EPISODE 17

What was your opinion of studying poetry in elementary school? How about in college? Some of our experiences with our own education shapes how we feel about topics that we teach our own students. For the longest time, I thought that because I had a difficult time with poetry in college that I would never be a good poetry teacher.

As the years went by, I learned several ways to make poetry fun, and I finally found my love for it again. While April is poetry month, we really should be teaching poetry all year long! There are so many simple and creative ways that we can build poetry into our days within reading, writing, and even behavior management!

In this episode I share:

• My memories of experiencing poetry as a child
• Ways to create an experience around poetry that leaves your students feeling empowered and excited about writing
• The benefits of reading and writing different types of poetry often
• Connecting poetry to art

Resources:

• Poetry Writing Bundle
• Poetry Posters and Anchor Charts
• Poetry Word Wall Cards
• The Best Part of Me

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode17.

EPISODE 16

I think it’s safe to say we all agree that standardized testing is not an accurate measure of our students (or our) abilities. There, I said it! Now that that disclaimer is out of the way, I’m here to support you all in any way that I can. Since over 96% of you said your state is requiring standardized testing we’re going to make the best of it together!

As many of you know, I have experience as a teacher and also an assistant principal which allows me to understand testing from both standpoints. I am all too familiar with the stress of test prep and pressure of those above me waiting to analyze my teaching skills based on the outcome. These experiences have provided me with tips and tricks for you to seamlessly incorporate test prep into your lessons.

In this episode I share:

• 5 tips to prepare for standardized testing
• Ways to minimize pressure from standardized testing
• Strategies for incorporating test prep into your normal routine
• Involving peers and movement into your test prep

Resources mentioned:

• Reading Comprehension Task Cards Bundle
• Main Idea Task Cards
• Nonfiction Task Cards
• Episode 5, How to Use Strategy Groups to Boost Comprehension

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode16.

EPISODE 15

It often feels like we are teaching strategy after strategy in hopes that students are able to comprehend what they've read. But what happens once they start putting those strategies to use? With an overwhelming amount of post-its and reading responses piling on your desk, the thought of next steps may be daunting.

I have to admit that I’ve been guilty of holding reading notebooks hostage at my house and put off tackling each of them all at once. I later realized this was not at all effective, especially for my second graders who couldn’t independently read my critiques. That’s why getting students involved and providing feedback more regularly is a must! After all, the purpose of writing tasks are for us to see evidence of their thinking and what better way than to hold them accountable?

In this episode I share:

• 5 manageable systems to review reading responses and provide feedback
• Ways to get students involved in providing feedback
• When and how to incorporate feedback into your day

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Sticky note templates for student feedback FREEBIE
• Reading Response Activity Bundle
• Episode 14: Reading Response Ideas to Reenergize Independent Reading Time 

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode15.

EPISODE 14

As we approach the home stretch to the end of the school year, students may begin to grow bored with all kinds of normal routines throughout the school day. One of the blocks of time where you might see this most is during independent reading time. I firmly believe that independent reading is one of the best ways to help our students become stronger, more independent readers. However, there’s only one of you, so it can be difficult to find the time to monitor independent reading daily.

Switching things up during your reading block is a great way to stay on track and keep engagement levels up. Providing fresh new opportunities for reading responses will help to increase accountability among your kids while also boosting their excitement. Today I’m sharing my favorite ways to use reading responses in your classroom, and the last one just may surprise you!

In this episode I share:

• 10 ideas on how you can have your students respond to their reading
• Compelling reasons why you should provide your students with reading response tasks
• The importance of taking the time to teach a task before you require it to be completed 
• Why you should regularly switch up your reading response routine
• How to involve your class in the process of creating reading response choices
• Ways to make reading response tasks accessible for students all of ability levels

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Reading Response Sticky Note Bundle
• Reading Response Graphic Organizers
• Reading Response Question Stems
• Reading Response Activity Bundle
• Episode 8, The Reading Process
• Episode 12, Build Literacy Buzz with Book Talks

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode14.

EPISODE 13

One thing you should know about me is that my friends refer to me as a "serial book club starter". I've left a book club legacy behind in the different states I've lived in and now I'm excited to share how you can add one to your classroom. Let me just tell you though, my excitement pales in comparison to how your students will feel.

I'm not exaggerating when I say my students used to BEG me to be in a book club. I think we can all agree that any method that will increase student engagement and motivation towards reading is worth a shot! After all, the more authentic reading experiences the kids have, the more confident they will become.

In this episode I share:

• How book clubs help your students
• The mistakes I made when I first stared book clubs with my students
• 5 tips to start student-led book clubs
• When to incorporate book clubs

Resources:

• Book Club and Literature Circle Posters and Response Templates
• Book Talks Planning Templates and Teacher Guide
• Episode 12 on Building Literacy Buzz with Book Talks

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode13

EPISODE 12

I recently received a request asking if I could do an episode about book talks. I'm always so thrilled to hear from my listeners, so this one is for you Grace! Book talks are such a fun and simple way to create excitement around books in your classroom.

Today I'm diving into my explanation of what a book talk is, and why all teachers should be using them in their classroom daily. They only take a few minutes of your day! Imagine if you have one student share a book each day. Your class could be exposed to up to 180 new book titles by the end of the school year! 

In this episode I share:

• The benefits that come from making time for a book talk in your classroom
• 4 ways to make book talks more engaging
• Ideas on how you can have your students add a visual element to their book talk
• Why you must model what a good book talk looks like
• How talking about books can empower students to engage in independent reading

I'd love to know what YOU want to hear next on the Stellar Teacher Podcast! Share your ideas with me at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany! 

Resources:

• Book Talk Anchor Charts FREEBIE
• Book Talk Planning Templates and Teacher Guide
• Print and Digital Reading Challenges 

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode12

EPISODE 11

No matter where you are located, it's likely that you have students who are not native English speakers. Only about 1% of homeroom teachers have training in supporting the ELL population, even though these students are in their homeroom the majority of the day without an ELL specialist. So if you're wondering how to provide support to your English Language Learners, our guest today is sharing her favorite tips!

We're joined by ESL teacher and creator behind Inspiring Young Learners, Beth Vaucher. She is passionate about supporting and empowering teachers to equip their English Language Learners. Beth tells us why your reading block is one of the best times that you can support ELL students. Her strategies don't require a ton of extra work and preparation and they will help you learn to maximize your time so that your students get what they need while feeling more confident and successful.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 5 strategies on how to tweak your reading block to keep language and cultural differences in mind
• Why building background knowledge and using visuals is crucial for ELL students
• How planning intentionally with your ELL students in mind benefits all the children in your class
• The importance of giving ELLs the opportunity for collaborative work and independent work

Grab Beth's FREE Closed Reading Passages at inspiringyounglearners.com/stellar

Beth's Resources:

• inspiringyounglearners.com
• Instagram: @inspiringyounglearners
• Facebook: Inspiring Young Learners
• TPT Store
• Equipping ELLs Membership: equippingells.com

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode11

EPISODE 10

In true Stellar Teacher fashion, I'm going to share how to maximize the effectiveness of a tool you probably already have: task cards. It is my goal to provide tips that are practical and set up students up to be independent readers. If you're like me, the cookie cutter methods don't cut it.

I believe that it is not the framework of the teaching but how teachers use their resources and tools to reach each individual child. That's why I appreciate the amount of responsiveness that this strategy creates. Say goodbye to multiple choice questions and be ready for authentic reading experiences.

In this episode I share:

• 3 benefits of using task cards
• 5 tips for using task cards to boost comprehension
• Reading strategies that will save time and money

Resources:

• Reading Comprehension Task Cards - Growing Bundle
• Digital Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizers
• Reading Comprehension Skills Graphic Organizers

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode10

Mentioned in this episode:

Doors to The Stellar Literacy Collective are now OPEN for enrollment. Join or learn more at https://stellarteacher.com/join

EPISODE 9

One of my favorite books, Deeper Reading, states that teachers directly influence their student's motivation and interest in reading. This, in turn, influences their reading comprehension. We may not have the power to choose the literature in the curriculum, but the way you frame their reading experiences should excite and inspire them!

One way to tap into your student's interest and motivation is through author studies. Before you assume that it will take lots of time and planning, I'm here to tell you that is not the case! I actually stumbled across this method accidently and the excitement was real among my students. It didn't feel like practice, rather it resulted in my student's requesting free reading time. Really, is there anything more rewarding than that?

In this episode I share:

• How teachers influence student reading interest
• Ways to disguise our reading lessons to increase motivation
• 3 simple steps for using author studies
• Resources for building your classroom library to support author studies
• Tips on how to get the maximum benefits from an author study

Resources:

• Patricia Palacco Author Study
• Reading Genre Posters and Anchor Charts
• Digital Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizers
• Deeper Reading, by Kelly Gallagher
• Donorschoose.org

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode9

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for my FREE workshop at https://stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop

EPISODE 8

I'll bet that you, and your students, can name the five steps of the writing process. Brainstorm, draft, revise, edit, and publish! This is a process that our students are taught in school year after year after year.  This constant exposure and step by step guide is one of the tools used to help students become successful writers. 

Here's my big question: why don't we have a similar process for reading? Yes, we teach strategies for reading, but can our students name an explicit step by step process that they follow when they sit down to read? Probably not! The good news is that there are specific steps we can teach our students, it's just a matter of naming them in order and associating these steps with everyday reading. 

In this episode I share:

• The 5 step reading process and the "why" behind each step
• Why performing a detailed preview of a text helps students get the most out of their reading experience
• Ways to gently push our students to maximize their growth
• What to do when your students answer reading questions with "I don't know"

I truly believe that if each student were exposed to this process year after year, it would help them become stronger readers who are more engaged in their texts. This 5 step reading process will make for a rich and meaningful reading experience! 

Download your FREE Reading Process Checklist here: https://stellarteacher.lpages.co/opt-in-reading-process-checklist/

Resources:

• Digital Reading Graphic Organizers Bundle - Distance Learning 
• Reading Response Stop-N-Jot
• Reading Response Graphic Organizers

Connect with me:

• Join my newsletter
• My TPT store
• stellarteachercompany.com
• Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
• Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode8

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for my FREE workshop at https://stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop