phonics · reading · word study · writing workshop

Why Transfer Doesn’t Happen on it’s Own–and How to Teach for It

For years, I wondered why students weren’t applying word study, reading, or writing strategies across the day—until a mentor asked me a simple question and everything clicked. Here's how you can bring that clarity to your classroom, too.

centers · management · phonics · routines · word study

April is the perfect time to try something new: Word Study Stations

Old dogs CAN learn new tricks, and your class CAN learn a new routine in April!

agency · Read Aloud · small group · word study · writing workshop

Small Groups, Big Engagement: Expanding the Possibilities and Potential 

Here are some fresh approaches from Melanie Meehan and guest authors Julie Wright, Pam Koutrakos, and Maria Walther. In this post, we reimagine when and why small groups come together and expand your small group repertoire. 

spelling · vocabulary · word study

3 Reasons to Try Word Ladders!

Have you tried Word Ladders with your students? Here are three reasons you might want to!

vocabulary · word study

Word Love

It almost sounds too good to be true, but I discovered a vocabulary curriculum that engage students joyfully in developing an understanding of new words in about ten minutes per day.

remote instruction · remote learning · vocabulary · word study

Vocabulary Development Across In-Person & Remote School Days

A Teacher's Guide to Vocabulary Development Across the Day is filled with practical ideas for teaching vocabulary in K-3 classrooms. It is a resource that will help you develop an innovative and meaningful vocabulary curriculum for your students. Listen to an interview with the book's author and preview sections of the text.

high frequency words · word study

The Snap Word Train

Over the years, kindergarteners have shown me that the kinds of environmental tools that they will actually use are: ones which are at their level, ones which they have meaningful memories (or ownership) creating, ones which they can see themselves in (via photographs or interests), and ones which they can touch and interact with. Such… Continue reading The Snap Word Train

conventions · quick write · word study · writing workshop

Trying It Out! Using Ideas From Professional Resources

How do you keep learning and growing as a teacher of writing? How do you apply what you've learned from reading professional texts? Today I am sharing the way I am applying my learning from professional texts with my third grade students.

professional books · word study · writing workshop

Word Study That Sticks: Best Practices K-6 — Review and Giveaway

Are you looking for ways to make word study more inspiring, meaningful, practical and transferrable? Word Study That Sticks: Best Practices K-6 by Pamela Koutrakos is the resource you need to read! Check out my review of the book today and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of the book!

spelling · word study

How a Portable Word Wall Can Help Your Students with Spelling

Do you differentiate your students' spelling lists by giving them personal spelling words? If so, you can take those lists a step further by providing them with portable word walls for their writing folder and/or for at-home use.

authentic writing · independent writing · Inventive spelling · word study · writing workshop

Building Word Superheroes: With Permission and Invented Spelling

Teaching students to take the risks necessary to be inventive spellers means I have to respect the stage of development of the student. I can't expect the students to know (or use) something I haven't taught.  It also means communicating to parents about what it means to use inventive spelling and its role in developing writers and readers.

vocabulary · word study

Watching Our Word Wall Come Alive

Read this post for the story of one classroom's creative celebration of word wall words.