Choice Literacy Big Fresh: Recent Episodes
Ruth Ayres
Highlights from the weekly newsletter. Get to know our contributors, discover the best tools, literacy lessons, and advice from teachers & school leaders. Mostly, keep your soul aloft as you empower student choice & voice in your corner of the world.
Enjoy listening as the Choice Literacy Book Club discusses Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl and Patricia Metola.
The Choice Literacy Book Club is open to everyone! You will find a book talk video and a Padlet where our community has shared their thoughts about the book. Feel free to join! Click here to find out more about the Choice Literacy Book Club!
Contributors Discussing Unbound
Order of joining the conversation:
Ruth Ayres
Tammy Mulligan
Bitsy Parks
Christy Rush-Levine
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Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
Free For All The Choice Literacy Book Club discusses Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl and Patricia Metola on the podcast.
Don't miss the publisher's guide to Apple and Magnolia. It is a treasure of nonfiction articles about trees as well as discussion questions to deepen conversations.
Stephanie Affinito wrote a book review about Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl and Patricia Metola on Teachers|Books|Readers.
The Discussion Quote Collection gives you something to talk about if you're pondering speaking and listening.
Gretchen Schroeder shares some conversation fixes for when talk goes awry in her high school classroom. This article was first published in 2017.
Enjoy listening as the Choice Literacy Book Club discusses The Proudest Blueby Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K. Ali, and Hatem Aly. The Choice Literacy Book Club is open to everyone! You will find a book talk video and a Padlet where our community has shared their thoughts about the book. Feel free to join! Click here to find out more about the Choice Literacy Book Club!
Contributors Discussing Unbound
Order of joining the conversation:
Kate Mills
Tara Barnett
Christy Rush-Levine
Bitsy Parks
Ruth Ayres
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is the first installment about poetry. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
Free for All
Each year the month of April is set aside as National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate poets and their craft. Various events are held throughout the month by the Academy of American Poets and other poetry organizations. Find more information on Read Write Think.
Gretchen Schroeder uses picture books to help her high school students understand and write persona poems. (This article was first published in 2020.)
Poetry can be the glue that holds many classroom communities together. It works for quick morning meeting openings, transitions, or even a bit of laughter when energy is flagging. Cathy Mere shares her favorite poetry resources for remote learning. (This article was first published in 2020.)
Are you reading along with the Choice Literacy Book Club? Share your thoughts about The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K. Ali, and Hatem Aly by leaving a comment on the Padlet in the book club. Just go here to sign up—it's free.
The focus of this week's podcast is about rehearsal for writers! Ruth Ayres, Tara Barnett, and Kate Mills join the conversation.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
Free for All
Dana Murphy finds one of the most important tools in her coaching arsenal is transcription. She explains when transcription is effective and gives tips for effectively recording student conversations. (This Leaders Lounge article was first published in 2015.)
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills help young writers move away from seeing editing as "adding more details," and toward developing more specific language for the revision process. (This article was first published in 2016.)
Stella Villalba shares practical tips for helping young English language learners collaborate with classmates and receive feedback during writing workshop. (This article was first published in 2012.)
We've put together a playlist for the Choice Literacy Book Club inspired by The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K. Ali, and Hatem Aly. Join the Choice Literacy Book Club and read along with us this month.
The focus of this week's podcast is about making data personal and more! Ruth Ayres and Cathy Mere join the conversation. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Free for All Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan discuss ways teachers can get the most out of any assessment data, moving beyond numbers for insights into how to structure and target instruction. (This article was first published in 2012.)
Don't miss Kate and Tara's book talk about The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K. Ali, and Hatem Aly. Join the Choice Literacy Book Club and read along with us this month. (PS—This is hands down the most low-pressure book club to join!)
Candice Bocala and Kathryn Parker Boudett encourage educator teams to take a more inquiry-based approach to data analysis to address inequitable norms and patterns.
NOW AVAILABLE! Don't miss Better Student Feedback: Giving, Receiving, and Using Student Feedback withRuth Ayres. This course is free to Literacy Leader members and available to purchase.
NOW AVAILABLE! Don't miss Better Student Feedback: Giving, Receiving, and Using Student Feedback with Ruth Ayres. This course is free to Literacy Leader members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is about student-led learning and more! Ruth Ayres and Cathy Mere join the conversation.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Free for All
Melanie Meehan works with fifth graders to help them create their own set of indicators of success in a writing unit. (This article was first published in 2016.)
Join the Choice Literacy Book Club and pick up your copy of The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K. Ali, and Hatem Aly.
Miriam Ortiz, Tracey Flores, and Emily Machado seek to make visible the brilliant teaching of educators working alongside multilingual learners and the intentional steps they take to design curriculum and create classroom spaces that cultivate the genius of each individual learner.
NOW AVAILABLE! Don't miss Better Student Feedback: Giving, Receiving, and Using Student Feedback with Ruth Ayres. This course is free to Literacy Leader members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The Choice Literacy Book Club Discusses Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith Scott Contributors, in order of joining the conversation:
- Mandy Robek
- Bitsy Parks
- Tammy Mulligan
- Ruth Ayres
The focus of this week's podcast is about feedback to writers and more! Mandy Robek and Cathy Mere join the conversation.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Free for All When it comes to conferring notes, form needs to follow function. Dana Murphy quit looking for the perfect template, and started focusing on what kinds of notes are most helpful. (This article was first published in 2018.) Ruth Shagoury and Andie Cunningham share tips for mastering the art of listening in conferences with English language learners.(This article was first published in 2012.) Share a "shelfie"! The Choice Literacy Book Club is reading Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler and Melissa Sweet. Let us know you are reading it with us this month by tagging your photo with #choiceliteracybookclub. Listen in on the podcast as Cathy Mere and Mandy Robek discuss this week's theme. Matt Renwick is offering a free e-book in anticipation of the release of his new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. You can get the free e-book and subscribe to Matt's newsletter. NOW AVAILABLE! Don't miss Better Student Feedback: Giving, Receiving, and Using Student Feedback with Ruth Ayres. This course is free to Literacy Leader members and available to purchase. Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is about feedback to writers and more! Ruth Ayres and Cathy Mere join the conversation. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Free for All Carly Ullmer assesses how she can give consistent and meaningful feedback to every one of her many middle school students at least once a week. (This article was first published in 2017.)
Ruth Ayres finds there can be a difference between questions in writing conferences that inspire an enthusiastic response, and those that foster more reflection and independence. Download a question list to use during your writing conferences. (This article was first published in 2017.)
Mandy Robek shares a book talk about Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler and Melissa Sweet. Don't miss this new picture book! Join the Choice Literacy Book Club and read it with us this month.
Listen in on the podcast as Ruth Ayres and Cathy Mere discuss this week's theme.
Matt Renwick is offering a free e-book in anticipation of the release of his new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. You can get the free e-book and subscribe to Matt's newsletter.
Don't miss The Limits of Levels: Expanding Boundaries of How We Assess Young Readers with Cathy Mere. This course is free to Literacy Leader members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is about persuasive writing and more! Ruth Ayres and Brian Sepe join the conversation. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! This month we are reading Unbound: The Life + Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler and Melissa Sweet. Sign up now so you are in the know about #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Matt Renwick is offering a free e-book in anticipation of the release of his new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. You can get the free e-book and subscribe to Matt's newsletter.
Chris Sperry and Cyndy Scheibe share how to teach your students to be "truth seekers" with this curriculum-driven, inquiry-based media analysis activity.
Ruth Ayres suggests four notebook pages to help students balance facts and emotions when writing persuasively. (This article was first published in 2021.)
Mandy Robek is a little nervous about setting her students loose to organize informational texts, but she couldn't be more pleased by what they learn in the process. (This article was first published in 2020.)
Don't miss The Limits of Levels: Expanding Boundaries of How We Assess Young Readers with Cathy Mere. This course is free to Literacy Leader members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The Choice Literacy Book Club Discusses Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! This month we are reading Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham. Sign up now so you are in the know about #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Matt Renwick is offering a free ebook in anticipation of the release of his new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. You can get the free ebook and subscribe to Matt's newsletter.
Bitsy Parks shares some of her favorite strategies for quick and meaningful word work groups in her first-grade classroom. (This article was first published in 2020.)
Brian Sepe shares one of his favorite activities for small groups of young learners: making books together. (This article was first published in 2020.)
NOW AVAILABLE! Don't miss The Limits of Levels: Expanding Boundaries of How We Assess Young Readerswith Cathy Mere. This course is free to Literacy Leader members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is offering choice in whole-class texts. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! This month we are reading Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham. Sign up now so you are in the know about #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Tammy Mulligan enhances the quality of the class read aloud and student discussions with the use of a whole-class response notebook. (This article was first published in 2019.)
Featured contributor Brian Sepe discusses the importance of professional connections on the podcast. (This podcast was released in May 2021.)
Melanie Swider discovers that conversations after read alouds are a wonderful way for students to remember and retain the learning from shared texts. (This article was first published in 2015.)
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is welcoming spaces. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
02:13 Free For All Content Highlights
09:25 Classic Classroom Content Highlights
18:48 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! We are taking a break in the month of December and will be back in January. Sign up now so you are in the know about #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Suzy Kaback thinks deeply about the concept of belonging as an essential part of building a school community. This article was first published in 2020.
Melissa Quimby creates "Meet Someone New Monday" to inspire students with picture book biographies of little-known artists, activists, and citizens who accomplish remarkable feats.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is reflective practice. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
03:17 Free For All Content Highlights
10:48 Classic Classroom Content Highlights
16:28 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! We are taking a break in the month of December and will be back in January. Sign up now so you are in the know about #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills use a know and wonder activity to encourage curiosity and independence as their seventh graders begin a new text. This article was first published in 2018.
Andrea Smith builds reflection into whole-class discussions in her fourth-grade classroom by beginning an anchor chart with four different illustrations from the covers of a read-aloud. This article was first published in 2017.
Melanie Quinn consoles a teacher who is recovering from a disastrous lesson captured on video, and shows the power of a "do-over" for both teachers and students. This article was first published in 2012.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
Enjoy listening as the Choice Literacy Book Club discusses Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez.
This year the Choice Literacy Book Club was formed. You will find a book talk video and a Padlet where our community has shared their thoughts about the book. Feel free to join! Click here to find out more about the Choice Literacy Book Club!
Contributors Discussing Enduring Freedom
Order of joining the conversation:
Melanie Meehan
Ruth Ayres
Bitsy Parks
Click here for ALL links discussed.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:30 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
04:15 Book Club Discussion
We have been diligent about adding courses for you to explore. All courses are free to our Literacy Leader and Literacy Team members. Some are free to Classic Classroom members. Anyone may purchase a course for unlimited access to its content.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is classroom libraries. Melanie Meehan and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
03:00 Free For All Content Highlights
08:54 Classic Classroom Content Highlights
15:30 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Melanie Meehan selected the picture book Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez as our November read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Melanie Meehan and Ruth Ayres discuss this week's theme, classroom libraries, on the podcast.
Join the Choice Chat. Share a gratitude by leaving a comment on any of our social media channels. We’re giving away a free course to one commenter on each platform. The winner chooses the course.
Sean Musselman shares a less than perfect journey to a more inclusive classroom library on the Teacher|Books|Readers blog.
Mandy Robek realizes her classroom library isn't working for her second graders, in part because many of the books are still too difficult for students early in the year. She explains her process of sorting and stowing books for later use. This article was first published in 2016.
Mary Lee Hahn finds some of her fifth-grade readers are stuck in ruts by early winter. Her solution involves some radical changes to her classroom library over winter break. This article was first published in 2017.
Brian Sepe guides us into making a gratitude practice a powerful and practical part of each day.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is encouragement for readers and writers. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
04:00 Free For All Content Highlights
09:23 Classic Classroom Content Highlights
15:44 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Melanie Meehan selected the picture book Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez as our November read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills use the Sara Bareilles song "Brave" to help their fourth-grade students move from bed-to-bed stories to more emotive writing early in the year. This article was first published in 2016.
Katrina Edwards moves her first-grade class out of a rut with writing shares by introducing many new options. This article was first published in 2017.
Ruth Ayres catalogs her favorite types of share sessions (from old favorites to creative innovations) in writing workshops. This article was first published in 2018.
Shawn Achor shares the happy secret to better work.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
Enjoy listening as the Choice Literacy Book Club discusses Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy.
This year the Choice Literacy Book Club was formed. You will find a book talk video and a Padlet where our community has shared their thoughts about the book. Feel free to join! Click here to find out more about the Choice Literacy Book Club!
Contributors Discussing Enduring Freedom
Order of joining the conversation:
Leigh Anne Eck
Christy Rush-Levine
Tara Barnett
Ruth Ayres
Click here for ALL links discussed.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
03:15 Book Club Discussion
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Leigh Anne Eck selected the young adult novel Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy as our October read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Gretchen Schroeder reflects on why some of her students have developed a fear of reading by the time they reach high school. (This article was first published in 2018.)
Dana Murphy outlines the teaching practices that she learned from remote teaching and plans to carry with her upon returning to a physical classroom. (This article was first published in April 2021.)
We have been diligent about adding courses for you to explore. All courses are free to our Literacy Leader and Literacy Team members. Some are free to Classic Classroom members. Anyone may purchase a course for unlimited access to its content.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Become a Choice Literacy member! We are pleased to announce updates with our group memberships. Literacy Team memberships offer a discounted rate, as well as the ease of managing your team through a group dashboard. Click here to check out all of our membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is building connections beyond the classroom walls. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the October 22, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Leigh Anne Eck
03:18 Free For All Content Highlights
10:18 Classic Classroom Content Highlights
18:45 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Leigh Anne Eck selected the young adult novel Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy as our October read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Ruth Ayres and Cathy Mere discuss this week's theme, building bridges, on the podcast.
Katherine Sokolowski uses the Community Timeline Project to bring together students and older community members around history and writing. Includes a downloadable interview guide to help students record the interviewee's life story. (This article was first published in 2019.)
Email is a terrific way to communicate with parents—Trish Prentice has practical tips for keeping it simple and saving time when using email. (This article was first published in 2012.)
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is fueling creativity. Heather Fisher and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the October 15, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres and Sam Ayres
04:10 Free For All Content Highlights
10:27 Classic Classroom Content Highlights
18:30 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Leigh Anne Eck selected the young adult novel Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy as our October read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Brenda Power suggests formats for creative events that build stronger home-school connections. This article was first published in 2019.
Mandy Robek compiles a list of her tried-and-true books for brain breaks with young learners. This article was first published in 2014.
Jen Schwanke shares some strategies for sustaining student attention, beyond just calling out a student's name over and over and over again. This article was first published in 2019.
Our Process Play course Empower Choice for Readers and Writers by elementary contributors will fuel your creativity for offering more choice to students in reading and writing. Free to members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is secondary readers. Leigh Anne Eck and Ruth Ayres join the conversation.
Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the October 8, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Mandy Robek
04:30 Free For All Content Highlights
15:25 Classic Classroom Content Highlights
21:05 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Leigh Anne Eck selected the young adult novel Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy as our October read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Adolescent learners can face daunting reading loads in high school that they need to tackle at home. Jen Schwanke has tips for how teachers and parents can work together to help teens develop strategies for dealing with a lot of complex reading quickly.
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills lead virtual parent book clubs to foster more home/school connections and build a love of reading outside the school walls.
Don't miss our downloads! Christy Rush-Levine emphasizes "reflaction" in her reading conference protocol—reflection that leads to action for her students. Download the Reflaction Form to use with students.
If you enjoyed Christy's article and download, make sure to check out her Deep Dive course Meaningful Reading Conferences. Free to members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is assessing readers. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the October 1, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Cathy Mere
03:07 Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Leigh Anne Eck selected the young adult novel Enduring Freedom by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy as our October read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Christy Rush-Levine considers how her rubrics do not acknowledge different levels of support some students need to accomplish tasks. She rethinks her rubric design to include support, and in the process fosters more independence and reflection in students. Download the assessment rubric. This article was first published in 2017.
Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan explain how literacy coaches can validate and support teachers by helping them refine their classroom notetaking skills. This article was first published in 2012.
Don't miss our Field Experience course about small group instruction! Classroom observations are some of the most valuable learning experiences. Yet there is no way you can see everything when visiting a live classroom. Our Field Experience collection allows you to virtually discover diverse field experiences and see instructional strategies that pique your interest, as well as learn about the art of teaching. Free to members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
Enjoy listening as the Choice Literacy Book Club discusses So You Want to Be an Owl by Jane Porter and Maddie Frost. This year the Choice Literacy Book Club was formed. You will find a book talk video and a Padlet where our community has shared their thoughts about the book. Feel free to join! Click here to find out more about the Choice Literacy Book Club!
Contributors Discussing Ouch! Moments
Order of joining the conversation:
Heather Fisher
Christy Rush-Levine
Ruth Ayres
Jen Court
Cathy Mere
Leigh Anne Eck
Click here for ALL links discussed.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
02:23 New Content Highlights
6:23 Book Club Discussion
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Heather Fisher selected So You Want to Be an Owl by Jane Porter and Maddie Frost as our September read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
One way to keep your instruction fresh in a required writing unit is to take on the tasks and topics yourself. Dana Murphy finds completing the assignments herself is well worth her time and gives her a treasure trove of notebook entries to use in her conferring. This article was first published in 2018.
Melanie Meehan shares how everything from transitions to clutter can provide clues for how to increase student output and enjoyment. This article was first published in 2017.
Field Experience Course: Writer's Notebooks: Writer's notebooks are important tools for writers. This field experience showcases how elementary teachers use notebooks with young students. Free to members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is using picture books. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation.
Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the September 19, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
03:34 Free for All Conversation
10:08 Classic Classroom Conversation
17:14 Literacy Leader Content Conversation
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Heather Fisher selected So You Want to Be an Owl by Jane Porter and Maddie Frost as our September read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Mandy Robek learns a lot about worry from her daughter, and at the same time discovers a treasure trove of children's books to help students overcome worries. This is a fantastic booklist and was first published in 2021.
Christy Rush-Levine finds administrators are questioning the value of read alouds, especially with older students. She shares how she uses the picture book Love in her middle school classroom to launch challenging discussions about timely themes. This article was first published in 2018.
Reading Rockets shares about the features in e-books that may distract, support, or extend comprehension and the need for more scaffolding of reading instruction with e-books.
Field Experience Course: Picture Books and Older Students: The value of picture books with secondary students is often questioned. This field experience allows insight into the depth and power of picture books for older students. Our Field Experience courses simulate classroom observations and conversations to experience high quality teaching situations. Free to members and available to purchase.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is making workshop work. Cathy Mere and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the September 10, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Gretchen Schroeder
03:24 Free for All Conversation
19:16 Classic Classroom Conversation
30:19 Literacy Leader Content Conversation
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Heather Fisher selected So You Want to Be an Owl by Jane Porter and Maddie Frost as our September read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Suzy Kaback asks her students to write letters of recommendations for themselves, and finds the activity ripples across the school mentoring community. This exercise is a terrific catalyst for creating personal improvement plans. This article was first published in 2012.
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills give guidance and support for varying the structures and routines in literacy workshops. This article was first published in 2020.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's podcast is listening to readers. Tammy Mulligan and Ruth Ayres join the conversation. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the August 20, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Heather Fisher
02:53 New Content Discussion with Tammy Mulligan
23:26 Literacy Leader Content Highlights
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Heather Fisher selected So You Want to Be an Owl by Jane Porter and Maddie Frost as our September read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Tammy Mulligan joins the Choice Literacy Big Fresh Podcast to talk about this week's theme: listening to readers.
Gretchen Schroeder has only 42 minutes with her high school students each day. She explains how she establishes priorities, including making time to listen to students. This article was first published in 2016.
Jennifer Jones finds there is a world of difference between hearing and genuinely listening to the teachers who come to her for support. She shares some simple questions she uses at the start of professional conversations to ensure she is providing the right kind of response. This article was first published in 2016.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's Big Fresh podcast is the way visuals strengthen literacy instruction. Ruth Ayres and Cathy Mere join the conversation. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the August 20, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
02:53 New Content Discussion with Cathy Mere
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Tammy Mulligan selected Ouch! Moments: When Words Are Used in Hurtful Ways by Michael Genhart and Viviana Garofoli as our August read. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Carly Ulmer uses visual literacy to build writing skills with her seventh graders through two powerful minilessons. This article was first published in 2015.
Mandy Robek and Cathy Mere organized the 12th Annual 10 for 10 Picture Book Roundup. If you're looking for must-have picture books, this is the place to check!
Trevor Aleo shares the importance of multimodal literacy on the NCTE blog.
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal shares 12 inspiring videos perfect for school staff meetings.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's Big Fresh podcast is conventions. Jen Schwanke joins the conversation. Click here for ALL links discussed.
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the June 11, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:28 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
02:53 New Content Discussion with Jen Schwanke
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Stella Villalba selected the June pick. It is Hear Our Voice compiled by Warren Binford. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Even eight-year-olds are expected to master a dozen or more conventions. Melanie Meehan shares a process for helping students focus on the small steps needed to master any convention with peer support. (This article was first published in 2019.)
Heather Rader works with a team of intermediate teachers to ferret out what does and doesn't work in learning conventions, based on research and experience. (Although first published in 2012, the process for collaboration about teaching conventions is vital today.)
Jeff Anderson and Travis Leech are sharing what adolescent writers need to know about the conventions of language in their podcast Patterns of Power. Click here to listen to the first episode.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
Enjoy listening as the Choice Literacy Book Club discusses My Hero Academia, Volume 1 by Kohei Horikoshi. Click here for the Choice Literacy Book Club about My Hero Academia, Volume 1.
This year the Choice Literacy Book Club was formed. You will find a book talk video and a Padlet where our community has shared their thoughts about the book. Feel free to join! Click here to find out more about the Choice Literacy Book Club!
Contributors Discussing My Hero Academia
Order of joining the conversation:
Dana Murphy
Cathy Mere
Stella Villalba
Christy Rush-Levine
Gretchen Schroeder
David Pittman
Ruth Ayres
Free for All Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Stella Villalba selected the June pick. It is Hear My Voice compiled by Warren Binford. You can hear Stella's book talk in "the club." Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Mary Helen Gensch explains how to find craft lessons in beloved children's books. She uses a mentor text with an engaging main character to describe the process. This is the first installment in a three-part series.
Gretchen Schroeder explains how she helps her high school students play with and create better similes.
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills help young writers move away from seeing editing as "adding more details," and toward developing more specific language for the revision process.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.
The focus of this week's Big Fresh is Transfer of Learning. Melanie Meehan joins the podcast.
Click here for ALL links discussed: choiceliteracy.com/…/may-21-2021-transfer-of-learning
Each week Choice Literacy shares the Big Fresh newsletter with a round-up of features around a key topic in literacy education. You can find the May 21, 2021 issue here.
Timeline
00:00 Welcome
00:38 Lead Essay by Ruth Ayres
02:34 New Content Highlights
04:4 Melanie Meehan Interview
Connect with Melanie You can keep up with Stella on Twitter @melanie meehan1. Find all of Stella's articles and videos on the site by clicking here.
Free for All We wish Mary Lee Hahn, a long-time contributor and dear friend, happy retirement after 37 years of teaching! Please join the celebration! We are celebrating on all online spaces, so if you have a blog, a FB page, a Twitter handle, etc,. feel free to post anywhere that is convenient. Or hop over to Mary Lee and Franki Sibberson's blog A Year of Readingand post a comment. We’ll be using the hashtags #MarvelousMaryLee and #PoemsforMaryLee, so please tag anything (wherever you post) with these.
Mary Lee Hahn reminds herself (and us!) of the qualities we have that inspire trust in ourselves and our ability to teach well. Written in 2012, these words continue to be a gift to all of us, just like #MarvelousMaryLee!
Balancing small groups and conferences is essential for transferring learning from lessons and units, and it's one of the trickiest tasks for teachers. Dana Murphy explains how she works toward balance in her classroom, weighing everything from the timeline of the unit to the intensity of the minilesson. (This article was first published in 2020.)
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills give guidance and support for varying the structures and routines in literacy workshops. (This article was first published in 2020.)
Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Dana Murphy selected the May pick. It is My Hero Academia Volume 1 by Kohei Horikoshi. This new manga book is popular in classrooms and a new reading experience for our book club. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Join the Choice Literacy Book Club! Dana Murphy selected the May pick. It is My Hero Academia Volume 1 by Kohei Horikoshi. This new manga book is popular in classrooms and a new reading experience for our book club. Grab a copy, and join the conversation using the hashtag #ChoiceLiteracyBookClub.
Become a Choice Literacy member! Click here to find out more about membership options.