You all know how much I love bringing on other literacy experts to share their knowledge with you, but today, you’re getting double the knowledge! In my first-ever double-guest episode, I have Melissa and Lori on, and we are talking about all things literacy. They recently wrote a book, answering 50 literacy questions that keep them, and others, up at night. So, in today’s episode, we’re previewing a few of their literacy questions from the book, answering them, and providing you with practical tips to implement in your classroom.

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Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode191

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

One of the reasons I love doing this podcast is because I get to share resources, information, and knowledge I’ve learned with you all. I know when I was a classroom teacher, I didn’t have the time to research and really dive into topics like I wanted to. But I get to do that now, and one of the topics I’ve learned so much about, and really one of my favorite topics, is syntax. So, in today’s episode, I’m giving you information for understanding syntax, why it’s important, and ideas to implement in your classroom.

Get on the waitlist to join The Stellar Literacy Collective here!

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode190

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

When working with kids, part of the job is dealing with their behaviors. Just like adults, kids have good and bad days, experience emotions, get excited, and would rather partake in activities that interest them than do their school work. Learning to understand their behaviors and how to manage them in a productive way is the key to supporting them. To help with this, in today’s episode, I have guest Sara Cottrill-Carlo on to discuss understanding student behaviors and proactive intervention strategies to put in place.

Grab Sara's Behavior Intervention Handouts here!

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode189

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

Class discussions are a major part of our classrooms. We want our students engaged, talking, sharing, and interacting with their peers. In an ideal world, all of our students would willingly participate, they’d know exactly what they want to say, and conversations would be flowing throughout the day. However, we know that’s not the case. Many students are reluctant to share, are worried they’re going to have the wrong answer, and so many other worries. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing five quick and easy ways for you to enhance class discussions and create more meaningful and productive conversations.

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode188

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

If you’ve been teaching literacy for a while, you know all about the balanced literacy approach to teaching reading. However, you also know that the approach is outdated and not effective in teaching students how to read. And no one knows this more than my guest, Anna Geiger. A former balanced literacy teacher herself, Anna eventually found her way to the science of reading. In today’s episode, she is sharing her journey and why she believes in a structured literacy approach to reading.

Pre-order Anna's book, Reach All Readers, here!

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode187

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

I’m always reminded how much teachers struggle with this certain writing concept every time I do a workshop or talk with teachers about the struggles they’re facing in their classrooms. I shouldn’t be surprised, for I, too, never felt confident in my ability to teach this concept and, after doing my own research, realized I didn’t teach this to my students in the most effective way. If you haven’t caught on by now, I’m talking about grammar instruction. 

I used to spend way too much time teaching grammar in all the wrong ways, but thinking if students knew grammar knowledge, it was going to create strong independent writers. Instead, it did the exact opposite. I finally learned the most effective ways to teach grammar and want to share them with you. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing a few grammar mindset shifts and a simple strategy to help you embed more intentional grammar instruction into your writing block.

Grab my Sentence Writing Reference Sheets here!

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode186

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

We’ve made it to that time of year again when we begin to trickle in test prep throughout our instructional day in order to prepare our students for the end-of-year standardized test. Even though this test is inevitable, it doesn't mean the way we structure preparing for it has to be boring or monotonous. Instead, we want to provide our students with high energy and excitement revolving around test prep. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing four ways you can make test prep more engaging and fun for your students.

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode185

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

Being literacy teachers, we know the importance of having good literacy skills and how they can positively impact our student’s learning and communication. And those teachers who don’t teach literacy tend not to make writing a focus in their classroom. However, according to my guest, Katie Novak, that’s the wrong attitude to have. In today’s episode, she shares her philosophy on literacy and how incorporating a Universal Design for Learning approach in your classroom helps create authentic writing experiences for your students.

Buy Katie's Book, Shift Writing Into the Classroom

Want to learn more about Universal Design for Learning? Enjoy 20% off Katie's course, UDL Now!

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode184

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

Even though you’re almost three-quarters of the way done with school, it doesn't mean you can’t teach your students new skills or try new things in your classroom. One thing you’ve probably been doing all year is pulling small groups. And even though you’ve done this all year, it’s still important to implement new strategies or have your students work on new skills. I get a lot of questions involving small groups, and an underrated skill students need is independence. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing four steps in helping your students become independent when pulling small groups.

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode183

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

Well, my friends, we’ve made it to the last pillar of reading, which is reading comprehension. While most would argue that reading comprehension is the most important pillar in a student’s success in reading, it’s actually the last one you should focus on. This is because students need a solid foundation in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and vocabulary in order to focus on comprehension. To finish out the series, I’m sharing eight reading comprehension strategies to help students become successful readers.

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode182

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.

Everything that a literacy teacher does is to try and help their students be successful readers and writers, which is why, over the last month, we've been focusing on the five pillars of reading. And one of the big factors that contributes to reading is a strong vocabulary. It's no surprise that the way most of us were taught vocabulary when we were younger is not the most effective vocabulary instruction anymore. Instead, there is a new way. So, in today's episode, my guest, Michelle Sullivan, is sharing some evidence-based strategies for building student vocabulary.

Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!

Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join

Check out my Free Literacy Workshop, The Time Crunch Cure: Create a Literacy Block That Fits it All In and Achieves More

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode181

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us for our FREE Summer Book Study in June to bring the science of reading into the upper elementary classroom at https://stellarteacher.com/bookstudy.