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What Really Works for Spelling: Proven Programs and Activities for Dyslexic Children
When you’re choosing a spelling program for a dyslexic child, the most important thing is this: make sure the instruction is rooted in the science of reading. Spelling doesn’t develop naturally. Every pattern needs to be taught directly, modeled, practiced, and reviewed.

Alana McWilliams
Nov 144 min read


The Real Power of Vocabulary: From Words to Understanding
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or advocate for struggling readers, this video will help you see vocabulary for what it really is — the language of thought and understanding.

Sarah Houser
Oct 151 min read


Fluency Practice with Fry Instant Phrases
Dr. Timothy Rasinski, a leading literacy expert, emphasizes that fluency is more than speed; it’s reading with accuracy, phrasing, and expression to unlock true comprehension.

Alana McWilliams
Oct 141 min read


Why Fluency Matters (When Reading Clicks, Meaning Comes Alive)
If phonics is learning the code, fluency is learning to use it—smoothly, automatically, and with understanding.

Sarah Houser
Oct 141 min read


What is Phonics (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
If phonemic awareness is about hearing sounds, phonics is about seeing them. It’s where children learn that spoken sounds are represented by letters on a page—a crucial bridge between speech and print.

Designed to Learn
Oct 121 min read


Why Phonemic Awareness Matters: The First Step Toward Reading Success
Think of phonemic awareness as the first plank on your child’s bridge to reading. Before kids can connect letters to sounds, they need to...

Sarah Houser
Oct 121 min read


Dyslexia Red Flags Every Teacher Should Know
Every child is designed to learn. But for students with dyslexia, traditional instruction isn’t enough—they need structured literacy to unlock their potential.

Sarah Houser
Oct 71 min read


How We Can Fix the Literacy Bridge
When it comes to reading, we can’t afford to let 70% of students fall behind—but that’s exactly what’s happening. In this video, Sarah and Alana lay out a powerful metaphor: a “literacy bridge” built from phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. When any part of that bridge is weak or missing, children struggle to cross to confident, independent reading.

Alana McWilliams
Oct 61 min read


Red Flags in Literacy: And What Actually Works to Teach Kids to Read
When you send your child to school, you expect they’ll be taught to read with the best methods available. The problem? Many classrooms still use balanced literacy—an approach that research shows doesn’t work, especially for kids with dyslexia (and really for most struggling readers).

Sarah Houser
Oct 21 min read


What Structured Literacy Looks Like: 5 Practical Classroom Strategies
Parents and teachers often ask: “What does structured literacy actually look like in the classroom?” In this video, I share five practical strategies I used with my own students that make reading accessible, especially for struggling readers and those with dyslexia. You’ll learn: -Why sound walls are more powerful than traditional word walls -How to teach syllable division so big words don’t intimidate -Multi-sensory tools like rainbow mats and Elkonin boxes -How daily dictat

Sarah Houser
Oct 11 min read


Dyslexia Starts Before Reading: Early Signs Every Parent and Teacher Should Know
In this video, we’ll unpack the earliest indicators of dyslexia in preschool and kindergarten, like trouble with rhyming, sequencing, or remembering sounds.

Alana McWilliams
Sep 301 min read


The Future of Special Education: What Happens If the Department of Education Shuts Down?
What Happens to Special Education If the Department of Education Closes? Control shifts to states, impacting funding, dyslexia, and more.

Alana McWilliams
Mar 203 min read


The Importance of Early Screening & Intervention for Dyslexia
1 in 5 students struggle with dyslexia. Early intervention is key. Learn how evidence-based strategies can unlock their potential to read.

Designed to Learn
Oct 18, 20243 min read


Understanding Dyslexia vs. Poor First Instruction in Reading
Dyslexia and poor first instruction in reading are two factors that can affect a person's ability to read and comprehend text. While they...

Designed to Learn
Oct 27, 20232 min read
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