Part 4: New Teacher Blueprint Series

The first day of school comes with a lot of pressure. Teachers often feel like they need the perfect lesson plans, the perfect activities, and a perfectly organized schedule to make the day successful.

But what if the goal isn't perfection?

In this episode, Meghan, Stellar Team member AND 5th Grade teacher, is sharing a different approach to planning your first day of school... one that focuses on what matters most!

You'll learn how to prioritize relationships and routines, build meaningful connections throughout the day, teach procedures in a way that feels natural, and plan transitions that keep your classroom running smoothly. We'll also share why a successful first day has less to do with checking every box and more to do with creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and excited to return.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

✔ Why relationships and routines should be your two main priorities on the first day

✔ Simple ways to build connections with students throughout the day

✔ How to avoid common first-day pitfalls that create unnecessary stress

✔ Tips for ending the day on a positive and organized note

Whether you're a brand-new teacher or heading into another school year with experience under your belt, this episode will help you simplify your first-day plans and focus on what truly matters.

Tune in and discover why your first day of school doesn't need to be perfect—and why that's actually the goal. 🎧📚🍎

Part 3: New Teacher Blueprint Series

The first few weeks of school can make or break the rest of your year—and one of the biggest factors in creating a smooth, productive classroom is teaching procedures effectively.

In this episode of The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we're continuing our New Teacher Blueprint series by walking through a simple framework for teaching classroom procedures that actually stick. If you've ever explained a routine, watched your students nod along, and then completely forget what to do moments later, you're not alone. The reality is that procedures need to be taught the same way we teach any other skill: through explicit instruction, modeling, practice, feedback, and repetition.

Resources & Links:

📌 Join The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/join

📌 Browse literacy resources and free teaching tools: stellarteacher.com

You'll learn how to move beyond simply telling students what to do and instead create routines that become automatic habits. From modeling expectations and using visual reminders to leveraging narration and providing effective feedback, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately.

In this replay episode, literacy experts Dr. Jana Echevarría and Dr. Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez share research-backed insights and practical strategies for supporting multilingual learners in upper elementary classrooms.

You'll learn why the term multilingual learner matters, the difference between conversational and academic language, and how teachers can provide grade-level instruction while supporting language development. Our guests also share actionable ways to integrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing into everyday lessons so multilingual learners can thrive.

If you're looking for simple, effective ways to better support multilingual learners, this conversation is full of valuable takeaways you can use right away. 🎧

Part 2: New Teacher Blueprint Series

The beginning of the school year comes with a long list of classroom procedures to teach... but here's the good news: you don't have to teach all of them at once.

In this episode of The New Teacher Blueprint series, Tami is breaking down the classroom procedures that matter most during the first days of school. Instead of trying to tackle an overwhelming checklist, you'll learn how to prioritize the routines students need right away so you can create a calm, organized, and successful classroom environment.

We'll discuss:

✔ Why you don't need to teach every procedure during the first week of school

✔ The first classroom routines to teach when students arrive

✔ How to make transitions smoother throughout the day

✔ Important expectations for restroom breaks, hallway behavior, and lunch

✔ What students should do when they finish their work

Whether you're a new teacher setting up your classroom for the first time or a veteran teacher looking to refresh your routines, this episode will help you focus on the procedures that have the biggest impact.

Tune in next week as we share how to teach procedures so they actually stick all year long.

If you're working to align your literacy instruction with the science of reading, this listener favorite interview is for you!

In this conversation, literacy expert and author Lindsay Kemeny shares the 7 research-backed strategies from her book Seven Mighty Moves that help teachers strengthen reading instruction and support all learners. Lindsay discusses how her experience supporting her son with dyslexia transformed her teaching and led her to embrace structured literacy practices.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✔️ The 7 "mighty moves" that improve reading outcomes

✔️ How to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice

✔️ Common mistakes teachers make when implementing the science of reading

✔️ Practical ways to support struggling readers and build strong literacy foundations

✔️ Where to start without feeling overwhelmed

Whether you teach primary or upper elementary students, you'll leave with actionable ideas you can implement right away.

Part 1: New Teacher Blueprint

Getting your classroom ready for a new school year can feel overwhelming. Between Pinterest-perfect classrooms, endless classroom décor ideas, and a growing back-to-school to-do list, it's easy to spend time focusing on things that won't actually make your year easier.

In this first episode of our New Teacher Blueprint series, Tami and Meghan are sharing practical classroom setup tips that will help you create a space that works for both you and your students.

You'll hear why function should come before decoration, how to think through your classroom layout, and which classroom areas are most important to prioritize before students arrive.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

✔ Why your classroom should function like a workspace, not a showroom

✔ How to avoid overspending on classroom décor and supplies

✔ The classroom areas every teacher should prioritize

✔ Tips for organizing classroom materials and supplies

✔ Why it's okay to change your classroom setup throughout the year

Tune in next Monday as we continue the New Teacher Blueprint series and discuss the most important classroom procedures to teach first.

Part 6: Your Literacy Block Series

Learn how to make small group instruction purposeful and effective. Tami breaks down the five key questions about small groups: what they are, what they look like, how they differ from whole group, how much time to spend, and real examples using Stellar Literacy Collective resources. Perfect for upper elementary teachers looking to differentiate literacy instruction and meet student needs.

Topics Covered:

• Defining small group instruction vs. whole group
• Forming fluid groups based on student data
• Time management for small groups
• Word study & morphology lessons
• Addressing foundational reading gaps

Resources Mentioned:

⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/join

Part 5: Your Literacy Block Series

In this episode of our Your Literacy Block series, Emily is talking all about writing— and why it deserves a place in every upper elementary literacy block.

Many teachers think of writing as essays, state testing, and lengthy writing projects.... but writing can be so much more than that. When students write about what they read, they deepen comprehension, organize their thinking, and make their learning visible.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why writing and reading are so closely connected

• The importance of sentence-level writing instruction

• How writing can strengthen comprehension without adding another subject block to your day

• Three simple writing routines you can start using immediately:

• Writing About Reading
• Expand with Details
• Combining Sentences

If you've ever wondered how to fit writing into your literacy block, this episode will give you practical ideas that build stronger readers, writers, and thinkers —all within the instructional time you already have.

Tune in next week as we wrap up the series with small group instruction!

Resources Mentioned:

⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/join

Think fluency instruction is only for primary grades? Think again.

In this episode, we're unpacking why reading fluency remains one of the most important—and often overlooked—components of literacy instruction in upper elementary. You'll learn how fluency impacts comprehension, the common signs students are struggling, and simple ways to build meaningful fluency practice into your literacy block.

Plus, we’ll share an easy-to-implement 5 day fluency routine that can help students become more confident, expressive, and successful readers.

Fluency isn't just about reading faster, it’s the bridge between decoding and comprehension.

Resources & Links:

The Stellar Literacy Collective stellarteacher.com/join

Tier 1 Instruction That Works Workshop stellarteacher.com/workshop

Your Literacy Block: Part 4

Fluency is more than reading fast — it's the bridge between word recognition and comprehension. In this episode of the Your Literacy Block series, Emily breaks down what reading fluency really means, why upper elementary students still need explicit fluency instruction, and three simple, research-backed activities you can start using this week.

You'll learn:

• the 3 components of fluency: accuracy, automaticity, and prosody
• How fluency connects to Scarborough's Reading Rope
• Why upper elementary teachers often overlook fluency instruction
• 3 quick fluency activities: repeated reading (with the "One Glow, One Grow" partner routine), echo reading, and silly voices

Mark your calendars! The Stellar Teacher Collective Kickoff is coming up — a live virtual training just for our Collective members. Join us July 5th - 10th as we explore the *new* Collective website and plan and prep for the school year. This is your chance to learn live, ask questions in real time, and connect with fellow upper elementary teachers in the community.

Not a Collective member yet? stellarteacher.com/join

Catch up on the series:

Part 1 (Comprehension)

Part 2 (Word Study with Kori),

Part 3 (Phonics & Phonemic Awareness).

Supporting struggling readers is one of the most important—and often most challenging—parts of literacy instruction. When intervention time is limited and student needs vary widely, it can be difficult to know where to focus your efforts.

In this episode, literacy specialist Shannon Moore joins us to discuss the key components of effective reading intervention and how teachers can create systems that lead to meaningful student growth.

Whether you're responsible for intervention groups, supporting students during your literacy block, or looking for ways to strengthen your school's intervention practices, this conversation will provide clear, actionable ideas you can put into practice right away.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

• The four essential components of effective literacy intervention

• How to use assessment data to make informed instructional decisions

• Tips for creating flexible, skill-based intervention groups

If you're looking for a more structured approach to supporting struggling readers, this episode is full of practical advice and encouragement.

Resources & Links:

The Stellar Literacy Collective stellarteacher.com/join

The Stellar Reading Intervention Toolkit stellarteacher.com/intervention