Content Category: Choice Literacy
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Choice and Reading Response
Years ago I stumbled across a little book titled The Reading Zone by Nancie Atwell. It was there that I first discovered reading response letters. Further reading of The Book...
Teaching the Rule of Three to Writers
There are some stories that are easy to remember -- we pass them on to our children and grandchildren from memory. I’m not sure I ever read The Three Little...
The Big Fresh December 8, 2012 Go Go Gadgets
I've always been interested in gadgets and technology, and I've always been a reader. Levar Burton What do Blinc mascara, coilers and toothpaste squeezers have in common? They are...
Eliminating the Conga Line: Teaching Young Children About Strategic Thinking
In the past few months we have spent a lot of time in classrooms establishing systems and structures. We have been busy modeling how we use materials, work independently, and...
Hearing Carlos: Helping Young English Language Learners Develop Speaking and Listening Skills
Carlos is listening carefully to me. As I read the story, he laughs and nods. He is absorbing my words as I give directions on what to do next. Yet...
Writers Inspiring Writers
When Stephen King is asked, “How do you write?” he invariably answers, “One word at a time.” Those readers and writers who admire his work seek wisdom and inspiration from...
Rethinking Mrs. T Letters
Sunday mornings are my favorite time to discuss books with my students. On those mornings, I come down to the kitchen with my Ugg slippers on my feet, my cozy...
Second Grader Conferring: Adding Details and Descriptive Language Part 2
In this second video from a four-part series, Sean Moore confers with a student about adding details to his writing.
Previewing a Read Aloud
Franki Sibberson previews a read aloud with her grades 3 and 4 students.
Interactive Writing and Formative Assessment in Kindergarten
When we ask students to make their thinking visible during the process of learning something new, these authentic responses are the kinds of formative assessments that guide our instruction. Debbie...
Teachers’ Night Out: Reclaiming Our Fearlessness
The performer dangled high above the stage, wavy blond hair cascading down her back as she skillfully wove her feet from one section of suspended white sash to the next,...
The Big Fresh December 1, 2012 Acceptable Alternatives
There's an alternative. There's always a third way, and it's not a combination of the other two ways. It's a different way. David Carradine One of my exercise buddies,...
Book Matchmaker: Fairy Tales for Older Readers
Fairy tales for older readers are becoming more popular. Many readers enjoyed Harry Potter in the elementary grades, and sophisticated fairy tales are a perfect choice for...
Peer Conferring: The “Try It On” Phase
Mercy Watson is always causing trouble, but I don’t think she means to. She doesn’t always know what she’s doing. Abby, age 6 “I love Roald Dahl books,...
Second-Grade Writing: Adding Details and Descriptive Language
In this first video from a four-part series, Sean Moore leads a writing workshop focused on adding more details and descriptive language to writing. He begins with the classic Charlotte's...
Literacy in Content Areas: A Podcast with Penny Kittle
Penny Kittle is a classroom teacher and literacy coach at Kennett High School in North Conway, New Hampshire. She is the author of Public Teaching: One Kid at a Time,...
Poetry Friday in the Computer Lab
“Poetry Friday in the Computer Lab?” questioned one of my students on a Friday morning in mid-May as he scanned the daily agenda on the chalkboard. “How can we do...
Poems Facing Art: Ekphrasis
Minutes before the poetry writing group got down to business, talk was about Edvard Munch’s The Scream. Sotheby’s had just sold the 1895 pastel version for $119.9 million dollars. Petra...
Value-Added: Moving Assessments from “Inflicted” to “Student-Owned”
I looked at Michael’s latest reading reflection and sighed. It was January, and he was still struggling to make progress in his ability to demonstrate deep thinking about his independent...
Poetry All Year Long
“Poetry Bands, take your places. It’s time to begin,” I announce to my eager and anxious poets. It is a warm and sunny Thursday morning in early June. Fourth graders...
Quick Sketch Practice
Linda Karamatic uses quick sketches to teach her second graders about sensory images in reading. This is the second installment in a two-part series.
