Articles
Here is where you’ll find all the latest print features from our contributors. If you’d like to browse specifically by grade level, topic, or contributor, you can use the links in the right sidebar.
Latest Content
Writing and the Common Core with Bud Hunt (PODCAST)
Bud Hunt talks about what teachers need to know when it comes to teaching writing and the Common Core.
Assessing Gifted Readers
Michelle Kelly has an unique problem: what to do with readers who already exceed the standard. With grace and good instruction in mind, she considers alternative assessments.
Kate Messner on Revision (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Kate Messner expresses her empathy for how hard revision can be and finds joy in the challenge for all writers.
Creating a Coaching Culture with Jane Kise (PODCAST)
Jane Kise talks about team building and how to create a coaching culture in schools.
Working with Adults: Structuring Effective Conferring
Amanda Adrian connects new learning as a runner to her work with teachers around reading conferences, and shares a model that works.
Writing Celebrations with Ruth Ayres (PODCAST)
Ruth Ayres talks about the importance of writing celebrations, with tips on how to create a festive mood even before students have written anything “fancy” in the classroom.
Adventures with Author Skyping: Nuts and Bolts from My Fourth-Grade Classroom
Dozens of children’s book authors will “visit” classrooms for free twenty minute chats via the Internet. Talking with authors about books students have read takes motivation and comprehension to new levels. Colby Sharp shares the nuts and bolts of getting the most out of virtual author visits.
Preserving Student Writing as a Curator
Once students are producing quality writing, there is a new challenge: what to do with it all? Heather Rader works with a teacher to design a system to meet her needs.
A Drive Through Assessment of My Writing
While considering some driving habits she's developed, Aimee Buckner shares what she's learned from the experts about writing and what it means to her practice.
Georgia Heard on the Common Core (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Georgia Heard talks about the possibilities for the Common Core when teachers bring their own passion, heart and poetry to the discussions.
When You Hate the Book
Abandoning a text isn't always an option (in school or life). Clare Landrigan considers her own experience as a reader and applies those lessons to the classroom.
Making Kids Aware of Their Thinking
If we stopped every time a child was thinking, wondering or connecting to our read aloud, we’d lose the continuity of the writing. Jennifer McDonough teaches students gestures to give her feedback about when and how kids are thinking.
Making the Reading-Writing Connection with Genre Studies: The “Must Have” Lesson
No stranger to genre studies, Aimee Buckner has both advice and book basket ideas to get must-haves in your hands.
Learning from Master Teachers: It’s the Process, Not the Content (Part I)
Have you ever wondered why lessons you attempt to imitate from master teachers you’ve seen on videos often go poorly? Franki Sibberson asked herself this question after trying a minilesson she viewed from Debbie Miller. She discovered it’s what comes before the lesson that matters more than what’s in the lesson.
Writing Better First Drafts
Aimee Buckner uses her love of baking to make the point that creating better first drafts is key to stronger writing and more enjoyment in the revising phase.
Fact of the Day
Do you have fact hunters in your room? Andrea Smith legitimizes and celebrates these collectors and brings a new level of nonfiction awareness to her classroom.
Communicating with the Y Chromosome
Heather Rader finds herself coaching a male teacher who is part of a male teaching team, and gets a lesson herself in gender communication patterns.
More Thoughtful Test Preparation: A Conversation with Patrick Allen (PODCAST)
How can teachers connect thoughtful literacy workshops with test preparation? Patrick Allen has suggestions in this podcast.
Donalyn Miller on Engaging Readers (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Franki Sibberson chats with Donalyn Miller about how she defines “engaged” reading, and the teacher’s role in motivating readers.
Patrick Carman on Books and Multimedia (PODCAST)
Patrick Carman is the author of some fascinating multimedia novels for young readers.
Readers’ Theater Revisited
Katie DiCesare becomes reacquainted with an old curricular friend. But in trying reader’s theater again in her primary classroom, she finds ways to streamline the process and foster more independence in students.
Putting the “Mini” Back in Minilessons
We know that the shorter our minilesson, the more time students will have to read and write, but it's not easy for many of us. Shari Frost has tips to shape up minilessons that have become maxilessons.
Whole-Group Share Sessions in Literacy Workshops: Essential Elements
Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan found that even though the group share is the shortest part of the workshop, teachers reported many issues that needed attention. These issues can be resolved with attention to the framework, modeling and more.
Digital Reading: Another Facet of a Classroom Library
The good news? There are lots of free and low-cost digital books for young readers on the web. The bad news? The quality of many of them is mediocre at best. Andrea Smith highlights three web-based resources for digital books that are affordable and also high quality.
Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan on Assessments, Data, and Balance (PODCAST)
As the data pours in throughout the year, it’s hard to keep a sense of balance and purpose. Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan chat with Franki Sibberson in this podcast about data and balance.
Writing Drafts and Stamina
Stamina is a term we use often in literacy instruction, but it can be tricky for students and teachers to define in classroom contexts. Heather Rader looks at the specific attributes of writing stamina, as well as how to model it for students.
Connecting Yoga and Character Traits in Literature Study
If you are a yoga devotee, you will enjoy this feature. Ann Williams discovers yoga and literature mix beautifully as she helps her 4th grade students explore character traits.
Keeping Students Front and Center
Jennifer Allen realizes that her biggest fear as a literacy coach is forgetting to keep students at the heart of our coaching conversations. With this in mind, she shares what keeps student learning as her primary focus.
Producing Instead of Consuming: Using iPads Wisely with Students
In order for an iPad to transform teaching and learning, Tony Keefer suggests we need to think about these tools with creativity in mind. This article is packed with thoughtful resources for iPad users.
Simplexity: Finding Your Focus
Jennifer Allen visits a thriving cupcake store in Boston that doesn’t sell any cupcakes. It turns out to be the perfect example of “simplexity” – Michael Fullan’s term for maintaining focus on goals and a larger purpose. Jennifer writes about how simplexity applies to professional development planning for literacy leaders.
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