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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.

Poetry and Fluency Minilesson in Second Grade

Sean Moore uses the poem “The Busy Ant” for partner work and discussion of fluency and vocabulary with his second graders.

Beyond Text Features in Nonfiction Instruction

Franki Sibberson considers how the demands of the Common Core and the complex mix of online and offline nonfiction texts are changing the skills she teaches students.

Putting the Search Back in Research

Heather Rader launches a new four-part series on teaching research skills in the primary grades. This first installment highlights search techniques for children.

The Big Fresh March 23, 2013 Reteaching

Teaching students how to do research is the focus of this week’s Big Fresh.

Science Challenge

Franki Sibberson’s fourth-grade students share results from the weekly science challenge.

Getting More from Wonderopolis

Franki Sibberson uses Wonderopolis with her 4th grade students, helping them learn to research and dig more deeply at the site.

Poetry Minute: Forms and How to Teach Them

Mary Lee Hahn's "Poetry Minute" includes tips and resources for poetry instruction. This month's Poetry Minute focuses on poetry forms and mentor texts to teach them.

Supporting the Transition to Middle School: An Elementary Teacher’s Perspective

Maria Caplin shares how and why she began to collaborate with Gretchen Taylor, a sixth-grade teacher who would soon be the middle school teacher for some of her students.

What Information Is Good Information? Smooth and Effective Transitions to Middle School

Gretchen Taylor explains her role in observing Maria’s fifth-grade classroom, and then building a relationship with students and their families.

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