Episodes
3 Letter Blends Lesson Plan and Activities
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: ...
Blending and Connecting Sounds
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 s...
When Two Vowels Go Walking
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 classro...
Why 20 Minutes of Reading Matters More Than We Think
Why 20 Minutes of Daily Reading Matters More Than We Think In 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 un...
What is a Blend in Reading?
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 Wils...
A New Year, A Time to Reflect on One Thing in Your Teaching Day
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 ...