Creating Readers with Savannah Campbell

Latest Episodes:

#20 Explicit Instruction with Melissa Gill Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Savannah sits down with Melissa Gill, Director of Teaching & Learning at the Wabash Valley Education Center (WVEC) in West Lafayette, Indiana, to demystify explicit instruction. They bust common myths (no, it’s not a 45-minute lecture), unpack what “I do, we do, you do” actually looks like in practice, and dig into the essential roles of modeling, monitoring, and immediate feedback. You’ll hear concrete ways explicit instruction shows up differently in phonics versus comprehension, why vocabulary deserves center stage, and how to start small. If you’ve ever been told not to be the “sage on the stage,” this conversation reframes explicit instruction as clear, kind, and student-centered teaching.

🎙️In this week's podcast episode, they discuss: 📌Myths about explicit instruction (promise it is not boring), 📌What explicit instruction actually is (You know they're gonna share Anita Archer), 📌How explicit instruction looks different for phonics vs. comprehension, and 📌Tips for getting started Resources Mentioned:

Wabash Valley Education Center
Explicit Instruction Website
Anita Archer's Explicit Instruction (Sorry, no longer free on Kindle!)*

*As an Amazon afilliate, I may make a small commission on purchase bought through my link, at no additional cost to you.

#19 Improving Comprehension with ANY Text (Yes, Even if You Must Use a Basal) Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

After an extended break (and finishing her first book with Scholastic!), Savannah is back on Creating Readers with one of her most practical and passionate topics yet-improving comprehension no matter what text or curriculum you’re using.

In this episode, Savannah shares five tips that teachers can implement right away, even if you’re required to use a basal or “fidelity” curriculum. Learn how to:

Actively build background knowledge to support comprehension
Create thematic text sets that deepen understanding
Teach pronoun referents to strengthen cohesion skills
Use writing to help students write meaningfully about reading
Provide explicit vocabulary instruction that actually sticks

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by a mandated program or wanted to make your existing materials work harder for your students, this episode will help you teach comprehension with confidence and creativity.

Resources Mentioned:

Free Vocabulary Planning Template (Once you click, on the right-hand side click the "Use Template" button and it will automatically make you your own copy to use!)

The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler*

The Megabook of Vocabulary by Tim Rasinski, Melissa Cheesman Smith, and ME!

The Vocabulary Book by Michael Graves

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

#18: Making Intervention Work with Shannon Moore Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Join host Savannah Campbell as she sits down with Shannon Moore, a certified reading specialist and owner of Moore Literacy Leaps. In this episode, they discuss practical strategies for implementing reading interventions, even with limited resources. Shannon shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach and offers insights into data-driven instruction, small group management, and the importance of authentic reading experiences.

Key Points:

The importance of data analysis in planning interventions
Myths about intervention: time consumption and teacher roles
Low-prep, high-impact literacy tools and activities
Managing small group instruction and intervention time
Success stories of meaningful interventions without formal programs

Resources Mentioned:

Ultra Fine Expo Markers: I promise you'll never go back to any other one! (affiliate)
Two-sided chips for phonemic awareness/phonics practice.

Connect with Shannon:

Instagram: @MoreLiteracyLeaps

Website: www.mooreliteracyleaps.com

Upcoming Workshop: "Reading Interventions Unlocked"

#ReadingIntervention #LiteracyCoaching #EducationPodcast

#17 Flexible Grouping Within Core Instruction May 21, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what Tier 1 differentiation looks like? If so, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Savannah Campbell discusses the concept of flexible grouping in reading with guests Samantha Smusz and Sarah Robinson. They explore the differences between flexible grouping and traditional intervention methods, the reasons behind their shift to flexible grouping, and the logistics of implementing this strategy in the classroom. The conversation highlights the successes and challenges faced by educators in adopting this new approach, as well as practical advice for those looking to implement flexible grouping in their own teaching practices.

Key Takeaways

Flexible grouping allows for targeted instruction within core curriculum.
Intervention focuses on catching up, while flexible grouping reinforces grade-level skills.
Data-driven decisions are crucial for effective flexible grouping.
It's important to expose all students to grade-level material, regardless of their current skill level.
Teachers should start small and gradually implement changes to avoid overwhelm.
Collaboration and communication among staff are key to successful implementation.

About Samantha:

Samantha Smusz is a reading specialist in Roanoke City Public Schools with 14 years of experience—11 as a classroom teacher and 3 in her current role. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of working with diverse student populations, customizing instruction to meet the unique needs of each learner. She is just as passionate about helping students build strong reading skills as she is about supporting her colleagues in best practices for literacy instruction. She lives in Botetourt County with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and learning to crochet.

Samantha's E-Mail: ssmusz@rcps.info

About Sarah:

Sarah Robinson has been an elementary school teacher for 10 years. She started her teaching career with Teach for America in Atlanta, Georgia. She taught in Fulton County Public Schools before moving to Virginia and teaching in Fairfax County. Her husband's work moved them to Austin, Texas, where Sarah taught at IDEA Public Schools. After many moves, Sarah and her husband settled in Roanoke, Virginia where she teaches for Roanoke City Public Schools. She has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 5th Grade. She is passionate about early literacy and the power it has to change the trajectory of a student's life!

First Follower Video

#16 Beyond Round Robin Reading: Strategies to Boost Reading Engagement May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Creating Readers, Savannah Campbell discusses effective alternatives to traditional round robin reading methods. She emphasizes the importance of student engagement in reading and presents various strategies such as echo reading, choral reading, cloze reading, and cloze drop reading. Savannah also highlights the significance of who is doing the reading and the need for accountability in student reading practices. The episode concludes with a call to action for educators to implement evidence-based practices to enhance literacy education.

Key Takeaways

Engaged students are the ones doing the most work.
Round robin reading can lead to emotional trauma for students.
Echo reading provides high support for students.
Choral reading helps students engage with the text.
Close reading focuses on comprehension at the sentence level.
Closed drop reading encourages active participation.
Students who read more tend to become better readers.
Accountability is key in ensuring students are reading.
Annotation codes can enhance student engagement during reading.
Implementing evidence-based practices can change lives.

Resources Mentioned:

2X4 Stickers for Reading Comprehension Questions

Notice and Note

(Please note, as an Amazon Affiliate I may make a small commission on any items purchased with my link, at no additional cost to you.)

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#15 How to Actually Teach Phonemic Awareness (And yes, we're using letters) Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Creating Readers, Savannah Campbell delves into the critical topic of phonemic awareness, discussing its significance in reading instruction and how it differs from phonological awareness. She shares insights from research, particularly the National Reading Panel, emphasizing the importance of teaching segmenting and blending as key skills. Savannah also addresses common misconceptions and provides practical strategies for effectively teaching phonemic awareness in the classroom, advocating for a focus on evidence-based practices to enhance literacy outcomes for students.

Resources Mentioned:

Summary of National Reading Panel's Report on Phonemic Awareness

"They Say You Can Do Phonemic Awareness 'In the Dark,' But Should You?" Article on Current research surrounding phonemic awareness.

Phoneme Lists for Segmenting/Blending List of words organized by phoneme type and number. Perfect for segmenting and blending warm-ups.

Sound Boxes Use these boxes to solidify phoneme-grapheme correspondences (AKA connect phonemic awareness to phonics!)

#14 When the Intervention Isn't Working, What Should We Do? Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Creating Readers, Savannah Campbell discusses strategies for addressing situations where reading interventions are not yielding the desired progress. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on factors within educators' control, such as time allocation, instructional focus, engagement strategies, and collaboration among teachers. By enhancing intervention effectiveness and ensuring consistent practice, educators can better support struggling readers and foster their growth.

Resources Mentioned:

Decodable Word Lists and Sentences

The Literacy Nest Decodable Passages

#13 Morphology Round Table with Sarah Paul and Michelle Sullivan Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Michelle Sullivan (@michelle_thecolorfulclassroom), Sarah Paul (@snippetsbysarah), and Savannah Campbell discuss the significance of morphology in literacy education. They explore why teaching morphology is essential for understanding the English language, particularly its meaning components.

The discussion covers effective strategies for introducing morphology to young learners, the use of tools like word matrices and word sums, and the flexible approach to teaching morphology without a strict scope and sequence.

The speakers emphasize the importance of connecting morphology to vocabulary development and reading comprehension. In this conversation Sarah, Savannah, and Michelle discuss the importance of integrating morphology into literacy instruction, emphasizing the need to teach morphemes and their meanings. They explore practical applications of morphology lessons, share resources, and provide insights for educators on how to effectively teach morphology without overwhelming students. The conversation highlights the significance of making language concrete and accessible, while also encouraging educators to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process.

Resources Mentioned

Books (affiliate links):

Everything You Want to Know and Exactly Where to Find It

Beneath the Surface of Words

Products:

Morphology Interactive Notebooks

Greek/Latin Root of the Week Posters