Grammar shouldn’t feel like a black hole that sucks the joy out of writing, yet that’s exactly how many of us learned it: memorize, label, correct, repeat. We sit down to teach our kids and suddenly realize we can “hear” what sounds right, but we can’t explain why, and worksheets only make everyone frustrated.

We talk with nationally recognized literacy consultant Patty McGee about a different way to teach grammar that actually sticks. We dig into why red-ink, correction-first instruction became the norm, why spoken English and standard written grammar operate by different expectations, and how a mindset shift can turn grammar into a meaning-making tool rather than a shame trigger. Patty shares practical strategies for teaching sentence structure, punctuation, and style through conversation, curiosity, and reflection over time, which is especially helpful for homeschool families and for learners who struggle with handwriting or dysgraphia.

You’ll also hear hands-on, low-cost grammar manipulatives you can try immediately, plus why AI writing tools make grammar knowledge more important, not less. If you want kids to write with clarity and voice, and you want grammar practice that feels like play rather than a test, this one gives you a concrete path forward.

Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a teacher or homeschool friend, and leave a review with the grammar topic you want us to tackle next.

Connect with Patty
Read her new book, Not Your Granny's Grammar, visit her website, or find her on Instagram @pmgmcgee

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

Your kid is bright, curious, and full of ideas, yet reading feels like a daily fight. That mismatch can leave families stuck between “maybe they’ll grow out of it” and the heartbreak of watching confidence slip away. We sit down with dyslexia therapist Faye Casell to get clear on what dyslexia looks like, why it’s so often missed, and what parents can do right now to help at home.

We dig into the data on dyslexia prevalence (think 1 in 5) and the reality that many children never get formally identified. Faye explains why dyslexia screening can happen as early as age five because it’s rooted in phonological processing, not effort. We talk practical early signs parents can spot, including trouble with rhyming, difficulty blending and segmenting sounds, slow progress with letter-sound mapping, and why waiting until a child is “failing enough” creates unnecessary social-emotional damage. If you’re a homeschool family, we also cover a key detail many people miss: you can often request testing through the public school even if your child is not enrolled.

Writing comes up too, especially dysgraphia, the handwriting and written-expression struggle that can hide behind a verbally gifted kid. Faye shares why cursive can help some learners and how assistive technology like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and audio tools can let students show what they know without turning every assignment into a stamina test. Throughout the conversation, we keep coming back to a steady message: trust your gut, get a baseline on skills, and use structured literacy and explicit phonics support that is beneficial for all and essential for some.

Connect with Faye: find her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or her website. Find Dyslexia Breakthough home intervention info here, and download the Free Dyslexia Road Map for Families ebook here.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

What if the first word you heard after an autism diagnosis was “Congratulations”? That single reframing sits at the heart of our conversation with Mandy Cook—teacher, autistic adult, and parent of four—who has turned lived experience into an online platform, school leadership role, and a grassroots charity serving autistic kids, teens, adults, and their families.

We dig into the reality behind the spectrum: spiky profiles, shifting needs, and why rigid systems often miss what autistic learners can do. Mandy shares the practices that actually move the needle in classrooms and at home—predictable routines, sensory-aware spaces, visual supports, and collaborative planning that honors each child’s strengths. Communication takes center stage as we explore total communication: speech, typing, AAC devices, Makaton, visuals, and gestures. Mandy explains situational mutism, why pressure shuts kids down, and how to support gestalt language processors by expanding their favorite scripts into meaningful phrases.

You’ll hear practical stories that bring these ideas to life: tailoring requests for a child with demand avoidance, turning a love of Lego into learning, and even a daughter who spoke Spanish before English thanks to Dora the Explorer. We also talk about self-esteem and why a mirror that says “You are amazing” can do more than any worksheet to change a child’s day. For caregivers just starting this journey, Mandy offers a roadmap that begins with acceptance, leans on curiosity, and grows through community—youth groups, girls’ groups, and safe spaces where differences are respected and celebrated.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or ally, you’ll come away with strategies for inclusive communication, insights on supporting autonomy, and a renewed belief in the power of strengths-based education. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more families find these tools.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.

Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out

Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families.

Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+.

Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!