Introduction

Host: Charell G. Coleman

Podcast Name: Teacher Talk - The Ultimate Self-Care Podcast for Educators

Episode Name: The Land of Literacy

Guest: Lakeisha Bolling, ELA coordinator and educator

Highlights

Lakeisha emphasizes the significance of teacher support, especially for new educators. Experienced teachers can play a crucial role in guiding and mentoring their colleagues, sharing valuable tips and strategies.

The pandemic shed light on educational challenges and the lack of strong foundational reading skills in many students. This highlights the importance of research-based approaches and proper phonics instruction.

Lakeisha stresses the importance of providing multiple opportunities for students to practice reading independently. Creating cozy reading spaces and promoting a love for books is essential to instilling a passion for reading in children.

The integration of curriculum can be an effective way to maximize instructional time. Teachers can align reading and literacy concepts with other subjects like science, social studies, and math to reinforce learning.

Lakeisha encourages educators to read more books themselves, especially children's literature, to understand what interests their students and to recommend suitable reading materials.

Creating book nooks and promoting independent reading practice for students.

Integrating curriculum and maximizing instructional time.

Strategies to encourage parental involvement in building home libraries and fostering a love for reading.

Addressing literacy challenges in students with learning disabilities and language barriers through MTSS.

Importance of educators being exemplary readers and immersing themselves in children's literature.

Utilizing Instagram, local bookstores, and public libraries to access literacy resources.

Keisha's involvement in piloting a reading competition for second and third grade students.

The availability of digital literacy resources and the need for literacy investment

Instagram: @keishabolling

Resources

Articles for Educators about Helping Students with Literacy:

Elementary School: 10 Effective Strategies for Improving Elementary Student Literacy

Middle School: Literacy in the Middle Grades: Teaching Reading and Writing to Fourth Through Eighth Graders

High School: Supporting Literacy in High School: 10 Tips for Teachers

Books for Educators Incorporating Reading Projects in the Classroom:

"The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child" by Donalyn Miller

"Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It" by Kelly Gallagher

"No More Independent Reading Without Support" by Debbie Diller

"The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades" by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser

"Igniting a Passion for Reading: Successful Strategies for Building Lifetime Readers" by Steven L. Layne

Local bookstores and public libraries for accessing children's literature.

Audible for audiobooks and digital resources.

Transcription

Full transcription can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FAQDi7vKYN5LMexo2FZaBvZUaku5YObn/view?usp=sharing

Sponsor

This program is funded as a part of a $249,900 FY2022 Congressionally Funded Community Projects grant made to Mount Holyoke that provides 100% of the funding to support the Teaching for Our Moment project to equip educators with the tools and support they need for their own social and emotional wellness and to promote the social, emotional, and academic wellness of their students. The project includes both a one-day teacher conference and a six-month-long professional learning circle with mentorship for K-12 educators.