I’m back, friends! I’d like to brush off my absence by taking a break for the summer to relax, travel, and enjoy the sun, but that wouldn’t be the truth. I always strive to be open and honest with you all, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. In my comeback episode, I’m going to explain my absence, what I've learned about myself, and how my story can help you. It’s never one thing that broke the camel’s back, it’s a combination of a lot of little things. This has never been more true for me. ...
Oct 02, 2023•27 min
We often teach and practice reading and writing separately, but in reality, they work together to improve a students’ literacy skills. I know you all have effective and successful literacy blocks, but my hope is that with me sharing my thoughts and experiences with you, that you’ll find new ways to teach reading and writing to your students. So listen up as I share ideas to better support your students during your literacy block. During this conversational-type episode, I rattle off all the diff...
Jun 12, 2023•22 min
While most of my episodes involve writing strategies and creative ways to get students writing in the classroom, literacy skills are developed and mastered alongside reading. And one of the hottest trends in education right now is the science of reading. There’s so much to unpack with this, so to help us, I have my good friend, Sara Marye, who’s sharing 4 tips on why you should align your instruction to the science of reading in upper elementary. The science of reading encompasses so many aspect...
Jun 05, 2023•34 min
With an ever evolving world, it’s important that our classrooms are adapting to the world we live in. One of the easiest and natural way to include diversity in the classroom is through diverse children’s literature. But by adding diversity, it can cause some challenges and provoke fear in some teachers. To help facilitate this important conversation, I have both Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica & Dr. Allison Briceño on the podcast to share how to make diversity a priority in the classroom. Brin...
May 29, 2023•34 min
For the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing creative writing ideas that get students writing and working on their literacy skills in a fun and non-threatening way. I love coming up with ways to disguise writing and have so many ideas, but narrowed it down to my final two that I’m going to share. Those two routines are Acrostic Response and Tell All About It. If you’ve listened to Episodes 135 and Episode 134 , you know that I’ll be breaking down the purpose, suggested time, general tips, examples,...
May 22, 2023•20 min
Getting students to write and practice various literacy skills can be a daunting task, which is why I’ve loved coming up with different ways for disguising writing for students! In Episode 134 , I shared two creative writing routines and in today’s episode, I’ll be sharing two more writing routines for disguising writing. The two creative writing routines I’m showcasing are Quick Write and Emoji Memories. In the same format as last week, with each routine, I highlight the purpose, suggested time...
May 15, 2023•19 min
We all know the groans and complaining that happens when we ask students to write. But what if we could present writing in a way that is hidden or disguised? Which is why I’ve come up with creative writing routines that you can use with your students that are purposeful, yet non-threatening. In this three week series, I’ll be highlighting two creative writing routines each week that will be engaging and meaningful for your students. The two creative writing routines I’m sharing are Picture This ...
May 08, 2023•20 min
Today’s episode is on a topic that’s gaining popularity amongst everyone, which is the Enneagram test. This personality theory helps determine certain characteristics based on a variety of factors. And while it’s good to be self-aware, this information can be beneficial in the classroom. My guest today, Kirsten Hammond, is sharing how the Enneagram test can be a powerful teaching tool. For those that are unaware, Kirsten first gives a brief overview of the Enneagram test and outlines the nine di...
May 01, 2023•44 min
Incorporating writing that engages students into your instruction can be difficult, especially if you already have an established writing curriculum that your district requires. However, I’m here to tell you it’s not impossible! My guests on today’s episode, Emily and Carrie, are both writing experts who specialize in engaging students to write creatively and often. They’re sharing how to use best practices with any writing curriculum. With both Emily and Carrie’s expertise, they have come up wi...
Apr 24, 2023•40 min
Most teachers think that in order to prepare for the upcoming state test, they have to deviate from their normal routine and activities. When in reality, adding engagement and using tools and activities that are familiar to your students is actually helpful to their success. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing 6 secrets to engaging students during testing season. Each idea that I share can be differentiated based on your students’ needs and level of practice they need. I adapted my lessons and le...
Apr 17, 2023•19 min
I don’t know about you, but every time test prep season started to creep up, I became anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed. And honestly, so did my students. But with preparation and tools in their toolbox, they became more confident, calm, and ready for the test. In order to get your students prepared as well, I’m sharing 7 test taking tips to use in your classroom during test prep season. With each tip that I provide, it can easily be implemented in your already established literacy routine and ...
Apr 10, 2023•22 min
We know that state tests are quickly approaching, so it’s our job to begin preparing our students for them. Beyond getting them ready for the content portion of the test, it’s important to acknowledge that this test can be a source of stress and anxiety for our students and prepare them to stay calm and think positively. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to utilize test taking strategies to give students confidence and success. There’s a lot of different aspects to the state test, so I’ve come...
Apr 03, 2023•21 min
Today’s topic of conversation involves a group of students who need our support, but in a different way than the majority of our students. I’m talking about our gifted learners. We tend to always think about students who struggle or need additional support, but it’s important to remember that our high-achieving students deserve our attention and their own needs met as well. In order to provide you with the most effective information, I brought on guest Stephanie Higgs to join me in this conversa...
Mar 27, 2023•44 min
I’ve talked many times about the process and importance of students engaging in the writing process. It allows students to work on their written skills and creativity. But the step that most teachers gloss over or find optional is the peer editing stage, when in reality, it provides many benefits and life skills for students. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing a new perspective to make peer editing work for your students and how to use it effectively in the classroom. When students are peer edit...
Mar 20, 2023•25 min
Sometimes our students experience big feelings and they’re not always equipped on how to cope or even express how they feel. A great way to teach your students about SEL and create an open dialogue within your classroom is through literacy. On today’s episode, I have guest expert Andrea Burns to show how to use SEL to boost reading and writing skills. Andrea Burns is extremely passionate about all things bookish! This includes children’s literature, the smell of a brand new book, or adding new p...
Mar 13, 2023•36 min
As students move up in grades, working with others seems to happen less often and independent work becomes the norm. However, since collaboration is a 21st century skill, having students work together is something that should be practiced. So in today’s episode, I’m going to provide 10 reasons why you should have students engaging in collaborative writing in your classroom. I’m a big fan of collaborative writing and have seen it benefit my students, our classroom environment, and myself as the t...
Mar 06, 2023•16 min
With most things, balance is the key to life. It’s about finding the right amount between two things, not having too much or too little. Well, the same can be said with writing skills. We’ve established before that writing can be difficult and is a challenge for a lot of students, so it’s finding the right balance between interest and skill. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 strategies you can start using with your students that’s a balance between creativity and technical writing skills. When t...
Feb 27, 2023•14 min
As a literacy expert, I always bring you strategies and tips that you can use in your classroom that bring your students success to their reading and writing skills. But sometimes, I love bringing on other experts to add to your teacher toolbox, especially when they bring a different perspective. That’s exactly what I’m doing on today’s episode. I have guest Hallie Sherman, a speech-language pathologist, who’s giving us insight and sharing strategies on strengthening student language and critica...
Feb 20, 2023•33 min
When introducing a new type of genre, sometimes students need an example to understand certain literacy skills and concepts. This is where mentor texts come in. Most teachers understand the concept of mentor texts, but struggle with knowing how to utilize them in the classroom. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to best utilize mentor texts, specifically during your biography units. Since biographies, and even autobiographies, aren’t the most exciting for students, engagement and interest is ke...
Feb 13, 2023•14 min
Teaching literacy is often surrounded by the genre of fiction. Students understand the characteristics and plot elements, which results in them independently reading fictional books on their own. But there’s another type of genre, nonfiction, and more specifically biographies, which they’re less familiar with. February is the perfect time for teaching biographies by incorporating Black History Month. But even without that, incorporating biographies into your classroom is so important. While it’s...
Feb 06, 2023•14 min
The majority of this podcast’s content is literacy-focused, including effective strategies to implement in your classroom, which is all academic. While literacy is an important component in a classroom, so is a students’ mental health. In order to check on students and begin to look at the whole child, implementing SEL is the best way to do that. Since the beginning of the pandemic and certainly afterwards, SEL has become a hot topic and the forefront of teachers and other educational profession...
Jan 30, 2023•37 min
In order to change our future, it’s important to know and learn from our history. There are so many important events and people in our nation’s history, that we should take time to teach it in our classrooms. February is next month, and also Black History Month, which is the perfect time to teach your students about African American history and the people who have impacted our society and laws. If this is your time teaching this topic, this episode is for you! I’m sharing easy to implement and c...
Jan 23, 2023•22 min
With today being Martin Luther King Jr. day, the topic of today’s episode aligns perfectly. We talked last week about morning meeting and how it’s a designated time to take in new information and build classroom community. Keeping those ideas in mind, I’m sharing ways to use morning meeting as a way to support black history. In order to expose your students to and support black history, I’ve come up with 4 simple ways you can embed this information during morning meeting. Each idea is both meani...
Jan 16, 2023•17 min
Routines and structure are important parts to a smooth and effective classroom, but when a routine involves students, engagement, and relationships, that’s when it becomes an essential part of your day. This routine is known as morning meeting. While you may have heard of this before, my guest today, Shelly Small, provides more insight as she shares how to build a classroom community through morning meeting. Shelly Small is in her 15th year in Elementary Education and 13th year in the Dual Langu...
Jan 09, 2023•37 min
The last month has been all about resetting your classroom routines and reading and writing instruction. While all those are important, there’s another aspect of teaching we often forget about that might need a reset. That area is your relationships with parents. In today’s episode, I’m exploring three areas to consider when determining if a reset is necessary pertaining to your relationship with parents. Speaking from experience, I’ve gathered and evaluated everything I’ve done regarding improv...
Jan 02, 2023•31 min
The beginning of the year is the perfect opportunity to think about the practices and routines that are set in your classroom. There’s power in asking yourself questions intended to see at what point you can add, remove, or adjust key elements in your instruction. In sticking with the theme of the past several episodes of reflecting, in this episode, I’m going to explore resetting the other side of literacy, which is reading, specifically your reading block. Reading is fundamental and the founda...
Dec 26, 2022•28 min
In last week’s episode, I talked about the importance of reflection, especially with the start of a new year approaching. I asked you to think broad with classroom routines, but this week I want you to look more specifically at your writing block. We want our students to develop their skills and enjoy writing, so in order to do that, it might be necessary to revamp or reset your writing block. Instead of asking your students questions, this week, the questions are for you. Your writing block is ...
Dec 19, 2022•29 min
With being so close to winter break, you’re probably just in survival mode and ready to leave the classroom behind for a while and not think about it until you go back in January. And while I totally understand your mindset, now is the perfect time to evaluate and reassess your current classroom routines, procedures, and systems and determine if a change is needed. Trust me, you’ll thank me come January! While I think it’s important for you to do some self-reflection, there’s another group that ...
Dec 12, 2022•22 min
Literacy Dive listeners, you are in for a treat today! On the podcast today, I’m doing something I’ve never done before, which is airing an episode from another show’s podcast. This episode is coming from the Teacher Approved podcast , co-hosted by Heidi & Emily, who share research-based and teacher approved strategies that make your teaching more efficient and effective. The episode they’re sharing with me on today’s show is on how to be a parent-friendly teacher. As teachers, you know that...
Dec 05, 2022•27 min
Finding ways to support students, whether it’s in writing or other academic needs, is a passion of mine. Therefore, when I had ESL students in my classroom, it was my goal to help them grow, learn, and develop academically and in the English language. In last week’s episode, Episode 110 , I shared writing strategies that support ESL students, so be sure to take a listen if you haven’t already. On the podcast today, I’m sharing 4 additional tips to support your ESL students that help them thrive ...
Nov 28, 2022•16 min
