EPISODE 32

For today’s Quick Tip Thursday I am going to continue talking about the topic of genre! I’m sure most of you are thinking of your book collection and which books you want to add to your library. It is SO important to be aware of the types of books being read in the classroom both independently and aloud.

That’s why I am going to help you focus on students on an individual level. There are so many books out there that your students will like, however, if they don’t know which genres interest them they may not be able to find them. Once you listen to this episode your student’s will be able to identify which genres interest them all by themselves!

In this episode I share:

-How to organize genres in your classroom library

-Ways to help students identify their preferred reading experience

-Tips to give students independence for book selection

Sign up for my FREE webinar, 3 Proven Steps to Create a Class Community That LOVES Reading: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop

Resources mentioned:

-Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

-Student Interest Survey FREEBIE: https://stellarteacher.lpages.co/opt-in-reading-interest-inventory-genre/

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode32. 

Connect with me:

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

Mentioned in this episode:

The Comprehension Reset: 4 Days to Unlock Student Understanding

We are hosting a FREE four-day Comprehension Reset Challenge to help you unlock student's understanding.

EPISODE 31

Sign up for my FREE webinar, 3 Proven Steps to Create a Class Community That LOVES Reading: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop

I have been having a blast during the last few weeks talking about reading in my summer series! In this week's episode I talk about genres and it’s truly one of my favorite topics. If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time reading out loud to your students. You may also notice that during these read alouds you’re reading various books that are within the same genre.

This is what happened to me at least, and I realized that most likely not all of my student’s enjoy realistic fiction as much as I do. Whether it’s informational text or historical fiction, it is our responsibility as teachers to nurture our student’s love for reading. That is why during this episode I discuss how to motivate students to read by exposing them to different genres.

In this episode I share:

-Ways genre encourages students to identify their reading preferences

-Reasons genres can help with reading comprehension

-5 tips for being more intentional about teaching genre

-Why it’s important to expose students to different genres

Resources mentioned:

-Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode31. 

Connect with me:

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

Mentioned in this episode:

The Comprehension Reset: 4 Days to Unlock Student Understanding

We are hosting a FREE four-day Comprehension Reset Challenge to help you unlock student's understanding.

EPISODE 30

In episode 29, I talked all about the solutions to the various challenges that come up when you use reading centers in your classroom. If you didn't catch that episode, go check it out!

Once you have solid routines and expectations in place, there are many SIMPLE ways you can use reading centers in upper elementary. Today I'm sharing my 9 favorite reading centers that you can use all year long and involve very little to no prep! 

After listening, send me a message on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany and let me know which center you plan to try out first!

Resources mentioned:

-Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

-Reading Response Sticky Note Bundle

-Reading Response Graphic Organizers for Genre

-Task Cards Growing Bundle

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode30. 

Connect with me:

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

EPISODE 29

When I think about reading centers, I remember how difficult they were for me during my first few years of teaching. It was hard to find the time to fit them in and I spent so much time prepping and searching for ways to keep them engaging for my students. Since then, I’ve learned a lot and want to share all of my suggestions with you!

If you want to use reading centers, there is a way to use them with the workshop model. Better yet, I have simple solutions for you so that you create a reading block that truly works for you and your class. While I still believe that independent reading should take up a big chunk of your reading block, there IS a place for centers in upper elementary classrooms!

In this episode I share:

-3 main challenges that exist with the traditional reading center model

-An easy way to make reading centers work for you and your students

-A reminder that there is no ONE way to teach reading

-How to give students choice in the content and pace of their centers

Resources mentioned:

-Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode29. 

Connect with me:

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

EPISODE 28

On episode 27, I talked all about how to create an effective literacy block even if you are limited on time. Today is a continuation of that conversation as I discuss how to get creative in finding pockets of time throughout your day to squeeze in more read alouds!

If you are even slightly as obsessed with picture books as I am, then you probably are dying to get to as many as possible throughout the year. We have to find ways to read to our kids just for fun, not because it’s in the standards or because we need to practice a skill for an upcoming test, but actually for pure enjoyment. While it’s true that you can’t actually create more time in the day, as the teacher you CAN control how you use the time in your classroom. Ready to learn how you can make read alouds happen more often?

In this episode I share:

-Six possible pockets of time for read alouds -Why finding extra time to read aloud to your students will pay off

-The best advice I received from a college professor 

Resources mentioned:

-Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

-FREE Literacy Block Sample Schedules + Planning Guide

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode28. 

Connect with me:

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

EPISODE 27

My literacy block is too short. I don’t have enough time to cram everything in! Are these thoughts that run through your head? Depending on the length of your literacy block, you may feel like you are constantly rushing and hustling to get from one thing to the next. Here’s the thing though - more time isn’t the answer! You CAN create an effective literacy block, no matter how much time you have to teach it.

It may sound strange, but you cannot stress about how much time you have for reading and writing. For most teachers, that’s not something that you have any control over. What you can control is how you spend that time. I’m here to help you come up with the perfect literacy schedule…even if your time is limited!

In this episode I share:

-7 tips to help you create an effective literacy block

-Why you must set daily non-negotiables and stick to them

-One question to ask yourself to determine if you’re using time wisely

-Which routines and independent skills to prioritize at the beginning of the year to save time later

Resources mentioned:

-Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

-FREE Literacy Block Sample Schedules + Planning Guide

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode27. 

Connect with me:

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

EPISODE 26

Welcome to our very first Quick Tip Thursday episode! In episode 25, I talked all about reading workshop and why you should consider implementing it into your literacy block.

Whenever I discuss reading workshop, I often get asked the question, “my school is required to use a basal reading program, but I am really interested in using the reading workshop framework. Can I use this model even if I HAVE to use the basal?” Guess what? YES, you absolutely can! Tune in to hear my top tips on how you can incorporate reading workshop even with a basal reader.

Resources mentioned:

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

-Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

-Episode 25, How Reading Workshop Can Transform Your Reading Instruction: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode25

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode26. 

Connect with me:

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

EPISODE 25

During my first few years of teaching, I was handed a basal reading program. I was told this was the way to teach reading. Well, it didn’t take me too long to realize that it was extremely repetitive and NOT engaging for me or my students. I found myself constantly trying to supplement with other resources. I finally came across the reading workshop model and never looked back. Today I’m filling you in on why I love this model so much!

In this episode I share:

-What reading workshop is and why it’s so effective

-Details on each part of reading workshop

-How to be intentional about providing closure to your lesson

-Why teachers sometimes over-teach during mini-lessons

Resources mentioned:

-Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

-Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

-Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode25. 

Connect with me:

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

EPISODE 24

Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

On today’s episode I am so excited to have Jamie Sears, from Not So Wimpy Teacher, join me! If you know Jamie you know that she is a writing guru and she will be sharing easy ways to make writing easier for teachers that is also exciting for students. Even the most reluctant students will want to participate once you incorporate these ideas!

Writing is often one of the most dreaded subjects for teachers to teach. With all the emphasis on reading levels and math scores, it’s no wonder we don’t feel as prepared to teach writing. It wasn’t until I was out of the classroom and came across these resources that it didn’t seem so overwhelming. After you make these shifts in your classroom, I know you’ll feel the same way!

In this episode we discuss:

-Small changes that cause a big impact in student growth -3 Reasons students can be reluctant writers -Where to start when teaching writing -Easy ways to make writing FUN! -The best way to measure growth

Resources mentioned:

-Get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership at stellarteacher.com/waitlist! 

-Free Writing Pacing Guide for Grades 2-5

-Jamie's Instagram: @notsowimpyteacher

-notsowimpyteacher.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/episode24.

EPISODE 23

>>Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership