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    Stellar Teacher Podcast

    Welcome to the Stellar Teacher Podcast! We believe teaching literacy is a skill. It takes a lot of time, practice, and effort to be good at it. This podcast will show you how to level up your literacy instruction and make a massive impact with your students, all while having a little fun!

    Your host, Sara Marye, is a literacy specialist passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world pass on their love of reading to their students. She has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. Sara has made it her mission to create high quality no-fluff resources and lesson ideas that are both meaningful and engaging for young readers.

    Each week, Sara and her guests will share their knowledge, tips, and tricks so that you can feel confident in your ability to transform your students into life-long readers.

    For printable and digital resources, head to stellarteacher.com. Connect with Sara on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany

    Advertise
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    Latest Episodes:
    82. 10 Literacy Activities to Incorporate at the End of the Year May 16, 2022

    The end of the year is just about over, you’ve finished state assessments, and have covered all of the academic content you needed for this school year. So what do you do next? In today’s episode, I’m sharing 10 ideas for you to incorporate regarding writing and literacy skills that are quick, fun, and engaging!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode82

    81. 5 Steps Toward a More Efficient Schedule May 09, 2022

    While there are many challenging aspects to teaching, having an effective schedule is definitely a struggle for most. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 steps to take toward a more efficient schedule.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    Grab your FREE Literacy Block Sample Schedules: https://www.stellarteacher.com/stc_optin/literacy-block-sample-schedules/

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode81

    80. 7 Classroom Management Hacks With Dr. Lori Friesen May 02, 2022

    Today's topic is something that most teachers struggle with, whether you’re a beginner or veteran, which is classroom management. We have one of my favorite guests today, Dr. Lori Friesen, whose mission is to support new teachers. On today’s episode, Dr. Lori is sharing 7 classroom management hacks that are so simple!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode80

    79. Two Simple Routines That Every Elementary Teacher Needs with Stephanie Palovchik Apr 25, 2022

    I don’t know about you, but when I was in the classroom, there was never enough time in the day to get everything accomplished, whether that was teaching, planning, or grading. I never had a good work-life balance and always felt so busy! I wish I had known today’s guest, Stephanie Palovchik. On today’s episode, we’re discussing two simple routines that every elementary teacher needs to know.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    Grab your FREE Productivity Guide for Elementary Teachers: www.teachinglittleleaders.com/freeguide

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode79

    78. Literacy Routines for an Engaging End of the Year Apr 18, 2022

    The end of the year can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming for both students and teachers, so try incorporating classroom routines that replace the chaos with productivity. In today’s episode, I'm discussing literacy routines for an engaging end of the year.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    Grab your FREE Word of the Day Routine: https://www.stellarteacher.com/stc_optin/context-clues-word-of-the-day/

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode78

    77. The Importance of Picture Books with Courtney Hinshaw from Ramona Recommends Apr 11, 2022

    There are so many benefits to using picture books with your students and I find them to be such an asset in the classroom. Today on the episode, I have guest Courtney Hinshaw and we’re talking about the importance of picture books in elementary classrooms.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    Check out this freebie from Courtney here.

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode77

    76. How to Navigate Difficult Parent Teacher Conferences with Ease Apr 04, 2022

    For some, especially novice teachers, talking with parents about difficult topics can be a struggle. So in today’s episode, I’m providing strategies on how to navigate difficult parent teacher conferences with ease.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode76

    75. 7 Test Prep Strategies for Student Success Mar 28, 2022

    Let’s face it, standardized tests can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for our students. Therefore, in this episode, I’ll be covering 7 test prep strategies that will give your students success!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    Check out this Test Prep Strategy Freebie!

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode75

    74. Poem of the Week Routine Part 2: Fluency Mar 21, 2022

    I’m so happy you’ve joined me for the second episode in our two-part series that’s all about poetry. Last week’s episode was an introduction of my poem of the week routine with an emphasis in comprehension, so in today’s episode, I’ll be discussing how to use that same routine with the literacy skill of fluency.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode74

    73. Poem of the Week Routine Part 1: Comprehension Mar 14, 2022

    As most of you know, April is National Poetry Month, so this is the first of a two-part series that’s all about poetry! Each episode I’ll be breaking down how I incorporate a poem of the week routine into my literacy block and how the skills associated with literacy have a connection to poetry.

    In this episode, I provide a layout of my daily poem of the week routine with an emphasis on comprehension.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode73

    72. 4 Things to Consider if You’re Thinking About Making a Career Change Mar 07, 2022

    As I’ve talked about many times before, my journey to get to my current job came with a lot of twists and turns, so I thought I’d share some advice and my experiences about when it’s time to make that career change.

    Making a career change isn’t a simple, straightforward decision. In fact, it takes a lot of thought, planning, and work. In today’s episode I’m sharing 4 things to consider if you’re thinking about making a career change!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode72

    71. Our Best Tips on Collaborating with your Teacher Team: A Conversation with Megan Polk Feb 28, 2022

    There are so many benefits from working on a team, so in today’s episode I’m teaming up with my good friend Megan Polk! We’re having a collaborative conversation talking about all things teams: team dynamics, team planning, and how to get the most out of working with your teacher team.

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode71

    70. 6 Steps to Small Group Reading Instruction Success Feb 21, 2022

    A big reason being a reading teacher is so challenging is because you’re responsible for effectively teaching a variety of students who all have different reading skills they struggle with!

    However, by incorporating small group instruction during your literacy block allows you to focus on fewer students, while providing guidance and support in their targeted reading objectives. Today I'm sharing 6 easy steps to make your small group reading instruction a success!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode70

    69. Bringing More Focus to SEL During Your Literacy Block with Andrea Burns Feb 14, 2022

    Look no further for your sweet indulgence this Valentine's Day, because we have a treat for you! I sat down with Andrea Burns to discuss how to bring more focus to SEL (social emotional learning) during your literacy block. We discuss practical and easy-to-implement ideas that don't require finding extra time throughout the day!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode69

    68. 4 Tips for Making Greek and Latin Root Words a Focus in Your Classroom Feb 07, 2022

    On today’s episode I will be talking about something that is often overlooked, which is the importance of teaching Greek and Latin roots. This may feel like it should be at the bottom of your to-do list, but it is truly something that shouldn’t be overlooked.

    Once you factor in how many words in the English language are derived from the Greek and Latin languages, you’ll agree with me that it needs more time and attention in the classroom.

    Today I’m sharing 4 tips on how to make Greek and Latin roots more loved in the classroom.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode68

    67. What to do When You Have a Student Who Struggles With Reading Jan 31, 2022

    Today’s topic is one that I think will resonate with every reading teacher, and that is what to do when a student is struggling with reading. There are so many reasons for students to struggle with reading, whether it is their vocabulary, background knowledge, or blatant boredom. No matter what the reason is for your student’s challenges, I am going to help you help them with these tips I’m giving you today!

    During this episode I want you to really think about one of those struggling readers that are currently in your class or a student that you’ve taught in the past. In order for you to determine what aspect of reading they are struggling with, I am going to give you seven questions to identify those roadblocks that are preventing your student from becoming a successful reader. It is so important to figure out what that specific hurdle is so that you can provide the appropriate interventions accordingly. By asking these questions you can narrow down the area that they need more support and close that gap.

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    Grab your FREE Successful Reader Checklist: https://www.stellarteacher.com/stc_optin/successful-reader-checklist/

    To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode67

    66. Teacher Burnout: Thinking Beyond Quick Fixes with Amber Harper Jan 27, 2022

    If you’ve been listening to my podcast in the month of January, you know I have had multiple guests join me for my Best Year Ever series. This is the fourth and final episode and you are in for a real treat! With this final episode, I interviewed Amber Harper from The Burned In Teacher and we discussed all things related to teacher burnout. We had such an open and honest conversation about the challenges and pressures that teachers are facing and how the pandemic has affected education.

    Amber Harper is a long-time educator, author, speaker, podcaster and the founder of The Burned In Teacher. She is also the author of Hacking Teacher Burnout, which gives struggling teachers a path to follow as they navigate their way out of burnout.

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/episode66

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership
    65. Using Text Features to Help Students Understand Nonfiction Jan 24, 2022

    For today’s episode, I will be talking about teaching nonfiction text features. You’re probably thinking that this is a topic you’ve already taught in the beginning of the year, but stick with me for this episode and hear me out.

    Now that you’re halfway through the school year and starting to think about test prep, you’re probably reflecting on which areas you may need to go back to and reteach. Your students likely know how to articulate the different text features, but we’re going to take it one step further. The tips I’m referring to will actually help students use their knowledge of text features to improve their understanding of nonfiction texts.

    By using my four-step process, students will learn how to utilize those text features as tools for comprehension. Reading comprehension is so important for all subjects, and these strategies I speak about in this episode will be beneficial no matter what subject you are teaching. An added bonus to this process is that it will also help your students understand what parts of the text are helpful or not helpful for them. Like all my recommendations before, these tips are easy to implement as soon as today! I can’t wait to hear if you’ve put this process into practice in your classroom!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode65

    64. Nutrition That Works with a Teacher Schedule with Bre Baildon Jan 20, 2022

    Welcome to another episode from my Best Year Ever series! These episodes will ideally help you all create and meet your goals related to self care, because let’s face it you deserve it! Last week we spoke about getting your finances in order, and this week we’re going to talk about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There is no better expert to have this conversation with than Bre Baildon!

    Bre is a Registered Dietician who specializes in helping overwhelmed teachers create simple nutritional plans that fit into their crazy schedules. She discovered quickly in her career that teachers need easy, repeatable habits to achieve their goals. She found great joy in hearing that teachers, including her husband, found more energy and excitement in their day when following her nutritional plans. There is no doubt that her suggestions will help create healthy habits for 2022!

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/episode64

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    63. 6 Ways to Use Picture Books in Upper Elementary Jan 17, 2022

    It’s a few weeks into the new year and I have to admit I have not always been the best with new year's resolutions. I found that rather than setting specific goals I am much more likely to follow through with a list of habits that I want to do more and habits I want to do less. If this sounds like something that may be attainable for you, then I have a suggestion for you! This year I want you all to try to bring more picture books into your classroom.

    If you are in upper elementary I hope you don’t think this advice doesn’t apply to you. In fact, bringing picture books into upper elementary classrooms is so important. I used to be under the impression that picture books were only for the younger grades and once students could read that picture books should be replaced by chapter books. Boy, was I wrong and after listening to this episode you’ll see why!

    Join us in the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode63

    62. Investing and Saving for Retirement as a Teacher with Jeremy Schneider Jan 13, 2022

    I’m so happy you’ve joined me for the second episode of Our Best Year Ever series airing every Thursday in the month of January. On this guest episode I got to chat with Jeremy Schneider, creator of Personal Finance Club, about personal finance. Jeremy sold his business and retired at the age of 36 and has since dedicated his life to sharing practical money and investing tips to give people financial freedom. He uses simplified language to teach people how to have options in retirement, and that is what I want for all of you!

    Those of you that have been around for a while know that this isn’t a typical episode for my show, but once I heard Jeremy’s goals I knew I had to have him on the show to share them with you. His goals are to help people gain financial independence, understand the world of money and investing, and to create wealth for retirement. It may seem impossible to come up with the money to invest on a teacher’s salary, but Jeremy shares some enlightening facts that may change that mindset. I hope this episode guides you towards financial freedom and wealth!

    Use coupon code STELLAR for $20 off Jeremy’s course: How to Build Wealth By Investing in Index Funds: stellarteacher.com/investing

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/episode62

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    61. Using Picture of the Day to Promote Inferential Thinking Jan 10, 2022

    Hey friends! In this week’s episode I will be diving deeper into one of the tips I shared last week related to effectively teaching all of the literacy elements. I find it so important to maximize instructional time, and one way to do this is by creating high impact literacy routines. This becomes increasingly important when teaching the more complex reading skills. One of my favorite routines that I use for teaching inferencing is called "Picture of the Day".

    You know that I try to supply you with tips and tricks that can be easily incorporated into your lessons rather than add work onto your already full plate. That is why I love using the Picture of the Day routine, as it can easily be done in five minutes or less! What’s even better is that it helps students with one of the most complicated reading skills, which is inferencing. I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous formula which is text + background knowledge = inferencing, but in this episode I’m going to tell you all the benefits of utilizing the illustrations as well.

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode61

    60. Practical Self Care for Teachers with Sarah Forst, The Designer Teacher Jan 06, 2022

    I am so excited for the very first episode of our Best Year Ever Series, which is going to be airing every Thursday during the month of January. The goal of this series is to connect you with experts in a variety of fields that are not necessarily connected to the instructional side of teaching, because you're more than just a teacher. While I really want you to be successful in the classroom, I also really want you to have a happy and healthy life outside of teaching as well.

    So, in our very first episode of this series, I got to speak with Sarah Forst, who is the creator behind The Designer Teacher and founder of The Teacher Care Crate. In this conversation, we dig into all things related to practical teacher self care. Sarah shares how to practice a sustainable balance between work and our personal lives. These are things you can implement that will actually make an impact on your life long-term.

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/episode60

    59. Simplifying the Struggle of Fitting Everything Into Your Literacy Block Jan 03, 2022

    Hey friends! I am so excited to start this new year off with you and I am sending all the positive vibes for 2022. I decided to start the year off by answering a question I get all the time from other teachers. That question is, “What is the best way to fit in word study, grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing into your ELA block?” Raise your hand if you have asked this question or thought about this!

    No matter how organized you are, there are so many expectations and so little time to get it all done. Everyone focuses on the standards and objectives, but squeezing in the time for other important topics such as grammar and vocabulary doesn’t always happen. The tips I share in this episode will assist those of you who want to make a change to your ELA block and maximize your schedule. I promise you’ll feel more confident once you try these creative ideas that I share.

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: stellarteacher.com/membership

    To check out the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode59

    58. 5 Creative Ways to Reteach Classroom Routines in January Dec 27, 2021

    I hope you’re taking my advice and catching up on this episode after you’ve relaxed and unplugged during your holiday break. After two weeks off I want to help ease your transition back to school with ideas for managing behaviors. We all know that kids take a while to get reaccustomed to the routine of school after being out for a while, and I hope these strategies help eliminate any conflicts.

    Despite my excitement to return to my classroom after breaks, I was always surprised at the behaviors that emerged from my students. I’m talking about behaviors I had never seen from students before, like sleeping during a read aloud. What I had come to realize was that this is extremely normal and it was my job to adjust my expectations. By creating these ideas to prevent a challenging transition back to school for my students, my students were back to normal in no time!

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/stc_podcast/creative-ways-to-reteach-classroom-routines

    57. How to Recharge Over the Holidays Dec 20, 2021

    Congratulations for surviving the first semester of the year! Most of you are either off this whole week or at least part of the week, so I’ve decided to refrain from talking about reading strategies. That means if you are already on vacation, come back and listen to this episode next week! You deserve this time to relax and recharge, and that’s exactly what I’ll be talking about today.

    This year in particular seems to be considerably more challenging than years passed. That’s why you need to reflect on your accomplishments rather than using this time to catch up on paperwork. I know it’s not easy to leave your work at school, I can totally relate, I used to do that too. What I realized, though, was that I was doing more harm than good. So unplug, spend time with your family, and do all the things that bring you joy because you deserve it!

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/stc_podcast/how-to-recharge-over-the-holidays

    56. Dr. Lori Friesen on How to Build More White Space Into Your Schedule Dec 13, 2021

    My dear friend, Dr. Lori Friesen recently recorded an incredible episode that I knew I needed to share with you, and she generously agreed. Dr. Lori Friesen talks about how easy it is to get caught up in the rush of the day to day. I'm sure you can relate to this. We often feel totally overwhelmed and trapped by our schedule and can even feel like it controls us. The answer lies in making the choice to build more white space into your schedule.

    At the end of the day when you look at your to-do list and realize that you didn’t even get through half of what you anticipated doing, it’s a terrible feeling. It often leads to negative self-talk and a wave of overwhelm. Every time you plan something and you don’t follow through with it, you break trust with yourself. If you break trust with yourself everyday, it affects your confidence and makes you question whether or not you can handle all that's being thrown at you.

    Thankfully, there are things that we can do when we get caught up in the hustle and overwhelm of teaching. Dr. Friesen is going to share these ideas with you. By the end of the episode, I hope that you will feel inspired to focus on what really matters, rather than making everything on your to-do list of equal importance.

    Show Notes: stellarteacher.com/stc_podcast/dr-lori-friesen-white-space

    Connect with Dr. Lori Friesen:

    • Podcast: Beginning Teacher Talk
    • Instagram: @beginningteachertalk
    • Website: drlorifriesen.com

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    55. Creative Ways to Assess Student Learning Dec 06, 2021

    It’s that crazy time of year again between the holidays when you are so desperately looking forward to those two weeks off! Most of you are probably planning on doing some sort of assessments before break or soon after. This episode will provide you with quick and easy ideas for assessing your students as soon as tomorrow.

    The best part of these ideas is that they are fun and creative almost to the point that they don’t even realize they are being evaluated. Little do they know you are assessing their understanding, their grammar, and so much more. No matter which topic you are looking to assess or the subject you are teaching, these activities will help you gain information that will let you know what your students need as learners. I hope these tips help you get through test prep and ready to go in the new year!

    In this episode I share: -10 ideas for exit tickets to assess student learning -Ways to evaluate your students that requires minimal writing -Activities that can be used in all subject areas -How assessments can be informative for future lessons

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    Exit Ticket Sticky Notes: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Exit-Ticket-Templates-For-Any-Subject-Print-and-Digital-4480486

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/stc_podcast/creative-ways-to-assess

    54. 5 Ways to Keep Students Engaged in Reading up Until and Through Winter Break Nov 29, 2021

    Hello my friends! I know the Monday after Thanksgiving can be difficult, so thank you for joining me whether you’re driving to work or winding down afterwards. I hope you all had an opportunity to rest after a school year that has likely already proven to be challenging, a theme I’ve seen over and over again lately. With just about three more weeks until the next holiday, I’m here to help you keep your students on track and engaged!

    I always found that the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas were the most difficult to keep students focused, especially during reading. Not to mention the pressure to have projects or activities to send home during the long break. Luckily I have created multiple resources and compiled ideas that will not only keep students interested at school but you’ll also have the option to continue these activities during their time off, without putting extra work on you.

    In this episode I share: -5 Ideas for keeping students engaged during the holiday season -Activities you can start now that last through the new year -How to incorporate different topics and genres into the winter season -Ways to make learning fun with activities you already have in place

    Join out the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    Grab your FREE Book Talk Anchor Charts: stellarteacher.com/blog/boost-reading-engagement-with-book-talks/

    To check out the other resources from this episode, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/stc_podcast/winter-break

    53. Incorporating Movement Into Your Literacy Block Nov 22, 2021

    As we approach the holiday season and reflect on what we’re thankful for, one of the first things that comes to my mind is my listeners and the community this podcast has created! You all motivate me to show up each week with your dedication to improving your student’s reading abilities. This week I wanted to talk about a fun topic, which is incorporating movement into your reading block.

    The holidays may be an exciting time of the year, but this excitement can often lead to students becoming more distracted and antsy. It’s normal to notice that the behavior management tools that have been working the last few months may not be as effective anymore. In order to keep a positive learning environment, you can incorporate movement activities to improve both attention and collaboration. You may be putting these routines in place to control that holiday excitement, but you’ll be happy you did once test prep comes around!

    In this episode I share: -Reasons to incorporate movement into your reading block -The impact movement has on the classroom community -4 movement routines to incorporate into your schedule -Tips to prepare your students for movement activities

    Check out the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    For more resources, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/stc_podcast/incorporating-movement-into-your-literacy-block/

    52. 3 Strategies to Help Your Students Summarize Nonfiction Nov 15, 2021

    One of my favorite things about hosting this podcast is the conversations I have with my listeners who love literacy as much as I do! I was excited to see that my most popular episode yet was my 47th episode that focused on nonfiction. Whether you really love nonfiction or really need help with it, I decided to tackle one of the most challenging nonfiction reading skills in this episode, which is summarizing.

    It is so important to take each student’s reading skills into account while teaching those higher level skills. That’s why I’ve developed strategies that can help build confidence in all students no matter their comprehension abilities. Teaching literacy skills really requires a toolbox of strategies and skills for your students to be able to utilize independently. I’ve been loving the discussions that began following the last nonfiction episode, so let me know which of these nonfiction summarizing strategies were useful to you!

    In this episode I share: -Why summarizing nonfiction is so challenging -6 important reminders to teach to your students when writing summaries -3 strategies to make your students more confident -How to use wh-question stems when summarizing

    Download your FREE Nonfiction Summary Checklist!

    Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    For more resources, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com

    51. Fostering a Life-Long Love of Writing in Your Students with Megan Polk Nov 08, 2021

    EPISODE 51

    I am SO excited to share this episode with you all because my friend, Megan Polk, joined me for a guest interview. Megan is the content creator behind The Literacy Dive Podcast and a fellow lover of reading and writing. She is my go-to resource when it comes to writing and I learned so much from her during this episode focused on keeping students engaged.

    One of the most popular questions I get asked is how to keep kids excited during writing activities. I can’t say I was surprised to hear that avoiding daily writing activities is not the way to go! Luckily, Megan shares some simple modifications that can be made as soon as tomorrow. No matter if you enjoy teaching writing or not, this episode will encourage you to prioritize writing and ways to make teaching writing fun!

    In this episode we discuss: -Tips for making writing exciting -How to use your classroom materials to motivate your students -Strategies that are easy to implement during writing block -Advice for teachers who don’t enjoy teaching writing -Ways to utilize your colleagues to enhance your teaching

    Connect with Megan:

    -Instagram: @theliteracydive

    -Podcast: The Literacy Dive

    -Website: theliteracydive.com

    Check out Some of Megan's Writing Resources:

    -Writing Process Charts and Checklists

    -Upper Elementary Writing Office

    -Primary Writing Office

    -Monthly Writing Prompts & Journal Bundle

    SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/episode51

    Inspired Action: My Favorite Way to Bring Texts to Life [BONUS EPISODE] Nov 03, 2021

    To continue the celebration of my 50th episode airing this week, I have a BONUS episode for you today! This is my all-time favorite episode I've recorded so far, and it's all about inspired action! This one is jam-packed with so much goodness and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

    Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $50 TpT gift card! To enter, simply share your favorite Stellar Teacher Podcast episodes somewhere on Instagram! It can be on your stories or your feed and tag us @stellarteachercompany! The giveaway ends Friday, November 5th.

    SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/episode20

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    50. 3 Power Questions That Will Have a BIG Impact on Your Students' Reading Nov 01, 2021

    EPISODE 50

    How did we get to episode 50 already?! I just want to say thank you so much to my listener’s that have listened to all my episodes, half my episodes, or even if this is your first! To celebrate this milestone I put a lot of thought into today’s topic in order to make it special, and after a lot of brainstorming I kept coming back to the idea of power questioning.

    Let’s be honest, if students aren’t interested in the text they aren’t going to participate in a discussion. If we take a step back and reflect on what we’re prompting our students with after they read, you’ll probably notice that all the questions are directly related to the text. “Who is the main character?” and “Where does the story take place?” are not the types of questions I am going to be sharing with you today, but I promise that you will not be disappointed with your student’s responses!

    Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of five $50 TpT gift cards! To enter, simply share your favorite Stellar Teacher Podcast episodes somewhere on Instagram! It can be on your stories or your feed and tag us @stellarteachercompany! The giveaway ends Friday, November 5th.

    In this episode I share: -Why it’s important to ask your students power questions -3 power questions that will have a big impact on students' reading -How power questions can help you assess your students' understanding -Ways to avoid getting “I don’t know” as an answer

    SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/episode50

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    49. Nonfiction Text Structure: The Ultimate Road Map For Reading Oct 25, 2021

    EPISODE 49

    If you have been tuning in each week, you know this is the last episode of the reading comprehension mini series. I have talked about various topics that were requested by my listeners or ones I found challenging when I was in the classroom. To end this month’s series I am excited to talk about my favorite nonfiction topic, which is nonfiction text structure.

    It wasn’t until I started teaching fourth grade that I even heard of the term nonfiction text structure. I quickly realized how important it is to teach and how it relates to so many different skills needed for nonfiction texts. I explain this in detail as well as tips for explicitly teaching text structure every chance you get! Now that this mini series is finished, head over to my Instagram or Facebook group to let me know which topic you want to hear about next!

    In this episode I share: -3 reasons why text structure is a critical skill -How text structure relates to reading comprehension -5 tips for being more purposeful when teaching nonfiction text structure -Ways to utilize graphic organizers

    Resources:

    -Check out the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership

    -Nonfiction Text Structure Posters and Anchor Charts

    -Nonfiction Text Structure Task Cards

    -Nonfiction Text Structure Sort

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    48. 4 Strategies for Teaching Theme That Every Teacher Needs to Hear Oct 18, 2021

    EPISODE 48

    Have you ever gone to Google for insight on how to teach a certain topic? You’re not the only one! Although it is convenient, I started to consider why I wasn’t going straight to the source and asking other colleagues how they tackled those topics that are difficult to teach. I hope this reading comprehension mini-series provides quick, actionable steps you can incorporate immediately!

    This week’s reading skill that we will be focusing on is identifying the theme of a story. I’ve come to realize that there are many ways that “theme” can be interpreted. Since everyone has different backgrounds, teaching the abstract concept of theme can be increasingly more difficult especially as you get into higher grades. I hope these strategies I share are helpful and that you’ll join me next week for the last episode of the reading comprehension mini-series!

    In this episode I share:

    -What I consider as the definition of theme -The difference between topic and theme -4 strategies to teach theme to your students -2 ways to define what a strategy is

    Related Resources:

    -Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership

    -Theme Reading Comprehension Task Cards

    -Identifying Theme Reading Response Activities

    -Identifying Theme - Small Group Plans

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/episode48

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    47. Identifying the Main Idea of a Nonfiction Text: 7 Strategies That Work! Oct 11, 2021

    EPISODE 47

    Today’s episode is the second of this month’s Reading Comprehension Skill Series and will be focused on main idea. More specifically, finding the main idea in nonfiction texts. I remember when I used to teach my students by using an elaborate lesson and telling them they needed to do the same. What I realized was that after all the time I spent, I wasn’t showing my students how to find the main idea themselves.

    Instead of showing them what I had done, I realized I should have provided them with the strategies to do it themselves. I’m sure I’m not the only one guilty of this! That’s why I’m walking you through the roadmap to use in order to teach your students strategies to find the main idea. Once you have these tools, your students will be able to find the main idea on their own. As the Reading Comprehension Skill Series continues, please head over to my page and let me know if you’re enjoying these mini-series as much as I am!

    In this episode I share:

    -The difference between comprehension skills and strategies -Mistakes I made while teaching main idea and what I learned -7 Strategies to teach students how to find the main idea -Why it’s important to teach multiple strategies

    Resources mentioned:

    -Join the Stellar Teacher Reading Membership

    -Main Idea Nonfiction Task Cards

    -Main Idea Nonfiction Reading Passages with Comprehension Questions

    -Nonfiction Main Idea Differentiated Reading Passages

    -Nonfiction Main Idea Reading Response Activities and Worksheets

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/episode47

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    46. The Dos and Don'ts of Teaching Students How to Make Inferences Oct 04, 2021

    EPISODE 46

    It feels like the school year just started, and yet it’s October already! I find that this is the time of the year that your routines and procedures are established and you can really dive deep into your content. For that reason, I’ve decided that the month of October I will be focusing on reading comprehension skills!

    There are so many reasons I decided to focus on reading comprehension this month, the number one being that these are difficult skills to teach. One of those higher level, more abstract concepts that I get asked about most is making inferences. Although it may seem like there’s a simple equation to mastering this skill, there are so many factors that can influence your student’s success. After you hear my experience teaching inferences, head over to my Instagram and share what you’ve found to be effective!

    In this episode I share: -Why reading comprehension can be difficult to teach -Reasons making inferences is challenging -4 Tips for teaching how to make inferences -Effective reading comprehension supports and tools

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Picture of the Day Reading Routine Bundle

    -The Invisible Boy

    -Each Kindness

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/episode46

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    45. The 4 Types of Mini-Lessons You Should be Teaching Sep 27, 2021

    EPISODE 45

    This episode will be the third and last episode in the mini-lesson mini series, although I’ll definitely be talking about them again soon! At this point you have probably thought about what you are doing during your mini-lessons and have hopefully tried some of my tips and tricks. You may want to try one more after I tell you about the mini lessons you should be teaching that aren’t related to comprehension.

    Many of us have heard at length how important it is for students to read at a young age. We eat, sleep, and breathe topics such as main idea, inferences, and sequencing even though these aren’t the skills that will lead to lifelong readers. Once we look beyond what the novels are about and also focus on motivating our students to enjoy reading then we’ve done our job. I’d love to hear which types of mini lessons you are already using or planning on using, so head over to my Instagram @thestellarteachercompany and let me know!

    In this episode I share:

    -4 different types of reading mini lessons you should be teaching -Reading topics to teach that aren’t related to comprehension -Specific objectives related to genre -How you can use mini lessons can improve student responses

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Grab your FREE mini-lesson planning pack: stellarteacher.com/minilessons

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode45.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    44. 5 Steps to Planning an Effective Mini-Lesson Sep 20, 2021

    EPISODE 44

    For the second episode in the mini-lesson series, I am going to share with you my five step process to planning an effective mini-lesson. I promise that these five steps are not as hard as you think they are. Even better, they will give you confidence that you can deliver an effective mini-lesson to your students!

    If you have never used mini-lessons or feel like you can use a refresher course, you’ve come to the right place. I will walk you through the steps to making your mini-lesson beneficial and structured no matter what your goal is. I’ll even provide examples of some of my favorite texts to use for specific standards. Come back next week for even more tips on how to plan and execute a mini-lesson!

    In this episode I share:

    -5 steps to planning an effective mini-lesson

    -How to tie mini-lessons to the standards

    -What makes a book a great mentor text

    -Examples of mentor texts based on your goals

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Grab your FREE mini-lesson planning pack: stellarteacher.com/minilessons

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode44.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    43. What is a Mini-Lesson? Sep 13, 2021

    EPISODE 43

    I am so excited to share with you that I’ve decided to have a mini-series in September to kick off the fall! The focus is going to be mini-lessons, which is something you may have heard me talk about during my summer series. I know you’re so busy with the beginning of the school year, so I hope these short and sweet episodes are perfect for you!

    In my experience, many teachers use the term “mini-lessons” for varying activities within their reading block. This is actually not the case as mini-lessons are structured and follow a specific framework. During this episode I will not only explain what that should look like, but also why it’s so important. I can’t wait to hear how you incorporate mini-lessons into your classroom!

    In this episode I share:

    -What a mini-lesson really is vs what it isn’t -The benefits of using mini-lessons -5 parts of an effective mini-lesson -How to choose which texts to use

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Grab your FREE mini-lesson planning pack: stellarteacher.com/minilessons

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode43.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    42. Pernille Ripp on Engaging and Empowering Students With the Global Read Aloud Sep 06, 2021

    EPISODE 42

    Most teachers that I know fantasized about being teachers from a very young age. I’m sure I’m not the only one who envisioned what my future classroom would look like or the successes my students would have due to my hard work and attention. My guest on today’s episode, Pernille Ripp, was disappointed to find that the current education system made it difficult for her to fulfill her dreams and provide students with authentic reading experiences.

    Instead of being complacent, Pernille decided to focus on two important areas of teaching: engagement and empowerment. What started as a blog ended up having an impact not only in her classroom but around the world. Her program started as an idea to increase engagement in reading but it has transformed into something much more, teaching skills such as empathy. The empowerment of Global Read Aloud fosters connectivity amongst people, which has never been more important than it is today.

    Pernille Ripp is a seventh grade teacher in Wisconsin and the creator of the Global Read Aloud (www.theglobalreadaloud.com), a literacy initiative that has connected more than 2,000,000 students since 2010 through the use of technology. She speaks internationally and writes regularly on her blog (www.pernillesripp.com). She is also author of several books including Passionate Readers - The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child and Passionate Learners: Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students

    In this episode we discuss:

    -The background behind Pernille Ripp’s journey as an educator -How to give students more authentic reading experiences -What Global Read Aloud is and why it was started -The impact Global Read Aloud has on student’s perspective outside the classroom

    Resources Mentioned:

    -The Global Read Aloud -The Global Read Aloud Facebook Group -Passionate Readers Book Facebook Group -Pernille’s Website

    For more resources, head to the show notes: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode42

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    41. The 5 Types of Context Clues to Teach Your Students Aug 30, 2021

    EPISODE 41

    Today’s episode continues the conversation we’ve been having on a topic related to reading comprehension, which is vocabulary. As I’m sure you know, if a student isn’t understanding what they’re reading they will likely not be motivated or interested in the text. This is why it is so important to teach students how to figure out what unknown words mean, bringing us to today’s topic: context clues.

    This means no more explicit teaching of a vocabulary list or those weekly vocabulary tests. Crazy, right? What I found when teaching context clues correctly is that students were able to determine the meaning of words and would be able to use them independently, which is of course the goal! Once you put these strategies in place your students will be fully equipped with the tools to decipher the meaning of unknown words they come across while reading.

    In this episode I share:

    -Things to avoid when teaching vocabulary -How to teach vocabulary without using vocabulary lists -The 5 different types of context clues to teach your students -The importance of word parts and parts of speech for unknown words

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Context Clues Activities

    -FREEBIE: Context Clue "Word of the Day" Activity

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode41.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    40. 10 Fast and Furious Tips to Tackle Vocabulary Instruction Aug 23, 2021

    EPISODE 40

    I can’t believe this is the podcast’s 40th episode! I always love to celebrate the podcast milestones so I want to say thank you to all my listeners for tuning in each week! To supplement last week's episode on word walls, I’m going to continue the conversation on vocabulary. More specifically, I will be sharing ten tips for teaching vocabulary in upper elementary.

    It is so important to focus on vocabulary in the upper grades as student’s reading skills continue to develop. What I have found, though, is that providing students with a vocabulary list each week is not the most effective way to teach new words. These tips I provide you will result in your students learning and most importantly using the new vocabulary words you’ve exposed them to.

    In this episode I share:

    -Reasons to say goodbye to weekly vocabulary quizzes -10 tips for teaching vocabulary in upper elementary -Ways you can use genres to increase vocabulary -3 goals to focus on when teaching vocabulary -How to assess student growth without using tests

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Vocabulary Routines and Activities Bundle

    -Greek and Latin Roots Bundle

    -Reading Word Wall Bundle

    -Prefixes and Suffixes Posters, Word Wall, and Activities Bundle

    -Freebie Greek and Latin Roots Student Reference Sheets

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode40.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    39. Why All Upper Elementary Classrooms Should Have Word Walls Aug 16, 2021

    EPISODE 39

    I can’t believe it’s already half-way through August and I'm sure some of you are already back at school getting your classrooms ready or even meeting your students. My teacher brain always considers August as the start of a “new year,” am I the only one that thinks this way? I love the way a new year welcomes new routines and a clean slate and this year I am going to convince you upper elementary teachers to try something new.

    You may be surprised to hear this but I want you upper elementary teachers to display a word wall. You may wonder why fourth graders need reminders on how to spell, but that’s actually not the purpose. There are so many advantages to exposing students to new vocabulary words on a daily basis so that they can solidify the meaning of these words and use them during discussions. Once you listen to all the benefits, you’ll have to let me know if you give it a try!

    In this episode I share:

    -The different purposes of a word wall

    -Benefits of using word walls in upper elementary

    -Intentional ways to display word walls in your classroom

    -3 necessary components for each vocabulary word

    -What you can do to help your students utilize the word wall independently

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Reading Word Wall Bundle

    -Science Poster and Word Wall Bundle

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode39.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    38. Your 3 Week Plan For Launching Reading Workshop Aug 09, 2021

    EPISODE 38

    Alright ya'll, are you ready for my most requested episode to date?! I've received so many messages this summer asking if I can share the specifics of how I launch reading workshop. Your wish has been granted in today's jam-packed episode!

    I'm sharing all the details of the first three weeks of reading workshop! During the first 15 days, the goal is to set your students up for success. This means you don't jump straight into content. Instead, focus on introducing, modeling, and practicing the habits and behaviors that you want your students to display all year long. When we take the time to build positive habits and behaviors, we gain an effective reading block (no “fake reading” going on here!).

    In this episode I share:

    -Examples of habits and behaviors you need to practice with your students

    -How to create energy and enthusiasm around independent reading

    -Tips to build up student stamina

    -Introducing “just right” books

    -How to manage your time during the first 15 days of reading workshop

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Reading Workshop Launch Guide FREEBIE

    -Anchor Chart FREEBIE

    -Reading Inventory FREEBIE

    -Reading Workshop Anchor Charts

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode38.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    37. Must Have Resources for Every Upper Elementary Reading Classroom Aug 02, 2021

    EPISODE 37

    It’s back to school time! This time of year always makes me so excited. As fun as it is, I totally know how many tasks are on your to-do list as you plan and prepare for your new group of students. Over the years, one thing I have found to be super helpful is having a solid list of go-to resources that can used over and over again in your reading block.

    Today I’m telling you all about my top five favorite resources that should be in every upper elementary reading classroom. These resources will play a crucial role in helping you to create a highly effective AND engaging reading block. What makes them so great? They work in ALL parts of your reading block - during independent practice, small group, assessments, and even homework!

    The best part is that by getting your students familiar with the same type of resource, it will become easier for them to truly use them as a valuable tool to practice important skills. This is the solution you need to eliminate the number of resources that you have to go searching for online time and time again.

    In this episode I share:

    -5 must-have resources for every upper elementary reading teacher

    -4 things to consider when selecting effective resources

    -Why you need to look for reading response resources that are open ended

    -How giving your students multiple opportunities to practice skills will help to grow your confidence as a teacher

    Resources Mentioned:

    -Premade Anchor Charts

    -Strategy Cards

    -Digital Graphic Organizers

    -Graphic Organizer Sticky Notes

    -Graphic Organizers for Genre

    -Question Stems

    -Task Cards - Growing Bundle

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -SHOW NOTES: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode37.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    36. 4 Classroom Management Mistakes New Teachers Make (And How to Prevent Them) with Dr. Lori Friesen Jul 26, 2021

    EPISODE 36

    I am thrilled for you to listen to today’s episode because it’s geared towards first year teachers, but also a great reminder for veterans. You’ll be hearing from my guest speaker, Dr. Lori Friesen, who has made it her life’s work to support new teachers. I love her mission because I could totally relate to that feeling of knowing my college education was spectacular and yet when I walked into the classroom those first few years, I could have used her help!

    Lori really touches upon all the different parts of teaching that may not be addressed during college. One point I wanted to focus on was classroom management. No matter how great your supervisor was during your student teaching, it’s a whole new situation when you are given your roster and students arrive on that first day of school. Once you listen to these tips you’ll definitely feel more prepared for the kids that walk through your door!

    In this episode we discuss:

    -Reasons why teachers feel unprepared during those first few years of teaching

    -4 common mistakes new (and veteran) teachers make when it comes to classroom management

    -Tips for creating classroom systems that work

    -How to keep classroom management fun

    Download the FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist:

    https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

    Connect with Dr. Lori:

    -Beginning Teacher Talk Facebook Group

    -Instagram: @beginningteachertalk

    -Drlorifriesen.com

    -Beginning Teacher Talk Podcast

    More Resources:

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode36.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    35. Create a Student Centered Reading Block In 3 Steps Jul 19, 2021

    EPISODE 35

    If you missed my free workshop on 3 proven steps to get your students to love reading and master the standards, this episode is created especially for you! In this episode, I’m going to go over some of the key points I covered in that training. You’ll hear my most favorite ways to create a reading block that is centered on your students, with an emphasis on independent reading time!

    As you are getting ready to go back to school, I want you to take some time to consider what you are going to do to help increase the student involvement in your reading block. If you closed your eyes and envisioned your reading block going as smoothly as possible, what does that look like for you? Does it involve the majority of your block being independent reading time? I believe this is the key to giving our students the time they need to practice and master the skills we teach during our mini-lessons! Tune in to hear how you can work your student’s up to reading independently for 40-45 minutes per day. Yes, it’s possible!

    The doors to The Stellar Teacher Membership close TONIGHT, July 19, 2021! Head to stellarteacher.com/joinnow to sign up!

    In this episode I share:

    -3 things to consider when creating a student-centered reading block

    -Habits and behaviors that students need to have in order to work independently

    -Letting ourselves experience failure with our instruction and using it as a chance to grow

    -Repetition and practice is the key to mastery

    Resources:

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode35.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    34. Setting Effective Student Reading Goals Jul 15, 2021

    EPISODE 34

    For the last Summer Series Quick Tip Thursday, I will be telling you how to set effective reading goals. This may be an unpopular opinion, but none of my suggestions will include the student's reading level. Sounds scary, right? Believe me when I say there are better and more motivating ways to measure your student’s growth in reading.

    I know this won’t be a surprise to you, but I’m going to recommend that you allow your students to set their goals. If you’ve been listening for a while you know how important it is for our students to maintain ownership of their reading. Once you guide them with these tips, they’re bound to be inspired to become better readers!

    In this episode I share:

    -Different purposes of setting reading goals

    -The 3 levels of goals students should be setting

    -Ways to keep students motivated to reach their goals

    Sign up for my FREE webinar, 3 Proven Steps to Create a Class Community That LOVES Reading: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop

    The doors to The Stellar Teacher Membership are now open! Head to stellarteacher.com/joinnow to sign up!

    Resources:

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode34.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    33. 3 Secrets to Creating a Highly Engaged Reading Block Jul 12, 2021

    EPISODE 33

    I can’t believe this is the final week of the Stellar Teach Summer Series! I’ve decided to end the series with one of the hot topics in education, which is reading engagement. Contrary to what many people think, you don’t have to jump through hoops to increase engagement. You must, however, make sure that you are intentional with how you’re keeping your students motivated.

    At the end of the day, it is our job to make sure our students are engaged as much as possible. We must inspire them so that they will be the ones doing the work. After all, that is what engagement really means!

    In this episode I share:

    -3 secrets to creating a highly engaging reading block

    -Strategies to ramp up your read alouds

    -How giving students choices increases their engagement

    -Different ways to record reading responses

    Sign up for my FREE webinar, 3 Proven Steps to Create a Class Community That LOVES Reading: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop

    The doors to The Stellar Teacher Membership are now open! Head to stellarteacher.com/joinnow to sign up!

    Resources:

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode33.

    Connect with me:

    -Join my newsletter

    -My TPT store

    -stellarteachercompany.com

    -Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany

    -Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    32. Help Students Discover Their Favorite Reading Genre Jul 08, 2021

    EPISODE 32

    For today’s Quick Tip Thursday I am going to continue talking about the topic of genre! I’m sure most of you are thinking of your book collection and which books you want to add to your library. It is SO important to be aware of the types of books being read in the classroom both independently and aloud.

    That’s why I am going to help you focus on students on an individual level. There are so many books out there that your students will like, however, if they don’t know which genres interest them they may not be able to find them. Once you listen to this episode your student’s will be able to identify which genres interest them all by themselves!

    In this episode I share:

    -How to organize genres in your classroom library

    -Ways to help students identify their preferred reading experience

    -Tips to give students independence for book selection

    Sign up for my FREE webinar, 3 Proven Steps to Create a Class Community That LOVES Reading: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop

    Resources mentioned:

    -Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    -Student Interest Survey FREEBIE: https://stellarteacher.lpages.co/opt-in-reading-interest-inventory-genre/

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode32.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    31. Why We Should Intentionally Teach Reading Genres Jul 05, 2021

    EPISODE 31

    Sign up for my FREE webinar, 3 Proven Steps to Create a Class Community That LOVES Reading: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/freeworkshop

    I have been having a blast during the last few weeks talking about reading in my summer series! In this week's episode I talk about genres and it’s truly one of my favorite topics. If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time reading out loud to your students. You may also notice that during these read alouds you’re reading various books that are within the same genre.

    This is what happened to me at least, and I realized that most likely not all of my student’s enjoy realistic fiction as much as I do. Whether it’s informational text or historical fiction, it is our responsibility as teachers to nurture our student’s love for reading. That is why during this episode I discuss how to motivate students to read by exposing them to different genres.

    In this episode I share:

    -Ways genre encourages students to identify their reading preferences

    -Reasons genres can help with reading comprehension

    -5 tips for being more intentional about teaching genre

    -Why it’s important to expose students to different genres

    Resources mentioned:

    -Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode31.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    30. My Top 9 Favorite Reading Centers for Upper Elementary Jul 01, 2021

    EPISODE 30

    In episode 29, I talked all about the solutions to the various challenges that come up when you use reading centers in your classroom. If you didn't catch that episode, go check it out!

    Once you have solid routines and expectations in place, there are many SIMPLE ways you can use reading centers in upper elementary. Today I'm sharing my 9 favorite reading centers that you can use all year long and involve very little to no prep!

    After listening, send me a message on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany and let me know which center you plan to try out first!

    Resources mentioned:

    -Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    -Reading Response Sticky Note Bundle

    -Reading Response Graphic Organizers for Genre

    -Task Cards Growing Bundle

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode30.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    29. The Problem with Reading Centers and How to Fix It Jun 28, 2021

    EPISODE 29

    When I think about reading centers, I remember how difficult they were for me during my first few years of teaching. It was hard to find the time to fit them in and I spent so much time prepping and searching for ways to keep them engaging for my students. Since then, I’ve learned a lot and want to share all of my suggestions with you!

    If you want to use reading centers, there is a way to use them with the workshop model. Better yet, I have simple solutions for you so that you create a reading block that truly works for you and your class. While I still believe that independent reading should take up a big chunk of your reading block, there IS a place for centers in upper elementary classrooms!

    In this episode I share:

    -3 main challenges that exist with the traditional reading center model

    -An easy way to make reading centers work for you and your students

    -A reminder that there is no ONE way to teach reading

    -How to give students choice in the content and pace of their centers

    Resources mentioned:

    -Join the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/join

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode29.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    28. How to Find MORE Time to Read Aloud For Fun Every Day Jun 24, 2021

    EPISODE 28

    On episode 27, I talked all about how to create an effective literacy block even if you are limited on time. Today is a continuation of that conversation as I discuss how to get creative in finding pockets of time throughout your day to squeeze in more read alouds!

    If you are even slightly as obsessed with picture books as I am, then you probably are dying to get to as many as possible throughout the year. We have to find ways to read to our kids just for fun, not because it’s in the standards or because we need to practice a skill for an upcoming test, but actually for pure enjoyment. While it’s true that you can’t actually create more time in the day, as the teacher you CAN control how you use the time in your classroom. Ready to learn how you can make read alouds happen more often?

    In this episode I share:

    -Six possible pockets of time for read alouds -Why finding extra time to read aloud to your students will pay off

    -The best advice I received from a college professor

    Resources mentioned:

    -Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

    -FREE Literacy Block Sample Schedules + Planning Guide

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode28.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    27. Create a Schedule for Your Reading Block - Even with Limited Time! Jun 21, 2021

    EPISODE 27

    My literacy block is too short. I don’t have enough time to cram everything in! Are these thoughts that run through your head? Depending on the length of your literacy block, you may feel like you are constantly rushing and hustling to get from one thing to the next. Here’s the thing though - more time isn’t the answer! You CAN create an effective literacy block, no matter how much time you have to teach it.

    It may sound strange, but you cannot stress about how much time you have for reading and writing. For most teachers, that’s not something that you have any control over. What you can control is how you spend that time. I’m here to help you come up with the perfect literacy schedule…even if your time is limited!

    In this episode I share:

    -7 tips to help you create an effective literacy block

    -Why you must set daily non-negotiables and stick to them

    -One question to ask yourself to determine if you’re using time wisely

    -Which routines and independent skills to prioritize at the beginning of the year to save time later

    Resources mentioned:

    -Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

    -FREE Literacy Block Sample Schedules + Planning Guide

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode27.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    26. Make Reading Workshop Work with a Basal Reading Program Jun 17, 2021

    EPISODE 26

    Welcome to our very first Quick Tip Thursday episode! In episode 25, I talked all about reading workshop and why you should consider implementing it into your literacy block.

    Whenever I discuss reading workshop, I often get asked the question, “my school is required to use a basal reading program, but I am really interested in using the reading workshop framework. Can I use this model even if I HAVE to use the basal?” Guess what? YES, you absolutely can! Tune in to hear my top tips on how you can incorporate reading workshop even with a basal reader.

    Resources mentioned:

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    -Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

    -Episode 25, How Reading Workshop Can Transform Your Reading Instruction: stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode25

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode26.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    25. How Reading Workshop Can Transform Your Reading Instruction Jun 14, 2021

    EPISODE 25

    During my first few years of teaching, I was handed a basal reading program. I was told this was the way to teach reading. Well, it didn’t take me too long to realize that it was extremely repetitive and NOT engaging for me or my students. I found myself constantly trying to supplement with other resources. I finally came across the reading workshop model and never looked back. Today I’m filling you in on why I love this model so much!

    In this episode I share:

    -What reading workshop is and why it’s so effective

    -Details on each part of reading workshop

    -How to be intentional about providing closure to your lesson

    -Why teachers sometimes over-teach during mini-lessons

    Resources mentioned:

    -Come join us in my NEW Facebook group, Upper Elementary Reading Teachers

    -Download the Stellar Teacher Summer Series Calendar

    -Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode25.

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
    24. Getting Reluctant Writers EXCITED to Write with Jamie Sears from Not So Wimpy Teacher Jun 07, 2021

    EPISODE 24

    Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership!

    On today’s episode I am so excited to have Jamie Sears, from Not So Wimpy Teacher, join me! If you know Jamie you know that she is a writing guru and she will be sharing easy ways to make writing easier for teachers that is also exciting for students. Even the most reluctant students will want to participate once you incorporate these ideas!

    Writing is often one of the most dreaded subjects for teachers to teach. With all the emphasis on reading levels and math scores, it’s no wonder we don’t feel as prepared to teach writing. It wasn’t until I was out of the classroom and came across these resources that it didn’t seem so overwhelming. After you make these shifts in your classroom, I know you’ll feel the same way!

    In this episode we discuss:

    -Small changes that cause a big impact in student growth -3 Reasons students can be reluctant writers -Where to start when teaching writing -Easy ways to make writing FUN! -The best way to measure growth

    Resources mentioned:

    -Get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership at stellarteacher.com/waitlist!

    -Free Writing Pacing Guide for Grades 2-5

    -Jamie's Instagram: @notsowimpyteacher

    -notsowimpyteacher.com

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode24.

    23. Planning the Classroom Library of Your Dreams and How to Introduce it to Your Students May 31, 2021

    EPISODE 23

    >>Head to stellarteacher.com/waitlist to get on the waitlist for the Stellar Teacher Membership

    22. Setting Up Your Classroom Library With Intention May 24, 2021

    EPISODE 22

    This may be a shock to hear, but in my opinion the best time to set up your class library is at the end of the year. Hear me out. As you’re putting your books in boxes and taking inventory at the end of the year, why not get your students involved? Not to mention, if you organize your library the way you want it and categorize it now just imagine how much easier it will be in the fall!

    So let’s talk about what drives your organization system. Well that’s simple, your students! The main goal of your classroom library is to make it accessible to your students. That’s why you want to encourage your students to be more independent and engaged in reading by creating a system that makes sense not only to you but to them as well!

    In this episode I share:

    • 3 different ways you can set up your classroom library
    • Benefits and limitations to consider for your categorization system
    • 1 organizational method you should avoid

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Genre labels for your classroom library - FREEBIE!

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode22.

    21. How to Keep Students Engaged Until the End of the School Year May 17, 2021

    EPISODE 21

    How many of you are counting down the days until summer? I love having something to look forward to and celebrating the passing of time. With that being said, it is probably the hardest part of the year to maintain student engagement. That’s why this episode is about keeping students engaged in reading until the very last day of school.

    Keeping students engaged in the last month of school is definitely a challenge. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the year and revisit texts you have read throughout the year. The goal at this time of the year is to maintain structure and purpose while having more flexibility. Of course, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy those last few experiences of reading with your students!

    In this episode I share:

    • 7 ways to keep students engaged in reading
    • Strategies to challenge your students at the end of the year
    • How to keep students reading while crossing items off your to-do list

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Reading Challenge FREEBIE
    • Episode 9- Getting Started with Author Studies
    • Episode 20- Inspired Action: My Favorite Way to Bring Texts to Life

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode21.

    20. Inspired Action: My Favorite Way to Bring Texts to Life May 10, 2021

    EPISODE 20

    Today is episode 20 of Stellar Teacher Podcast and I am so excited to share this milestone with all of you! Yay! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to talk to you about how to create a highly engaged reading block. More specifically, I will be talking about Inspired Action. Never heard of it? You’re not alone!

    Inspired Action is a term I’ve created that, in short, helps your students learn how to change the world. Inspired Action starts by reading a book, but can lead to changes from within the classroom to throughout the community. Let’s be honest, we do not become teachers to teach standards. You are listening to this episode because you are an educator who wants to teach children that they can make a positive impact on those around them and I’m going to tell you how to do just that!

    In this episode I share:

    • How to motivate students at the end of the year
    • What Inspired Action looks like in practice
    • How to implement Inspired Action into your classroom
    • The 3 powerful questions that you need to be asking your students after a read aloud

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Each Kindness

    • Favorite wordless picture book authors: Bill Thompson and David Weisner

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode20.

    19. Reading Conferences Part 2: FAQs May 03, 2021

    EPISODE 19

    This week is a continuation of last week’s episode all about reading conferences! I just love reading conferences for so many reasons. It’s the perfect time to give our students that one-on-one time that they desperately crave.

    When I first started implementing reading conferences, I noticed something interesting. Some of my students would get anxiety when we had a conference. I realized that they were having trouble distinguishing between a reading conference and an assessment. Today I’m sharing my tips on how to avoid this confusion by taking the time to explain and model conferences. Then, I’m answering the most common questions I receive about reading conferences.

    In this episode I answer:

    • How often should I hold reading conferences?
    • What is the best time to do a reading conference?
    • How do I confer with students if I’ve never read the book they’re reading?
    • What are the rest of my students doing while I’m in a reading conference?
    • How do reading conferences fit into the other elements of readers workshop?

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Reading Conference Teacher Guide FREEBIE
    • Reading Comprehension Strategy Cards
    • Reading Strategies Anchor Charts & Posters
    • Episode 18, Getting Started With Reading Conferences

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode19.

    18. Getting Started With Reading Conferences Apr 26, 2021

    EPISODE 18

    This one is a listener request! Thank you for your suggestion Emily!

    If you’re an elementary school teacher, you’ve likely experienced having a class with students who are on all different reading levels. This makes it really challenging to create a guided reading scheduling. Have you ever tried incorporating reading conferences to fill the gaps?

    I first discovered the magic of reading conferences while teaching second grade and never looked back. With short and effective reading conferences, you can get to the objective of a lesson way quicker than in a traditional reading group. The best part is that it’s a great time to get to know your students on a more personal level.

    In this episode I share:

    • What a reading conference is and why they are so beneficial
    • A simple reading conference framework that you can use for all of your students
    • How to know when you no longer need to listen to your students read aloud and what to work on instead
    • The appropriate length of a reading conference

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Reading Conference Teacher Guide FREEBIE
    • Reading Comprehension Strategy Cards
    • Reading Strategies Anchor Charts & Posters

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode18.

    17. Empower Students by Reading and Writing Poetry Often Apr 19, 2021

    EPISODE 17

    What was your opinion of studying poetry in elementary school? How about in college? Some of our experiences with our own education shapes how we feel about topics that we teach our own students. For the longest time, I thought that because I had a difficult time with poetry in college that I would never be a good poetry teacher.

    As the years went by, I learned several ways to make poetry fun, and I finally found my love for it again. While April is poetry month, we really should be teaching poetry all year long! There are so many simple and creative ways that we can build poetry into our days within reading, writing, and even behavior management!

    In this episode I share:

    • My memories of experiencing poetry as a child
    • Ways to create an experience around poetry that leaves your students feeling empowered and excited about writing
    • The benefits of reading and writing different types of poetry often
    • Connecting poetry to art

    Resources:

    • Poetry Writing Bundle
    • Poetry Posters and Anchor Charts
    • Poetry Word Wall Cards
    • The Best Part of Me

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode17.

    16. Engaging Test Prep Tips Apr 12, 2021

    EPISODE 16

    I think it’s safe to say we all agree that standardized testing is not an accurate measure of our students (or our) abilities. There, I said it! Now that that disclaimer is out of the way, I’m here to support you all in any way that I can. Since over 96% of you said your state is requiring standardized testing we’re going to make the best of it together!

    As many of you know, I have experience as a teacher and also an assistant principal which allows me to understand testing from both standpoints. I am all too familiar with the stress of test prep and pressure of those above me waiting to analyze my teaching skills based on the outcome. These experiences have provided me with tips and tricks for you to seamlessly incorporate test prep into your lessons.

    In this episode I share:

    • 5 tips to prepare for standardized testing
    • Ways to minimize pressure from standardized testing
    • Strategies for incorporating test prep into your normal routine
    • Involving peers and movement into your test prep

    Resources mentioned:

    • Reading Comprehension Task Cards Bundle
    • Main Idea Task Cards
    • Nonfiction Task Cards
    • Episode 5, How to Use Strategy Groups to Boost Comprehension

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode16.

    15. Providing Feedback To Student Reading Responses Apr 05, 2021

    EPISODE 15

    It often feels like we are teaching strategy after strategy in hopes that students are able to comprehend what they've read. But what happens once they start putting those strategies to use? With an overwhelming amount of post-its and reading responses piling on your desk, the thought of next steps may be daunting.

    I have to admit that I’ve been guilty of holding reading notebooks hostage at my house and put off tackling each of them all at once. I later realized this was not at all effective, especially for my second graders who couldn’t independently read my critiques. That’s why getting students involved and providing feedback more regularly is a must! After all, the purpose of writing tasks are for us to see evidence of their thinking and what better way than to hold them accountable?

    In this episode I share:

    • 5 manageable systems to review reading responses and provide feedback
    • Ways to get students involved in providing feedback
    • When and how to incorporate feedback into your day

    Resources mentioned in the episode:

    • Sticky note templates for student feedback FREEBIE
    • Reading Response Activity Bundle
    • Episode 14: Reading Response Ideas to Reenergize Independent Reading Time

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode15.

    14. Reading Response Ideas to Reenergize Independent Reading Time Mar 29, 2021

    EPISODE 14

    As we approach the home stretch to the end of the school year, students may begin to grow bored with all kinds of normal routines throughout the school day. One of the blocks of time where you might see this most is during independent reading time. I firmly believe that independent reading is one of the best ways to help our students become stronger, more independent readers. However, there’s only one of you, so it can be difficult to find the time to monitor independent reading daily.

    Switching things up during your reading block is a great way to stay on track and keep engagement levels up. Providing fresh new opportunities for reading responses will help to increase accountability among your kids while also boosting their excitement. Today I’m sharing my favorite ways to use reading responses in your classroom, and the last one just may surprise you!

    In this episode I share:

    • 10 ideas on how you can have your students respond to their reading
    • Compelling reasons why you should provide your students with reading response tasks
    • The importance of taking the time to teach a task before you require it to be completed
    • Why you should regularly switch up your reading response routine
    • How to involve your class in the process of creating reading response choices
    • Ways to make reading response tasks accessible for students all of ability levels

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Reading Response Sticky Note Bundle
    • Reading Response Graphic Organizers
    • Reading Response Question Stems
    • Reading Response Activity Bundle
    • Episode 8, The Reading Process
    • Episode 12, Build Literacy Buzz with Book Talks

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode14.

    13. Establishing Student Independence During Book Clubs Mar 15, 2021

    EPISODE 13

    One thing you should know about me is that my friends refer to me as a "serial book club starter". I've left a book club legacy behind in the different states I've lived in and now I'm excited to share how you can add one to your classroom. Let me just tell you though, my excitement pales in comparison to how your students will feel.

    I'm not exaggerating when I say my students used to BEG me to be in a book club. I think we can all agree that any method that will increase student engagement and motivation towards reading is worth a shot! After all, the more authentic reading experiences the kids have, the more confident they will become.

    In this episode I share:

    • How book clubs help your students
    • The mistakes I made when I first stared book clubs with my students
    • 5 tips to start student-led book clubs
    • When to incorporate book clubs

    Resources:

    • Book Club and Literature Circle Posters and Response Templates
    • Book Talks Planning Templates and Teacher Guide
    • Episode 12 on Building Literacy Buzz with Book Talks

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode13

    12. Build Literacy Buzz with Book Talks Mar 08, 2021

    EPISODE 12

    I recently received a request asking if I could do an episode about book talks. I'm always so thrilled to hear from my listeners, so this one is for you Grace! Book talks are such a fun and simple way to create excitement around books in your classroom.

    Today I'm diving into my explanation of what a book talk is, and why all teachers should be using them in their classroom daily. They only take a few minutes of your day! Imagine if you have one student share a book each day. Your class could be exposed to up to 180 new book titles by the end of the school year!

    In this episode I share:

    • The benefits that come from making time for a book talk in your classroom
    • 4 ways to make book talks more engaging
    • Ideas on how you can have your students add a visual element to their book talk
    • Why you must model what a good book talk looks like
    • How talking about books can empower students to engage in independent reading

    I'd love to know what YOU want to hear next on the Stellar Teacher Podcast! Share your ideas with me at sara@stellarteacher.com or send me a DM on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany!

    Resources:

    • Book Talk Anchor Charts FREEBIE
    • Book Talk Planning Templates and Teacher Guide
    • Print and Digital Reading Challenges

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode12

    11. Create a Reading Block that Supports ELL Students with Beth Vaucher Mar 01, 2021

    EPISODE 11

    No matter where you are located, it's likely that you have students who are not native English speakers. Only about 1% of homeroom teachers have training in supporting the ELL population, even though these students are in their homeroom the majority of the day without an ELL specialist. So if you're wondering how to provide support to your English Language Learners, our guest today is sharing her favorite tips!

    We're joined by ESL teacher and creator behind Inspiring Young Learners, Beth Vaucher. She is passionate about supporting and empowering teachers to equip their English Language Learners. Beth tells us why your reading block is one of the best times that you can support ELL students. Her strategies don't require a ton of extra work and preparation and they will help you learn to maximize your time so that your students get what they need while feeling more confident and successful.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • 5 strategies on how to tweak your reading block to keep language and cultural differences in mind
    • Why building background knowledge and using visuals is crucial for ELL students
    • How planning intentionally with your ELL students in mind benefits all the children in your class
    • The importance of giving ELLs the opportunity for collaborative work and independent work

    Grab Beth's FREE Closed Reading Passages at inspiringyounglearners.com/stellar

    Beth's Resources:

    • inspiringyounglearners.com
    • Instagram: @inspiringyounglearners
    • Facebook: Inspiring Young Learners
    • TPT Store
    • Equipping ELLs Membership: equippingells.com

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode11

    10. Using Task Cards to Boost Comprehension Feb 22, 2021

    EPISODE 10

    In true Stellar Teacher fashion, I'm going to share how to maximize the effectiveness of a tool you probably already have: task cards. It is my goal to provide tips that are practical and set up students up to be independent readers. If you're like me, the cookie cutter methods don't cut it.

    I believe that it is not the framework of the teaching but how teachers use their resources and tools to reach each individual child. That's why I appreciate the amount of responsiveness that this strategy creates. Say goodbye to multiple choice questions and be ready for authentic reading experiences.

    In this episode I share:

    • 3 benefits of using task cards
    • 5 tips for using task cards to boost comprehension
    • Reading strategies that will save time and money

    Resources:

    • Reading Comprehension Task Cards - Growing Bundle
    • Digital Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizers
    • Reading Comprehension Skills Graphic Organizers

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode10

    9. Getting Started with Author Studies Feb 15, 2021

    EPISODE 9

    One of my favorite books, Deeper Reading, states that teachers directly influence their student's motivation and interest in reading. This, in turn, influences their reading comprehension. We may not have the power to choose the literature in the curriculum, but the way you frame their reading experiences should excite and inspire them!

    One way to tap into your student's interest and motivation is through author studies. Before you assume that it will take lots of time and planning, I'm here to tell you that is not the case! I actually stumbled across this method accidently and the excitement was real among my students. It didn't feel like practice, rather it resulted in my student's requesting free reading time. Really, is there anything more rewarding than that?

    In this episode I share:

    • How teachers influence student reading interest
    • Ways to disguise our reading lessons to increase motivation
    • 3 simple steps for using author studies
    • Resources for building your classroom library to support author studies
    • Tips on how to get the maximum benefits from an author study

    Resources:

    • Patricia Palacco Author Study
    • Reading Genre Posters and Anchor Charts
    • Digital Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizers
    • Deeper Reading, by Kelly Gallagher
    • Donorschoose.org

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode9

    8. The Reading Process Feb 08, 2021

    EPISODE 8

    I'll bet that you, and your students, can name the five steps of the writing process. Brainstorm, draft, revise, edit, and publish! This is a process that our students are taught in school year after year after year. This constant exposure and step by step guide is one of the tools used to help students become successful writers.

    Here's my big question: why don't we have a similar process for reading? Yes, we teach strategies for reading, but can our students name an explicit step by step process that they follow when they sit down to read? Probably not! The good news is that there are specific steps we can teach our students, it's just a matter of naming them in order and associating these steps with everyday reading.

    In this episode I share:

    • The 5 step reading process and the "why" behind each step
    • Why performing a detailed preview of a text helps students get the most out of their reading experience
    • Ways to gently push our students to maximize their growth
    • What to do when your students answer reading questions with "I don't know"

    I truly believe that if each student were exposed to this process year after year, it would help them become stronger readers who are more engaged in their texts. This 5 step reading process will make for a rich and meaningful reading experience!

    Download your FREE Reading Process Checklist here: https://stellarteacher.lpages.co/opt-in-reading-process-checklist/

    Resources:

    • Digital Reading Graphic Organizers Bundle - Distance Learning
    • Reading Response Stop-N-Jot
    • Reading Response Graphic Organizers

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode8

    7. 5 Things to STOP Doing During Guided Reading Feb 01, 2021

    EPISODE 7

    I’m pretty sure it’s in every teacher’s DNA to research best teaching practices to enhance literacy skills. I also think we often forget to research what we should NOT be doing during guided reading. I’m curious if you’ve ever done this? There are so many ineffective strategies that I see other teachers using and that I am absolutely guilty of having used as well!

    I’m going to help you identify the strategies to avoid because, to be honest, they’re incorporated into many classroom routines. We think we’re helping the student’s and in the end we are actually hindering their independence. If you embrace the strategies I’ve provided, your students will take ownership of critical reading skills on their own. After all, if we’re doing all the talking, we’re doing all the work.

    In this episode I share:

    • 5 things you should STOP doing during guided reading
    • How to replace those ineffective strategies
    • Ways to empower our students to feel confident in their reading
    • An important bonus tip for incorporating writing into your guided reading lessons

    Wherever you are in your teacher journey, remind yourself that you don't have to make all these changes right away. Start with one or two and go from there!

    Resources:

    • Reading Poster Bundle for Distance Learning
    • Reading Response Graphic Organizer
    • Reading Comprehension Passages

    Connect with me:

    • Join my newsletter
    • My TPT store
    • stellarteachercompany.com
    • Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
    • Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company

    For full show notes and more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode7

    6. Mastering Guided Reading in the Classroom and for Distance Learning with Aylin Claahsen Jan 25, 2021

    EPISODE 6

    Guided reading groups are so important for lower and upper elementary grades. That's why I'm especially excited to announce my first podcast guest, Aylin Claahsen. Aylin is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant, and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog or social media at Learning to the Core.

    In this episode, Aylin and I discuss what guided reading is and why it's so important, how to create leveled reading groups, and steps to maximize the effectiveness of guided reading groups. Aylin also shares tips for teaching guided reading virtually.

    Connect with Aylin:

    • membership site: https://www.engagingallreaders.com/
    • blog: https://dailylearningtothecore.com/
    • TPT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Aylin-Claahsen
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningtothecore/

    For more resources and full show notes, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode6.

    5. How to Use Strategy Groups to Boost Comprehension Jan 18, 2021

    EPISODE 5

    One of the most important and underutilized instructional practices for reading comprehension is strategy groups. The target practice can be used with all students to give them confidence and independence for applying strategies while reading. That's the point right?

    I actually accidentally stumbled upon using this method while teaching fourth grade and it soon became an intentional part of my reading block. In fact, I was conducting strategy groups whenever I had the chance! If you're finding that there are gaps to fill following your whole group reading lessons, I suggest you try incorporating strategy groups into your day.

    In this episode I share:

    • How to fit strategy groups into your reading block
    • Steps to begin using strategy groups
    • Tips for determining which students need strategy groups
    • The 4 T's of strategy groups

    Join me for a live training on January 18th, 2021 all about how to teach comprehension in a way that is actually going to stick with your students! Sign up HERE.

    For more resources, head to stellarteacher.com/episode5.

    4. Effective Comprehension Strategy Instruction Jan 11, 2021

    EPISODE 4

    Comprehension is one of the most important parts of reading instruction. It can also be one of the most challenging to teach, wouldn't you agree? A student's background, knowledge, and life experiences may cause them to comprehend a text differently than their same aged peers, let alone their teacher!

    Put twenty or thirty students in a room and there are countless numbers of personal experiences that will influence the way they interpret text. I remember the challenges I faced while in the classroom with varied learning style. Luckily, I learned ways to help students feel confident in utilizing their comprehension strategies. Now I'm going to share those ideas with you to help make your reading instruction that much more effective!

    In this episode I share:

    • Challenges faced when teaching reading comprehension
    • 5 tips to effectively teach comprehension skills
    • Ways to get student buy-in
    • Strategies to build student confidence
    • The overall purpose of teaching comprehension strategies

    Sign up for my FREE reading comprehension training for 3rd-5th grade teachers here!

    GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the launch of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, we are giving away three $75 gift cards to my TPT store! Entering is simple.

    1. Subscribe to the podcast

    2. Rate and leave a positive review

    3. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to me in a DM on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany.

    4. For a bonus entry, share a screenshot of one of the episodes you listened to in your stories and tag me @thestellarteachercompany.

    5. Giveaway closes Friday, January 15th.

    For full show notes and episode resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode4.

    3. 5 Tips For Returning To Independent Reading After Winter Break Dec 17, 2020

    EPISODE 3

    Returning to the classroom after winter break can bring some challenges when it comes to your reading block. Students are out of their normal routine, and may or may not have been reading during their time off of school. As I like to say, it's possible that your kids have "forgotten how to do school".

    It’s frustrating to feel like all your hard work of nailing down important routines has gone out the window. The good news is that there are several things you can focus on in order to reset your independent reading time so you can quickly gain back momentum! This can also be the perfect opportunity to refine parts of your reading block that weren't going so well before you left for break.

    In this episode I share:

    • 5 ways to successfully jump back into independent reading
    • why slowing down to reteach habits and behaviors is crucial
    • how to add excitement to your classroom library
    • the power of praising independent reading efforts

    GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the launch of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, we are giving away three $75 gift cards to my TPT store! Entering is simple.

    1. Subscribe to the podcast

    2. Rate and leave a positive review

    3. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to me in a DM on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany.

    4. For a bonus entry, share a screenshot of one of the episodes you listened to in your stories and tag me @thestellarteachercompany.

    5. Giveaway closes Friday, January 15th.

    For full show notes and episode resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode3

    2. How to Create a Classroom Community That Loves Reading Dec 17, 2020

    EPISODE 2

    There are so many important aspects of teaching literacy. There’s the different reading strategies, management, how to set up your reading workshop, launching book clubs, how to keep your kids engaged while reading, and the list goes on. At the end of the day, what we really want is for our kids to develop a true life-long love of reading.

    The pressures of things like state testing and boxed curriculum can make it difficult to create authentic reading experiences. But friends, it absolutely can be done! There are several strategies we can use to have more authentic and fun experiences in our classroom without worksheets, textbooks, and activities that take forever to prep. It all starts with adjusting our pacing and selecting texts that reflect our student’s interests and needs.

    In this episode I share:

    • My first memories of reading
    • 4 purposeful ways that you can create a love of reading in your classroom
    • Examples of how you can ensure your students are the ones doing the work, rather than you
    • How to make your reading block student centered

    GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the launch of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, we are giving away three $75 gift cards to my TPT store! Entering is simple.

    1. Subscribe to the podcast

    2. Rate and leave a positive review

    3. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to me in a DM on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany.

    4. For a bonus entry, share a screenshot of one of the episodes you listened to in your stories and tag me @thestellarteachercompany.

    5. Giveaway closes Friday, January 15th.

    For full show notes and episode resources, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/episode2

    1. My Journey To Making An Impact Dec 17, 2020

    EPISODE 1

    Y'all I am SO excited that the Stellar Teacher Podcast is finally here! This has been a dream of mine for the past two years, and now here we are. 2020 has seriously changed my perspective on life and teaching. It was just the push I needed to take action on my ideas. If this year has shown us anything, it’s how hard teachers are working. You have shown up in BIG ways for your students, and you are the reason I’m here.

    Why did you first become a teacher anyway? For me, it was because I wanted to make an impact! Throughout my teaching career, I was always looking for new opportunities because I wanted to extend my impact. My teacher and school administrator journey eventually led me to begin my own business, The Stellar Teacher Company. Now I create fun and engaging resources so that teachers like you don’t have to!

    In our first episode I share:

    • Why I finally decided to follow through with starting a podcast
    • What you can expect to gain from listening to the Stellar Teacher Podcast
    • The evolution of The Stellar Teacher Company
    • Common challenges that teachers face

    Tune in every Monday for practical tips, teaching strategies, and resources to strengthen your skills as an elementary school literacy teacher.

    GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the launch of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, we are giving away three $75 gift cards to my TPT store! Entering is simple.

    1. Subscribe to the podcast

    2. Rate and leave a positive review

    3. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to me in a DM on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany.

    4. For a bonus entry, share a screenshot of one of the episodes you listened to in your stories and tag me @thestellarteachercompany.

    5. Giveaway closes Friday, January 15th.

    For full show notes, head to stellarteacher.com/podcast/ep1.

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