Content Category: Choice Literacy
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Reaching Evan with Read Alouds in the Intermediate Grades
Evan’s face is intent, full of excitement and engagement. We are in the middle of reading aloud the book Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt as a class, and...
Never Say Never: Motivation to Read from an Unlikely Source
Second grader Joe struts into my intervention room wearing a football jersey and a bored look. The only spark I get is when he talks about Michael Vick and the...
Conferring for Engagement: First Steps
Aimee Buckner confers with a fourth grader who is learning how to choose books for independent reading. In this video, she gives advice in the first conference and then returns...
Volunteered: What I Learned from Cleaning Out the Barn
Recently my boss “volunteered” me for another committee. At first when I got the email, I was ticked and disgusted. I have plenty on my plate, and finding the time...
Conferring About Tracking Characters
In this video from a 4th grade classroom, Aimee Buckner confers with a student who is reading The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson.
Introducing the Writing Common Core Standards: Planning for Professional Development
When I began to plan for how introducing the Common Core State Standards in Writing with a key group of leaders in our district, I kept these words of wisdom...
Educating the Writer’s Palate
On the day that I married my husband, I received two gifts from his aunts -- a cookbook of his grandmother’s recipes, filled with the Eastern European flavors I grew...
One Book, One School: Building Community with Shared Text
Some time ago I had the opportunity to read an early copy of R.J. Palacio’s debut novel, Wonder. I’d heard about it through friends and eagerly anticipated reading it. The...
Loops and Blended Classrooms: Practical Tips to Start the School Year
Anyone who has taught the same group of children for two years in a row -- by looping up with them to the next grade level, or blending (where you...
Summer Planning: Goals and the Finish Line
“Don’t you love having summers off?” I think that’s a phrase so many teachers hear and unless you are a teacher, you don’t really appreciate the irony. Please don’t misunderstand,...
Are Your Writers Talking During Writing Workshop?
Writing workshop: the hour block in the school day when writers of any age get together to compose, create, use their imaginations, and play with words. When I think of...
Partner Reading: Helping Peers Teach Peers
In this video from Linda Karamatic's second-grade classroom, two girls meet with Linda to develop tips to share with their classmates on how to partner read successfully.
From Rages to Rags: Conferring with Conner
Conferring with Conner has taken many different twists and turns throughout the year. His ability to converse about strategies during his reading has improved, but there is often a sense...
Energy, Stamina, and Training Wheels for Coaching Teachers
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. Albert Einstein I remember the day I learned to ride a bicycle in vivid colors. The...
Discussing Observations with New Teachers
Jennifer Allen's new teacher group discusses what they learn from classroom observations in this video taped early in the fall.
Rereading Strategy: Conferring with Emily
Sean Moore confers with 2nd grader Emily about the strategy of rereading for comprehending reading and writing.
Finding a Place for Graphic Novels in My Classroom
My classroom library has always been large and diverse. I want to have books for each student that they will devour. Several years ago I realized there was a hole...
The Quest for the Perfect First Read Aloud of the Year
I love summer reading. I love the freedom to read what I want, and catching up on books I’ve been meaning to read. And I love having time to browse...
Focused Independent Reading in Second Grade
Sean Moore demonstrates how he helps students focus their independent reading with preparation and then with discussion after reading.
Rethinking My Nonfiction Library in Response to the Common Core
The focus on nonfiction reading in the Common Core has us all thinking of ways to move our students forward as nonfiction readers. The new focus on nonfiction has provided...
Lines Written at Lunchtime Above Tintern Abbey
You said you knew it wouldn’t work because the pink of my bathroom sink clashed with the terracotta of the walls and the off-Monet of the shower curtain. But...
