In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m chatting with Heidi Martin—also known as Droppin’ Knowledge with Heidi—to unpack what research says about effective alphabet instruction. Together, we explore common debates, research-based tips, and engaging strategies to teach the alphabet more effectively.

From ditching letter-of-the-week traditions to embracing articulation and embedded mnemonics, this episode is packed with classroom-ready ideas and practical insights grounded in cognitive science. Heidi also shares why repeated and distributed practice is the key to building strong alphabet knowledge.

Key Takeaways:

• Alphabet knowledge is a strong predictor of reading success
• What the research says about “letter of the week”
• Teach letter names and sounds together
• Teach uppercase and lowercase together
• Incorporate explicit handwriting instruction
• Use embedded mnemonics and articulation cues
• Advice about target picture(s)
• Alphabet knowledge should be joyful, not just rote

Helpful Resources:

• Register for Science of Reading Mini-Con (July 10th, 2025 in Racine, Wisconsin)!
• Piasta & Wagner’s 2010 meta-analysis of Alphabet Learning & Instruction
• P is for Paint: A Mnemonic Alphabet Adventure! – Heidi’s embedded mnemonic alphabet book
• Decodable Adventure Series – Heidi’s decodable books
• Heidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Foundational Skills: Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Exercises Aligned to the Science of Reading
• Heidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Sight Words and Word Mapping: High-Frequency Word Exercises Aligned to the Science of Reading
• Heidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Phonics: Spelling and Phonics Activities Aligned to the Science of Reading
• Helpful Instagram Post from Heidi on the Alphabet

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 Heidi Martin:

• Website: https://droppinknowledge.com/
• TikTok - @droppinknowledgewheidi
• IG - @droppinknowledgewithheidi
• FB - Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram:

In this insightful episode, I sit down with literacy expert, Amy Siracusano, to unpack the critical role that transcription skills play in early writing development. Together, we explore why handwriting, spelling, and fine motor skills aren’t just mechanical tasks—they’re foundational tools that unlock a child’s ability to communicate their thoughts effectively.

Amy breaks down the research, shares practical strategies, and shines a light on the often-overlooked building blocks that impact a child’s writing journey. Teachers will walk away with actionable tips and a deeper understanding of how transcription skills influence cognitive load, executive functioning, and writing fluency.

Key Takeaways:

• Why automaticity in transcription is non-negotiable for freeing up cognitive resources for composition
• How explicit handwriting instruction supports both reading and writing fluency
• The connection between the writing brain and reading brain
• Practical ways teachers can integrate transcription skill-building into their literacy block

Resources Mentioned:

• The Not-So-Simple View of Writing model
• The Handwriting Collaborative
• Handedness Research Institute
• National Handwriting Association
• University of Iowa (Clifter and Lifter materials)
• “Strengthening the Mind’s Eye” by Dr. Virginia Berninger
• “Handwriting in a Modern World” by William Van Cleave
• Dr. Berninger’s PALS program
• Informal assessments by Linda Farrell and Michael Hunter (Readsters)

Practical tools Amy recommended:

• Short pencils
• Plastic sleeves/page protectors with 3-lined paper inside
• Thin, short dry erase markers
• Appropriate writing utensils (soft lead pencils, crayons for early writers)
• Three-lined paper for handwriting until automaticity is achieved

Connect with Amy Siracusano:

• LinkedIn: Amy Siracusano
• Instagram: @amysiracusano
• Email: amysiracusano@gmail.com

Connect with Amy at Upcoming Conferences:

• Big Sky Literacy Summit
• The Reading...

In this solo episode of Literacy in Color, we’re cutting through the confusion around sight words, high-frequency words, and orthographic mapping. You’ll get a clear, research-backed understanding of how the brain actually learns words — and why traditional memorization strategies just don’t cut it.

Michelle breaks down why every word "wants to grow up and become a sight word" and shares how teachers can make smart instructional moves that build strong, fluent readers by honoring what we know from the Science of Reading.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Should I still send home sight word flashcards?
• What’s orthographic mapping actually mean?
• How can I organize my high-frequency instruction around phonics skills?

...this episode will answer ALL of that (and more!) in a practical, empowering way.

Key Takeaways:

• The difference between sight words and high-frequency words (hint: they're not the same)
• What orthographic mapping is—and why it’s not an activity
• How words become mapped for instant recognition
• Why explicit instruction—not memorization—is key to building fluent readers
• How to group high-frequency words by phonics features for better transfer and mastery

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Making Words Stick: A Four-Step Instructional Routine to Power Up Orthographic Mapping (The Science of Reading in Practice) by Dr. Katie Pace Miles & Dr. Molly Ness

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!



Other Helpful Resources:

• High Frequency Words Sorted Phonics by Skill, Mapped in Sound Boxes
• Seasonal Word Mapping Boards
• Blog Post: Why Orthographic Mapping is Important when Teaching High Frequency Words
• FREE Guide: Phonics & Morphology Terms Every Teacher Needs to Know

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit...