How to Teach READING and WRITING - with Leah Mermelstein

→ How should we approach the tensions around the Science of Reading? → What does the art of teaching literacy look like in today’s classroom? → How can we set up our students for successful independent writing? Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice. About This Guest, Leah Mermelstein Leah collaborates with school districts, educational professionals, learning organizations, and families to enhance K-6 literacy instruction and promote literacy development. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn, on X @MermelsteinLeah, on Instagram @leahmermelsteinconsulting, on her website, leahmermelstein.com, and on her Substack at leahmermelstein.substack.com. In This Conversation 0:00:00 - Leah Mermelstein is a literacy consultant based in Hoboken, New Jersey. 1:19 - The gradual release model for independent writing 5:42 - How to navigate the Science of Reading 11:15 - Collaborative writing as the missing link 17:53 - The "art" of teaching in a research-aligned classroom 23:38 - How to think about teacher feedback 29:36 - How parents can support their children in ELA 32:46 - Literacy toolkits, personalized coaching, and learning cohorts from Leah 34:56 - Where to connect with Leah Mermelstein online Visit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/. Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.