The Education Connection with Robin Wilson | Public Private and Homeschool Teachers

Are your students able to read sight words… but struggle to spell them in their writing?Or maybe they can pass a quick sight word check, but don’t recognize those same words in a sentence?In this episode, we’re talking all about how to teach sight words (or trick words) so students can both read and write them with confidence.As we head into the final 6 to 8 weeks of the school year, this is not the time to add complicated routines. Instead, I’m sharing a simple, repeatable weekly system that helps build automaticity without overwhelming your students.You’ll learn:• Why sight words should not be taught through memorization alone• How to help students identify the “tricky” parts of words• A day-by-day routine for teaching sight words Monday through Friday• How often students should be writing sight words (this is key!)• A balanced approach to sentence writing that builds confidence without frustration• How to do a quick, low-pressure Friday check that actually shows what students knowThis routine is quick, effective, and easy to stick with during the busy end-of-year season.If you’re looking for a practical way to strengthen both reading and writing with sight words, this episode will give you something you can use right away in your classroom.Link for this free resource: Weekly Sight Word Routine👉🏼Click to sign up for my weekly email, with FREEbies included.👈🏼Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

In this episode of The Education Connection, I’m sharing how I teach one, two, and three syllable words in first grade. You’ll hear a simple explanation of syllables and three easy, hands-on activities that help students hear the beats in words and build stronger phonics skills. If you are teaching first grade syllables and need practical ideas for introducing 1, 2, and 3 syllable words, this episode is for you.What are you working on this week. I'd love to hear about it. Reach out and leave me a message on one of the following platforms.Also, leave a 5 star review for a chance to win a Amazon Gift Card for $20.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin shares an important update about the podcast schedule and a simple classroom strategy for supporting students who are close to reaching grade level.Beginning next week, new episodes of the podcast will be released on Saturdays. Robin explains why this change will help her continue sharing thoughtful and helpful content for teachers each week.Robin also discusses a group of students many teachers know well, the “bubble kids.” These are students who were once considered for retention but have made meaningful growth during the second half of the school year. With just a little extra support, they can continue moving forward with confidence.In this episode, Robin explains how she uses independent reading time to call these students back daily to listen to them read, coach them through tricky words, and strengthen their fluency and comprehension. She also shares how she balances that time with students who still need deeper remediation.If you are looking for a practical way to support struggling readers during the final months of the school year, this episode will give you a simple idea you can use right away.Robin closes the episode with scripture and prayer to encourage teachers as they continue the important work of guiding their students each day.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson explores one of the most powerful phonics patterns for early readers: Silent E. Some teachers call it Magic E, and in Secret Stories it’s known as Mommy E. No matter what you call it, this small letter has a big job because it makes the vowel say its name.Robin shares a fun classroom approach where she dresses up as Mommy E and teaches students how this silent letter changes words like cap to cape and tap to tape. When phonics becomes memorable and engaging, students are much more likely to understand and retain the pattern.You’ll also learn three simple small group activities teachers can use to help students practice reading and building Silent E words, including word building, word changing, and sorting activities that reinforce the difference between short and long vowel sounds.

Are you teaching suffix -ing in your classroom? In this episode, we break down what -ing really means, how it strengthens decoding and fluency, and three simple activities you can use right away. Plus, we connect -ing to glued sounds like ing, ang, ong, ung, ink, ank, onk, and unk to help students see patterns inside bigger words. Practical, structured literacy strategies you can use tomorrow.Leave a 5-star review to be entered into a $25 Amazon gift card.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

This week on The Education Connection, we are breaking down one tiny suffix that can cause big confusion in the classroom… -ed.Did you know -ed makes three different sounds? It can say /t/, /d/, or /ed/. If your students are reading “jump-ed” or adding an extra syllable where it doesn’t belong, this episode is for you.In this episode, I walk you through simple, practical ways to teach the three sounds of -ed so your students can hear it, feel it, and apply it confidently in both reading and writing. I share clear word examples, easy sorting activities, and a hands on strategy using the “throat check” trick to help students determine which sound -ed makes.If you are teaching past tense verbs and want your instruction to stick, this episode will give you ready to use ideas you can implement immediately.Let’s build strong readers together.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

This week, we are tackling three consonant blends like string, spring, strong, and shrimp — words that look simple but require serious brain work for young readers.In this episode of The Education Connection, I break down:• What three letter blends actually are • Why students sometimes drop a sound when reading them • How to slow down instruction to build confidence • Why we should build words before asking students to read them • Four simple, no purchase at-home activities parents can use right awayYou’ll learn how to help students tap each sound, isolate the blend, and slide into the full word without losing a consonant along the way.Because when sounds stack up, we don’t rush. We build it before we read it.I also share encouragement from Isaiah 61:3 about putting on a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness — because stretching into harder reading skills takes patience for both kids and adults.🎁 Free DownloadI’ve created a free “Three Consonant Blend Guide” practice worksheet to go along with this lesson.You can grab your free copy here:👉 Three Consonant Blend GuideUse it in small groups, send it home for extra practice, or use it as an intervention support tool.If you’re teaching blends this week or supporting a young reader at home, this episode will give you practical tools and encouragement to keep going.Leave a 5 Star Review to be entered into a $20 gift card giveaway!Find me on all my socials:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

In this episode, Robin Wilson breaks down a common phonics mystery: why some students know their letter sounds but still struggle to blend words. Blending is not just one skill. There are different reasons a child might get stuck, and each one needs a different kind of support.Robin explains three specific blending breakdowns teachers see in early readers: sound production, sound linking, and sound memory. You will learn how to recognize each one and, more importantly, what to do about it. This episode is packed with simple, hands-on classroom activities like mirror mouth work, sound trains, and sound buttons that help students physically connect sounds into words.If you have students who freeze when reading, guess instead of blend, or get frustrated during decoding, this episode will give you practical tools and encouragement. Growth takes time, and you are planting seeds every day.Scripture encouragement from Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good, because the harvest comes in its season.Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.Get Ready for KindergartenGet Ready for First GradeGet Ready for Second GradeConnect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

In this episode of The Education Connection, we’re talking about a simple phonics pattern first graders are learning to notice — two vowels together. I share how to teach EA, EE, OA, AI, UE, and UI using easy, no-prep classroom activities you can start this week. I also share a personal reflection after missing last week due to sickness and a reminder from Romans 8:26 that even when we don’t know what to do in our classrooms, the Spirit helps us. Practical teaching and encouragement for the heart.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

Why 20 Minutes of Daily Reading Matters More Than We ThinkIn this episode of The Education Connection with Robin Wilson, we talk about why protecting daily reading time matters so much, even when teaching feels messy and unpredictable. This episode is an encouragement for teachers and parents who know reading is important but struggle to make it happen consistently.✅ Why 20 minutes of daily reading has such a powerful impact on student growth✅ A realistic look at why protecting reading time can be challenging in real classrooms✅ Research based insight on how reading volume supports fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, stamina, and confidence✅ Simple ways to keep daily reading engaging without adding more to your plate • Partner reading • Independent reading • Reading with stuffed animals • Reading backward by changing seating or positions • Teacher check-in reading✅ Encouragement to focus on consistency over perfection✅ Scripture and prayer rooted in Ephesians 6:10, reminding teachers where true strength comes fromLeave a 5-Star review for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

Blends can be a tricky step in early reading, especially for young learners who know their letter sounds but struggle to put them together smoothly. In this episode of The Education Connection, first grade teacher Robin Wilson breaks down what blends are, why they can be challenging, and how to teach them in a way that actually works.You’ll hear clear explanations, classroom-tested strategies, and two engaging activities—including a movement-based Read the Room activity and a fun “Blend-er” lesson that helps students blend sounds without adding extra vowels. This episode also includes a simple at-home tip for families and an encouraging scripture to close.Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, this episode will help you approach blends with confidence, clarity, and a little creativity.Leave a 5 star review to be entered into an Amazon $25 gift card give away.

Heading back to school after a break can feel overwhelming. A new year brings fresh expectations, new energy, and sometimes the pressure to change everything at once.In this episode of The Education Connection, I encourage you to pause and reflect on your classroom routines and choose just one part of your day to improve. Instead of overhauling your entire schedule, I talk about the power of small, intentional changes and how they can bring renewed focus and peace into your classroom.I share an honest look at why the last hour of the day can be especially challenging for our class and how shifting routines can help both students and teachers end the day on a stronger note.This episode is a reminder that new beginnings do not require perfection. Sometimes, one small pivot is all it takes to move forward with confidence in the year ahead.Remember, leave a 5 star review and be entered into a $25 Amazon Gift Card drawing.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

Many teachers I know have some kind of side hustle, not because we don’t love teaching, but because teaching alone often isn’t enough to cover life anymore.In this Christmas break episode of The Education Connection, I’m pausing my phonics series for an honest teacher check-in. We talk about the reality of side hustles, why so many educators feel stretched thin, and how to navigate this season with grace instead of guilt.This conversation is for teachers who care deeply about their students and are also carrying real-life responsibilities behind the scenes. The episode ends with scripture and prayer for encouragement and peace.We’ll return to the phonics series next week.

In this episode, we continue our work with r controlled vowels by diving into ar and or. Building on last week’s lesson with er, ir, and ur, I share how teaching phonics through stories helps concepts stick, especially when students need repeated exposure to truly learn.You will hear classroom ready activities for teaching ar and or, including a pirate themed ar strategy, an or decision making game, and an easy hands on word sort that works beautifully in small groups or centers. This episode is inspired by the Secret Stories approach to phonics and adapted for real classrooms with real kids.We also talk about why repetition matters. A typical learner may need to interact with a concept around 14 times before it sticks, while a struggling learner may need many more opportunities. If your students seem to forget phonics skills from one day to the next, this episode will remind you that the learning is still happening.If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving a five star review. As a thank you, anyone who leaves a review will be entered into a drawing for $25 Amazon gift card. Your reviews help other teachers find the podcast and support this growing community.Thank you for listening, and I am so glad you are here.Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.Get Ready for KindergartenGet Ready for First GradeGet Ready for Second GradeConnect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

The Education Connection with Robin Wilson brings together encouragement, real-classroom honesty, simple academic strategy, and a little faith for teachers who want to grow without burning out. Each episode offers practical literacy and math ideas, student support tips, mindset shifts, and reflective conversations about the heart behind teaching.Whether you’re navigating reading fluency, January data checks, classroom behavior, parent relationships, or your own emotional load, Robin keeps it real and reminds you that you’re not alone. Expect short episodes you can listen to on the drive to school — equal parts uplifting and useful.If you’re a teacher who loves kids, loves learning, and wants to stay grounded in peace while doing this work, you’re in the right place.✨ Listener Bonus: Leave a 5-star review on your podcast platform and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card as a thank-you for supporting the show.

In today’s episode of The Education Connection, Robin shares exactly how she teaches the r-controlled vowels er, ir, and ur in her classroom — and why her students absolutely love it. After hearing Katie Garner explain that all three make the same “errrr” sound, Robin completely shifted her approach. Now she teaches the patterns, using a playful, hands-on activity with toy cars that instantly grabs kids’ attention.You’ll hear how Robin labels cars with er, ir, and ur, lets students “drive” around the carpet, and then park their cars on matching word cards to build automatic recognition of spelling patterns. She also explains orthographic mapping in a simple, teacher-friendly way and walks through additional routines that help young readers truly understand these tricky vowel combinations.If you want an engaging way to teach r-controlled vowels — one that feels fun, makes sense, and sticks — this episode will give you the exact ideas you can use tomorrow.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

In this Thanksgiving week episode, Robin offers a gentle heart to heart for every teacher who feels tired, stretched thin, or simply ready for a moment to breathe. Together, we pause to reflect on gratitude, acknowledge the reality of the season, and prepare our hearts for the next three busy weeks leading up to Christmas.Robin shares encouragement for finding calm, noticing the wins that matter, giving yourself grace for the messy moments, and stepping into December with intention instead of overwhelm. This episode is a reminder that you do not have to conquer the holidays. You only have to be present, steady, and grounded in the work you already do so well.If you need a peaceful reset before the Christmas countdown begins, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin shares one of the most important turning points in her teaching journey. Long before she became a confident and successful reading teacher, she remembers the season when she struggled, prayed for guidance, and felt unsure of how to help her students grow. God answered that prayer through an unexpected path that became the foundation of her reading instruction today.Robin teaches how glued sounds work and why they matter, and she breaks them into simple steps that any teacher can use. You will hear three practical activities you can implement right away to help your students master am, an, all, ing, ang, ong, ung, ink, ank, onk, and unk with confidence. She also shares how rhythm and routines make phonics learning natural and joyful.This episode blends the heart of a mentor with the experience of a seasoned teacher. Robin has spent years refining her practice, and her passion is helping other educators finally feel confident with the parts of reading that used to feel overwhelming.If this podcast encourages you, please share it with another teacher or homeschool mom. And if you leave a 5-star rating and review on the podcast platform you use, you will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. Your support helps more teachers discover simple and effective ways to grow strong readers.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.Teachers Pay TeachersFacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlog

Teaching is heavy work. In this episode, Robin unpacks cognitive overload, the emotional weight of student trauma, the pressure of teacher evaluations, and the toll it takes on your heart and mind. With research, honesty, and encouragement from Lamentations 3:24, this episode offers strength and hope for educators in demanding seasonsIConnect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories BundleIf this episode encouraged you, I would love for you to leave a five star rating and a quick review. When you do, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. It is a simple way to support the podcast, and your review helps other teachers and homeschool families discover these conversations. Thank you so much for taking a moment to share your thoughts.

Fluency starts with confidence, and confidence starts with sight words! In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson shares practical ways to help young readers recognize high-frequency words instantly, freeing their brains to focus on comprehension and meaning.You’ll learn how sight words support fluency, how many to focus on each year, and why those little words make a big impact. Robin also shares her favorite classroom-tested activities and a free resource to help you put it all into practice.🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why sight words are the key to building fluent, confident readersThe difference between Fry and Dolch lists (and how to start if you don’t have a program)How the first 100 words make up about 50% of what kids read — and the first 300 words cover 65%🎯 Try This in Your Classroom:Sight Word Parking Lot Write words on index cards and let students “drive” toy cars to the ones you call out. This quick, movement-based activity builds instant recognition while keeping learning playful and fun!Grab Robin’s Free Spelling Practice Pack, perfect for reinforcing sight words and phonics patterns through editable weekly templates. 👉 Download it now at Robin Wilson First Grade Love Spelling Practice First Grade“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 Every sight word you teach is a seed of confidence that will grow in your students over time.If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a teacher or homeschool mom—it helps more than you know! And when you leave a 5-star rating and review, you’ll be entered into a $25 Amazon gift card giveaway.Subscribe to The Education Connection so you never miss a new episode filled with practical classroom ideas and heart-centered teaching inspiration.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

Your students can decode words — but something’s still missing. They’re reading words but not books, and it’s choppy, slow, and uncertain. That’s where fluency comes in, the bridge between sounding out and real reading.In this episode, Robin Wilson shares:What fluency meansWhy 20 minutes of daily reading changes everythingThree simple ways to build fluent, confident readersHow to keep reading time fun with variety and choice🎁 FREE RESOURCE: Download Robin’s The Read Everyday Challenge. 10 fun ways to practice reading every day! 👉 Click here to download the free guide⭐ ENTER TO WIN! Leave a 5-star review of The Education Connection on Apple Podcasts, and you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. It’s my way of saying thank you for supporting the show and helping other teachers find it too! 💛🎧 Listen now and discover how to turn decoding into joyful, fluent reading — one day at a time.

This week on The Education Connection, we’re moving forward on our phonics journey by exploring plurals — when to add s and when to add es to show “more than one.” We’ve already built strong foundations with letter sounds, CVC words, blends, and digraphs. Now, we’re helping our students apply those skills in real reading and writing.In this episode, I share simple language to teach the rule, plus three easy activities you can use right away:“One or More?” oral practice games/es sorting activityPlural Detective reading activityThese can be done whole group, small group, or in literacy centers.We’ll wrap up with a scripture reminder that small steps matter and a prayer of encouragement for your week. Tune in — let’s grow confident readers together.If The Education Connection podcast is encouraging you, helping you in the classroom, or giving you something to think about each week, I would be so grateful if you would take a moment to leave a positive review for the show. Your kind words truly mean the world to me. 💛Leave a 5 star rating and a positive review on this podcast and you will be automatically entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card as a thank you. 🎉Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:

In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson explores the power of word families—focusing on am, at, and an to strengthen early reading skills. Discover three engaging, low-prep activities that make decoding fun and meaningful for young learners. Plus, learn how to apply these same ideas across all the basic word families in first grade. Scripture and prayer close out this episode with encouragement for teachers guiding little readers each day.Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.Get Ready for KindergartenGet Ready for First GradeGet Ready for Second GradeConnect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

Today we’re learning the FLOSS rule — when to double the final letter in short words! ✅ Discover what the FLOSS rule is ✅ Hear easy examples like hill, miss, and buzz ✅ Try 3 fun activities: word sort, “Double It!” build game, and word hunt. End with Scripture and a simple prayer to remind us that learning brings wisdom.Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

In this episode, we take the next step in our phonics journey by introducing silent e words—also known as Mommy E if you're using Secret Stories in your classroom. After reviewing letter sounds, CVC words, blends, and digraphs, it's time to help students understand how a silent “e” changes everything.I’ll explain how I introduce this concept using a fun and meaningful story students love, and I’ll walk you through 3 engaging classroom activities that make the “magic e” stick:✨ Magic E Wand Words 🔄 Flip & Match Word Cards 🧠 Silent E Sorting MatsWhether you're teaching whole group, small group, or intervention, these simple ideas will help your students confidently decode long vowel CVCe words like make, Pete, poke, and rule.🎧 Listen now and grab some fresh inspiration for your phonics block!Connect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle

In this episode, we continue our phonics journey by introducing consonant blends paired with short vowels. After reviewing CVC words and digraphs the last two weeks, we dive into how blends work, why they matter, and how to teach them effectively. You'll walk away with three engaging classroom activities—Blend & Match Cards, Scoot & Blend, and Blends Bingo—that make learning blends fun and memorable for your students.Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.Get Ready for KindergartenGet Ready for First GradeGet Ready for Second GradeConnect with me on any of these Social Media Platforms.FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestCoachingBlogTeachers Pay Teachers:Find Reading Comprehension Strategies BundleFind Genesis Bible Stories Bundle