Heinemann Podcasts for Educators

Latest Episodes:

Engaging and Motivating Digital Learners Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Jim Burke shares how a question-driven classroom engages adolescents of the digital age inside school by tapping into the same kinds of self-motivated explorations that they conduct via digital media in their outside-school lives.

Accelerating Response to Intervention (RTI) Nov 17, 2010

Show notes

Michael Optiz and Michael Ford discuss strategies and considerations for successfully implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework and providing differentiated instruction to help accelerate progress and growth for all students.

A Workshop Approach to Teaching Reading and Writing Nov 07, 2010

Show notes

Lucy Calkins, senior author of the Units of Study for Reading/Writing explains how the workshop model of teaching reading and writing differs from traditional and basal approaches. Listen as Lucy provides advice to help literacy teachers adopt the workshop model without interrupting basal programs.

Making Word Learning Fun for All Students Oct 18, 2010

Show notes

This introductory chapter from Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey's latest book on student vocabulary instruction and development, Learning Words Inside and Out: Grades 1-6, defines a framework for improving vocabulary instruction to make it more appealing and engaging for all students.

Secrets of a Master Writer: An Interview With Donald Graves Oct 06, 2010

Show notes

Donald Graves (1930-2010), a long-time University of New Hampshire literature professor and prolific educational author, is interviewed by Penny Kittle about his life and career as a writer. Learn where Don found his motivation, why he loved getting up each morning, and what being a writer meant to him.

Connecting With Reluctant Middle School Writers Sep 08, 2010

Show notes

Laura Robb (author of Teaching Middle School Writers) and Jim Burke (author of What's the Big Idea?) discuss teaching strategies to identify and support the hidden talents of writers in middle school.

Reaching Generation Y Readers and Writers Aug 30, 2010

Show notes

In this video podcast educational authors Jim Burke (What's the Big Idea?) and Laura Robb (Teaching Middle School Writers) discuss the many challenges of connecting with and motivating today's digitally-minded students to build and nurture a love of reading.

Overview of Units of Study for Teaching Reading Aug 25, 2010

Show notes

Lucy Calkins, founding director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University, gives an overview of the Units of Study for Teaching Reading program, which provides effective instruction on using the workshop model to better engage students in daily reading and writing lessons. www.unitsofstudy.com

Architecture of a Reading Workshop Lesson Aug 16, 2010

Show notes

An overview of the different types of minilessons and essential elements of elementary reading lessons using the reading workshop model developed by Lucy Calkins for the Units of Study for Teaching Reading series. Each lesson element is discussed in detail and tips for effective teaching are provided by an elementary reading coach. http://www.unitsofstudy.com

Vocabulary Instruction to Boost Student Achievement Aug 11, 2010

Show notes

Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey share tips and principles of vocabulary instruction from their latest book on providing effective vocabulary instruction to boost student performance in all subjects for grades 1-6, Learning Words Inside and Out.