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Challenging Advanced Young Readers: Harder Texts Aren’t Always the Answer
Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan discuss the concept of “challenge” in considering what texts are the best fit for advanced young readers who might be able to decode any text but don’t yet have the experiences needed to tackle sophisticated concepts.
Books for Strategy Studies
Andie Cunningham has some thoughtful recommendations for books to use in strategy studies.
Great Books to Share When Studying the Ecosystem (BOOKLIST)
Karen Terlecky shares books for studying the ecosystem in our this booklist.
Character Study in Grades 3-6
A character study unit is a terrific choice early in the school year, since it taps into students' reading histories and favorites from years past. Franki Sibberson has suggestions of books and questions for use in read-alouds.
Making a Difference: Examples from Children’s Literature (BOOKLIST)
Spring is a time in many schools for volunteer work and community service projects. This booklist will inspire your students.
Mentor Texts for Word Choice (BOOKLIST)
Choosing words in writing is a key to effectively communicating ideas. Franki Sibberson finds that the best way to introduce and extend conversations about words is through the use of picture books.
Choosing New Books for Comprehension Strategy Studies with Young Children
Ruth Shagoury and Andie Cunningham share a wealth of books appropriate for comprehension study with young children. The booklist is especially useful for work with English language learners.
When Do I Launch the Writer’s Notebook?
When and how should you launch writers' notebooks in your classroom? According to Aimee Bucker, it depends on if you are a "wader" or a "diver." She shares some of the ways she has slowly and quickly moved students into their notebooks in years past.
A Coach’s Perspective: No More Flying Pig Prompts
Heather Rader has advice for literacy coaches dealing with teachers who rely too much on writing prompts.
Out of the Closet and into the Classroom: Bookroom Management Tips for Literacy Coaches
Is your system for sharing books from a school bookroom or literacy closet working well? Shari Frost provides 10 practical tips for getting the best use out of shared literacy resources.
Using Mentor Texts in Study Groups: Play and Practice
Jennifer Allen considers ways to be more practical and playful in introducing mentor texts during study groups with colleagues.
“What I Know Now” Workshop Activity
This icebreaker from Cindy Hatt is a terrific exercise for a staff or grade-level team meeting to bring together teachers and literacy specialists this time of year. It combines individual reflection with whole-group brainstorming and goal setting.
Books That Invite Conversations About Perspective (BOOKLIST)
Students need to understand perspective (or point of view) if they want to comprehend what motivates a character. In this booklist, Franki Sibberson highlights some terrific children's literature for helping students grasp the concept of perspective.
Literacy Learning on Presidents Day (BOOKLIST)
Here are some books to spice up your teaching in February on Presidents Day, or any time U.S. presidents come up in your curriculum.
The Over-Prompting of Young Writers
Heather Rader shares strategies teachers at any grade level can use to become more thoughtful and flexible in their use of prompts.
What Goes in the Writer’s Notebook?
Aimee Buckner chats with colleagues about notebooks, and finds herself rethinking what she puts in her notebook (as well as what she requires of students).
Addicted to Twitter: How Did It Happen?
Franki Sibberson documents the stages of tweetage, from avoidance to addiction.
The Reading Skills We Use When Searching the Internet
Browsing and previewing skills change when the medium is the Internet. Franki Sibberson has advice for working with tech-savvy young readers.
Implementing RTI: Keeping Students at the Heart of Our Conversations
Jennifer Allen provides some prompts for staff discussions about Response to Intervention to help you connect long-term goals and beliefs with short-term strategies.
Living Words: Integrating Word Study, Technology, and Content Literacy (Part 1)
Living Words is a quick routine from Andrea Smith that helps students see the power of rich vocabulary for describing the natural world around them.
Creating a Model Writing School
Julie Johnson shares the professional development plan and experiences that led to her school's evolution into a model writing school.
Expectations for Grade-Level Team Meetings
Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan share their top tips for improving team meetings.
Vocabrity: Fun with Words for Middle School Students
Are your students getting bored with vocabulary routines? Katie Doherty invents a quick and fun game, Vocabrity, to help her middle school students learn words.
Restless Wanderer: Lessons for Teachers from Summer Vacations
Are teachers ever really on vacation? In “Restless Wanderer” Shelly Archer ponders moments on a holiday that aren’t much fun, and can’t help but connect them to teaching struggles.
The Importance of Book Clubs for Learners of Any Age
Karen Terlecky brings lessons from her adult book club to her structure of book clubs in her 5th grade classroom. The article includes launching and management tips.
Creating a Model Writing School . . . Next Steps
Julie Johnson documents the continuing evolution of her learning community as a model writing school.
Creating Data Teams
Literacy leaders are spending more and more time organizing, compiling, and storing assessment data, often leaving little time to analyze the findings with teachers. Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan explain the value of enlisting tech support to assist with the data load.
The Joy of Letter Writing: An Integrated Unit for Intermediate Students
Letter writing isn't a lost art in Mary Lee Hahn's 4th grade classroom. This unit has timeless appeal for students of all ages.
Assessment in Writing Workshops: Considering Students
What does formative assessment look like in practice? Katie DiCesare shares her assessment insights in these brief case studies of two first-grade students.
How to Use a Coach: Four Things to Consider
Teachers, are you getting the most out of your relationships with the literacy coaches and other mentors in your midst? Heather Rader has some thoughtful back-to-school advice for building more powerful teacher-coach relationships
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