If you’re a longtime listener of the podcast, you know that the majority of my episodes revolve around reading content. But being a literacy expert is more than just reading; it also involves writing content. I get asked a lot of writing questions, so I’ve decided to dedicate more episodes and resources to feature information regarding writing. That starts with today’s episode, in which I share the #1 writing mistake upper elementary teachers make.

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

Get on the waitlist for my new membership, Stellar Literacy Collective here!

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode131

If you’re a classroom teacher, you probably have students with disabilities in your class, whether they're there full time or for just parts of the day. Either way, teachers sometimes struggle knowing how to support them with their academic and social needs. 

Since I’m not an expert on the topic, I brought in an export in the field, Chris Reeve, who is a behavior analyst and who has worked with special education programs for 25 years. In today’s episode, she’s sharing practical tips for supporting special education students during your literacy block and in education in general. 

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Grab Chris' Free Classroom Rules Resource & more free resources here!

To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode130

With so much being thrown at teachers these days, it’s no wonder your days are filled with stress, overwhelm, fear, and thoughts of burnout. The joy that you once had when starting your teaching career may be depleting, but there’s a way to get it back! My guest on today’s episode, Jamie Sears, wrote a book, How to Love Teaching Again, that will help you implement strategies and systems to break the cycle of burnout. 

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode129

We often think of poetry as something we just teach during April for National Poetry Month or in preparation for the state test at the end of the year. But in reality, poetry can be taught all year long, for poetry has all of the literary elements we teach our kids through other reading genres. In order to help you connect the two, I’m sharing how to teach the Big 5 reading skills using poetry.

Grab my Poem of the Week Routine freebie here!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode128

The topic of teacher burnout has been front and center in conversations for the last several years. And while you’ve probably heard other podcast episodes or read articles on the topic, I can guarantee you, this conversation is different. My guest Brittany Blackwell, who is a burnout and resilience coach, shares a new perspective on teacher burnout.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode127

Connect with Brittany on Instagram @teachingmindbodyandsoul

If you’ve been with us these last few weeks, I’ve been diving into ways to make students confident on testing day, particularly with the constructed response portion of the test. However, we know that there’s more to the test than writing an essay, so students should feel empowered about the whole test when the day comes. In the last episode of the series, I’m sharing 5 strategies that will make your students confident on testing day.

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode126

Welcome back to another episode of the podcast! We’re in the middle of a three part series about test prep and ways to make students feel more confident, particularly when writing a constructed response paragraph. We know that this portion of the test can be challenging for students, which is why I’ve come up with a 5-step process that will increase their confidence when writing a constructed response paragraph on test day.

Check out my Constructed Response Framework Checklist here!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode125

We’re getting closer to the part of the school year that all teachers dread: standardized test season. Since giving the test is inevitable, test prep becomes part of our lessons and activities that prepare our students for success. 

Recently, state tests have added a written portion, which adds another stressful element for students. In this first episode of the three part series, I’m sharing how to master a constructed response, which boosts students’ confidence.

Check out my Sentence Writing Routine Free Sample here!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode124

We’re over halfway through the school year, and the procedures and routines you established at the beginning of the year might look a little different. Students might not be pushing in their chairs, putting the art supplies away, or turning in their homework in the correct location. If this sounds like your classroom, it’s time for a revamp.

Heidi and Emily from Second Story Window specialize in research based and teacher approved strategies that are guaranteed to help you be a more efficient and effective teacher. We’re taking a break from literacy and they’re here to talk about how to troubleshoot your classroom management with 5 guiding questions.

Check out Heidi and Emily's Procedures & Routines Planning Guide Freebie here!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode123

As students move up into upper elementary, reading can sometimes turn into a struggle with the exposure to more multisyllabic words in texts that they’re reading. Coming across big words can be intimidating for students and overwhelming to try and decode. That's why I’ve come up with a simple strategy that you can start using with your students immediately. In today’s episode, I’m sharing this strategy, my 5-step process for decoding big words.

Check out my Reading Big Words Poster Freebie here!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode122