Ms. Schelzi's Blog

Celebrating a few of the many snapshots that capture this trip down memory lane. Of journeying through a global pandemic… Learning to run a business… Expanding a mission I believe deeply in… And keeping the JOY in learning for so many wonderful children! From running a printer all night on my living room floor prepping lessons… To packing up my mobile office… From teaching in church basements, front porches, next to fire pits, and in garages…in snowsuits…on folding tables…  

It happened again.    A student enrolled in my Reading Superstars Private Program and 3 months later…the undeniable results speak for themself.    Direct, explicit, multi-sensory reading instruction… Following a science-backed, evidence-based Scope & Sequence… Combine to form my transformational reading program…   …and it's like magic!!   Except - it's not magic -  It's science.    It's consistency.  It's repetition.    It's reading instruction designed how children's brains

I recently read The Reading Gap by John Corcoran, and within the first 30 pages, I found myself wanting to underline everything and share it all with you.   The author, known as “the teacher who couldn’t read,” blends research , history , and personal reflection to tell a powerful story: 👉 The human brain was never designed to read.   Our brains come hardwired for speech—which we see play out by children naturally learn to talk simply by being surrounded by language. …But

“Productive struggle” may sound enticing…but when it comes to elementary reading, it is anything but supportive…   Productive struggle is the process of allowing learners to work through challenging tasks that are just beyond their current skill level, with guidance but not immediate answers .    It helps them develop: Problem-solving skills Persistence Deeper understanding of the material   BUT….    I recently was listening to a podcast about education and it talked about h

“HOW?" she excitedly yelled as she continued to read word after word with a huge smile on her face!   “Jump”!  "Wish"! “Frog”!    Not just the “passwords" or snap words from class - but BIG words!  4 letter words!    “I can't believe it!”    "How?" she just kept saying every word she read.  “How?”    “This is amazing! I've never done this before! I have to tell my brother and sisters! They'll be so proud of me!”    I honestly almost cried.  It wasn't just that she was readi

In order to teach kids to read, I believe there are two most important factors.  High academic standards A willingness to connect, understand, be flexible and patient   1. High academic standards  This one is a non-negotiable. At Next Step, success isn't measured by red pen on spelling tests.  All lessons follow a sequential scope and sequence that moves in a scientifically based order of skill to support children to best learn to read.  Through direct, explicit, multi-senso

5 years!!!    Wow! When I look back on the last 5 years I am SO PROUD of what Next Step has become and all the children it has supported...

The truth is…   While books in and around your house do help foster a love of reading…if you really want to get your child on a path to...

Have you ever heard of The Matthew Effect ?   It describes how early advantages multiply over time — and the same is true in reading!  ...

“My child's teacher said they are reading at a level….  [insert letter of the alphabet].”      I hear this comment a lot, and today feels...

Have you ever felt the nudge that your child needed different support than they were getting at school? Have you ever felt lost because...

It's true!  There are 4 ways children learn to read, but…they do not all set up children for success.    I recently enrolled in a Fall...

The ONLY mistake you can make when reading aloud to your child….   Is simple NOT reading aloud to your child.    If you've selected a...

Reading is the most crucial academic skill because it is the foundation for all learning. Did you know that a child’s ability to read at...

When Sold a Story the podcast was released in 2022, I had recently completed my Orton Gillingham training with the Institute for...

In evolutionary terms, human speech developed as early as 100,000 years ago…meanwhile, alphabet systems were invented only a little more...

Did you know?…   When we teach 10 WORDS …children learn 10 WORDS…   BUT…   When we teach 10 SOUNDS ….children learn 100s of new words!  ...

I just started a new book this week that came highly recommended by a literacy expert I’ve followed for years. It’s called The Enchanted...

Did you know there are 5 main components of skilled reading?   When I took my Orton Gillingham training back in the summer of 2021, one...

I've picked up this book many times over the years. Honestly, I've probably downloaded the audible too!   However, it wasn't until...