How to Implement the Science of Reading with Young Learners

Written By Amie Burkholder
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In this episode, I’m excited to share a conversation I originally had on the Triple R Teaching Podcast with Anna Geiger (The Measured Mom). Together, we dive into my book Literacy Unlocked: How to Implement the Science of Reading with Young Learners and explore how to bridge research with practical classroom application.

We cover the real-life challenges teachers face when it comes to foundational literacy skills and the shifts required to move from balanced literacy to the science of reading. This episode is packed with actionable ideas that you can take straight into your classroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • My journey from first grade teacher to K–5 literacy coach and how I discovered the gaps in my own reading instruction

  • Why the first years of literacy coaching were so challenging—and what changed over time

  • How Literacy Unlocked was born out of a need to make research practical and accessible for teachers

  • Why explicit phonics instruction paired with decodable text is essential—and how leveled readers can derail student progress

  • Practical ways to approach phonemic awareness instruction (oral warmups, sound mapping, and more)

  • The powerful connection between handwriting, letter formation, and reading fluency

  • A step-by-step routine for introducing new letters and sounds (name it, sound it, feel it, form it, use it)

  • How to support students who get “stuck” on sound-by-sound blending and help them move toward fluent word reading

  • Best practices for teaching high-frequency words—what to avoid, and what actually works for long-term retention

Resources and Links

Amie Burkholder
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