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
Prewriting is a Party!
Sometimes the most important work for writers takes place before any actual drafting. Heather Rader shows how a simple metaphor can help students understand the importance of planning and organizing drafts.
One Book/Four Hands: Mentoring Younger Readers Using Picture Books
Paul Hankins describes the power of pairing high school and elementary students in a partner reading program.
Lester Laminack on Reading Like a Writer (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Franki Sibberson chats with Lester Laminack about how he reads as a writer, and what teachers might do to develop this skill in their students. Lester is the author of beloved books for children and teachers, including Saturdays and Teacakes
Big Ideas: Balancing Plans with Authentic Response
Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan learn important lessons about planning, themes, and life when they share Knuffle Bunny with a group of kindergartners.
Kathy Collins on Literacy Homework (PODCAST)
Kathy Collins reconsiders homework for personal and professional reasons in this podcast and generates ideas for homework resulting in fewer tears and more authentic learning.
Newbery Club Wrap-Up
Even though their Newbery Club of 5th graders didn't read the winning book in advance, Maria Caplin and Bill Prosser consider the club a success. They close out their series on the club with thoughts on how they will do things differently next fall.
Tuesday Trading Post: Involving the Whole School in a Book Exchange
Here's a terrific idea for building the home/school reading connection and involving parent groups in literacy. Andrea Smith shares the nuts and bolts of the Tuesday Trading Post, a schoolwide book exchange.
“You’ll Figure It Out”: 10 Tips for Literacy Coaches Who Are Given Little Guidance
Many new literacy coaches find they are not just in a new role—they have the task of developing most of the routines and expectations for this new role on their own. Terry Thompson shares tips for literacy coaches who are given little guidance at the start of the year.
Closing Out the Year (PART 2)
Here are some fresh and fun ideas for closing out the school year from Choice Literacy Contributors Katie Doherty, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser (“The Sisters”), and Mandy Robek. This is the second installment in a two-part series.
Jigsaw Jones and Advocating for Kids: A Conversation with James Preller (PODCAST)
Popular children's book author James Preller talks about his series Jigsaw Jones and being an advocate for kids.
New Fiction for Boys (BOOKLIST)
It takes a kid at heart to share what young boy readers would take to heart, and Tony Keefer is just the guy for the job. Tony loves whonunits, blood ‘n’ guts, and cliffhangers, and he shares that passion with his tween students in this fiction booklist for boys.
How to Look at Student Work
With summaries as an example, Heather Rader uses trends from learners to help make smart instructional decisions about what is presented during whole group, small group and individual time.
An Attitude of Gratitude
Heather Rader gets three nasty emails, and thinks through how to hold on to an attitude of gratitude when dealing with colleagues who are short-tempered or demanding.
Poetry Fridays (and So Much More) for Students and Staff
 Mary Lee Hahn finds Poetry Fridays are about so much more than poetry, or even a pleasant end to the week. She shares how this activity is a wonderful way to bring together colleagues and students.
Harbinger
Shirley McPhillips draws parallels between a tentative, battered robin in the snow and the fragility of teachers in the spring.
Coaching Monkey
Heather Rader has advice for literacy coaches looking for honest appraisals of their work from colleagues.
Writing Triage: Dealing with Dialogue Disasters
Is there a dialogue doctor in the house? If your students’ writing is filled with dull exchanges, you’ll enjoy these lesson suggestions from Heather Rader.
Catching Struggling Readers Before They Fall with Pat Johnson and Katie Keier (PODCAST)
Pat Johnson and Katie Keier share their thoughts on how a comprehensive literacy approach best meets the needs of all learners, especially those students who struggle.
Tech Tools for Our Youngest Learners with Kathy Cassidy (PODCAST)
Kathy Cassidy has the tips and tools of the trade for increasing technology in developmentally appropriate way for little ones.
The Triple Threat: Building a Community, Discussion Skills, and Writing Stamina
Katie Doherty knows how to pick the right text to move from whole-class conversations to writing.
Writers, Choice and Independence (Part I)
What does true independence look like among young readers and writers? A chance comment from a visitor to Aimee Buckner's classroom gets her pondering the amount of choice children have during units of study.
Sense of Little Engines
Heather Rader writes about "agency" – the challenge of letting students and teachers take charge of their learning. In concrete examples from a third-grade classroom and a professional development scoring session with teachers, Heather shares the subtleties of learning to trust, wait, and celebrate when learners of any age are responsible and independent.
Poetry Possibilities
Shari Frost shares literacy activity suggestions and a booklist of her favorite poetry anthologies.
Raising Readers: Independent Reading, Choices, and Intentional Reading Practices
How can teachers promote good independent reading choices for English language learners? Stella Villalba has suggestions.
Fireflies: Then and Now
Andrea Smith watches her young daughter capture fireflies in the twilight of a summer night. The evening reminds her of what’s changed in connecting literacy and life experiences, and what endures for teachers and kids.
Motive, Means, and Opportunity
When educators have literacy-rich environments at home, it is important to consider students' daily access to reading materials. Ellie Gilbert uses motive, means and opportunity to think about our literacy landscapes.
Favorite Short Mentor Texts for Demonstration Lessons
For teacher leaders who are called upon to do demonstration lessons, here is a “must-have” list of short, potent books.
Virtually Coaching a Lesson
Coaching cycles look different depending on teachers' needs. Via email and phone, Heather Rader has professional conversations with a teacher as he plans and designs a lesson for observation.
A More Literate Show and Tell
Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan work with a kindergarten teacher to integrate literacy skill development into this favorite routine of young children.
Sharon Taberski on Comprehension Instruction (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Sharon Taberski chats with Franki Sibberson about comprehension instruction across the grades.
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