The Literacy Lady

08/25/2026

Slang Word of the Day: "RIZZ"

We need to discuss this linguistic masterpiece!

Gen Alpha really took the word ✨charisma ✨ and said, "Absolutely not. Too many syllables.”

So now we have "RIZZ"!

And honestly? This is a FASCINATING word study because slang is not “bad language.” Slang is language evolution happening in real time.

The word ✨charisma✨ originated from a Greek word that originally meant ✨“gift” or “special favor.”✨

Someone with charisma has a charming, magnetic personality. We would describe someone with charisma as being charismatic.

And now?
The internet (and a whole bunch of middle schoolers) have clipped these powerful words down to "RIZZ"!

NOTICE THE SOUND PATTERN:
✨rizz
✨buzz
✨fizz
✨whizz

That double ZZ ending creates:
✨ energy
✨ vibration
✨ intensity
The SOUND of the word feels lively!

This one tiny slang word can teach students about ✔️sound-meaning relationships ✔️semantic shifts and ✔️language evolution.

In a ten minute mini-investigation, we've layered phonology with morphology and etymology.

Meanwhile some people still think literacy instruction should stop at the “FLOSS" Rule: Double the FLSZ at the end of a one syllable word with a medial short vowel.

NO! That's simply not enough.

Students are deeply interested in language when we teach them:
✨ how words transform
✨ where words come from
✨ why language changes

Because once students realize English is a living system…word study becomes irresistible.

And honestly? That kind of curiosity and exploration leads to literacy instruction that has the potential to become revolutionary for both teachers and students.

✨Comment "RIZZ" for a free copy of this mini-investigation, which is a part of my Power Words Exploration of FLSZ Double Consonant Endings.✨

Visit my website to learn more about POWER WORDS LAYERED LITERACY FRAMEWORK:
www.theliteracylady.org/power-words

08/24/2026

Due to the forecast of inclement weather, the Learning Studio will be closed for the rest of the day. Afternoon and evening reading intervention and dyslexia therapy sessions are canceled. However, the online ACT class scheduled for tonight at 6:30 will still take place, as I can teach that class from home.

08/24/2026

Story Time with Nonna and Cal:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar

08/23/2026

Don't forget to vote daily now through September 9th!

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08/23/2026

We’re hiring!

We are searching for a responsible, motivated high school student interested in a career in education!

Details:
⭐️ Mondays-Thursdays
⭐️ After school until 6:30 PM
(Preferred start time is 3:30 if possible)
⭐️ Potential for additional hours when we are working on a big project or prepping for a special event
⭐️ $8.50/hour

Ideal Candidate:
⭐️ Able to effectively communicate with both children and adults
⭐️ Outgoing, friendly personality
⭐️ Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
⭐️ Strong work ethic
⭐️ Desire to LEARN!

Please email Carva King at [email protected]

⭐️ Include a brief introduction telling me a little about yourself and why you are interested in a career in education
⭐️ Attach a resume that includes three references
(Note: I will not consider a candidate who emails me a resume with no content in the email itself.)

08/17/2026

This is great news, and something we should be proud of. BUT let’s talk about what happens next, about what happens by the middle of 4th grade.

Last January, my after-school reading intervention and dyslexia therapy program had a huge influx of new students, and guess what? EIGHT out of TEN new students requesting a spot in our program were 4th graders! I had to hire new teachers and was personally working with students until 7:30 each evening so that I didn’t have to turn these families away.

I conducted two reading skills assessments today, and guess what? One was a 4th grader and one was a 6th grader. The 4th grader, who was clearly intelligent (with strong oral vocabulary and great listening comprehension skills), couldn’t accurately and fluently decode 1st grade words.

There’s this old saying, “In 1st-3rd grades, students learn to read, and by 4th grade, students read to learn.” We are failing our big kids. Why? Because smart kids learn to compensate through 3rd grade, they work hard, they have good attitudes, they learn to “take the test” — and in doing so, they mask underlying issues that show up once they are expected to just “read to learn.” It’s not their teachers fault. Their teachers are handed 4-5 classes of 30 kids and given a curriculum scope and sequence to follow — one that assumes all of those students already “know how to read.”

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, I shouldn’t have a job. These big kids shouldn’t need me. Even once they are mine, I’ve only done my job when I “work my way out of a job.” Basically, when they no longer need me.

There are solutions to this problem. It’s time we do what it takes to celebrate these same kinds of results when our 8th graders are compared to the rest of the country. I’m ready to make this happen. Are you?

08/16/2026

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