Olivia Wahl
23 January 2026
In Part Two of my S5E21 @schoolutionspodcast conversation, literacy expert Maria Walther focuses on the power of the read aloud. This episode offers more teaching strategies for educators and builds on our Part One conversation. Discover how incorporating read aloud stories and read aloud books can enhance reading instruction and foster a love for storytime in your classroom. What You'll Learn: ✅ The Monday-Friday Sandwich Strategy for integrating picture books with curriculum ✅ How to plan strategic read-alouds (before, during, after reading) ✅ Why real books create bonds that videos cannot replicate ✅ How to select and teach tier-two vocabulary for active learning ✅ Planning 3-5 strategic questions instead of interrupting every page ✅ Reading books across multiple days for deeper student participation and attention in class ✅ Connecting read-aloud to writing workshop and oral language ✅ How caregivers can support education at home through read-aloud 💫Check out Part One (https://youtu.be/q-E19vZ1XCk) if you missed it on Monday Some Resources Mentioned: 📚 The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease 📚 Isabel Beck's work on tier-two vocabulary 📚 Maria Walther's website with book lists and PD protocols Chapters 0:00 - Welcome to Part 2: The Power of Read Aloud 01:00 - Why Read Aloud Is NOT a Luxury 02:00 - Recap of Part 1 & Today's Focus 03:00 - The Monday-Friday Sandwich Strategy 05:00 - Where to Find Picture Books: Library & Resources 06:00 - Grade-Level Planning & Joyful Book Selection PD 07:00 - Strategic Read Aloud Planning: Before, During, After 09:00 - When to Pause: Reading Student Readiness 10:00 - Why Real Books Beat Video Read-Alouds 11:00 - Building Connection Through Read Aloud 12:00 - Selecting Tier-Two Vocabulary Words 13:00 - Connecting Read Aloud to Writing Workshop 14:00 - Reading 3-5 Books Daily: Making Time for What Matters 15:00 - Strategically Savoring: Pre-Planning vs. Pure Joy Reading 16:00 - Leading vs. Facilitating Conversations 17:00 - Maria's Dream: Read Aloud in Every Classroom Daily 18:00 - This Week's Challenge: Try the Strategies 19:00 - Next Week Preview: Writer's Play Shop with Katie Kier 20:00 - Wrap-Up & Resources Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content. 📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators! Next Episode Preview: Kindergarten teacher Katie Kier on Writer's Play Shop - transforming 5-year-olds into confident authors! When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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