What if small group reading instruction is the missing puzzle piece in your classroom strategy? Join us as we sit down with the passionate and insightful Emily Castelli, a dedicated second-grade teacher from West Virginia, who will forever change the way you think about the science of reading. Emily unpacks common misconceptions and highlights the enduring importance of small group interventions, even as the educational landscape shifts towards structured literacy approaches. Her recommendations offer educators practical tools to ensure their teaching methods are research-based and effective.

Our conversation with Emily is a highlight of passion and expertise that promises to inspire educators everywhere. We delve into how small group strategies can seamlessly integrate into a multi-tiered system of support, enhancing tier one education for all students. As we wrap up, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Emily and invite our listeners to continue the conversation with us on social media. Your feedback, topic suggestions, and guest nominations are what fuel our community. Subscribe, leave us a review, and let's continue to explore the transformative world of education together.

Read Emily's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/reading-instruction-strategies
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Unlock the secrets of engaging middle school math classrooms with Stacy Monsman, Curriculum Associates' Math Content and Pedagogy Specialist. This episode promises transformative strategies that will breathe life into your teaching practice. Stacy shares her wisdom on the unique dynamics of middle school environments, where educators juggle content mastery and the nuances of adolescent growth. Discover how movement-based activities can elevate learning, encouraging students to engage with math concepts actively and meaningfully.

Prepare to be inspired as Stacy walks us through practical techniques like quick writes and interactive peer discussions. These strategies help activate prior knowledge and foster collaborative learning experiences that captivate students' attention. Stacy's innovative approaches, such as using journal prompts to drive student movement and conversation, are designed to keep learners invested in their educational journey. Don't miss out on these invaluable insights that offer creative and effective methods to transform middle school classrooms into hubs of higher-level thinking and engagement.

Read Stacy's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/math-for-middle-schoolers
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Renea Arias transformed her daughter's literacy struggles into a groundbreaking educational journey, and you won't want to miss the insights she shares with us. From her successful career as a research scientist to becoming a passionate advocate for literacy, Renae's story is nothing short of inspiring. She unveils her systematic approach to literacy that not only changed her daughter's academic fate, leading her to thrive in college, but also supported her son's success. Through Renea's lens, literacy emerges as a powerful tool for unlocking children's potential, and her journey emphasizes it as one of the greatest gifts a parent can offer.

In this episode, Renea also shares heartfelt and practical advice for new teachers, whether they're fresh out of college or transitioning from other careers. She stresses the importance of focusing on student happiness and well-being, essential elements for creating a positive and nurturing educational environment. By staying true to yourself and striving for excellence, you can enjoy a fulfilling teaching journey that benefits both you and your students.

Read Renea's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/teaching-second-career
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What if a simple incentive could radically transform your students' motivation? Join us this week on The Extraordinary Educators Podcast as we sit down with Sandra Brown, a passionate school-based teacher leader from Philadelphia. Sandra's journey is nothing short of inspiring, as she shares how introducing small trophies, medals, and even homemade spaghetti dramatically increased student engagement with their i-Ready lessons. Listen in to discover her innovative strategies and practical tips for monitoring progress and tailoring rewards to meet individual student needs.

But Sandra's story is just the beginning. This episode also dives into broader strategies for educators looking to implement effective motivational techniques in their own classrooms and schools. Connect with us on social media to share your experiences, gain more inspiration, and even suggest topics or volunteer to be a guest on future episodes. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and remember to stay extraordinary on your educational journey.

Read Sandra's blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog/how-to-empower-students
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Ever wondered how to make the transition from elementary to middle school smoother for your students? Join us on the Extraordinary Educators podcast as we sit down with Naneka, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates. Naneka dispels common myths about middle school maturity and shares actionable strategies to help ease students into their new environment. From addressing the lingering impacts of the pandemic to emphasizing the importance of foundational learning tools like manipulatives, Naneka offers invaluable insights that every middle school educator needs to hear.

Tune in for a heartfelt and informative conversation that highlights both the academic and social challenges facing young learners. Discover how adopting elementary-level teaching strategies can create a supportive and engaging classroom environment, making students feel more comfortable and confident. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or new to the middle school scene, Naneka's expert advice and genuine reflections will inspire you to create a nurturing space for all students. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your teaching toolkit and better support your students’ transition during these formative years.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Unlock the secrets to creating more engaging and effective learning environments through the power of high expectations and active listening. In our latest episode, we sit down with the esteemed education researcher, Professor John Hattie, who shares groundbreaking insights from his analysis of 20,000 hours of classroom instruction. Learn how to transform your teaching approach by reducing your talk time and amplifying meaningful student participation. Professor Hattie offers practical strategies to enhance your listening skills, including techniques like paraphrasing students' comments to ensure a deeper understanding of their thought processes and learning needs.

Discover how setting high expectations and continuously challenging students can lead to significant growth and sustained motivation. This episode is a must-listen for educators gearing up for a new school year, providing actionable tips and insights to keep students engaged and pushing their limits. Join us and explore the transformative impact of balancing talking and listening in the classroom, creating an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Unlock the secrets to supporting striving readers across upper elementary, middle, and high school grades with insights from the esteemed Dr. Anita Archer. In this episode, Dr. Archer shares powerful strategies for scaffolding in subjects like reading, science, and social studies. From essential pre-reading activities such as pronunciation and vocabulary to innovative techniques like choral and partner reading, we cover a wealth of practical tips to elevate your teaching game. We also discuss the critical importance of using meaningful intervention passages that not only build student confidence but also keep them motivated and engaged. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the classroom, you'll find invaluable advice here. We also dive into the characteristics that make reading intervention programs truly effective. Learn the importance of direct, explicit, and systematic instruction, and discover key elements like teaching letter sound associations and improving reading fluency.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Ever wondered how you can humanize data to better understand and support your students? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brooklin Trover, Senior National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, as she shares innovative strategies to transform raw data into meaningful insights. Brooklin delves into the importance of discussing data openly with students to normalize the conversation and shift the focus towards their growth areas. She challenges the traditional practice of labeling students with colors and offers practical tips to ensure that educators see their students as individuals, not just data points.

In the second half, we tackle the critical issue of access in education. Brooklin shares insights from her colleague, Naneka Brathwaite, on how to provide all students with equitable access to grade-level instruction, regardless of their starting point. We discuss effective scaffolding techniques that ensure no student is left behind and emphasize the importance of inclusivity when analyzing data at the beginning of the academic year.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Ready to recharge and find joy this summer? Discover transformative self-care techniques that will leave you refreshed and inspired for the next school year. From completely disconnecting from work to indulging in hobbies, this episode is packed with actionable strategies tailored specifically for educators. Learn how to schedule time for your favorite activities, explore the benefits of mindfulness or meditation, and even rekindle your love for simple pleasures like reading for fun. Your mental health and well-being deserve this break!

Join me, Sari, in our season five finale as I fly solo to celebrate the start of summer vacation and share some tried-and-true methods for educators to practice self-care. Whether it's taking a short vacation, engaging in a cherished hobby, or setting aside time for pure enjoyment, these practices can make a world of difference. Don't forget to share your own tips by emailing us at [email protected] or tagging us on social media. Let's wrap up the season with a focus on rejuvenation and personal fulfillment.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
Follow us on Instagram: @MyiReady
Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!

Unlock the secrets to effective literacy instruction with Angie Gates, our inspiring guest and dedicated Field Support Manager for Literacy Implementations with Curriculum Associates. Angie brings a treasure trove of knowledge about the science of reading and shares her practical wisdom on overcoming the challenges that educators face when adopting new instructional methods. You'll discover strategies to engage students with grade-level texts, navigate the balance between support and independence, and the critical importance of vocabulary development and knowledge building in transforming reading experiences.

Prepare to be inspired as Angie delves into the evolving landscape of literacy education, emphasizing the need for high expectations and belief in students' potential. Her passion for vocabulary and student empowerment shines through, providing actionable advice that educators can implement in their classrooms. Tune in for an episode packed with insights and strategies to elevate both teaching and student outcomes.

Read Curriculum Associates' blog: CurriculumAssociates.com/blog
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Follow us on Twitter: @CurriculumAssoc
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Have feedback, questions, or want to be a guest? Email [email protected] to connect with us!