Content Category: Choice Literacy
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Preparing for Book Talks
In this first video in a two-part series, Katie Doherty meets with her sixth-grade students who will be sharing their book recommendations with the class. To download the preparation sheet...
Injecting Writing into . . . Everything: Ellipsis Stories
I took my husband to see Mamma Mia on our umpteenth anniversary. No, he didn't want to go, but I promised him if he wasn't having fun in twenty minutes, we could...
When to Group?
Reading groups are such an ingrained element of our teaching culture that teachers can feel guilty if they choose other instructional methods. In this conversation with fourth-grade teacher Rachel, Joan...
Book Matchmaker: Helping a Struggling Reader in 5th Grade
Deb is a teacher who works with struggling readers in grades 3-5. She is particularly interested in finding books for one of her 5th graders who is reading at...
Draft Stamps: Moving Learners at All Levels Forward
One of our first discoveries as administrators was that our title authorized our membership on countless committees. We never knew so many committees could exist! Our past employment as consultants...
Injecting Writing into Everything: Bringing the Outside In
In her third-grade classroom, Debbie Davis-Reid and I were observing the students the first few days of writing workshop. Who starts quickly? Who adds to their authority* list? (from Ralph Fletcher's book: Writing...
Starting a Newbery Club with Students
The Newbery Award has long stood for excellence in children's literature. About five years ago we started reading potential nominees and trying to predict the winner before it was announced....
Procedural Writing in Math
I'm getting ready to make gluten-free oatmeal cookies, and I'm thinking about what a fifth grader said to me: "We spent all this time working on word choice and voice,...
Ending the Year with Literacy Gifts
Recently I received an email from a student who was in my kindergarten class nine years ago. He is now a freshman in high school and just wanted to say...
Student Book Talks
In this second video in a two-part series, Katie Doherty's sixth-grade students share their book recommendations with the class. Students work from a template provided by Katie to ensure their...
Pencil Plans
I've always had a very comfortable relationship with No. 2 pencils. William Styron You are about to get really honest with yourself and no one else has to hear...
Book Clubs: Setting the Stage with Conferring
It was an exciting time in Room 10's readers' workshop. The third graders I worked with over the past year were making the transition from thumbing through beginning chapter books...
From Teacher to Coach: Building Community in the Early Days
It's late August and next week I start my position as Instructional Coach. I am not new to working with teachers. I spent six years in higher education working with...
You Never Know What You’re Going To Get
One of the things I find myself struggling with is that as I get older, I get busier. As my retired dad gets older, he has more time. This is...
Persuasive Pamphlets
My state and district standards require that seventh grade students should be able to write persuasively. Traditionally, teachers meet this standard by assigning a speech or a paper, and I...
5 Easy Steps for Starting a Blog
Blog. Blog because it is reflective. Blog because we need you to share what you know with us. Blog because it is good to remember how it feels to be...
Science Writing Workshop Part 1
How can teachers connect the principles of writer's workshop with science explorations? In this first of a three-part video series, Jennifer Morgan leads her 3rd and 4th students through the...
Content Connections in Reading Workshop
In this four-minute video, Andrea Smith confers with a 4th grade student interested in immigration, helping her set up an independent reading and learning plan.
Relentless Consistency: Finding a Common Teaching Language Without Scripts
We recently heard Michael Fullan speak about the impact of common language and consistent practices on the speed of change within school systems. Consistency in core practices and key language...
Read Alouds for the First Day of School
Last year we surveyed Big Fresh subscribers to learn their favorite literacy activities for launching the school year with students and colleagues. This week and next we'll feature suggestions for read alouds...
Quick Take: Conferring with Young English Language Learners
In this short video, Ruth Shagoury gives advice to teachers conferring with young English language learners, explaining how other English language learners can be surprisingly helpful in conferences. Â
