36. Tips for Teaching the Alphabet with Heidi Martin, Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m chatting with Heidi Martin—also known as Droppin’ Knowledge with Heidi—to unpack what research says about effective alphabet instruction. Together, we explore common debates, research-based tips, and engaging strategies to teach the alphabet more effectively.From ditching letter-of-the-week traditions to embracing articulation and embedded mnemonics, this episode is packed with classroom-ready ideas and practical insights grounded in cognitive science. Heidi also shares why repeated and distributed practice is the key to building strong alphabet knowledge.Key Takeaways:Alphabet knowledge is a strong predictor of reading successWhat the research says about “letter of the week”Teach letter names and sounds togetherTeach uppercase and lowercase togetherIncorporate explicit handwriting instructionUse embedded mnemonics and articulation cuesAdvice about target picture(s)Alphabet knowledge should be joyful, not just roteHelpful Resources:Register for Science of Reading Mini-Con (July 10th, 2025 in Racine, Wisconsin)! Piasta & Wagner’s 2010 meta-analysis of Alphabet Learning & InstructionP is for Paint: A Mnemonic Alphabet Adventure! – Heidi’s embedded mnemonic alphabet bookDecodable Adventure Series – Heidi’s decodable booksHeidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Foundational Skills: Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Exercises Aligned to the Science of ReadingHeidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Sight Words and Word Mapping: High-Frequency Word Exercises Aligned to the Science of ReadingHeidi & Adam Martin’s New Activity Book: Droppin' Knowledge on Phonics: Spelling and Phonics Activities Aligned to the Science of ReadingHelpful Instagram Post from Heidi on the AlphabetThis post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Heidi Martin:Website: https://droppinknowledge.com/TikTok - @droppinknowledgewheidiIG - @droppinknowledgewithheidiFB - Droppin' Knowledge with HeidiConnect with Me:Follow me on Instagram: