math lessons engaging and enjoyable.

Teaching multiplication can sometimes feel like endless worksheets and rote memorisation! Today, we are moving away from teaching multip[lication like that and sharing simple ways to help students practise multiplication in ways that feel interactive, meaningful, and fun.

We’re sharing practical strategies that help students build confidence and develop a deeper understanding of multiplication, while also creating lessons they genuinely enjoy being part of. From games and hands-on activities to rich tasks and student voice, these ideas help move students from practising facts to becoming multiplication masters.

And the best part? Many of these ideas are easy to implement and can fit seamlessly into your existing maths block.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Simple multiplication games you can start using in your classroom tomorrow
• Why hands-on learning helps students build stronger number understanding
• How math groups can support differentiation when teaching multiplication
• Using rich tasks to deepen multiplication thinking and strategy sharing
• Ways to incorporate student voice to build confidence and engagement in maths
• How Uno cards can become a quick and effective tool for multiplication practice

If you’re looking for ways to help your students build strong multiplication fluency while still enjoying the learning process, this episode is packed with ideas you can try straight away.

Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Speedy Number booklets

Flip it Multiplication free game and full set

UNO ideas for Multiplication (blog post)

Multiplication Dots and Boxes

Multiplication Battleship

Multiplication Dice and Card Games

Multiplication Spinner Games

Multiplication ‘Guess Who’

Brain breaks

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | AMAZON

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Does grammar feel heavy in your classroom? Overwhelming? Like something you should be better at teaching?

You are not alone.

In this powerful and refreshing conversation, we’re joined by grammar expert Patty McGee, who helps us unpack why grammar often feels so hard, and why it’s not a teacher problem. It’s a system problem.

Patty shares practical, realistic strategies that make grammar feel lighter, more engaging, and far more effective. We explore how to move from rigid rule-teaching to creative, hands-on exploration that actually improves student writing.

Key Takeaways

• You are not “bad at grammar.”
• Grammar should be embedded in authentic reading and writing.
• Sentence-level instruction creates powerful results.
• Hands-on, collaborative exploration deepens understanding.
• Confidence grows when we release perfection.

Patty shares practical, hands-on strategies that work in real classrooms, even with limited time and diverse learners. If grammar has ever felt like a box to tick or a weight on your shoulders, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Patty’s Website: www.pattymcgee.org
• Check out Patty’s book, Not Your Granny’s Grammar: An Innovative Approach to Meaningful and Engaging Grammar Instruction, here
• Connect with Patty on LinkedIn or Instagram.

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | AMAZON

About Today’s Guest

Patty McGee is a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator with a passion for transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for delightful literacy practices, Patty has worked alongside educators across the country, partnering to unlock the full potential of their students through innovative and practical teaching strategies. Not Your Granny’s Grammar is her third book. Connect with Patty at www.pattymcgee.org

Let's hear from you! Text us!