Tips to help teachers feel more confident, build more independence and cultivate more engaged learners.
As we prepare for a new school year, let's reframe what classroom management really means. It's not about control—it's about community. Effective classroom management creates an environment where students feel safe, where...
In Part 1 of our series, we grounded ourselves in what the Science of Reading actually is - a body of research, not a program or a script! In Part 2, we explored what that research looks like in action in classrooms, through the...
When I created summer homework and project packets for my students, I can say wholeheartedly that I designed them with good intentions. I wanted my students to hold on to the incredible skills they built throughout the year and...
As the school year winds down, many educators face a familiar challenge: how do we sustain meaningful literacy engagement after testing and with summer just around the corner? This stretch of time—often overlooked—can actually...
In Part 1 of our series, we grounded ourselves in the definition of the Science of Reading - a body of research that helps us understand how students learn to read and what instruction supports that process most effectively. The...
I’ve left many small group reading lessons feeling like I’ve exhausted every teacher move in my toolbox. You know that feeling — you prompted, you modeled, you gestured back to the chart… and somehow, you’re still doing most of...
If you teach multilingual learners, you’ve probably had this moment: Your students clearly understand the story, the math idea, or the science concept, but when it’s time to talk or write in Spanish, they freeze. If I’ve learned...
If you’ve been in a staff meeting, scrolling social media, or reviewing curriculum materials lately, chances are you’ve heard the phrase Science of Reading more times than you can count. For some educators, it brings clarity and...
As I start planning for the spring semester, I find myself thinking a lot about what students need most at this point in the year…They’ve built routines, they’re more independent, and they’re ready for work that stretches their...
As teachers, we’ve all been there. Our minilessons start to stretch a little too long, the modeling turns into a full-blown lesson, and before we know it, our “mini” lesson has become anything but. That’s why this month’s LPM...
It’s October—the season when novel studies are well underway in classrooms across the country. Teachers are diving into rich texts, fostering discussions, and balancing pacing with depth. But here’s the thing: rigor in novel...
During a reading small group last week, a second grader I worked with sat staring at a tricky word in the middle of a page. I watched as he first tried to skip it, then went back and sounded out the beginning, then glanced at...
“Teachers are not just instructors of standards, but developers of skills, intellect, identities, criticality, and joy.” — Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, Cultivating Genius One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an educator is...
Summer is nearly here, and I know we are all looking forward to moving at a slower pace for a few months. We finally get the space to reflect, recharge, and explore new ideas without the constant demands of our classrooms. This...
It’s that time of year…May! The testing window is open, attention spans are closing, and if you’re like most elementary teachers, you’re doing Olympic-level juggling to keep routines going while pushing for academic growth. If...
Since entering education in the early 2010s, I’ve seen countless education technology trends come and go. From smartboards to the more recent one-to-one device rollouts, each initiative has set out to ‘revolutionalize’ learning...
I remember as a little girl stepping into the classroom and looking around at all the bright posters, letters of the alphabet, and charts I could not yet read in English. Although my teacher was very friendly and never made me...
One of my favorite ways to embark on the New Year is to set a lofty reading goal for myself. I peruse any and all best book lists and queue up my GoodReads with all the newly published books I can’t wait to get my hands on. I...
I have always LOVED an improv game, even as a youngster. I remember when my 5th-grade teacher had us participate in a mock Salem witch trial prior to our social studies unit. This role-play activity was engaging, and lively, and...
As the holiday season approaches, schools and classrooms often experience a surge of excitement and energy. Students get excited to share their family traditions, decorations go up, and classes start preparing for their holiday...
I have a distinct memory of being in third grade during the 1996 election. Our school hosted a student election day and the entire student body cast their votes for the candidate of their (or more realistically, their parents’)...
After all that tireless planning and prepping in August, the school year is finally underway! You’ve set up your classroom, made your plans, and welcomed bright new students into the learning space. But every year, teachers have...
We get it! August and early September can feel like a fever dream. The moment your new students walk into the classroom, many best-laid plans can fall by the wayside…including launching your workshops. So let’s make things...
Summer is fast approaching and on top of all the plans to relax and rejuvenate after the school year, it is also a great opportunity to continue our growth as educators. Add some of these titles to your vacation reads and keep...
I was supporting a school last month and had a chance to attend their book fair. A rush of nostalgia and excitement hit me all at once … THE BOOKS!!! Finding great titles to read to your students can be thrilling, but also…...
It’s that time of the year again, state testing. I remember the pressure and the stress that would set in during this time. With schools emphasizing test preparation and students feeling the pressure to perform, it is easy for...
Writing About Reading For many years, when I heard the word “jot,” my mind went straight to an explosion of sticky notes. I pictured post-its falling out of students’ books, littering the classroom floor, crumpled up in...
Maybe you have noticed that when you go around to confer with students, you end up teaching the same strategies over and over. This is so common! So what can we do when we look back at our conference notes and notice this has...
It’s hard to believe we’re almost to winter break. This time is a natural turning point in the school year, where the buzz and newness of fall has faded into a smooth predictability and the engine of the classroom is up and...
The final countdown to winter break is on! These last few weeks can feel like a blur and then, before you know it, you're locking your classroom door until early January. One of the most common things we hear from teachers...
When I began school at the age of five, Spanish was the only language I spoke. Being bilingual was a priority for my parents and they knew that I would eventually pick up English at school. As a child, all I saw were the...
The first few weeks of school buzz with a nearly palpable energy as students settle in from the summer and embark on a new school year. We commit ourselves to building a positive, inviting classroom community and spend as much...
Picture this … You’re standing in the center of your classroom before the school year begins. There are boxes all around you, bulletin boards are bare, and there’s a minefield of tables and chairs. You hear your heart pounding...
The countdown is on for summer 2023! Closing out the year with students and getting the classroom cleaned out are two of the top priorities as the year comes to a close. And while August may feel lightyears away, it somehow...
Have you ever tried to have a class discussion about a wonderful read-aloud, but the conversation felt…less than amazing? We’ve been there! Initiating high-level conversations can be challenging, even if you pick a stellar text...
Summer is quickly approaching, and while so many of us are looking forward to a much-needed break, we need to remember to set up our students for success before sending them off on break. To do that, we need to ensure they...
Real talk. During my first years of teaching, book clubs used to terrify me. Launching them seemed like an uphill battle. In a panic to get the groups rolling, I sent my readers off to talk and assumed they’d figure out how to...
1. Writing Workshop: Anchor Charts 101 2. Everything You Need To Know To Create an Anchor Chart for Writing Workshop 3. Writing Workshop: Everything You Need To Know To Create an Anchor Chart “I don’t have room for all these...
The mini-lesson is a crucial part of running a reading or writing workshop. It sets kids up for independent work, so how effective it is will truly set the tone for the workshop time. It’s incredibly important that your kids are...
I distinctly remember attending my first guided reading professional development seminar. At the end of the session, the facilitators handed out a mock schedule for pulling groups so that all students could be seen at least...
Writing On-Demand Over the years, I’ve learned that there are many ways to bring power to your teaching. When I first began teaching writing, I was limiting myself by thinking that the on-demand would only help me create small...
It’s no secret that the pandemic lent itself to many new “traditions'' out of pure necessity. But out of every tragedy, we strive to find a bright shining light. This life-changing time in our lives was no different – in fact,...
When I was a teacher in the classroom, I used to refer to October as “Dark-tober” because I felt lost and unsure of how to support my readers at this point in the year. I did the running records, got the level, and tossed the...
It’s always smart to start your reading or writing workshops on day one. To understand why, read this article – Yes, You Can Start Workshop On Day One! This article discusses how to set up your class with the expectation that...
Creating a Writing Toolkit If you are like me, having all your tools and materials in one place is important, especially when trying to balance teaching multiple subjects. So when I discovered writing toolkits, I was in heaven....
Over the past year, I’ve taken up boxing through Class Pass, a membership that allows you to try different workouts and gyms. I tried several boxing studios in my neighborhood. First, I started with the revered Rumble Boxing,...
When I moved into my current apartment, I left behind an ex-wife who was very handy and had every tool you could imagine. She could pretty much repair every household thing. This also meant that I didn’t need to focus on my...
It’s spring already, and you may be thinking ahead to your summer vacation. It’s coming soon, and I know we’re all excited here at LP headquarters. Meanwhile, you may be looking around your classroom, thinking it’s time to do...
When I was teaching in the classroom, I prioritized time for kids to share with partners during the reading workshop. This is important for a few reasons — building stamina helping kids read and speak longer during reading...
It’s time for another teacher confession. When I first started teaching, I paired up my students to do peer editing before publishing their writing. It seemed like a great idea, and it is. Just not the way I did it. After...
I’ve taken up running again — and I have to be honest, I don’t love it. Every time I have to do it, I groan to myself and try to think of all the reasons I don’t want to do it. And here’s the crazy thing — when I do it, I feel a...
Recently, I finally gave in to peer pressure and bought an air fryer. So 2020, I know, but I couldn’t imagine adding another kitchen appliance to my roster back then. After months of feeling uninspired to cook anything and...
As I share articles here on various topics, one thing remains top of mind about the life of an educator that we don’t talk about often enough. It’s about showing up. As an educator, showing up each day for your kids is a daily...
The beginning of the calendar year or the new semester is the perfect time to think about goal-setting. No, not those new year’s resolutions that we all make (or vow not to make) and then forget about by February. Instead, I’m...
Halloween is almost here, so let me say something that might sound scary. It might be time to drop the Halloween writing project. (Cue dramatic, horror-film music.) I know, I know. Your students love writing spooky stories. They...
When I remember back to my experiences in elementary and middle school with small group work in reading, what sticks out in my mind is that the groups were always organized by level. We followed a tracking process, so each...
When I was a classroom teacher, I admit that I didn’t often use small group instruction with my writers. I knew it was an excellent way to go and would give me more bang for my buck but writing my mini-lessons daily felt like...
Think back to the last time you had to write a cover letter for a new job or the last time a colleague asked you to write a reference letter. What was the first thing you did? The first thing I usually do is Google “cover letter...
While you’re probably feeling a lot of excitement around the kids returning to the school building, there may also be some nervousness. You might be worried about how to help your students be successful as they transition into...
I hope you’re reading this and feeling relaxed, rested, and ready to start the new school year. The beginning of the school year is when we can truly start fresh with a new group of kids. When I was a classroom teacher, this was...
Summer break is almost here! Whether your long-awaited summer vacation has already started or you’re getting ready to put your feet up, we feel your excitement. With all the lessons and challenges from the last school are fading...
I hate paper. While I’m generally a pretty organized person, paper is the beast I’m forever trying to tame: I can never find the piece that I want, I run out of it at the most inopportune times, and the piles of it that need...
We’re about to wrap up the 2020-21 school year. If this was ever a year to celebrate crossing the finish line — this is it! Congratulations, educator — it’s just about time for you to enjoy a very well-deserved vacation. Whether...
You've got no choice, babe But to move on, and you know There ain't no time to waste You're just too blind, to see But in the end, ya know it's gonna be May! (You know, as the meme suggests.) Okay, okay, it’s already the...
It’s teacher appreciation week! I can’t think of anyone in the world (well, other than health care workers) that truly deserves more praise and acknowledgment in 2021. During a “regular teaching year,” you’re already...
When I was an elementary classroom teacher, it was common practice to do Mother’s and Father’s Day projects. I can’t say that I gave it a whole lot of thought. It was what my entire team did year after year, and we...
When I taught first and second grades, shared reading was a regular part of our day. Each day for about 10 to 15 minutes, I’d take out the big book or the chart of the poem we were reading that week and lead kids in a...
Aaah, April — a month when we see signs of spring renewal — spring break offers time for rest and relaxation — and then testing season begins. This year like everything else, state testing will be different. At the very...
Self-care is more important now than ever before. How can we take care of others if we’re not taking care of ourselves? You know the saying, “Put your oxygen mask on first before you help someone else?” It’s true — you...
Spring break is finally in sight! With winter break a distant memory and perhaps you’re dealing with the stress of moving back into the classroom, I’m sure it must be a huge relief to see a vacation on the horizon....
I'm a grammar nerd. I listen to the Grammar Girl podcast just for fun. I'm delighted by TED talks about grammar — keep reading for some of my favorites. I even use the words affect and effect properly most of the time....
Whenever I visit New York City, I almost always look for rats scurrying about under and around the subway tracks. I blame Colleen Cruz for this. Nearly 15 years ago, I listened to Colleen talk about how she finds ideas...
As your partner in literacy, we’re always looking for more ways to bring joy into the classroom and into Reading & Writing Workshop. Passion projects are a fantastic way to give young readers/writers more choices and...
As educators, we want to do everything we can to open up more possibilities for young writers. Through our classroom experience and in work with educators, we’ve seen the evidence that independent writing projects...
Maybe the 100th day of school has come and gone for you already. The excitement and hopefulness of the new year have begun to wane. And by now, it feels like you’re settling back into your own Groundhog Day of teaching...
According to the lunar calendar, the new year begins on February 12th in 2021, ushering in the year of the ox. As this new year approaches, it’s reminding me of how I mishandled this important holiday for far too long....
Let’s celebrate the read-aloud! Tomorrow (February 3, 2021) is World Read Aloud Day! According to the founding organization, Lit World, millions of readers from over 170 countries celebrated the power of reading last...
Why would I be writing about rethinking school awards right now with everything going on in our country and around the world? The teachers I work with have been working so hard to meet the challenges of these tumultuous...
During the past year, I’ve been thinking a lot about our read-alouds — the curriculum and the need for our books to be more inclusive and diverse. We know that for our classroom to be truly inclusive, we need to have...
Last month an anti-racism PSA video from the Cartoon Network went viral. Its message was simple: tell the whole story. The short clip depicts a teacher lamenting the incomplete picture the students were taught about the...
Congratulations educator! You made it! This is the final push — just a few more days until your much-awaited winter break. At the time of writing this article for you, we’re just about to log off of Zoom for a few weeks,...
When I think back to my classroom, I taught primary grades for all of my early years. I can recall using tools like problematic behavior charts and centering perhaps more common winter celebrations. Now that I know...
In this article, Vivian Chen, Literacy Partners senior staff developer, gives us an important lesson behind her realizing the harm of behavior charts. When it comes to Twitter, I tend to be more of a read-only...
In this article, Vivian Chen, Literacy Partners senior staff developer, gives us a thorough book review. Getting students to lead their own meaningful conversations has always been a challenge, but it might seem...
In the age of distance learning, does this sound familiar? “My kids aren’t writing as much as they did in the classroom.” “Writers aren’t trying any of the strategies I’ve taught them.” Many teachers I’ve worked with...
Last year I started a yoga practice. And not just any yoga — but hot yoga. If you’ve never tried it, 2020 probably isn’t the time, but if you have — you either love it or hate it. The second you step into the heated room...
Picture it: I’m meeting with a large group of educators and I can’t see everyone on one screen because I’m not techy enough yet to have set up two screens. Someone speaks up, but it takes me an awkwardly long time to...
One of the most common questions we’ve received these past few months inside our Office Hour sessions is around engagement. How can we make sure we’re keeping kids engaged — especially now when they’re online and not in...
In this article, Vivian Chen, Literacy Partners senior staff developer, shares a story that will give you some clues as to what your English language learners may be feeling. In Vivian’s words… I’ll never forget walking...
In a recent workshop with two of our favorite writing teachers: Carl Anderson and Matt Glover, they talked about how you could do a workshop both synchronously and asynchronously. One of the main things they suggested...
Welcome to the 2020-21 school year. You’ve probably already faced several challenges since going back to school this fall. What we're doing right now is hard and we have to give ourselves grace. Navigating through...
The summer of 2020 has been extremely tough for most of my educator friends between COVID and not knowing how this school year would start. Maybe you’ve spent days worrying about the start of the school year, planning...
Written by Vivian Chen, Staff Developer, Literacy Partners. Recently, my friends’ daughter graduated from college. I got a text inviting me to a surprise graduation car parade for her. I didn’t want to go. That would...
With distance learning, read alouds are more important for students than ever. Read alouds... Help bring the community together Foster a more profound sense of connection Support us in feeling seen Can give us more hope...
Several weeks into sheltering in place, we ran a study group for teachers around how we can help parents and caregivers during this challenging time. I was blown away by how many people attended! The principal, coaches,...
When California schools closed down, I jumped into action and hopped on Facebook Live to talk to parents and teachers to provide some comfort and support. A series of different guests joined me too — find them all here...
After visiting hundreds of schools, I’ve noticed there’s often confusion around the stages of the writing process. The old school way of teaching writing had everyone doing this: BRAINSTORM → PRE-WRITE → DRAFT → PUBLISH...
As adults, we love our book clubs. Book clubs can be a powerful way to help us feel connected and to develop an even deeper love of reading. Book clubs are great for kids too! They can be especially helpful when students...
With extended time at home, parents and teachers all want to continue encouraging independent reading. Here are some ways to help young readers enjoy their independent reading time — and make it fun and highly...
During any extended break from school, even just spring break or a weekend, it’s important to keep kids moving — and not just academically, we’re talking about physical movement. You can do this with your students...
Your kids are at home for a stretch of time — whether this is for the summer months, spring break, or when the schools are closed. You’ll want to keep the momentum going for kids at home. The first thing you’ll want to...
I’ve visited hundreds of schools and noticed a lot of confusion around the stages of the writing process. To learn more about the writing process for the upper grades (3-8), you can find it here: Stages of the Writing...
The mini-lesson is a crucial part of running a reading or writing workshop. It sets kids up for independent work, so how effective it is will truly set the tone for the workshop time. It’s incredibly important your kids...
A writing center is a place you go to get the materials you need as a writer. Your writing center should be well-stocked with extra pens, paper or booklets (for primary or more emergent writers), staplers, and more....
Testing season is a busy time for all educators. Teachers are making sure the kids are ready, and Principals and leaders are making sure teachers are prepared. Testing time can go smoothly. Here are our top tips for...
One of the central tenents of writing workshop is the belief that all students will make progress when you teach them how to write. As workshop teachers, we understand the importance of valuing their progress over their...
An important book we revisit often is, Don’t Forget to Share. Inside the book, the author, Leah Mermelstein, covers four types of shares — the content share, craft share, progress share, and the process share. In this...
Inside the book, Don’t Forget to Share! we learn about the four types of teaching shares — the content share, the craft share, the process share, and the progress share. In this article, we’re going to focus on the craft...
It’s about that time of year. How many times have you walked past your bulletin boards and made a mental note to add something later? Many teachers kick off the school year with blank bulletin boards and have been...
The book, Don’t Forget to Share! covers four types of teaching shares — the content share, the craft share, the process share, and the progress share. In this article, we’re going to focus on the content share. The...
When talking with schools and staff developers, we discuss the parts of the reading or writing and its importance. And there’s always one part we dig deep into — the Teaching Share! The teaching share is the very last...
Lately, I’ve been paying very close attention to the way I learn. Anytime I’m in an environment where I’m learning something from a teacher or coach, I study them. I pay close attention to their methods and techniques.
You can become the leader who inspires incredible work and helps your school create literacy reform. You can help teachers transform their practices. I’ve seen it happen, so I know what’s possible. I’ve witnessed teachers who desperately wanted their school to become a “workshop school” so they figured out ways to get funding for professional development, open their classrooms to others to learn, read together, or visit each other’s classrooms. It’s not always the principal or the superintendent who starts the fire.
It’s the first few weeks of school, and this is a time when you’re establishing routines and procedures to lay the groundwork and expectations for your class. Setting a solid foundation for the new school year is hugely...
You know that summer reading loss is a real thing. The research is clear that kids can go down by two reading levels and sometimes, even more, when they don’t read during the summer months. Of course, none of us want...
In my last message, you learned all about why and how to start with workshops on day one. If you missed it, you can find it here. In that message, we discussed how to set up this year’s class with the expectation that...
It’s the beginning of October so by now I imagine you have been in school for at least one month, if not longer… the first month of school you taught your kids how to live the life of a writer and how to build strong...
Before you start book shopping with your class, there are a few things you’ll need to do and set up in your classroom. If you haven’t set all of these up yet (not to worry), you can do them now.
School is just beginning and you may already be excited to get your reading and writing workshop up and running. You’re planning all the things you’re ready to teach the kids: About the writing center How to access and...
You know that saying about out with the old? Well, Literacy Partners has been getting a makeover. Sure, we’re stepping into 2020 with a fresh new look, but we want to make sure you know that our commitment to excellence in all that we do remains the same. Now that we’ve had our makeover, we’ll also be sharing more lessons, information, and a real-life peek into the work we’re doing with educators.
