Content Category: Choice Literacy
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Books for Launching the School Year (and Ideas for Using Them with Students)
Editor's Note: Teachers often have cherished favorite books for launching the school year, and it's no wonder. We know how students will respond based on our experiences in previous years, and...
Aimee Buckner on Nonfiction in Student Notebooks (PODCAST)
Aimee Buckner chats with Franki Sibberson about her new work on integrating nonfiction into reading and writing notebooks with students. Aimee's latest book is Notebook Connections: Strategies for the Reader's Notebook....
Getting the Most Out of Visiting a Colleague’s Classroom (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan chat with Franki Sibberson about how teachers can get the most out of observing a colleague's classroom. A full transcript is below...
A Bad Case of the Never-Ending Januaries
A Choice Literacy member wrote to us this week: I am noticing that we have hit a point in the year where teachers are stressed, snow days are maxed, and...
Prewriting is a Party!
"Does anyone here like parties?" The fourth grade classroom where I'm demonstrating a lesson is a forest of tall standing arms.Everybody likes parties. "That's what I thought. So I'm getting...
One Book/Four Hands: Mentoring Younger Readers Using Picture Books
"Every night before I went to sleep, my mother would read one or two picture books to me. I used to beg her to continue reading, but she always made...
Lester Laminack on Reading Like a Writer (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Franki Sibberson chats with Lester Laminack about how he reads as a writer, and what teachers might do to develop this skill in their students. Lester is...
Big Ideas: Balancing Plans with Authentic Response
The expression "from the mouths of babes" never holds more true than when you are teaching kindergartners! Last fall, a group of kindergarten students taught me a lesson that is...
Kathy Collins on Literacy Homework (PODCAST)
Kathy Collins shares her latest thinking on literacy homework assignments with Franki Sibberson. Kathy's latest book is Reading for Real: Teach Students to Read with Power, Intention, and Joy in K-3...
Newbery Club Wrap-Up
Editor's Note: This is the final installment in a three-part series about a 5th Grade Newbery Club. You can click here to read Part I, and here for Part II. We had our final Newbery...
Tuesday Trading Post: Involving the Whole School in a Book Exchange
What's in place in your classroom or school to encourage readers to share their favorite resources every day? Our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) created a new, schoolwide ritual this year...
“You’ll Figure It Out”: 10 Tips for Literacy Coaches Who Are Given Little Guidance
When my principal first approached me about becoming our building's literacy coach (lo these many years ago), my first reaction was "Are you kidding me?" Despite a strong background in...
Closing Out the Year (PART 2)
The end of the school year is such a precious and busy time. This year we asked Choice Literacy contributors to share some of their favorite ideas and activities for...
Jigsaw Jones and Advocating for Kids: A Conversation with James Preller (PODCAST)
Franki Sibberson chats with James Preller about his experiences writing the popular Jigsaw Jones book series, as well as his advocacy work. You can follow James at his blog: http://www.jamespreller.com/...
New Fiction for Boys (BOOKLIST)
As an older but fairly typical boy reader I tend to gravitate toward three types of fiction. Mysteries, humorous realistic fiction and anything that has fast-paced action (with lead protagonists...
How to Look at Student Work
"And there she goes . . ." My daughter, Ahna, is officially a bike rider. I'm sentimental about it because she's the last Rader kid to learn. What's unique about...
An Attitude of Gratitude
When my daughter Ahna was in first grade, she secretly stuck a note in my purse that read I hope you have an extcnt day Mom. Spis! (Translation: I hope...
Poetry Fridays (and So Much More) for Students and Staff
Poetry Friday is surely my most subversive act of teaching. From the outside, you see a suspension of the regular routines of reading workshop. You see children sitting side-by-side with...
Harbinger
Where has this robin been, the one who finally showed up here this morning decked out in a dullish coat of gray over a vest of faded red? Understated for...
Coaching Monkey
As a kid, Curious George was my hero. Sometimes I had to cover my eyes when he was about to get into trouble, but I knew in the end he'd...
Writing Triage: Dealing with Dialogue Disasters
Panicky emails regarding fledgling writers thrill me. Perhaps, it's nostalgia for the pace of my former favorite Thursday night show: ER. Listening to the intro theme song, I tingled with...
