play on words

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 57 Nostalgia & Popcorn Reading Panic: 90s School Days with @justme.rod Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Miss Beth sits down with her best friend and popular influencer, Just Me Rod, for a hilarious and nostalgic trip down memory lane. Together, they reminisce about the joys of Book-It and those coveted Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas, the strange traditions of 90s elementary school life, and the quirky things we all did as kids (remember Trapper Keepers and scratch-and-sniff stickers?). They also dive into a more serious question: did anxiety start with round robin and popcorn reading? Tune in as they discuss the trauma of being called on to read aloud, their favorite childhood books, and even those weirdly mesmerizing book covers from school. This lighthearted chat will have you laughing, cringing, and nodding along to the shared experiences of growing up in the 90s.

big city readers

Ep. 56 Building Better Schools: A Conversation with a Chicago School Board Candidate Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

Hear from Chicago School Board candidate Ellen Rosenfeld about what school board elections mean. Now, I’ll be the first to say that I’m not an expert on the financial management of public schools or all the ins and outs of policy-making, but what I do know is that the decisions made at the school board level have a huge impact on the education our children receive—especially in a city like Chicago.

I didn’t invite today’s guest, Ellen, because she has all the answers—no single candidate does—but because I want you to think critically about what it means to elect a school board that truly reflects the needs of our students, families, and teachers. My goal is to help you navigate who the right people are to create thoughtful, well-rounded policies that will move our schools forward.

At Big City Readers, we’re all about building strong foundations for kids’ literacy and learning, and part of that is making sure our education system is set up for success. So, let’s dig in, ask some questions, and think about what kind of leadership will best serve our kids and our community!

⁠https://www.chicagomag.com/news/this-is-exactly-who-johnson-is-mayor-ctu/⁠

⁠https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-teachers-union-demands-parents-be-kept-in-dark-on-curriculum/⁠

⁠https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/10/11/editorial-chicago-school-board-elections-endorsements/⁠

⁠https://jenguzman.substack.com/p/so-what-makes-a-good-school-board⁠

⁠https://www.wbez.org/elections/2024/10/22/november-general-election-chicago-public-schools-first-elected-school-board⁠

⁠https://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials/2024/10/21/chicago-school-board-election-education-budget-deficit-teachers-contract-editorial

Ep. 55 Lockdown Drills, School Boards and Transfers, and Asking the Right Questions: Part 2 of my Interview with the Principal Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

In this part two episode with Principal Jon Arens, we continue exploring crucial topics that every parent and educator should know. We dive into lockdown drills, school transfers, and more, including:

Lockdown drills and the tough realities of school safety.
Transferring schools: What qualifies as a good reason to consider moving your child.
School tours: Why security questions matter more than curriculum questions.
The messenger matters: How the delivery of a message can be more impactful than the content itself.
Bringing up concerns: Effective strategies for approaching teachers and administrators, ensuring that safety promotes risk-taking and learning.
Who’s in charge of curriculum? The importance of having a designated expert managing curriculum decisions and how long to wait before assessing its effectiveness.
Simple questions, big insights: How to ask the right questions to know if something isn’t working at school, and why involving multiple people on an email helps get answers.
What do you do to support your teachers?
Why are principals never at school?
Does seating 'good' kids with 'bad' kids improve behavior?
What’s being done to update outdated curriculum?

We also answer important questions like:Jon also gives parents actionable advice, from where to ask difficult questions to understanding the critical role of kindergarten teachers in shaping our society. Plus, why school board meetings are a must-watch for informed parents!

Check out ⁠bigcityreaders.com⁠ for more resources on these topics. ⁠Books: ⁠

Ep. 54 When Do I Start Correcting My Child's Spelling? Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

In this solo episode, Miss Beth from Big City Readers answers parent question "what do I say when my child asks if this right and when do I start correcting their spelling?"

We explore how to support children, especially perfectionists, when they ask, "Is this right?" while using inventive spelling in their writing. We’ll dive into how to encourage confidence, focus on the learning process, and promote a growth mindset instead of emphasizing perfection.

What is Inventive Spelling? A natural part of early writing development where children use the sounds they know to spell words and why it’s important to let kids experiment with language without worrying about correctness at first.
Challenges for Perfectionist KidsPerfectionists may fear making mistakes or need constant validation and how focusing too much on being "right" can prevent them from growing as writers and thinkers.
How to Respond When They Ask, "Is This Right?"
Tips for positive responses that encourage learning over perfection:Praise their effort and creativity and how asking guiding questions to help them think through their spelling will help.
Reframing mistakes as part of the learning process.
Encouraging a Growth Mindset in Writing How to use growth mindset language: “You’re getting better every time you try!” or "You haven't learned that YET."
Reinforce that mistakes are part of learning and that every attempt is progress.

Takeaways for Parents and Educators:

Focus on effort, process, and creativity, rather than perfection.
Create a supportive environment that builds confidence in writing.
Celebrate small wins and encourage kids to keep trying without fear of making mistakes.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Share your own experiences with perfectionist kids or ask questions for future episodes. Stay tuned for more tips on nurturing confident readers and writers!

Courses mentioned in this episode:

Writing and Drawing (heavy mindset focus) for preschool and kindergarten

Kindergarten Ready

First Grade Bootcamp

Spelling Rules for second and third grade

Phonological Awareness Checklist

Ep. 53 Red Flags, Bluey and Behavior Charts: My Interview with the Principal Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with Principal Jon Arens, a special education teacher and dad to 3 little ones in the learning to read stages! We dive into the realities of education, parenting, and navigating the school system. This is part 1 of 2.

We cover a wide range of topics, including:

Why Bluey beats Daniel Tiger as a favorite and how that choice says a lot about what we value in children's content.
How failing in front of your kids (like taking them to a restaurant where you can't read the menu) is actually the best thing for their growth.
The role language plays in learning to read and why "don’t be an expert" is actually great advice for parenting.
The importance of representation in schools and why behavior charts should be banned—Jon would be shocked to see them in public schools today and didn't believe that teachers and parents reported their school uses them!
What’s really happening in classrooms: Class Dojo, EBD, and even padded walls (as investigated by the Chicago Tribune).
The big question: Is it more valuable to train teachers or invest in new curriculum? Spoiler: Curriculum often sits in a box.
Why teachers might be too nice to speak up and how school boards may not fully understand what's happening in schools.
Practical advice on how to support your kids at home, from asking the right questions to staying informed on curriculum decisions.

We also tackle red flag/green flag questions for schools, check-in check-out forms, equity audits, and how creating a safe environment for children enables them to take more risks and learn. Plus, why you should always watch school board meetings and who you should really email when you need answers.

Visit bigcityreaders.com for more on these topics!

If you have more questions after this episode, stay tuned for part 2 where we dig even deeper!

Ep. 52 3 Cueing and Reading Struggles: Why Your Child Might Be Falling Behind Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

In today’s episode from Big City Readers, I’m diving deep into one of the most debated topics in early literacy: the 3 cueing strategy and how it may be affecting your child’s ability to learn to read. If your child is struggling with blending sounds or progressing in reading, it’s essential to know whether they’ve been taught using the right strategies—and if those strategies are being used consistently.

We’ll explore key reasons why your child might be having a hard time, including:

Are they using effective, research-backed reading methods?
How does working memory play a role in learning to read?
Why following directions is an important step in the process.

I’ll also explain why the 3 cueing system has been banned in many places and how its reliance on context and guessing can cause issues for children learning to read.

Plus, I’ll share more about my upcoming⁠ workshop for parents⁠, where I’ll provide tips, activities, and support to ensure your child is learning to read the right way. And stay tuned as I talk about what I’ve been reading lately and how it ties into the science of reading.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

What is 3 Cueing: An explanation of the 3 cueing system (meaning, structure, and visual cues) and why it’s no longer recommended by many experts.
Why It’s Problematic: The drawbacks of 3 cueing and how it can lead to children guessing words rather than truly decoding them.
Working Memory & Reading: How your child’s working memory impacts their ability to blend sounds, retain information, and follow directions while reading.
Following Directions & Reading: Why learning to follow multi-step directions helps build the skills your child needs to read independently.
Signs Your Child is Struggling: Common red flags that your child may not be using the right strategies to learn to read.
Upcoming Parent Workshop: Details on my next workshop for parents, where I’ll break down how to support your child in learning to read using proven techniques.
What I’m Reading: A quick update on the latest books I’m diving into that center on the science of reading and early literacy education.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

⁠upcoming workshop⁠
Articles and research on 3 cueing and why it’s being phased out
⁠Books I’m reading⁠ on literacy and early childhood development

Connect with Me:

Follow me on Instagram ⁠[@BigCityReaders]⁠
Visit my website ⁠[bigcityreaders.com]⁠
Sign up for ⁠my newsletter⁠ to stay updated on workshops, tips, and resources

This episode is a must-listen for any parent who feels their child is struggling with reading or who wants to understand how best to support their literacy journey. Tune in for practical insights, expert advice, and a chance to get involved in my upcoming workshop where we’ll dive even deeper into helping your child succeed in reading!

Ep. 51 Ruffle Feathers, Save Lives: Making a Difference in Education with Naomi O'Brien Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Play On Words from Big City Readers, Beth Gaskill is joined by Naomi O’Brien, reading teacher, advocate and speaker, to talk about shaking things up in education and empowering both teachers and students to thrive.

Here’s what you can expect from this episode:

Reflections on presenting at big conferences (and the fun moments, like talking Jonas Brothers and Boyz II Men).
Answering your most pressing questions and the most frequently asked in both of our DMs (@bigcityreaders and @readlikearockstarteaching)
How to share reading research effectively to support teachers.
Helping teachers walk into the school year more confidently, especially when preparing students for important testing grades.
Naomi’s insights on her Second Grade Reading Rescue and strategies for getting students ready for Grade 3 tests.
Why teachers shouldn’t feel guilty—they were often misled by outdated or ineffective methods.
Addressing the importance of critical thinking: Why some educators hesitate to question their practices.
How to foster both urgency for students' success and empathy for teachers' challenges.
Practical tips for stopping students from guessing words while reading and when to start formal reading instruction.
Navigating inventive spelling: When should you correct it, and why spelling doesn’t always correlate with reading success.
How to support emerging bilingual students and the role of speech in literacy.
Answering questions from listeners about changing curriculum, teacher autonomy, and how to make a difference while ruffling some feathers along the way.
Fun moments, like why babbling matters in early language development and Beth's hilarious TikTok impression.

Plus, we share Naomi’s biggest tip for getting kids ready for kindergarten and how to create a positive mindset around learning for students and teachers alike. Tune in for a conversation full of passion, practical advice, and a drive to push boundaries for the sake of our students!

Bonus Content: Download our ⁠phonological awareness assessment ⁠to help build a strong foundation for reading!

Ep. 50 Universal Screeners, RTI, MTSS, and Navigating Parent-Teacher Conferences Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Play On Words from big city readers, we're diving deep into the world of school reading support with a reading specialist and a parent who's been through the process. If you've ever wondered what a universal screener is or how Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) work, this episode is for you. We’ll also explore:

What happens if your child needs extra help at school.
The truth behind "words per minute" — does it really matter?
How to make sense of your child’s report card and what their reading challenges may mean.
Preparing for parent-teacher conferences and how to effectively communicate with your child's support team.

Tune in for practical tips, expert advice, and reassurance that you're not alone in navigating this journey.

More info: bigcityreaders.com

Ep. 49 How Many Words Should My Toddler Know? Speech, Reading + Milestones With Katie & Carly of @WeeTalkers Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

Today on the Play On Words Podcast from Big City Readers we are talking about supporting your toddler's language development and how it connects to learning to read with speech-language pathologists Katie and Carly of Wee Talkers.

We dive deep into the world of toddler speech development, reading foundations, and milestones—and what it really means when kids hit (or don’t hit) those milestones on time.

Katie and Carly share personal stories of their own children—some early readers, some needing extra help—and we have an honest conversation about why learning to read early isn’t necessarily a sign of future success. If your toddler isn’t rattling off the ABCs yet, that’s OK!

What we cover:

How many words should my toddler know? We break down the speech milestones and when to worry (or not).
Phonics vs. Phonological Awareness: What do these terms actually mean, and why are they key to building reading skills?
Understanding vs. knowing words: Does your child really understand what they’re saying?
Should you teach your child to read at home? Or let them learn in school?
Reading intervention: The truth behind why some kids need it, and how you can support your child if they do.
The Covid baby effect: How pandemic-born toddlers are showing delayed milestones—and how to catch up.
How to help your child right now: Actionable steps to boost speech and reading at home, no matter where they are on the learning spectrum.
Language and anxious toddlers (and parents): How to navigate anxiety in kids struggling with communication.

Whether your child is a late talker or already showing early signs of reading, this episode is packed with tips, insights, and a little bit of humor to help you navigate it all.

Links:

Wee Talkers Instagram: @weetalkers
Big City Readers Instagram: @bigcityreaders
Phonological awareness checklist
Language milestone checklist

Ep. 48 Should I Cry In Front Of My Kid & Why Is Starting Therapy As A Parent So Scary? Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

Miss Beth sits down with Jamie Kreiter, a therapist and Big City mom, to explore some of the most pressing issues in early childhood development and parenting like getting ready for your child to go to school, repair, and why some moms might hesitate about starting therapy.

Jamie and Beth tackle the bittersweet experience of sending a child off to kindergarten and the importance of naming and acknowledging feelings. They explore whether or not it's okay to cry in front of your child, dispel common misinformation about gentle and respectful parenting, and teaching, and discuss why it’s crucial not to let your child become your emotional support.

The conversation shifts to practical advice on how to model self-advocacy for your child and how to 'hack your brain' to foster better mental health. They emphasize the importance of positive self-talk for kids and introduce "The Magical Yet," a growth mindset book that’s perfect for encouraging resilience in young readers.

Jamie also shares her personal experience taking Big City Readers classes, adding a humorous touch by questioning whether she even knows how to read as an adult. The two also talk about smut as a genre and feelings around it.

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding trauma and why some moms avoid therapy
Types of therapy for moms
Dealing with intrusive thoughts as a new mom
Grieving when your child starts kindergarten
The importance of naming feelings
Should you cry in front of your child?
Why your child shouldn’t console you
Teaching your child to advocate for themselves
Hacking your brain for better mental health
Positive self-talk and the power of "The Magical Yet"

Resources Mentioned:

Magical Yet: amazon.com/shop/bigcityreaders
Kindergarten course: click here

Connect with Us:

Follow Big City Readers on Instagram: @bigcityreaders
Learn more about Jamie Kreiter and her work: Nurture Therapy

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps us reach more parents and educators who can benefit from these conversations.

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