Library
Choice Literacy Articles & Videos
The Choice Literacy library contains over 3,000 articles and 900 videos from 150+ contributors. Classic Classroom and Literacy Leadership subscribers have access to the entire library. Content is updated continuously, with five to six new features published each week.
Latest Content
Lifting the Quality of Student Reading Letters with Quotes
Katie Doherty demonstrates for her middle school students how quotes can lift the quality of writing, using student and literary examples in this 11-minute video.
Book Matchmaker: Texts for an Advanced First Grader
Joan is a first-grade teacher who has one reader in mind – a student who is reading well above grade-level expectations. Franki Sibberson has many intriguing book suggestions to help her.
Common Core Conversations: Using Evidence From Text
Amanda Adrian and Heather Rader explain how the standard for finding evidence in texts might change instruction.
What Can You Learn from Slice of Life Writing?
Ruth Ayres inspires us to develop the habit of writing on a regular basis by taking a bite out of the Slice of Life Story Challenge.
Supporting New Teachers and Appreciating Their Gifts
Melanie Quinn thinks through the two common "phases" of early career teachers, and creates a checklist of guidance they will need from literacy leaders.
Learning and Teaching Team Meeting
Principal Karen Szymusiak meets with her large and diverse "Learning and Teaching Team" which is comprised of specialists, grade-level team leaders, and administrators.
Image of the Week: Building a Classroom Community Through Visual Literacy
Teachers know visual learners are in every classroom, and Andrea Smith is no exception. She uses an “image of the week” to get at high expectations, observations, publishing, and, of course, building community.
Mentor Texts for Organizing Writing
We think of mentor texts for teaching literary elements, but what about for organizing? Aimee Buckner describes how she selects books to demonstrate a range of ways to organize writing and help students make choices independently.
The Art of Slow Reading: A Conversation with Tom Newkirk (PODCAST)
In this podcast Brenda Power talks with Tom Newkirk about what has been lost and what is truly meant by “slow reading.”
Teaching Poetry to Teens with the William Stafford Archives
Erin Ocon highlights the life and work of William Stafford and how she uses the archives of his work to bring poetry alive for her middle school students.
Spelling Rules — Or Does It?
Heather Rader introduces a new spelling series and maps out the topics she’ll be tackling.
Katherine Casey on Coaching in Classrooms (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Katherine Casey shares her wisdom on classroom modeling for coaches that really works because both teacher and coach have clarity on the purpose and practice.
Finding Time for Your Writing with Ruth Ayres (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Ruth Ayres is no stranger to working hard to find time to write, but that’s why it’s important that we do.
Three Rules Worthy of Spelling Inquiry
It seems like every spelling rule has an exception — so which ones must be taught? Heather Rader shares the three spelling rules worth any teacher’s time.
What’s the Evidence?
Heather Rader shares her experiences working with a teacher team led by an outspoken leader. With listening and support, the team examines evidence in a new way.
Top 10 Technology Tools for Teachers
If you're overwhelmed with the slew of new technology tools coming out all the time (and who isn't?), you might appreciate Scott Sibberson's Top 10 Tech Tools for Teachers. You are probably using some of the tools daily, and may discover a few new ones too.
Classroom Changes and Birdhouse Gourds
Andrea Smith reworks a board that was successful in the past but is woefully empty now.
Conferring with Parents (Part 2)
In this second installment in the two-part series, Choice Literacy Contributors share their top tips for making conferences with families effective and fulfilling.
Keeping It Real for Students: Never Underestimate the Power of Reflection
Melanie Quinn consoles a teacher who is recovering from a disastrous lesson captured on video, and shows the power of a “do-over” for both teachers and students.
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.
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