Getting students to write can often feel like pulling teeth. Can you relate? It doesn't have to be that way! Sometimes it just takes bringing some new ideas to the table, and I'm here to help. Have you ever heard of the phrase "writing long"? Essentially it is when you turn a short idea or response into a longer well-developed reading response paragraph. I'm showing you how to implement this strategy with your students. It is an actionable practice that you can begin in your classroom right away...
Mar 15, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In case you don't already know, I have a major sticky note addiction. Seriously, I use them for everything! I get asked all the time, "what in the world do you do with all those sticky notes?!". To be honest, there was a time when I would just toss them in the trash can, but not anymore! Now I have several favorite ways to repurpose sticky notes to help document authentic student work. Sticky notes are my favorite teacher tool because they can be used in small group and whole group lessons. They...
Mar 08, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Having your students write about their reading is something that should be happening every single day! It gives them practice to develop their writing skills and helps build thoughtful reflection while reading. If you're feeling like you've run out of ways to motivate your students to write about their reading, I have a great tool for you that you can implement today! My secret is a chart called the "think marks anchor chart". Teachers, this is the solution to getting even your most reluctant wr...
Mar 01, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 20
How many of your students still struggle with writing complete sentences? I know I have experienced this in my classroom year after year. Today, I am sharing the 5 necessary parts to a complete sentence. I will share a breakdown of how I have found success with teaching each part and ways I implement several opportunities for sentence writing practice in the classroom setting. Episode Highlights: Determine whether sentence writing is a whole group or small group concern Explain that a complete s...
Feb 22, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Paragraph writing can be hard, but it can be easier! A major part of the battle is that our students just don't understand how a paragraph works. If you are ready to make that a thing of the past, today's episode is for you! I am going to share 4 components to paragraph writing that will have your students writing clear, focused paragraphs in no time! Episode highlights: A paragraph is a group of sentences that are organized around a central idea or topic A basic paragraph structure usually is c...
Feb 15, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Black History is celebrated this month, but I have been one to celebrate Black and diverse history all year long. This episode will support teachers who are wanting to implement African American history into their classrooms whether it's their first year or tenth year. You will gain helpful reminders when navigating your conversations about Black influential individuals with students, as well as activities that can be easily implemented throughout this month and beyond. Episode Highlights: Black...
Feb 08, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 17
There are many benefits to having students write daily in the classroom. When I say "writing daily", I mean an intentional moment for writing. While I find opportunities to insert writing during every guided reading group, not all students are present during that small group time. Today, I will be diving into why I started implementing daily writing prompts into my classroom and the many positives of using them! I chat about how to help students understand what writing prompts are asking, what t...
Feb 01, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 16
There is an art to implementing sentence stems intentionally in the classroom. Without proper explanation, modeling, and practice, sentence stems lost their effectiveness. I have found increased student achievement when using sentence stems, more specifically for reading responses. This episode unpacks my process for using the stems and explains how they are tools to boost, versus hinder, student ability. Episode highlights: Sentence stems are a learning scaffold that helps students respond oral...
Jan 25, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Teaching small groups can be tricky, however, teaching small groups through distance learning can pose a whole new set of challenges. On today’s episode, I am chatting with a 3rd grade teacher from New Jersey who went into distance learning at the start of the pandemic (March 2020) and still has not returned to teaching in-person (now January 2021). Raffaella De Martinis will share her strategies and tips for keeping reading and writing small groups going, especially in a virtual setting. Her me...
Jan 18, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Returning back to school after a break takes some easing into. In this episode, learn 11 ways to make your writing block fresh and more engaging! These ideas will for sure spice up your writing time and keep your students having fun! Spiral these ideas throughout the year to gain a boost in your day! The 11 ways to increase engagement during your writing block are: Idea #1: Writing Materials Idea #2: Student DJ Idea #3: Flexible Seating Options Idea #4: Writing Outdoors Idea #5: Writer of the We...
Jan 11, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 13
It’s a new year and time for reflection as a writing teacher! In today’s episode, I will be diving into a few writing tips to make you a more effective teacher which will make your students stronger, as well. It is important to practice what you preach. How many times has a student called your bluff? Not following through definitely impacts the effectiveness of your processes. Tip 1: Show Up Everyday Excited and Enthused Show up excited and enthused… even if you aren’t. Make writing time excitin...
Jan 04, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this final episode of 2020, I am sharing a few of my reflections from 2020. Despite 2020 being a tough and hard year, so much good has happened during this year and I will share some of the positives with you! I started from January and reflected all the way to December and wrote down great things that happened - I challenge you to do this same practice prior to 2021! Connect with Megan on social media: TpT Store Instagram Blog The Literacy Dive Facebook Group If you are enjoying The Literacy...
Dec 21, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This episode is all about unpacking some common myths and untruths about reading. While there are so many false beliefs when it comes to students and reading, I am only going to take a little bit of time to address four of them. These insights will increase awareness and will provide a fresh outlook on what is best for students. Key Points: I will be sharing some truths to consider when it comes to these 4 myths, Myth #1: Children have to read the entire book that they are given. Myth #2: The fa...
Dec 14, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Are your students reluctant to write? Is student interest in writing at 0%? We are going to turn that around! In today’s episode, I am going to share how to use Quick Writes with students and the many benefits that come along with implementing them. Listen and learn about this easy-to-implement Quick Write strategy! Key Points: Quick Writes are great for building fluency and voice, writing spontaneously, allowing students to write freely in a stress-free environment, and reinforcing specific wri...
Dec 07, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Today, we are taking a deep dive into running records. Why do we use them? How do we use them? What do all those acronyms and codes really mean?! If you are currently wondering one or more of these questions, I will walk you through the ins and outs of a running record. You can also grab my free running record templates and cheat sheet referenced in this episode here . Key Points: Running Records are forms to document student reading behaviors, errors, accuracy, self-corrections, fluency, and co...
Nov 30, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This episode shares a quick and heartfelt “thank you” to teachers everywhere. The work is hard, the days are long, but teachers ARE making a difference. Thank you for impacting students all over the world. Education would not be the same without you. Connect with Megan on social media: TpT Store Instagram Blog Facebook Page The Literacy Dive Facebook Group Youtube If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes !...
Nov 23, 2020•7 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Welcome back to The Literacy Dive! Writing is hard. Are your students feeling defeated from time-to-time in actually seeing their writing growth? Do you need new ideas for celebrating student growth and keeping student momentum going when it comes to writing? In this episode, I will share systems to use student writing samples as a way to empower them and continue their writing growth. No matter how far into the school year you are, it is not too late to begin these practices! Key Points: Keep 3...
Nov 16, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Welcome back to The Literacy Dive! In this episode, I will be highlighting 3 book recommendations that lend themselves to teaching and spreading kindness. Below you will find a brief overview of each text. It is important to expose students to a variety of texts with different themes. Allow time for discussion to occur after reading one or more of these texts. As stated in episode 4, kindness should be a focus throughout the year so these books can far extend past World Kindness Day on November ...
Nov 09, 2020•15 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Welcome back to The Literacy Dive! In this episode, I will be sharing 5 easy-to-implement, low prep (or no prep) literacy activities that can be done throughout this week leading up to World Kindness Day which is on November 13th! The great thing about these activities is that they can be done far beyond just this week. In fact, allowing your focus on kindness to extend throughout the year always keeps this idea fresh and top of mind with your students. You will be able to get into your classroo...
Nov 09, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Episode 3 is all about creating and using essential questions to move your literacy instruction forward. Essential questions help with student inquiry and accountability with internalizing the standards and skills that are required to be mastered. When we can begin crafting and implementing essential questions in reading and writing, our students will begin thinking deeper. Key Points: What is an essential question? Step 1: Begin with academic standards or desired learning outcomes and choose yo...
Nov 05, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In episode 2, I will dive deeper into the importance and power of a mini-lesson. This is one of the most important parts of a literacy block. This is where explicit teaching happens and where students can take hold of a skill or concept you are teaching. Key Points: The definition of a mini-lesson How to find content for your mini-lesson The structure of a mini-lesson (5 parts) Tips and reminders to make mini-lessons successful Connect with Megan on social media: TpT Store Instagram Blog Faceboo...
Nov 02, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to The Literacy Dive, a podcast that dives into all things reading and writing for ELA teachers. In this first episode, I, Megan Polk, share a little bit about myself and why I started this podcast. Through this show, I will offer a variety of information, actionable steps, and strategies to help you succeed as a literacy teacher. Thank you for tuning in! Join The Literacy Dive Facebook Group Connect with Megan on social media: TpT Store Instagram Blog Facebook page YouTube...
Nov 01, 2020•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1
