Form follows function when it comes to letter writing. Dear Bear, by Joanna Harrison, taps into common experiences and feelings your students have likely had. I also love it for how it exposes students to the many purposes behind writing a letter. From making requests, to asking questions, to extending an invitation - letters are an important form of communication our students need to master. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she desc...
Mar 09, 2020•17 min•Season 4Ep. 38
Sequencing, and then some! Me...Jane, by Patrick McDonnell, brings biography down to size in a totally approachable way. You’ll root for Jane and her dream coming true - and that’s only the beginning of the story! Students will explore how to determine importance when sequencing to create a timeline of Dr. Jane Goodall’s impressive and inspiring accomplishments. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilitie...
Mar 02, 2020•25 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Awesome, amazing alliteration in this week’s episode! Chicks and Salsa, by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Paulette Bogan, is silly, and savory, and special all rolled into one. We explore alliteration and have a lot of fun doing it with this text! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/l...
Feb 24, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Biography doesn’t have to be boring! Henri Matisse: Drawing With Scissors, by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Jessie Hartland, proves that biographies can be fun to read and fun to write. Told in first person by an elementary student, this text makes biography approachable and doable. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomo...
Feb 17, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Idea maps can help shape our perspectives in writing. My Papi Has a Motorcycle, by Isabel Quintero, brings all the feels! Memories of times gone by can be rich resources for writing personal narratives. Learn how in today’s episode! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/litcentric-radio-le...
Feb 10, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Turning facts into metaphors on today’s episode! The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter, by Shabazz Larkin, is a beautiful blend of genres, information, figurative language, and gratitude. Your students will learn a lot, and play a lot, with the delightful words and pictures in this book. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomo...
Feb 03, 2020•21 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Make writing more sophisticated with transitions! It’s amazing how polished student writing can sound when transitional words and phrases are used in all the right places. Meanwhile, by Jules Feiffer, is an all time favorite book for introducing them. It’s quirky, and zany, and so much fun to read aloud. Kids get drawn in from the very first ‘meanwhile’. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden...
Jan 27, 2020•26 min•Season 3Ep. 32
What’s a growing plot? Find out in this episode! Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, is full of both obvious and subtle changes that make the growing plot a lot of fun. Students can try out the technique for themselves in LitCentric Radio’s matching lesson! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your ...
Jan 20, 2020•19 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Shifts in point of view make for a fun plot! Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, uses repetition and its characters’ unique perspectives to charm and delight us. Even the youngest readers will be in on the joke! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/litcentric-radio-les...
Jan 13, 2020•13 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Exploring tiny moments, this week on LitCentric Radio! The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez, will give you all the feels! It’s the perfect book for building your writing community because it demonstrates the beauty in our differences and the value of human connection. We’ll take a look at how figurative language can be used to help tiny moment blossom. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the...
Jan 06, 2020•16 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Episode #10 originally aired on May 13, 2019. Practice empathy in this episode as we explore what makes a character tick. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds is a text you’ll truly fall in love with - from the first moment you meet the main character, to her relatable problem, and the remarkable conclusion. Listen as we explore what the character says, what she does, what she thinks, and what she feels. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she ...
Dec 30, 2019•16 min
Episode #4 originally aired on April 1, 2019. Yes! Your students can learn to analyze text! Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, is a charming tale of curiosity, empathy, and understanding. The traditional-style illustrations are endearing as is the lion himself. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your clas...
Dec 23, 2019•10 min
“Whatever you become, you become in your head first.” Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome, is a powerful text that will knock your socks off! As informative as it is inspiring, it will leave you with a sense of wonder. And hey, why not explore character traits with real-life heroes? Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden...
Dec 16, 2019•15 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Pictures help us analyze text and write independently! We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins is a beloved read loud with a powerful lesson on perspective. We’ll support students to analyze the fictional narrative structure of this text to go beyond the lesson it teaches and include some sophistication that even the youngest writers can handle. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden i...
Dec 09, 2019•11 min•Season 3Ep. 27
We’re exploring empathy with evidence on today’s episode. Everybody loves Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. Today we’ll use this inspiring text to explore how Jabari’s father shows empathy toward his son, and we’ll find evidence along the way. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/litcentric-...
Dec 02, 2019•18 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Episode #9 originally aired on May 6, 2019. Sentence fluency abounds in this light hearted text that invites writers to craft versions of their own. Pattern Fish by Trudy Harris is a playful book with just a hint of plot but a whole lot of spirit. Explore poetic phrases and patterns as your students chant along. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try thi...
Nov 25, 2019•13 min
Acting out descriptions with adverbs! Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by Ebony Glenn, shares an important message of belonging and self-worth through a character everyone will love. This text offers a fun opportunity to explore descriptive language through music and movement. You won’t want to miss it! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor te...
Nov 18, 2019•17 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Today we revisit our most popular episode in season 1 featuring the text Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon from Episode #12. We’re sharing some text dependent questions that invite discussion and a bridge chart with a challenging writing task. All new! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/litce...
Nov 11, 2019•18 min
Today we revisit our most popular episode featuring the text Enemy Pie from Episode #13. We’re sharing the text dependent questions that go along with the book and talk about an easy 3-step guide for crafting better text dependent questions to improve comprehension. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcen...
Nov 04, 2019•27 min
Compare and contrast in a neat package! What’s the Difference? 10 Animal Look-Alikes By Judy Diehl and David Plumb, illustrated by Vlasta Kampen, is packed with information that will hold your students’ interest. This text offers teachers the opportunity to explore compare and contrast language in bite-sized chunks that are accessible to all. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this...
Oct 28, 2019•21 min•Season 2Ep. 24
The ordinary becomes extraordinary this week! Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James, should be on every bookshelf. Period. The words and pictures are a dream, and they take the concept of theme to a whole new level. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.pod...
Oct 21, 2019•15 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Everyday things can be so special, and this book is a great example. A Small Thing...but Big by Tony Johnston, pictures by Hadley Hooper, sheds light on what seems to be a typical day at the park. But victories await as we explore its unique organization. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia....
Oct 14, 2019•13 min•Season 2Ep. 22
My #literacycrush Levar Burton says this book is a winner. And I agree! Germs Make Me Sick by Melvin Berger, illustrated by Marylin Hafner, first appeared on my radar as a kid watching Reading Rainbow after school. This book is packed with information that’s played out in an aproachable way using narrative nonfiction. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. T...
Oct 07, 2019•13 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Never heard of a pattern of 3? Stay tuned! The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend, illustrated by John Manders is so much fun! Get your accents ready because this read aloud is an experience! And the multiple patterns of 3 pop up everywhere you look. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/lit...
Sep 30, 2019•18 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In short, we’re talking summarizing! ;) Mrs. Morgan’s Lawn by Barney Saltzberg is a book my classroom would never be without. We’re talking serious possibilities for teaching problem/solution, flashbacks and imagination, surprise endings, and more. Today we’ll cut through the clutter and teach summary. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson i...
Sep 23, 2019•18 min•Season 2Ep. 19
A book full of surprises! The Night I Followed the Dog by Nina Laden lets kids’ imaginations run wild! We’ll use their fantastic ideas and try out a brief write in today’s lesson. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your class tomorrow: https://litcentric.podia.com/litcentric-radio-lessons-growing-bundle...
Sep 16, 2019•19 min•Season 2Ep. 18
You’ve never seen biography presented like this! What Athletes Are Made Of by Hanoch Piven is one of several books he’s done with his unique twist. He combines found objects and brings them to life through his mini-biographical style. We’ll take a closer look at the patterns in his work that will improve biographical writing in today’s episode. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside th...
Sep 09, 2019•14 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Opinion writing will improve in your classroom with another fabulous text by a beloved author. My Very Own Octopus by Bernard Most is clever and creative, and gives students permission to write in a similar way. We’ll take a closer look at providing evidence-based reasons and use video to do it! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson in your ...
Sep 02, 2019•17 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Our old buddy Mo is back, this time helping us teach conventions like only he can! Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems always delights. Do we ever get tired of sharing it with kids? No way! In this episode we’re getting busy with periods, commas, ellipses...and more! It’ll be fun, I promise! Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Try this lesson i...
Aug 26, 2019•19 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Explore emotions with this week’s text! On Monday When It Rained by Cherryl Kachenmeister, photographs by Tom Berthiaume, is a wonderful tool for social emotional learning. We’ll combine feelings and personal narrative in a bridge chart to help students write pieces of their own. Join National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Literacy Coach Dr. Julie Webb as she describes the teaching possibilities hidden inside this treasured mentor text. Download your copy of the Sound-Along Al...
Aug 19, 2019•15 min•Season 2Ep. 14
