Literacy

Wherever you fall on the love-hate continuum of grammar, we can all probably find common ground in at least one belief: Writing loses power without the strong, intentional use of grammar. Patty McGee explores 5 simple yet powerful instructional shifts that will have a huge impact on how students use grammar as their artistic tool to mold, construct, and shape their writing.

What is fluency? In the first post in our Best Practices series, we'll examine the definition of fluency, study its components, and consider its instructional implications.

For many students, putting pen to paper can be downright scary! As teachers, we are not powerless in this situation. In fact, what we do early on in the school year can make a world of difference. If we can create a space of trust, where students can show up again and again fully aware of their challenges, and write despite them, writing growth will happen. By establishing a strong community of writers at the onset of the year, students build writing resilience.

Lasting and meaningful changes occur when a school community works as a team to identify needs and investigate alternatives. There may not be one single tool that will help you determine your school’s reading temperature, but experts Laura and Evan Robb provide helpful tips for creating a process to evaluate your school’s culture of reading.

Reading volume matters! The goal of developing schools full of readers can best be achieved when the principal, teachers, literacy coaches, and the media specialist become a team and advocate for independent reading every day. Laura Robb outlines easy-to-implement tips for increasing students' reading fluency, comprehension, and imagination.

Writing instruction has the potential to engage, excite, and propel students forward. A strong writing curriculum is a key aspect in doing this. Author and literacy expert Leah Mermelstein outlines six qualities help you make your writing curriculum the very best it can be.

2020 had many educators rethinking each practice and the place it holds for a well-developed reading instructional experience. Patty McGee shares essential practices to help your students continue to develop as readers, supporting in-person, distance, or hybrid learning.

Research shows that when a self-selected text is above a student’s independent reading level, that student will struggle productively to understand it.