giveaway · mentor texts · Read Aloud

Five on Friday: Picture Books Edition

Find out which five, NEW picture books I'm fawning over this Friday.

Nancie Atwell · reading · reading workshop · reading-writing connections

Writing about reading: offering students choice in reading responses

When I first began teaching, Nancie Atwell’s In The Middle was my go to PD book for all things to do with reading and writing workshop.  I modeled so many of my teaching practices on what I learned through that book and through a few workshops with Nancie.  More than anything else, I wanted to… Continue reading Writing about reading: offering students choice in reading responses

procedures · reading · routines

Book Talkin’

The very fist student day of school, Deb Gaby (the reading coach in my school district) and I stumbled upon a meeting between 5th and 6th grade language arts teachers. They were discussing how to help students want to read. Deb and I slipped into the conversation. I was struck because these teachers are quite… Continue reading Book Talkin’

celebration · reading

Dream Big…Read Big…Write Big

Each year Deb Gaby helps select a reading theme for the school year at Milford Elementary School. This year, to kick off the BIG reading year, we hosted a carnival. Kids made book marks, had their faces painted with favorite book characters, read favorite books, and posed in a photo booth. Then they made picture… Continue reading Dream Big…Read Big…Write Big

books · reading · reading workshop

Investing in Reading Lives {Nerdy Book Club Guest Post}

I'm so excited to be guest posting at The Nerdy Book Club today. Here's the start and then head over there to read the rest. "Mom, I've decided to start a reading club,” Sam, age 7, soon to be a second grader, declared. It’s 6:23 am and he’s standing beside me in Ninjago jammies, sticking… Continue reading Investing in Reading Lives {Nerdy Book Club Guest Post}

authors · illustrators · mentoring · Read Aloud

Author & Illustrators as Mentors

It is important to say the name of the author and the illustrator when you read a picture book.

informational writing · mentor texts · non-narrative writing · nonfiction · Read Aloud · science

Informational Writing that Dazzles + a Giveaway

A couple months back I promised to be more intentional about finding nonfiction picture books to recommend as mentor texts for writing workshop.  I've been looking at a lot of informational texts in that time and found a few books by the same author and illustrator team that have dazzled me. A Rock Is Lively,… Continue reading Informational Writing that Dazzles + a Giveaway

Maggie Beattie Roberts · reading · reading workshop · tcrwp · technology

Digital Text Bins

I learned about digital text bins when I took Maggie Beattie Roberts’s session “Tap the Power of Technology and Media to Teach Higher Level Comprehension” at this past summer’s Reading Institute.  Now that the leaves are changing color, it means that it’s time to start thinking about nonfiction reading in many classrooms.  (Yes, I know… Continue reading Digital Text Bins

reading · tcrwp

A Few Things from the Reading Institute

Spending a week at the TCRWP's Reading Institute is good for my soul.  I always learn so much when I attend an institute.  It's going to take time for me to sort through my notes (Yes, I still take notes with a notebook and a pen!) so I can share them with you in a… Continue reading A Few Things from the Reading Institute

minilesson · reading

Pop Culture References Make Minilesson Connections Come Alive

Maggie Beattie Roberts, my section leader for "Tap the Power of Technology and Media to Teach Higher Level Comprehension," suggested using pop culture references as one way to engage students in minilessons.  (Pop culture references can come from TV, movies, music, video games, fashion, celebrity culture, etc.)  Our "homework," as part of the Reading Institute,… Continue reading Pop Culture References Make Minilesson Connections Come Alive

professional development · reading · tcrwp

Reading Institute

I will be attending the Teachers College Summer Reading Institute this week. While this will be my ninth summer institute, it's only going to be my third time attending their Reading Institute. Since I'm a NY State certified literacy specialist, which encompasses reading and writing, I decided it was time to pay more attention to… Continue reading Reading Institute

blogging · parent involvement · Read Aloud · reading

Raising a Literate Human

I promised myself I would share the new blog I've been working on once I reached 20 posts.  That promise was made in late February.  Life got pretty busy between February and June.  Therefore, I just reached my 20 post milestone last night.  Hence, here I am, proud to announce an additional address I have… Continue reading Raising a Literate Human