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The Lunch Lady and Gender in Reading

Franki Sibberson has her students read a blog post about books written for boys and girls, which begins a fascinating discussion with the class about gender in reading choices.

Keeping Track of Questions

Andie Cunningham observes a third-grade teacher as she systematically improves the quality and depth of student questioning over time.

Three Ways to Build Purpose in a Preschool Reading Workshop

Melissa Kolb finds her three- and four-year-old students are ready for more focus during reading time.

Shared Reading in the Intermediate Grades

Shari Frost explains why shared reading is valuable for older students, with examples of the practice in the intermediate grades.

Slice of Life: Challenging Student Writers

Katherine Sokolowski brings the popular web “slice of life” challenge to her fifth-grade classroom.

The Big Fresh April 27, 2013 Stories

Shared reading is the focus of this week’s Big Fresh.

The Big Fresh April 20, 2013 Data Trouble

We explore the balance of choice, independence, and structure in this week’s Big Fresh.

Assessing Learning During Student-Led Book Clubs

When middle school students have choice and independence in book clubs they lead themselves, how do you assess their learning and thinking? Katie Doherty provides a variety of question prompts she uses with groups to spark reflection on learning.

10 Principles for Planning Reading Minilessons

Franki Sibberson shares 10 principles for minilesson planning. This is an excerpt from her new book, The Joy of Planning.

Symbiosis: Choice and Structure in Writing Workshops

Ruth Ayres and Heather Rader draw on their work as literacy coaches and teachers to explore the complex connections between choice and structure in writing workshops.

Guidance and Choice in a Fifth-Grade Conference

Karen Terlecky confers with fifth grader Jillian the day after she has selected two books Jillian might enjoy reading during workshop.

Kindergarten I-Pick Minilesson

It’s never too early to help students learn to make wise choices for independent reading. Mandy Robek reviews the I-Pick strategy for choosing appropriate books with her kindergarten students.

Between the Brain and Page: Working with Gifted Student Writers

Michelle Kelly explains how gifted student writers have needs that vary greatly. "Carolyn the Voice," "Alan the Verbose," and "Bailey the Perfectionist" are all gifted writers who need different workshop structures and guidance to do their best work.

The Big Fresh April 13, 2013 Rename It

Innovative use of audio books is the topic of this week’s Big Fresh.

Understanding the Middle East Through Children’s Literature (BOOKLIST)

Sheiks, harems, and terrorists — the stereotypes of the middle east from popular culture may not be realistic, but they sure are pervasive. Ruth Shagoury and Andie Cunningham find authentic alternative views to present to children in their new booklist.

Every Picture Tells a Story

Max Brand describes how he uses images to build reading and writing skills among his kindergartners.

Research IS the Project (Primary Research Series)

Heather Rader blurs the line between research and presentation in the final installment of the primary research series.

Embracing the Growth Mindset with Audiobooks

Jennifer Vincent explains how recorded texts were a potent tool for reaching a struggling fourth-grade reader.

Audioboo, QR Codes, and Authentic Reading Response

Katherine Sokolowski uses audio recordings and other tech resources to build her fifth-grade reading community.

The Big Fresh April 6, 2013 Thanks

This week’s Big Fresh is focused on family literacy outreach.

Teacher-as-Writing-Model Minilesson in Fourth Grade

Beth Lawson models her process as a writer for her fourth-grade students, describing her emotions as well as creating a draft.

KLWL: Ordering Research (Primary Research Series Part 3)

Heather Rader looks at the importance of frontloading information for young learners in the third installment of the primary research series.

Tips for Effective Family Communication from “The Mouse”

Jennifer Vincent details strategies and shares survey templates she uses in reaching out to families.

Family Literacy Night

Family Literacy Nights have become popular in many schools. Principal Jennifer Schwanke describes the format for a successful event, including a sample program and tips.

A Literary Taste of Home (Home is Where the Books Are Series)

Meghan Rose may live in Los Angeles, but the home of her heart will always be New England. In this booklist, she shares her favorite picture books about everything from the Red Sox to Maine blueberries to give her children a sense of where she grew up.

Hindsight: What I Wish I’d Known Before My School Burned Down

Melanie Quinn shares lessons from the fire that burned down her school.

The Big Fresh March 30, 2013 Appreciation

This week’s Big Fresh features resources for the start of National Poetry Month.

Just-Right Poetry and Individualizing Instruction

Shari Frost describes how a sixth-grade teacher provides a range of poetry options to meet the needs of all students.

The “Tys” of Student Research: Safety and Credibility (Primary Research Series Part 2)

Heather Rader shares the second installment in our primary research series.

March Book Madness

Basketball’s March Madness has many possibilities in schools. Tony Keefer tries a similar format with brackets and voting for March Book Madness.

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