<![CDATA[The Literacy Dive Podcast: Reading and Writing Strategies for Upper Elementary Teachers and Parents]]>ae85ee7e-d2e0-5916-922a-bc8b97135775Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:00:21 +0000Captivate.fmMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacherhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/b3f55b34-8132-45c5-a587-edb48e095173/podcast-1.jpgThe Literacy Dive Podcast: Reading and Writing Strategies for Upper Elementary Teachers and ParentsMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary TeacherMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary TeacherDo you find yourself seeking new implementations when it comes to literacy instruction? Do you crave fresh ideas and engaging lessons to transform your students into skilled readers and writers? The Literacy Dive Podcast was created to provide educators, like you, with actionable steps and strategies to improve teaching reading and writing.  Your host, Megan Polk, is the creator and owner of The Literacy Dive, a company that creates educational, literacy curriculum that aims to close the gap and support children in reaching mastery. Being a literacy specialist and having over a decade of teaching grades K-5, Megan knows the power of collaboration and working alongside teachers and parents to provide them with the support, confidence, and resources they need to meet students where they are. Dive in each Monday as Megan and her guests unpack an element of literacy or various topics relatable to educators. Here are some topics covered in this literacy podcast: writing strategies, reading comprehension, the writing process, the science of reading, and small group instruction. Tune in on your favorite podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Amazon, and more! If you enjoy this podcast and find the content helpful, please consider leaving a rating, feedback review, and/or sharing this podcast with a friend!http://theliteracydive.libsyn.com/websitefalseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/the-literacy-dive/nopodcast170. Interventions for Environmental Factors That Affect Reading Comprehension170. Interventions for Environmental Factors That Affect Reading ComprehensionOver the last month, we’ve been discussing all the different factors that can affect a student’s reading comprehension, even in upper elementary. We’ve gone over fundamental and cognitive factors, and now we’ve hit the last factor, which is environmental. So, in the last episode of the series, I’m sharing interventions for environmental factors that affect reading comprehension, the impact those have on student learning, and ways to support them. 

When it comes to environmental factors, I’m really going to cover the socioeconomic and emotional or psychological factors that students face. As you address these factors, it’s important to be aware that this involves creating a supportive classroom environment and connecting with resources that go beyond the classroom. I’m going to provide several intervention ideas that involve the community, public library, and ways to include SEL into your daily literacy routine. 

As you start to examine reasons why a student isn’t proficient in reading comprehension, it’s important to look beyond academics. Are there resources or materials that aren’t attainable or lack the support to improve their reading? By taking a look at the environmental factors that affect reading comprehension and addressing those issues, you will soon have your students feeling successful with their literacy skills!

Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode170

Resources Mentioned:


Connect with Me:

  • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
  • Shop my TpT store here
  • Receive emails from me here
  • Follow me on Instagram https://theliteracydive.com/episode170

    Resources Mentioned:


    Connect with Me:

    • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
    • Shop my TpT store here
    • Receive emails from me here
    • Follow me on Instagram here
    • Read my blog posts here

    ]]>f6a0c846-c5eb-4b15-a962-f930d36cf660Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -040023:56falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher169. Interventions for Cognitive Factors That Affect Reading Comprehension169. Interventions for Cognitive Factors That Affect Reading ComprehensionOver the last few weeks, I’ve been diving into intervention strategies for students who have difficulty with reading comprehension. The reality is that some upper elementary students aren’t proficient or on grade level when it comes to reading or reading comprehension. So, as literacy teachers, we’ve got to come up with ways to support these students in our class. Last week, I shared strategies for students who struggle with the fundamental factors of reading comprehension. But in today’s episode, I’m sharing interventions and strategies for cognitive factors that affect reading comprehension for your students.

    When we discuss cognitive factors, we’re addressing deficiencies in attention issues, processing speeds, working memory, language processing, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. But one thing that’s unique about cognitive challenges is that the intervention and strategies need to be specialized and focused on the unique needs of each student. Therefore, when highlighting strategies and interventions for cognitive factors that affect reading comprehension, they’re tailored and adjusted to benefit the student and help them succeed in reading and academics in general.

    As you address cognitive factors that affect reading comprehension, know that support from special education teachers and interventionists may need to get involved. Therefore, by implementing these strategies with your students, you’re one step ahead in getting them the help they need for the future in academics. Our goal as literacy teachers is to get our students proficient in reading, so having these interventions ready for your students is one way for you to address their cognitive factors in order to improve their reading comprehension skills.

    Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode169

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Vocabulary Writing Prompts Sample
    • FREE Context Clues Activity Set
    • Reading Comprehension Activity Bundle
    • Reading Graphic Organizers
    • Reading Comprehension Question Rings
    • Reading Skills and Strategies Anchor Charts
    • Sentence Stem Response Cards
    • Sentence Stem Anchor Charts
    • Episode 168, Interventions for Fundamental Factors That Affect Reading Comprehension
    • Episode 167, Fundamental, Cognitive, and Environmental...]]>Over the last few weeks, I’ve been diving into intervention strategies for students who have difficulty with reading comprehension. The reality is that some upper elementary students aren’t proficient or on grade level when it comes to reading or reading comprehension. So, as literacy teachers, we’ve got to come up with ways to support these students in our class. Last week, I shared strategies for students who struggle with the fundamental factors of reading comprehension. But in today’s episode, I’m sharing interventions and strategies for cognitive factors that affect reading comprehension for your students.

      When we discuss cognitive factors, we’re addressing deficiencies in attention issues, processing speeds, working memory, language processing, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. But one thing that’s unique about cognitive challenges is that the intervention and strategies need to be specialized and focused on the unique needs of each student. Therefore, when highlighting strategies and interventions for cognitive factors that affect reading comprehension, they’re tailored and adjusted to benefit the student and help them succeed in reading and academics in general.

      As you address cognitive factors that affect reading comprehension, know that support from special education teachers and interventionists may need to get involved. Therefore, by implementing these strategies with your students, you’re one step ahead in getting them the help they need for the future in academics. Our goal as literacy teachers is to get our students proficient in reading, so having these interventions ready for your students is one way for you to address their cognitive factors in order to improve their reading comprehension skills.

      Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode169

      Resources Mentioned:


      Connect with Me:

      • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
      • Shop my TpT store here
      • Receive emails from me here
      • Follow me on Instagram here
      • Read my blog posts here

      ]]>16e4c256-b072-49d3-8039-08a38912b4bcMon, 22 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -040021:11falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher168. Interventions for Fundamental Factors That Affect Reading Comprehension168. Interventions for Fundamental Factors That Affect Reading ComprehensionGetting students in upper elementary on grade level with their reading and comprehension skills can be challenging because there are so many factors and reasons why they’re lacking in that area. However, one of the biggest reasons is a lack of fundamental and foundational skills. I talked in last week’s episode about the different areas this can be found, but I want to go deeper into providing you with action steps you can take. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing seven fundamental reading comprehension strategies you can implement in your classroom.

      As I reference factors tied to foundational skills, I’m referring to vocabulary, decoding, background knowledge, fluency, text structure, engagement, and comprehension strategies. These fundamental challenges contribute to a student’s lack of reading skills. So in each of these areas, I discuss the fundamental reading comprehension strategies I would take action in to support students. I also provide examples of engaging and creative ways to implement in the areas of your literacy block. 

      It’s our job as teachers to find ways to support our students in becoming successful readers. And even if they’re in upper elementary, that reason could be a lack of fundamental and foundational skills. But by identifying and incorporating fundamental reading comprehension strategies, you will be able to build an effective action plan and learning experiences that are fun and engaging for all of your students.

      Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode168

      Resources Mentioned:

      • Vocabulary Writing Prompts Sample
      • FREE Context Clues Activity Set
      • Reading Comprehension Activity Bundle
      • Reading Graphic Organizers
      • Reading Comprehension Question Rings
      • Reading Skills and Strategies Anchor Charts
      • Sentence Stem Response Cards
      • Sentence Stem Anchor Charts
      • Fluency Task Cards
      • Reading Comprehension Sight Word Stories and Questions
      • Episode 167, Fundamental, Cognitive, and Environmental Factors That Affect Reading...]]>Getting students in upper elementary on grade level with their reading and comprehension skills can be challenging because there are so many factors and reasons why they’re lacking in that area. However, one of the biggest reasons is a lack of fundamental and foundational skills. I talked in last week’s episode about the different areas this can be found, but I want to go deeper into providing you with action steps you can take. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing seven fundamental reading comprehension strategies you can implement in your classroom.

        As I reference factors tied to foundational skills, I’m referring to vocabulary, decoding, background knowledge, fluency, text structure, engagement, and comprehension strategies. These fundamental challenges contribute to a student’s lack of reading skills. So in each of these areas, I discuss the fundamental reading comprehension strategies I would take action in to support students. I also provide examples of engaging and creative ways to implement in the areas of your literacy block. 

        It’s our job as teachers to find ways to support our students in becoming successful readers. And even if they’re in upper elementary, that reason could be a lack of fundamental and foundational skills. But by identifying and incorporating fundamental reading comprehension strategies, you will be able to build an effective action plan and learning experiences that are fun and engaging for all of your students.

        Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode168

        Resources Mentioned:


        Connect with Me:

        • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
        • Shop my TpT store here
        • Receive emails from me here
        • Follow me on Instagram here
        • Read my blog posts here

        ]]>dc0b49fb-1723-427c-aec2-8716645ea62dMon, 15 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -040030:51falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher167. Fundamental, Cognitive, and Environmental Factors That Affect Reading Comprehension167. Fundamental, Cognitive, and Environmental Factors That Affect Reading ComprehensionOne, if not the biggest, thing we focus on as literacy teachers is getting our students to be successful readers. But as upper elementary teachers, you know that you will have several students in your class who struggle with reading comprehension. This then becomes a major focus in our classrooms, but we know a student’s lack of reading comprehension can vary based on the student’s needs. So, how do we identify the root of the problem? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the different skills, processes, and factors that contribute to a student’s lack of reading comprehension.

        As teachers, it’s in our nature to try and fix problems before they happen or quickly implement strategies that improve a skill any student is lacking. However, when it comes to a student’s lack of reading comprehension, it’s important to work backward and get to the root before planning proper intervention techniques. In my experience, if a student is struggling with reading comprehension, it’s because they struggle with either fundamental skills, cognitive processes, or environmental factors. I’m going to highlight each of these areas and identify 14 potential causes as to why reading comprehension is difficult for a student in your class.

        Being a successful reader is more than just reading words on a page; it’s also the ability to analyze, comprehend, and explain what’s happening in the text. So, when students lack reading comprehension skills, they don’t have the necessary tools to be successful readers. In order to help them with this, we first need to identify what they’re struggling with in the area of reading comprehension before we plan intervention strategies for the student. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, where I unpack the reading comprehension causes shared today and dive further into strategies and interventions to help your students!

        Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode167

        Resources Mentioned:


        Connect with Me:

        • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
        • Shop my TpT store One, if not the biggest, thing we focus on as literacy teachers is getting our students to be successful readers. But as upper elementary teachers, you know that you will have several students in your class who struggle with reading comprehension. This then becomes a major focus in our classrooms, but we know a student’s lack of reading comprehension can vary based on the student’s needs. So, how do we identify the root of the problem? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the different skills, processes, and factors that contribute to a student’s lack of reading comprehension.

          As teachers, it’s in our nature to try and fix problems before they happen or quickly implement strategies that improve a skill any student is lacking. However, when it comes to a student’s lack of reading comprehension, it’s important to work backward and get to the root before planning proper intervention techniques. In my experience, if a student is struggling with reading comprehension, it’s because they struggle with either fundamental skills, cognitive processes, or environmental factors. I’m going to highlight each of these areas and identify 14 potential causes as to why reading comprehension is difficult for a student in your class.

          Being a successful reader is more than just reading words on a page; it’s also the ability to analyze, comprehend, and explain what’s happening in the text. So, when students lack reading comprehension skills, they don’t have the necessary tools to be successful readers. In order to help them with this, we first need to identify what they’re struggling with in the area of reading comprehension before we plan intervention strategies for the student. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, where I unpack the reading comprehension causes shared today and dive further into strategies and interventions to help your students!

          Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode167

          Resources Mentioned:


          Connect with Me:

          • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
          • Shop my TpT store here
          • Receive emails from me here
          • Follow me on Instagram here
          • Read my blog posts here

          ]]>db6add44-ca1a-475e-a142-76f2b1574cd3Mon, 08 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -040025:24falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher166. 3 Scaffolds Every Reading Teacher Should Use166. 3 Scaffolds Every Reading Teacher Should UseI’ve always made it a priority of mine to find simple yet effective strategies that support literacy teachers in the classroom. One of our main jobs as literacy teachers is to provide our students with the skills to become successful readers and writers. And one way to do that is by giving your students scaffolds to support their literacy growth and development. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing three effective scaffolds that I believe every literacy teacher should be using with their students.

          Reading scaffolds are necessary tools in the upper elementary classroom. They’re designed to support all learners as they develop their literacy skills, which eventually leads to comprehension of a variety of texts. There are three different effective scaffolds that should be staples in your classroom. With each scaffold, I share how it will enhance a student’s reading comprehension, a variety of ways to use them, and provide specific examples that you can easily incorporate during your literacy lessons.

          By using scaffolds in your classroom, you are providing temporary support that helps students accomplish tasks they can’t yet manage on their own. And while you might have heard of these effective scaffolds, it’s important to know how to successfully use them in order to better support the needs of your students. So, the next time you’re asking students to formulate their own ideas, make sure to take advantage of these scaffolds available to you.

          Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode166

          Resources Mentioned:


          Connect with Me:

          • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
          • Shop my TpT store here
          • Receive emails from me here
          • Follow me on Instagram here
          • Read my blog posts I’ve always made it a priority of mine to find simple yet effective strategies that support literacy teachers in the classroom. One of our main jobs as literacy teachers is to provide our students with the skills to become successful readers and writers. And one way to do that is by giving your students scaffolds to support their literacy growth and development. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing three effective scaffolds that I believe every literacy teacher should be using with their students.

            Reading scaffolds are necessary tools in the upper elementary classroom. They’re designed to support all learners as they develop their literacy skills, which eventually leads to comprehension of a variety of texts. There are three different effective scaffolds that should be staples in your classroom. With each scaffold, I share how it will enhance a student’s reading comprehension, a variety of ways to use them, and provide specific examples that you can easily incorporate during your literacy lessons.

            By using scaffolds in your classroom, you are providing temporary support that helps students accomplish tasks they can’t yet manage on their own. And while you might have heard of these effective scaffolds, it’s important to know how to successfully use them in order to better support the needs of your students. So, the next time you’re asking students to formulate their own ideas, make sure to take advantage of these scaffolds available to you.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode166

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>6804188e-dbea-48e7-bd50-c87dc81be107Mon, 01 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -040027:59falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher165. Time Management Test-Taking Strategies That Work165. Time Management Test-Taking Strategies That WorkOver the last few episodes, I’ve been covering several test-taking strategies in order to help prepare your students for the end-of-year standardized test. Unfortunately, most standardized tests are timed, so having efficient time management is so important for the success of their performance. Knowing how to pace themselves during a timed test is difficult for many students, which is why I’m sharing practical time management strategies that will help them feel confident and successful when taking a timed writing test.

            If we think about it, students struggle to manage their own time while working independently or with a peer on a group project, so why would we think their time management skills would be present during a standardized test? However, we can help improve this skill by implementing time management strategies consistently and early in order for them to take effect during any timed test. I share four easy strategies that you can easily incorporate during any content area or activity. Then, I take it one step further and give examples and different ways for your students to practice these strategies so they’re confident in using them during a big test.

            Using your time efficiently, whether it’s in the classroom or during your time spent at home, can be challenging for most students. But when you have the added pressure of performing at a high level on a standardized test, it can become even more challenging. However, by equipping your students with time management strategies, they will learn to efficiently manage their time during timed tests and feel confident while doing it.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode165

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            Over the last few episodes, I’ve been covering several test-taking strategies in order to help prepare your students for the end-of-year standardized test. Unfortunately, most standardized tests are timed, so having efficient time management is so important for the success of their performance. Knowing how to pace themselves during a timed test is difficult for many students, which is why I’m sharing practical time management strategies that will help them feel confident and successful when taking a timed writing test.

            If we think about it, students struggle to manage their own time while working independently or with a peer on a group project, so why would we think their time management skills would be present during a standardized test? However, we can help improve this skill by implementing time management strategies consistently and early in order for them to take effect during any timed test. I share four easy strategies that you can easily incorporate during any content area or activity. Then, I take it one step further and give examples and different ways for your students to practice these strategies so they’re confident in using them during a big test.

            Using your time efficiently, whether it’s in the classroom or during your time spent at home, can be challenging for most students. But when you have the added pressure of performing at a high level on a standardized test, it can become even more challenging. However, by equipping your students with time management strategies, they will learn to efficiently manage their time during timed tests and feel confident while doing it.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode165

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            c2833c81-3347-40f5-91c8-4942d0294345Mon, 25 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -040025:37falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher            164. Helping Students Manage and Overcome Test Anxiety164. Helping Students Manage and Overcome Test AnxietyWhen it comes to preparing for a state standardized test, we tend to focus our energy and time on the content our students need to master in order to get a high-achieving score. We implement daily practice and review for weeks leading up to the test. However, one aspect that we don’t focus on but plays a big role in our students’ performances is test anxiety. In today’s episode, I’m providing you with a variety of information that will help students manage and overcome test anxiety.

            Test anxiety is the emotional component around testing, which can often be difficult to identify in students. Therefore, I’m sharing the signs of test anxiety, some of the major causes or factors that contribute to it, and strategies to help reduce this overwhelming feeling they have. Knowing these signs and factors can help you identify students early on, which will then provide them with the necessary strategies and tools to help them process and manage it to the best of their ability.

            Making sure your students are prepared academically to take the state standardized test is so important, but don’t forget to prepare them for the emotional role it can have on them as well. By addressing test anxiety directly, you will be supporting them by giving them the tools and strategies they need to feel confident and perform as their greatest selves.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode164

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            When it comes to preparing for a state standardized test, we tend to focus our energy and time on the content our students need to master in order to get a high-achieving score. We implement daily practice and review for weeks leading up to the test. However, one aspect that we don’t focus on but plays a big role in our students’ performances is test anxiety. In today’s episode, I’m providing you with a variety of information that will help students manage and overcome test anxiety.

            Test anxiety is the emotional component around testing, which can often be difficult to identify in students. Therefore, I’m sharing the signs of test anxiety, some of the major causes or factors that contribute to it, and strategies to help reduce this overwhelming feeling they have. Knowing these signs and factors can help you identify students early on, which will then provide them with the necessary strategies and tools to help them process and manage it to the best of their ability.

            Making sure your students are prepared academically to take the state standardized test is so important, but don’t forget to prepare them for the emotional role it can have on them as well. By addressing test anxiety directly, you will be supporting them by giving them the tools and strategies they need to feel confident and perform as their greatest selves.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode164

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            5e35bd7b-a434-4314-a1ee-751b1c948232Mon, 18 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -040021:58falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher            163. Response Ready: Tips for Helping Your Students Understand Writing Prompts163. Response Ready: Tips for Helping Your Students Understand Writing PromptsI’m so passionate about writing and helping students develop their skills and become better writers. One aspect of writing that is often complex and difficult for students to master is learning how to understand and respond to writing prompts. This is a vital skill because it not only helps students with standardized tests, but it’s a task that can be used with any subject area. So in today’s episode, I’m exploring strategies for tackling and understanding writing prompts so students can effectively respond. 

            In order for students to fully understand how to respond to writing prompts, there are several steps they need to work through and practice. I help give you the various tools students need to understand writing prompts, know the different types, a few brainstorming techniques, and finally, ways to plan out their responses. These tips might ask you to provide various resources and tools or models and practices for students to fully gain an understanding of how to respond to writing prompts. And since finding ways to seamlessly implement in your own classroom is a big focus for teachers, I also share three ways you can integrate these skills into your daily lessons.

            Making sure you intentionally prioritize the learning time and consistently is key to your students mastering and understanding writing prompts. This skill is utilized in more than just the subject of literacy, which is why I encourage you to make developing these skills a priority in your classroom. By doing so, your students will approach writing tasks during standardized tests and in other subject areas with a clear and strategic plan while improving their overall performance and confidence.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode163

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            I’m so passionate about writing and helping students develop their skills and become better writers. One aspect of writing that is often complex and difficult for students to master is learning how to understand and respond to writing prompts. This is a vital skill because it not only helps students with standardized tests, but it’s a task that can be used with any subject area. So in today’s episode, I’m exploring strategies for tackling and understanding writing prompts so students can effectively respond. 

            In order for students to fully understand how to respond to writing prompts, there are several steps they need to work through and practice. I help give you the various tools students need to understand writing prompts, know the different types, a few brainstorming techniques, and finally, ways to plan out their responses. These tips might ask you to provide various resources and tools or models and practices for students to fully gain an understanding of how to respond to writing prompts. And since finding ways to seamlessly implement in your own classroom is a big focus for teachers, I also share three ways you can integrate these skills into your daily lessons.

            Making sure you intentionally prioritize the learning time and consistently is key to your students mastering and understanding writing prompts. This skill is utilized in more than just the subject of literacy, which is why I encourage you to make developing these skills a priority in your classroom. By doing so, your students will approach writing tasks during standardized tests and in other subject areas with a clear and strategic plan while improving their overall performance and confidence.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode163

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            f8b68dc2-88aa-472f-a738-d181457e1762Mon, 11 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -040018:16falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher            162. Mastering the Basics: Reinforcing Core Writing Skills162. Mastering the Basics: Reinforcing Core Writing SkillsEven though testing season isn’t here tomorrow, it is just around the corner and will be here before you know it. And instead of stressing and trying to prepare your students in a short amount of time, why not get started now? But whether you’re preparing students for a standardized test or wanting to work on different writing skills throughout the year, this episode is for you! Over the next few weeks, I’ll be focusing on different components of writing and sharing quick tips that will ultimately help your students. In this episode, I’m going back to the basics and sharing how to reinforce core writing skills.

            I have found that most students struggle with grammar skills, sentence structure, and paragraph organization, so each of the tips I share focuses on one of those three areas. With each new idea shared, I explain what it is, ways to integrate them into your classroom routines, and examples to show you what they look like. With minimal preparation and materials, you already have access to, and by consistently implementing these core writing skills into your daily routine, you will prepare your students for the test and improve their writing skills.

            These strategies support the core aspects of writing without additional resources or feeling like they’re too difficult to implement in your classroom. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, where I share more writing tips that help your students prepare for the standardized test without feeling the stress.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode162

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            Even though testing season isn’t here tomorrow, it is just around the corner and will be here before you know it. And instead of stressing and trying to prepare your students in a short amount of time, why not get started now? But whether you’re preparing students for a standardized test or wanting to work on different writing skills throughout the year, this episode is for you! Over the next few weeks, I’ll be focusing on different components of writing and sharing quick tips that will ultimately help your students. In this episode, I’m going back to the basics and sharing how to reinforce core writing skills.

            I have found that most students struggle with grammar skills, sentence structure, and paragraph organization, so each of the tips I share focuses on one of those three areas. With each new idea shared, I explain what it is, ways to integrate them into your classroom routines, and examples to show you what they look like. With minimal preparation and materials, you already have access to, and by consistently implementing these core writing skills into your daily routine, you will prepare your students for the test and improve their writing skills.

            These strategies support the core aspects of writing without additional resources or feeling like they’re too difficult to implement in your classroom. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, where I share more writing tips that help your students prepare for the standardized test without feeling the stress.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode162

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts here

            ]]>            02728a75-7211-45b2-a298-befc74625ef3Mon, 04 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -040023:15falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher            161. Strategies for Gradually Increasing Writing Time and Complexity161. Strategies for Gradually Increasing Writing Time and ComplexityOver the last few weeks, we’ve been diving into the topic of student writing stamina. We’ve explored strategies to keep students engaged in writing, challenges students face while they’re writing, and how to build stamina through practices implemented in the classroom. By having all this background information and fresh new ideas on ways to keep them engaged, it’s time to create natural ways to increase the writing time of your students. So, in the last episode of our series, I’m sharing eight strategies that will gradually increase student writing time and the complexity of their work.

            As we talk about how to increase student writing time, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re striving for more than just length of time. This can also mean increasing the number of sentences a student writes, a specific amount of words in their writing, or the types of sentences a student incorporates into their written work. I share that the goals and level of your students determine what you increase during your students’ writing time.

            Each of the eight strategies is designed to increase the time, words, or sentences naturally and slowly over time. With each strategy, I also include specific examples and activities to use with each one to seamlessly implement in your literacy block. 

            Knowing various ways to increase student writing time is going to ensure it’s a natural process as students work towards their own writing goals as it pertains to stamina. By incorporating these eight strategies that are simple and practical, with consistency in a structured, supportive and engaging manner, your students will begin to build their writing stamina and endurance.

            Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode161

            Resources Mentioned:


            Connect with Me:

            • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
            • Shop my TpT store here
            • Receive emails from me here
            • Follow me on Instagram here
            • Read my blog posts Over the last few weeks, we’ve been diving into the topic of student writing stamina. We’ve explored strategies to keep students engaged in writing, challenges students face while they’re writing, and how to build stamina through practices implemented in the classroom. By having all this background information and fresh new ideas on ways to keep them engaged, it’s time to create natural ways to increase the writing time of your students. So, in the last episode of our series, I’m sharing eight strategies that will gradually increase student writing time and the complexity of their work.

              As we talk about how to increase student writing time, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re striving for more than just length of time. This can also mean increasing the number of sentences a student writes, a specific amount of words in their writing, or the types of sentences a student incorporates into their written work. I share that the goals and level of your students determine what you increase during your students’ writing time.

              Each of the eight strategies is designed to increase the time, words, or sentences naturally and slowly over time. With each strategy, I also include specific examples and activities to use with each one to seamlessly implement in your literacy block. 

              Knowing various ways to increase student writing time is going to ensure it’s a natural process as students work towards their own writing goals as it pertains to stamina. By incorporating these eight strategies that are simple and practical, with consistency in a structured, supportive and engaging manner, your students will begin to build their writing stamina and endurance.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode161

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>b9a26bdb-2530-4e4d-896b-107da35b0c9fMon, 26 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -040025:48falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher160. 4 Ways to Increase Writing Endurance160. 4 Ways to Increase Writing EnduranceIn last week’s episode, we learned that writing stamina is built over time and includes more than just an amount of time, but when students are actively engaged in a particular writing task. Since having writing stamina can be difficult for students, I wanted to create a series that provided teachers with strategies that improved a student’s writing stamina and developed their writing skills at the same time. So in the second episode in the series, I’m sharing four ways you can increase writing endurance within your students.

              In order to increase writing endurance within your students, several things are required from not only your students but yourself as the teacher. Knowing the role you play in increasing their endurance and developing their skills is going to help your students succeed and become independent writers. I share four ways what this can look like in your classroom or literacy block without taking up an extended amount of time or changing your entire curriculum. 

              Getting your students to write in general can be challenging, but especially for an extended period of time while fully engaged. By implementing these strategies to increase writing endurance, you ensure that students will get the practice they need to positively grow their stamina and skills. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, the last in the series, on how to gradually increase the writing time and complexity of which your students are writing.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode160

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              In last week’s episode, we learned that writing stamina is built over time and includes more than just an amount of time, but when students are actively engaged in a particular writing task. Since having writing stamina can be difficult for students, I wanted to create a series that provided teachers with strategies that improved a student’s writing stamina and developed their writing skills at the same time. So in the second episode in the series, I’m sharing four ways you can increase writing endurance within your students.

              In order to increase writing endurance within your students, several things are required from not only your students but yourself as the teacher. Knowing the role you play in increasing their endurance and developing their skills is going to help your students succeed and become independent writers. I share four ways what this can look like in your classroom or literacy block without taking up an extended amount of time or changing your entire curriculum. 

              Getting your students to write in general can be challenging, but especially for an extended period of time while fully engaged. By implementing these strategies to increase writing endurance, you ensure that students will get the practice they need to positively grow their stamina and skills. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, the last in the series, on how to gradually increase the writing time and complexity of which your students are writing.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode160

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              cd62cc2e-3aa2-43e8-8e71-2875d8def4f4Mon, 19 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -040038:21falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              159. Writing Stamina: 6 Challenges Students Face and How to Help Them159. Writing Stamina: 6 Challenges Students Face and How to Help ThemI am passionate about literacy, especially finding creative and engaging ways to get students writing. However, none of that matters if their writing stamina is low. I know from my experience being in the classroom, that so many of my students didn’t have the writing endurance for longer pieces of writing, which meant I had to come up with ways to increase their stamina over time. In the first episode in a series about writing stamina, I’m sharing six writing stamina challenges and strategies that support them to increase their stamina.

              When I use the phrase "writing stamina", I’m referring to more than just duration, but having students maintain their writing quality and engagement throughout their writing session. I break down this into three components and discuss why they need to work together to increase a student’s writing stamina. But when it comes to writing, students always face difficulties. Therefore, I highlight six main writing stamina challenges, why or how it’s a challenge, and strategies to implement that support each challenge.

              Although making sure a student has good writing stamina might not seem like a big deal, it has an impact on their academic success. This includes standardized tests and their development of writing skills, which is why identifying students’ writing stamina challenges and understanding why it’s necessary to focus on is so important. Stay tuned to next week’s episode where I explore ways to build writing endurance with practical tips.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode159

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              I am passionate about literacy, especially finding creative and engaging ways to get students writing. However, none of that matters if their writing stamina is low. I know from my experience being in the classroom, that so many of my students didn’t have the writing endurance for longer pieces of writing, which meant I had to come up with ways to increase their stamina over time. In the first episode in a series about writing stamina, I’m sharing six writing stamina challenges and strategies that support them to increase their stamina.

              When I use the phrase "writing stamina", I’m referring to more than just duration, but having students maintain their writing quality and engagement throughout their writing session. I break down this into three components and discuss why they need to work together to increase a student’s writing stamina. But when it comes to writing, students always face difficulties. Therefore, I highlight six main writing stamina challenges, why or how it’s a challenge, and strategies to implement that support each challenge.

              Although making sure a student has good writing stamina might not seem like a big deal, it has an impact on their academic success. This includes standardized tests and their development of writing skills, which is why identifying students’ writing stamina challenges and understanding why it’s necessary to focus on is so important. Stay tuned to next week’s episode where I explore ways to build writing endurance with practical tips.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode159

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              8f9549f7-07f7-4b7d-bc2d-9fdce97a301dMon, 12 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -040038:41falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              158. 5 Podcasts You Should be Listening to in 2024158. 5 Podcasts You Should be Listening to in 2024Podcasts are one of the fastest growing platforms to gain information in a short amount of time. I obviously love the idea of podcasts and how it can reach so many people with a variety of topics. With the availability that it brings, there are so many opportunities to make listening to podcasts part of your daily life. I want to help you discover new podcasts, so in today’s episode, I’m sharing five teacher podcasts that you should be listening to in 2024. 

              I personally love each of the teacher podcasts I’m sharing with you today. I’ve either been a guest on their podcast or they’ve been a guest on mine. Each of these podcasts uplift teachers while providing applicable strategies and tips you can use in your classrooms. After introducing each host behind the podcast, I give a target audience, and a brief summary of a must listen-to episode of theirs. 

              There are so many teacher podcasts out there, which is why I wanted to give you a list of five top-notch ones to add to your list. Listening to podcasts directed toward teacher topics is an easy way to gain fresh ideas and ways to streamline your classroom management. So be sure to add these teacher podcasts to make your classroom in 2024 fresh and engaging!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode158

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Podcasts are one of the fastest growing platforms to gain information in a short amount of time. I obviously love the idea of podcasts and how it can reach so many people with a variety of topics. With the availability that it brings, there are so many opportunities to make listening to podcasts part of your daily life. I want to help you discover new podcasts, so in today’s episode, I’m sharing five teacher podcasts that you should be listening to in 2024. 

              I personally love each of the teacher podcasts I’m sharing with you today. I’ve either been a guest on their podcast or they’ve been a guest on mine. Each of these podcasts uplift teachers while providing applicable strategies and tips you can use in your classrooms. After introducing each host behind the podcast, I give a target audience, and a brief summary of a must listen-to episode of theirs. 

              There are so many teacher podcasts out there, which is why I wanted to give you a list of five top-notch ones to add to your list. Listening to podcasts directed toward teacher topics is an easy way to gain fresh ideas and ways to streamline your classroom management. So be sure to add these teacher podcasts to make your classroom in 2024 fresh and engaging!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode158

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              ff26b831-df49-4cfd-a88e-dc0daefbe193Mon, 05 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -040029:44falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              157. Sensory Storytelling: Using Sensory Details to Bring Writing to Life157. Sensory Storytelling: Using Sensory Details to Bring Writing to LifeOver the last month I’ve been sharing different ways you can engage your students in that helps develop their simple sentences into more detailed and complex sentences. With this being the final episode in the series, I’m finally covering my favorite way to bring writing to life, which is by using sensory details to create sensory storytelling. 

              Using sensory details in your writing engages the reader and paints a clear and vivid picture in your reader’s mind. The way it creates an image is by using descriptive elements that speak to our senses, which are hear, smell, taste, sight, and touch. With this being the target goal for every writer, I dive into the precise steps you need to take in your classroom to best teach this form of descriptive writing. I also share sample sentences you can use directly with your students to show how to add sensory details that bring their writing to life.

              It’s no question why this form of descriptive writing is my absolute favorite. By adding sensory details to create sensory storytelling, you are creating an immersive experience for the reader that paints a picture as if they were living it. After listening to this sentence expansion series, I hope it encourages and shows you simple yet effective ways to add details to simple sentences.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode157

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Over the last month I’ve been sharing different ways you can engage your students in that helps develop their simple sentences into more detailed and complex sentences. With this being the final episode in the series, I’m finally covering my favorite way to bring writing to life, which is by using sensory details to create sensory storytelling. 

              Using sensory details in your writing engages the reader and paints a clear and vivid picture in your reader’s mind. The way it creates an image is by using descriptive elements that speak to our senses, which are hear, smell, taste, sight, and touch. With this being the target goal for every writer, I dive into the precise steps you need to take in your classroom to best teach this form of descriptive writing. I also share sample sentences you can use directly with your students to show how to add sensory details that bring their writing to life.

              It’s no question why this form of descriptive writing is my absolute favorite. By adding sensory details to create sensory storytelling, you are creating an immersive experience for the reader that paints a picture as if they were living it. After listening to this sentence expansion series, I hope it encourages and shows you simple yet effective ways to add details to simple sentences.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode157

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              059e5653-80c8-4206-a3fc-586f1f0201feMon, 29 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -040029:35falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              156. Enhancing Sentences with Prepositions [Sentence Expansion Series]156. Enhancing Sentences with Prepositions [Sentence Expansion Series]We are now well into our series on how to enhance simple sentences using a variety of descriptive strategies. What I love about each new idea is that these are grammar concepts you teach your students, but now you’re able to dive deeper and use them in a whole new way. In today’s episode, I’m sharing another strategy which is using prepositions to enrich simple sentences.

              Simply put, prepositions are words that show the relationship between elements in a sentence. While there are over 150 prepositions that we use, there are only a handful that are most commonly used in our language. Not only do I share the most common, but I also provide the different types of prepositions. Knowing the different types is important because it shows how to properly use prepositions in writing that add context and depth to otherwise simple sentences. In order to implement successfully, I provide the exact steps and sample examples for using prepositions with your students in your own classroom.

              Prepositional phrases offer a way to add layers of meaning, context, and depth to basic sentences, which is another strategy you can add to your toolbox from this series. At first you may not have connected using prepositions to enhance sentences, but after this episode, you can definitely see the connection!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode156

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              We are now well into our series on how to enhance simple sentences using a variety of descriptive strategies. What I love about each new idea is that these are grammar concepts you teach your students, but now you’re able to dive deeper and use them in a whole new way. In today’s episode, I’m sharing another strategy which is using prepositions to enrich simple sentences.

              Simply put, prepositions are words that show the relationship between elements in a sentence. While there are over 150 prepositions that we use, there are only a handful that are most commonly used in our language. Not only do I share the most common, but I also provide the different types of prepositions. Knowing the different types is important because it shows how to properly use prepositions in writing that add context and depth to otherwise simple sentences. In order to implement successfully, I provide the exact steps and sample examples for using prepositions with your students in your own classroom.

              Prepositional phrases offer a way to add layers of meaning, context, and depth to basic sentences, which is another strategy you can add to your toolbox from this series. At first you may not have connected using prepositions to enhance sentences, but after this episode, you can definitely see the connection!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode156

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              953260ec-e5df-4ec0-8b2a-f05d0f8938beMon, 22 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -040031:38falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              155. Joining Forces: Combining Sentences with Conjunctions [Sentence Expansion Series]155. Joining Forces: Combining Sentences with Conjunctions [Sentence Expansion Series]Over the last two weeks, I’ve been discussing different strategies that help with sentence expansion. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the third strategy in this series. Just like the previous two strategies, you might have already talked about and taught this particular skill, but I challenge you to intentionally have your students use it in their writing. Using conjunctions to combine sentences is the topic I’m discussing today, along with the different types and ways to use them in student writing. 

              So we’re on the same page, conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, and clauses together. For students to have success using conjunctions to expand their sentences, they need to have an understanding of what they are and what each conjunction means. Therefore, I highlight three different types of conjunctions and further explain their purpose and examples on how to use them when combining sentences. Just like with the other two strategies, I provide action steps on how to implement in your classroom, along with sample sentences you can directly use with your students. 

              In wanting students to develop and grow in sentence writing, using conjunctions is the perfect way to achieve that. Conjunctions combine ideas and allow for more complex expression and communication when speaking or in written form. After today’s episode, using conjunctions is another strategy you can use with your students to help expand their sentences. Stay tuned to next week’s episode for another strategy to add to your toolbox!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode155

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Over the last two weeks, I’ve been discussing different strategies that help with sentence expansion. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the third strategy in this series. Just like the previous two strategies, you might have already talked about and taught this particular skill, but I challenge you to intentionally have your students use it in their writing. Using conjunctions to combine sentences is the topic I’m discussing today, along with the different types and ways to use them in student writing. 

              So we’re on the same page, conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, and clauses together. For students to have success using conjunctions to expand their sentences, they need to have an understanding of what they are and what each conjunction means. Therefore, I highlight three different types of conjunctions and further explain their purpose and examples on how to use them when combining sentences. Just like with the other two strategies, I provide action steps on how to implement in your classroom, along with sample sentences you can directly use with your students. 

              In wanting students to develop and grow in sentence writing, using conjunctions is the perfect way to achieve that. Conjunctions combine ideas and allow for more complex expression and communication when speaking or in written form. After today’s episode, using conjunctions is another strategy you can use with your students to help expand their sentences. Stay tuned to next week’s episode for another strategy to add to your toolbox!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode155

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              4e3b1282-c39f-427e-b7fe-4151d91e50e6Mon, 15 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -040030:46falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              154. Make Writing Come to Life with the 5Ws and H Strategy [Sentence Expansion Series]154. Make Writing Come to Life with the 5Ws and H Strategy [Sentence Expansion Series]This series is all about how to easily get students to expand their sentences by adding details to their basic sentences. Last week’s strategy was all about adding the 2 A’s, adjectives and adverbs, to create a story and description. But today’s strategy also serves a greater purpose than just sentence expansion. In today’s episode, I’m discussing how to add the 5Ws and H strategy to your students’ sentence writing.

              When students write their initial simple sentence, adding in the 5Ws and H strategy helps add information, depth, context, and interest to their sentence. It requires students to answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how about the subject. To assist in implementing in your classroom, I provide four main steps and one additional step that you can easily use with your students to model and practice the 5Ws and H strategy. Additionally, I share three examples that you can put into action when implementing during your writing block.

              Not only will students expand their sentences with this strategy, but it also serves the purpose of thinking, questioning, and understanding on how to add details and information. If your students are struggling on how to add details to their sentences, this 5Ws and H strategy can be easily used by your students today!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode154

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              This series is all about how to easily get students to expand their sentences by adding details to their basic sentences. Last week’s strategy was all about adding the 2 A’s, adjectives and adverbs, to create a story and description. But today’s strategy also serves a greater purpose than just sentence expansion. In today’s episode, I’m discussing how to add the 5Ws and H strategy to your students’ sentence writing.

              When students write their initial simple sentence, adding in the 5Ws and H strategy helps add information, depth, context, and interest to their sentence. It requires students to answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how about the subject. To assist in implementing in your classroom, I provide four main steps and one additional step that you can easily use with your students to model and practice the 5Ws and H strategy. Additionally, I share three examples that you can put into action when implementing during your writing block.

              Not only will students expand their sentences with this strategy, but it also serves the purpose of thinking, questioning, and understanding on how to add details and information. If your students are struggling on how to add details to their sentences, this 5Ws and H strategy can be easily used by your students today!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode154

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              8e2710bf-a1b1-46c5-b7fe-5300d29d37fcMon, 08 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -040020:57falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              153. Using Adjectives and Adverbs to Brighten Up Student Writing [Sentence Expansion Series]153. Using Adjectives and Adverbs to Brighten Up Student Writing [Sentence Expansion Series]Happy New Year, my friends! Let's jump-start 2024 with some practical and easy strategies to expand student sentences. At the beginning of the year, our goal is for students to write a complete sentence, but our goal at the end of the year is for them to add meaningful details to those sentences. And while that might seem challenging, I’ve come up with easy ways to make this achievable for your students.

              Since I really want you to listen, understand, and actively try the strategies I’m sharing, in this series on sentence expansion, I’m going to be sharing one strategy per episode. This will give you an opportunity to process and implement during your school week before trying another. So in the first episode of this series, I’m sharing how using adjectives and adverbs helps with expanding sentences in student writing.

              This simple strategy has a great impact that provides students with concrete ways to add details to their otherwise plain sentences. In order for you to effectively implement this in your classroom, I share an easy five-step process that involves using student sentences as examples and discussions to evaluate the difference. Additionally, I share examples of how to put expanding sentences into practice.

              As literacy teachers, we truly want our students to enjoy writing and have their writing come to life and the only way to do that is by adding details to paint a picture. By adding more adjectives and adverbs, students will be expanding sentences independently which ultimately improves their writing.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode153

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Happy New Year, my friends! Let's jump-start 2024 with some practical and easy strategies to expand student sentences. At the beginning of the year, our goal is for students to write a complete sentence, but our goal at the end of the year is for them to add meaningful details to those sentences. And while that might seem challenging, I’ve come up with easy ways to make this achievable for your students.

              Since I really want you to listen, understand, and actively try the strategies I’m sharing, in this series on sentence expansion, I’m going to be sharing one strategy per episode. This will give you an opportunity to process and implement during your school week before trying another. So in the first episode of this series, I’m sharing how using adjectives and adverbs helps with expanding sentences in student writing.

              This simple strategy has a great impact that provides students with concrete ways to add details to their otherwise plain sentences. In order for you to effectively implement this in your classroom, I share an easy five-step process that involves using student sentences as examples and discussions to evaluate the difference. Additionally, I share examples of how to put expanding sentences into practice.

              As literacy teachers, we truly want our students to enjoy writing and have their writing come to life and the only way to do that is by adding details to paint a picture. By adding more adjectives and adverbs, students will be expanding sentences independently which ultimately improves their writing.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode153

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              8cc964f2-c5c7-48f0-b576-2972a71dd1b9Mon, 01 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -040022:32falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              152. End of Year Inspiration: 25 Takeaways From 2023152. End of Year Inspiration: 25 Takeaways From 2023With this being the last week of 2023, I wanted to take an opportunity to share some reflections I’ve had from this past year. I’ve been open on this podcast about certain things I went through, even resulting in me taking a break from this podcast. With that experience, along with other personal and work related things, I wanted to share some end of year inspiration with you. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing 25 takeaways from 2023 that hopefully you can use going forward in the new year.

              When I reflected on the year, I didn’t realize all that I accomplished, learned or adapted to in just one year. Each of my 25 takeaways involve personal and professional growth, ways to take breaks, how to find you authentic community and support, and focusing on the positivity and joy in your life. By sharing my list, I hope to encourage you to make your own list that gives you some end of year inspiration as you embark on another year in 2024!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode152

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              With this being the last week of 2023, I wanted to take an opportunity to share some reflections I’ve had from this past year. I’ve been open on this podcast about certain things I went through, even resulting in me taking a break from this podcast. With that experience, along with other personal and work related things, I wanted to share some end of year inspiration with you. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing 25 takeaways from 2023 that hopefully you can use going forward in the new year.

              When I reflected on the year, I didn’t realize all that I accomplished, learned or adapted to in just one year. Each of my 25 takeaways involve personal and professional growth, ways to take breaks, how to find you authentic community and support, and focusing on the positivity and joy in your life. By sharing my list, I hope to encourage you to make your own list that gives you some end of year inspiration as you embark on another year in 2024!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode152

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              b6b01788-3121-4cb7-9f6a-81f9a32e7cfbMon, 25 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -040023:53falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              151. Differentiated Instruction for ELLs: Scaffolding Techniques for All Levels with Beth Vaucher151. Differentiated Instruction for ELLs: Scaffolding Techniques for All Levels with Beth VaucherWe discuss all the time the difficulty that students have when it comes to writing and getting their ideas out on paper. But now imagine English isn’t your first language. The challenge now becomes greater, but there’s a way to meet their needs. This is through using scaffolds with your writing. In a special episode from Beth Vaucher of the Equipping ELLs podcast, she’s sharing how to use different scaffolding strategies with all language levels.

              Beth is an expert in strategies, resources, and tips for meeting the diverse needs of your English language learners. She walks you through three effective scaffolding strategies and how to take one standard and modify the scaffold to support all five language levels. While you have probably heard of these scaffolding strategies before, it’s important to build up your toolbox in order to effectively support your students in the area of writing. 

              When you become an expert in these scaffolding strategies, you can start applying them in any language group you’re working with so they can start interacting with the materials. Beth does a great job at sharing the practical application of each scaffolding strategy so you can effectively use with all five language levels if they exist in your classroom and modify them to meet the needs of your students.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode151

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              We discuss all the time the difficulty that students have when it comes to writing and getting their ideas out on paper. But now imagine English isn’t your first language. The challenge now becomes greater, but there’s a way to meet their needs. This is through using scaffolds with your writing. In a special episode from Beth Vaucher of the Equipping ELLs podcast, she’s sharing how to use different scaffolding strategies with all language levels.

              Beth is an expert in strategies, resources, and tips for meeting the diverse needs of your English language learners. She walks you through three effective scaffolding strategies and how to take one standard and modify the scaffold to support all five language levels. While you have probably heard of these scaffolding strategies before, it’s important to build up your toolbox in order to effectively support your students in the area of writing. 

              When you become an expert in these scaffolding strategies, you can start applying them in any language group you’re working with so they can start interacting with the materials. Beth does a great job at sharing the practical application of each scaffolding strategy so you can effectively use with all five language levels if they exist in your classroom and modify them to meet the needs of your students.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode151

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              77057b79-7bee-49b0-8287-48ff3d074264Mon, 18 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -040029:22falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              150. Sure-Fire Strategies for Engaging Reluctant Writers150. Sure-Fire Strategies for Engaging Reluctant WritersWe all have those students who don’t like writing and have a lot of negative emotions surrounding writing in general. Even though winter break is coming coon, there are still things you can either try during these last few weeks or implement when you return in January. But either way, we want our students interested and engaged in writing. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing five strategies for engaging reluctant writers and some bonus tips for disguising writing. 

              These strategies that I share are for creative writing and can easily be added or incorporated into your existing routine to spark desire for student writing. Some ways for engaging reluctant writers include including student interests, making shared time a natural and consistent occurrence, designating a special place, and involving yourself during student writing time. Each idea encourages student writing, makes connections, and creates positive feelings towards writing.

              Implementing all of these ideas can be overwhelming, so I encourage you to focus on a few to start engaging reluctant writers during your writing block. Whether you choose to use these strategies before the break or when you return to school, make sure to check out my writing resources to get you started and develop a students’ love for writing!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode150

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              We all have those students who don’t like writing and have a lot of negative emotions surrounding writing in general. Even though winter break is coming coon, there are still things you can either try during these last few weeks or implement when you return in January. But either way, we want our students interested and engaged in writing. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing five strategies for engaging reluctant writers and some bonus tips for disguising writing. 

              These strategies that I share are for creative writing and can easily be added or incorporated into your existing routine to spark desire for student writing. Some ways for engaging reluctant writers include including student interests, making shared time a natural and consistent occurrence, designating a special place, and involving yourself during student writing time. Each idea encourages student writing, makes connections, and creates positive feelings towards writing.

              Implementing all of these ideas can be overwhelming, so I encourage you to focus on a few to start engaging reluctant writers during your writing block. Whether you choose to use these strategies before the break or when you return to school, make sure to check out my writing resources to get you started and develop a students’ love for writing!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode150

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              e3827dc4-3404-4633-af30-1523cdce968eMon, 11 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -040033:47falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              149. Reading Beyond the Words: Active Reading Strategies for Student Understanding149. Reading Beyond the Words: Active Reading Strategies for Student UnderstandingDo you ever see students reading in your classroom that have great fluency and can recall the words on the page, but can’t give any details about what happened in the text? If this describes students in your classroom, it’s time to implement active reading strategies. This comprehension strategy is used to evaluate a students’ understanding of a text. In this episode, I’m sharing five active reading strategies that you implement in your classrooms today.

              Each active reading strategy asks students to interact with a text on a deeper level. They require students to make predictions, identify key concepts, draw conclusions, look at what they notice about the text, reflect, and more. You will notice that each strategy builds on top of or compliments one another. By working together, they help students reinforce their understanding and make it easier for them to recall that information at a later time.

              Our goal as literacy teachers is to improve a student’s comprehension, which these active reading strategies do. When you implement these in your classroom, you’re helping students take a step forward with text retention and improvement on understanding the material. By starting with these five active reading strategies, you can then explore other engagement strategies to improve student comprehension.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode149

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Do you ever see students reading in your classroom that have great fluency and can recall the words on the page, but can’t give any details about what happened in the text? If this describes students in your classroom, it’s time to implement active reading strategies. This comprehension strategy is used to evaluate a students’ understanding of a text. In this episode, I’m sharing five active reading strategies that you implement in your classrooms today.

              Each active reading strategy asks students to interact with a text on a deeper level. They require students to make predictions, identify key concepts, draw conclusions, look at what they notice about the text, reflect, and more. You will notice that each strategy builds on top of or compliments one another. By working together, they help students reinforce their understanding and make it easier for them to recall that information at a later time.

              Our goal as literacy teachers is to improve a student’s comprehension, which these active reading strategies do. When you implement these in your classroom, you’re helping students take a step forward with text retention and improvement on understanding the material. By starting with these five active reading strategies, you can then explore other engagement strategies to improve student comprehension.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode149

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              fc1f4c7d-f042-4d9f-8242-906b9ac0b1a7Mon, 04 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -040023:32falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              148. Merging Vocabulary with Writing: A Powerful Execution148. Merging Vocabulary with Writing: A Powerful ExecutionI’ve loved going through the different stages of vocabulary from a basic understanding, misconceptions, strategies, and now how to use it as an emphasis in student writing. When we can merge vocabulary with writing, it’s an opportunity for students to use their literacy skills in writing, while also simulating real world communication and relevance. In the last episode in our series about vocabulary, I’m diving into the benefits of merging vocabulary with writing and the impacts it can have on your students. 

              Through this series, you’ve learned why vocabulary is so important to incorporate in your classroom. As it pertains to student writing, it elevates the quality of writing students can produce, while gaining an understanding of how their language choices can be used to communicate with their audience, purpose, or context of writing. With the use of examples and vivid analogies, I show how merging vocabulary with writing also impacts the genre of writing a student produces and its real world application.

              Vocabulary is truly a way to engage readers and communicate effectively for an intended purpose. When merging vocabulary with writing, your students begin to have a deeper understanding of the power of language and communication skills. After this series, I hope you intentionally introduce and utilize vocabulary in your classroom, for it can have lasting impacts on your students.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode148

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              I’ve loved going through the different stages of vocabulary from a basic understanding, misconceptions, strategies, and now how to use it as an emphasis in student writing. When we can merge vocabulary with writing, it’s an opportunity for students to use their literacy skills in writing, while also simulating real world communication and relevance. In the last episode in our series about vocabulary, I’m diving into the benefits of merging vocabulary with writing and the impacts it can have on your students. 

              Through this series, you’ve learned why vocabulary is so important to incorporate in your classroom. As it pertains to student writing, it elevates the quality of writing students can produce, while gaining an understanding of how their language choices can be used to communicate with their audience, purpose, or context of writing. With the use of examples and vivid analogies, I show how merging vocabulary with writing also impacts the genre of writing a student produces and its real world application.

              Vocabulary is truly a way to engage readers and communicate effectively for an intended purpose. When merging vocabulary with writing, your students begin to have a deeper understanding of the power of language and communication skills. After this series, I hope you intentionally introduce and utilize vocabulary in your classroom, for it can have lasting impacts on your students.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode148

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              f51ec317-612e-423b-a6d3-50de25301a13Mon, 27 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -040026:36falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              147. Strategies for Seamless Vocabulary Integration in the Classroom147. Strategies for Seamless Vocabulary Integration in the ClassroomOver the last few weeks, we’ve done a complete deep dive into vocabulary acquisition, its importance, and debunking common myths and misconceptions. Now that we covered the background information, in part three of this series, it’s time to discuss practical vocabulary strategies. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to seamlessly integrate vocabulary strategies in your classroom and already existing daily curriculum. 

              In order for information to permanently stick in a person’s brain, they need multiple exposures and interactions. So the more we integrate vocabulary strategies throughout our day and through cross-curricular, the deeper their understanding and meaning of words will be. Throughout the episode, I share copious amounts of vocabulary strategies that range from games, visuals, technology, and thematic or content related ways to naturally incorporate vocabulary. 

              Deepening vocabulary acquisition is not a one size fits all approach, which is why finding ways to make connections with words is so critical. When you can start to integrate vocabulary strategies seamlessly in your classroom, your students will be able to interact and use words organically in their writing and daily discussions. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, which is our last in the series!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode147

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Over the last few weeks, we’ve done a complete deep dive into vocabulary acquisition, its importance, and debunking common myths and misconceptions. Now that we covered the background information, in part three of this series, it’s time to discuss practical vocabulary strategies. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to seamlessly integrate vocabulary strategies in your classroom and already existing daily curriculum. 

              In order for information to permanently stick in a person’s brain, they need multiple exposures and interactions. So the more we integrate vocabulary strategies throughout our day and through cross-curricular, the deeper their understanding and meaning of words will be. Throughout the episode, I share copious amounts of vocabulary strategies that range from games, visuals, technology, and thematic or content related ways to naturally incorporate vocabulary. 

              Deepening vocabulary acquisition is not a one size fits all approach, which is why finding ways to make connections with words is so critical. When you can start to integrate vocabulary strategies seamlessly in your classroom, your students will be able to interact and use words organically in their writing and daily discussions. Stay tuned to next week’s episode, which is our last in the series!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode147

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              e9d16b2f-6146-4ff6-88c3-07ea6908149fMon, 20 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -040021:26falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              146. Debunking 4 Vocabulary Myths and Misconceptions in the Upper Elementary Classroom146. Debunking 4 Vocabulary Myths and Misconceptions in the Upper Elementary ClassroomLast week I brought attention to vocabulary acquisition and the importance of expanding your students’ vocabulary toolbox. But before you start incorporating more vocabulary into your instructional day, I wanted to bring awareness to some common vocabulary myths and misconceptions as you focus on this in your upper elementary classrooms. So in today’s episode, I’m debunking vocabulary myths and highlighting the need for structured vocabulary instruction, along with different ways to embed vocabulary.

              Reading and memorization were always the standard ways for teaching vocabulary, but we have since learned those aren’t effective ways to learn new vocabulary words. Instead, incorporating vocabulary in discussions, stories, and explicit instruction will make vocabulary more memorable and meaningful for students. Additionally, I provide examples on how using vocabulary in context creates a deeper understanding of the word. 

              In order to expand a student’s vocabulary, it’s more than just exposure while reading texts. It’s actually intentional instruction with application as the end result. By knowing common vocabulary myths and how to teach it effectively, your students will have more vocabulary words in their toolbox and use it in other contexts. Stay tuned to next week’s episode where I dive into strategies and actionable tips for vocabulary!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode146

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Last week I brought attention to vocabulary acquisition and the importance of expanding your students’ vocabulary toolbox. But before you start incorporating more vocabulary into your instructional day, I wanted to bring awareness to some common vocabulary myths and misconceptions as you focus on this in your upper elementary classrooms. So in today’s episode, I’m debunking vocabulary myths and highlighting the need for structured vocabulary instruction, along with different ways to embed vocabulary.

              Reading and memorization were always the standard ways for teaching vocabulary, but we have since learned those aren’t effective ways to learn new vocabulary words. Instead, incorporating vocabulary in discussions, stories, and explicit instruction will make vocabulary more memorable and meaningful for students. Additionally, I provide examples on how using vocabulary in context creates a deeper understanding of the word. 

              In order to expand a student’s vocabulary, it’s more than just exposure while reading texts. It’s actually intentional instruction with application as the end result. By knowing common vocabulary myths and how to teach it effectively, your students will have more vocabulary words in their toolbox and use it in other contexts. Stay tuned to next week’s episode where I dive into strategies and actionable tips for vocabulary!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode146

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              9335146d-aab6-477a-b28f-a76615b5f195Mon, 13 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -040017:00falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              145. Unpacking the Role of Vocabulary Acquisition145. Unpacking the Role of Vocabulary AcquisitionOne of our biggest roles as literacy teachers is to improve their comprehension skills. However, we rarely focus on the one component that gives students the foundation of comprehension, which is vocabulary. Vocabulary is so much more than just words, for it transforms a story and is the key to communication. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing the role vocabulary acquisition has in your upper elementary classroom and the impact it has on students. 

              At an initial glance, vocabulary seems to only affect reading and writing, but it truly does have an impact on all other subject areas as well. By being intentional about vocabulary acquisition, you will be creating an experience that involves students and an opportunity for a deeper level of comprehension and understanding. When students add vocabulary words to their toolbox, they are able to make connections that add to their overall learning experience. 

              Knowing how to deepen a students’ vocabulary acquisition will directly impact their reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication. With this critical background information, you will now be able to add to your knowledge with strategies and various methods for students to receive vocabulary. Stay tuned to next week’s episode where I discuss myths and misconceptions surrounding vocabulary.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode145

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              One of our biggest roles as literacy teachers is to improve their comprehension skills. However, we rarely focus on the one component that gives students the foundation of comprehension, which is vocabulary. Vocabulary is so much more than just words, for it transforms a story and is the key to communication. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing the role vocabulary acquisition has in your upper elementary classroom and the impact it has on students. 

              At an initial glance, vocabulary seems to only affect reading and writing, but it truly does have an impact on all other subject areas as well. By being intentional about vocabulary acquisition, you will be creating an experience that involves students and an opportunity for a deeper level of comprehension and understanding. When students add vocabulary words to their toolbox, they are able to make connections that add to their overall learning experience. 

              Knowing how to deepen a students’ vocabulary acquisition will directly impact their reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication. With this critical background information, you will now be able to add to your knowledge with strategies and various methods for students to receive vocabulary. Stay tuned to next week’s episode where I discuss myths and misconceptions surrounding vocabulary.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode145

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              19ec4665-2421-4348-bbe7-fa6b1a9fb8a5Mon, 06 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -040016:25falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              144. Boost Daily Reading and Writing Excitement with This Spontaneous Routine144. Boost Daily Reading and Writing Excitement with This Spontaneous RoutineAre you looking for fun, creative, and engaging ways to get your students excited about reading and writing? If so, this is the episode for you! I love coming up with creative ways that spark student engagement, and this time, they’re spontaneous activities that include reading and writing. So I’m sharing how two activities boost daily reading and writing excitement in your elementary classrooms.

              I came to the conclusion that if I want students to enjoy reading and writing, I need to create opportunities that sparked joy in both of those areas. With that in mind, I remembered an activity from back when I was in school and adapted it to incorporate daily reading and writing that’s spontaneous and fun. With each routine, I discuss the importance of it, benefits, the structure and expectations, and how to easily implement it in your classroom.

              We always create and develop lessons that focus on practicing and mastering literacy skills, but never develop ways that spark an initial love for literacy. However, with these two routines, you can spontaneously incorporate daily reading and writing in a way that increases their excitement and engagement with literacy.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode144

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Are you looking for fun, creative, and engaging ways to get your students excited about reading and writing? If so, this is the episode for you! I love coming up with creative ways that spark student engagement, and this time, they’re spontaneous activities that include reading and writing. So I’m sharing how two activities boost daily reading and writing excitement in your elementary classrooms.

              I came to the conclusion that if I want students to enjoy reading and writing, I need to create opportunities that sparked joy in both of those areas. With that in mind, I remembered an activity from back when I was in school and adapted it to incorporate daily reading and writing that’s spontaneous and fun. With each routine, I discuss the importance of it, benefits, the structure and expectations, and how to easily implement it in your classroom.

              We always create and develop lessons that focus on practicing and mastering literacy skills, but never develop ways that spark an initial love for literacy. However, with these two routines, you can spontaneously incorporate daily reading and writing in a way that increases their excitement and engagement with literacy.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode144

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              828472e3-5668-448f-b49d-55893cdaa9f0Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -040033:42falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              143. Level Up Reading Comprehension Strategies with 11 Think-Aloud Prompts143. Level Up Reading Comprehension Strategies with 11 Think-Aloud PromptsOur goal as literacy teachers is to develop skilled readers and writers, so we often implement strategies that have students work on those skills. And while those strategies are effective and work, for our struggling readers, it may not be enough. Therefore, by incorporating a think-aloud strategy, your students will be able to hear and see how a skilled reader interprets a text. In this episode, I’m sharing 11 think-aloud prompts that will level up your students’ reading comprehension.

              Using a think-aloud strategy, teachers pause and share what they’re thinking while reading a text, which can include prediction, analysis, synthesis, and more. We want students' internal processing to become automatic, which is why it’s important to implement this strategy during times when it’s natural to think critically about texts. During those times, I also discuss what you should model, how to incorporate this think-aloud strategy, and examples that demonstrate how to model it with your students.

              Incorporating this think-aloud strategy effectively will require you to be aware of your own thought processes while reading and verbalize them in a way that is accessible to students. By pausing for intentional think-alouds, you can share your thoughts to help all readers think critically about a text and level up their reading comprehension.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode143

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              Our goal as literacy teachers is to develop skilled readers and writers, so we often implement strategies that have students work on those skills. And while those strategies are effective and work, for our struggling readers, it may not be enough. Therefore, by incorporating a think-aloud strategy, your students will be able to hear and see how a skilled reader interprets a text. In this episode, I’m sharing 11 think-aloud prompts that will level up your students’ reading comprehension.

              Using a think-aloud strategy, teachers pause and share what they’re thinking while reading a text, which can include prediction, analysis, synthesis, and more. We want students' internal processing to become automatic, which is why it’s important to implement this strategy during times when it’s natural to think critically about texts. During those times, I also discuss what you should model, how to incorporate this think-aloud strategy, and examples that demonstrate how to model it with your students.

              Incorporating this think-aloud strategy effectively will require you to be aware of your own thought processes while reading and verbalize them in a way that is accessible to students. By pausing for intentional think-alouds, you can share your thoughts to help all readers think critically about a text and level up their reading comprehension.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode143

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              0ec3649d-3fe9-44d5-a578-1117ccb2eeddMon, 23 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -040022:37falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              142. Using Graphic Organizers to Support Quality Written Responses142. Using Graphic Organizers to Support Quality Written ResponsesAs literacy teachers, our goal is to develop skilled readers and writers. And although we want our students to be independent in these areas, providing them support actually helps them master literacy skills to become independent. One of my favorite ways to support my students in writing is through using graphic organizers. In this episode, I’m sharing why using graphic organizers can be used to support quality written responses.

              There is so much power in using simple supports that scaffold students into writing about reading. Graphic organizers are an easy support for students while also benefiting them as they structure their ideas to easily craft a written response. In order for you to use graphic organizers in the most effective way, I outline my process as to how I introduce them to students, ways students interact with them, and how it ultimately creates a well-developed written response. 

              In upper elementary, we want our students to be strong in their written responses in regard to reading. As I’ve established, using graphic organizers is one of the best ways to do that. These visual tools provide a clear framework for analyzing texts and generating thoughtful responses. So, take some time this week and implement and practice written responses using graphic organizers and see your students thrive in their writing skills.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode142

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              As literacy teachers, our goal is to develop skilled readers and writers. And although we want our students to be independent in these areas, providing them support actually helps them master literacy skills to become independent. One of my favorite ways to support my students in writing is through using graphic organizers. In this episode, I’m sharing why using graphic organizers can be used to support quality written responses.

              There is so much power in using simple supports that scaffold students into writing about reading. Graphic organizers are an easy support for students while also benefiting them as they structure their ideas to easily craft a written response. In order for you to use graphic organizers in the most effective way, I outline my process as to how I introduce them to students, ways students interact with them, and how it ultimately creates a well-developed written response. 

              In upper elementary, we want our students to be strong in their written responses in regard to reading. As I’ve established, using graphic organizers is one of the best ways to do that. These visual tools provide a clear framework for analyzing texts and generating thoughtful responses. So, take some time this week and implement and practice written responses using graphic organizers and see your students thrive in their writing skills.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode142

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              34d55e64-a004-4747-a550-5fb0464213efMon, 16 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -040021:46falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              141. A 5-Step Read Aloud Routine to Expose Your Students to Diverse Texts141. A 5-Step Read Aloud Routine to Expose Your Students to Diverse TextsAs literacy teachers we want to create an environment that helps develop students into skilled readers and writers. And although they’re often taught in isolation, both actually compliment each other. One way to incorporate both reading and writing is through read alouds, which has the added benefit of exposing students to a variety of genres. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my very simple 5-step read aloud routine that helps students discover diverse texts.

              Most students don’t venture out beyond their comfortability with book genres on their own, which is why it’s our job to expose them to more diverse texts. And since read aloud time is already incorporated into your literacy block, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring in various genres. My quick and easy 5-step routine models what students should do while also piques their interest in new books. Additionally, I share how your chosen read aloud book can be repurposed towards writing skills.

              We know that exposing students to different genres can positively impact their reading and writing skills, which is why it’s so important to find an easy way to seamlessly implement it into your day. By choosing diverse texts to highlight during your read aloud time, you will begin to engage students in diversifying their book selections.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode141

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              As literacy teachers we want to create an environment that helps develop students into skilled readers and writers. And although they’re often taught in isolation, both actually compliment each other. One way to incorporate both reading and writing is through read alouds, which has the added benefit of exposing students to a variety of genres. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my very simple 5-step read aloud routine that helps students discover diverse texts.

              Most students don’t venture out beyond their comfortability with book genres on their own, which is why it’s our job to expose them to more diverse texts. And since read aloud time is already incorporated into your literacy block, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring in various genres. My quick and easy 5-step routine models what students should do while also piques their interest in new books. Additionally, I share how your chosen read aloud book can be repurposed towards writing skills.

              We know that exposing students to different genres can positively impact their reading and writing skills, which is why it’s so important to find an easy way to seamlessly implement it into your day. By choosing diverse texts to highlight during your read aloud time, you will begin to engage students in diversifying their book selections.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode141

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              e9ecb8e7-4dff-47be-8794-8545f3287edfMon, 09 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -040021:01falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              140. The Return: Where Have I Been?140. The Return: Where Have I Been?I’m back, friends! I’d like to brush off my absence by taking a break for the summer to relax, travel, and enjoy the sun, but that wouldn’t be the truth. I always strive to be open and honest with you all, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. In my comeback episode, I’m going to explain my absence, what I've learned about myself, and how my story can help you.

              It’s never one thing that broke the camel’s back, it’s a combination of a lot of little things. This has never been more true for me. The explanation for my absence is complex and personal that includes a lot of events that have led to transitions in my life, which have then resulted in a process of healing and understanding. After taking a deeper look into myself, I now have the tools to be a better version of myself. After listening to this comeback episode, I encourage you to pause and listen to yourself if you too need a break.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode140

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              I’m back, friends! I’d like to brush off my absence by taking a break for the summer to relax, travel, and enjoy the sun, but that wouldn’t be the truth. I always strive to be open and honest with you all, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. In my comeback episode, I’m going to explain my absence, what I've learned about myself, and how my story can help you.

              It’s never one thing that broke the camel’s back, it’s a combination of a lot of little things. This has never been more true for me. The explanation for my absence is complex and personal that includes a lot of events that have led to transitions in my life, which have then resulted in a process of healing and understanding. After taking a deeper look into myself, I now have the tools to be a better version of myself. After listening to this comeback episode, I encourage you to pause and listen to yourself if you too need a break.

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode140

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with Me:

              • Join The Daily Writing Disguise Membership here
              • Shop my TpT store here
              • Check out TDWD Collections here
              • Receive emails from me here
              • Follow me on Instagram here
              • Read my blog posts here

              ]]>              e8a3f246-fbc1-438a-9720-8ceebd6b330fMon, 02 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -040026:55falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Specialist, Elementary Teacher              139. Literacy Block Reflections and Ideas to Better Support Your Students139. Literacy Block Reflections and Ideas to Better Support Your StudentsWe often teach and practice reading and writing separately, but in reality, they work together to improve a students’ literacy skills. I know you all have effective and successful literacy blocks, but my hope is that with me sharing my thoughts and experiences with you, that you’ll find new ways to teach reading and writing to your students. So listen up as I share ideas to better support your students during your literacy block.

              During this conversational-type episode, I rattle off all the different ways I’ve helped my students during my literacy block with their reading and writing skills. Each suggestion helps improve a student’ confidence, comprehension, and love for either reading or writing.

              We want students to improve their literacy skills, which these ideas include activities and a variety of ways to support your students during your literacy block. Be sure to reflect on your own practices and see what you can implement that makes your literacy block enjoyable and fun! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode139

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              We often teach and practice reading and writing separately, but in reality, they work together to improve a students’ literacy skills. I know you all have effective and successful literacy blocks, but my hope is that with me sharing my thoughts and experiences with you, that you’ll find new ways to teach reading and writing to your students. So listen up as I share ideas to better support your students during your literacy block.

              During this conversational-type episode, I rattle off all the different ways I’ve helped my students during my literacy block with their reading and writing skills. Each suggestion helps improve a student’ confidence, comprehension, and love for either reading or writing.

              We want students to improve their literacy skills, which these ideas include activities and a variety of ways to support your students during your literacy block. Be sure to reflect on your own practices and see what you can implement that makes your literacy block enjoyable and fun! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode139

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              70ad81e1-d42f-4464-89e5-5c964961e2c2Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -040021:44falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              138. Science of Reading Tips for Upper Elementary with Sara Marye138. Science of Reading Tips for Upper Elementary with Sara MaryeWhile most of my episodes involve writing strategies and creative ways to get students writing in the classroom, literacy skills are developed and mastered alongside reading. And one of the hottest trends in education right now is the science of reading. There’s so much to unpack with this, so to help us, I have my good friend, Sara Marye, who’s sharing 4 tips on why you should align your instruction to the science of reading in upper elementary. 

              The science of reading encompasses so many aspects of literacy, so it can be hard to determine what it all entails. Sara helps break down the research, pillars of reading, and the model that all work together that makes students successful readers. With this being such a big push, it’s important to note that it’s not just for lower elementary, which is why Sara is giving practical tips and strategies that you can use in your classroom.

              Sara and I have such an informative conversation regarding the science of reading. Many of you may already have elements of this in your classroom, but we know there’s always opportunities for growth, especially when it involves the success of your students. With Sara’s tips for aligning the science of reading to your instruction, you will have concepts and strategies to implement in the fall! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode138

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              While most of my episodes involve writing strategies and creative ways to get students writing in the classroom, literacy skills are developed and mastered alongside reading. And one of the hottest trends in education right now is the science of reading. There’s so much to unpack with this, so to help us, I have my good friend, Sara Marye, who’s sharing 4 tips on why you should align your instruction to the science of reading in upper elementary. 

              The science of reading encompasses so many aspects of literacy, so it can be hard to determine what it all entails. Sara helps break down the research, pillars of reading, and the model that all work together that makes students successful readers. With this being such a big push, it’s important to note that it’s not just for lower elementary, which is why Sara is giving practical tips and strategies that you can use in your classroom.

              Sara and I have such an informative conversation regarding the science of reading. Many of you may already have elements of this in your classroom, but we know there’s always opportunities for growth, especially when it involves the success of your students. With Sara’s tips for aligning the science of reading to your instruction, you will have concepts and strategies to implement in the fall! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode138

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              8585bf45-d663-4df7-9bac-e3916308c234Mon, 05 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -040033:39falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              137. How to Make Diversity a Priority in Your Classrooms with Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica & Dr. Allison Briceño137. How to Make Diversity a Priority in Your Classrooms with Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica & Dr. Allison BriceñoWith an ever evolving world, it’s important that our classrooms are adapting to the world we live in. One of the easiest and natural way to include diversity in the classroom is through diverse children’s literature. But by adding diversity, it can cause some challenges and provoke fear in some teachers. To help facilitate this important conversation, I have both Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica & Dr. Allison Briceño on the podcast to share how to make diversity a priority in the classroom.

              Bringing diversity in the classroom is a pressing and important topic, and Dr. Claudia and Dr. Allison are both a wealth of knowledge and have a lot of key points they make. Not only do they share why it’s essential to use diverse literature, but also the benefits and possible challenges that come with its implementation. One of those challenges is a fear in teachers, which they acknowledge and provide ways to overcome those fears. 

              My conversation with Dr. Claudia and Dr. Allison was compelling and informative around incorporating diversity in the classroom. They share natural ways to easily implement authentic representation of diverse children’s literature. We’re sending our kids out in a diverse world, so it’s important to expose them to various human experiences that can start with books. 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode137

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              With an ever evolving world, it’s important that our classrooms are adapting to the world we live in. One of the easiest and natural way to include diversity in the classroom is through diverse children’s literature. But by adding diversity, it can cause some challenges and provoke fear in some teachers. To help facilitate this important conversation, I have both Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica & Dr. Allison Briceño on the podcast to share how to make diversity a priority in the classroom.

              Bringing diversity in the classroom is a pressing and important topic, and Dr. Claudia and Dr. Allison are both a wealth of knowledge and have a lot of key points they make. Not only do they share why it’s essential to use diverse literature, but also the benefits and possible challenges that come with its implementation. One of those challenges is a fear in teachers, which they acknowledge and provide ways to overcome those fears. 

              My conversation with Dr. Claudia and Dr. Allison was compelling and informative around incorporating diversity in the classroom. They share natural ways to easily implement authentic representation of diverse children’s literature. We’re sending our kids out in a diverse world, so it’s important to expose them to various human experiences that can start with books. 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode137

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              c0dbb65b-f226-47d0-a862-bb0ae3859c64Mon, 29 May 2023 04:00:00 -040034:20falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              136. Acrostic Response & Tell All About It: Disguising Writing Part 3136. Acrostic Response & Tell All About It: Disguising Writing Part 3For the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing creative writing ideas that get students writing and working on their literacy skills in a fun and non-threatening way. I love coming up with ways to disguise writing and have so many ideas, but narrowed it down to my final two that I’m going to share. Those two routines are Acrostic Response and Tell All About It.

              If you’ve listened to Episodes 135 and Episode 134, you know that I’ll be breaking down the purpose, suggested time, general tips, examples, and ways to support or extend each routine. While these routines still work on literacy skills, what makes these two creative writing ideas unique is they touch on a genre and type of writing that usually doesn’t get a lot of love or attention. 

              Since we’re at the end of the series, not only would I love to hear which creative writing ideas were your favorite, but samples of what your students have created! Share your hard work and dedication to these routines with me on Instagram or email me at megan@theliteracydive.com!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode136

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              For the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing creative writing ideas that get students writing and working on their literacy skills in a fun and non-threatening way. I love coming up with ways to disguise writing and have so many ideas, but narrowed it down to my final two that I’m going to share. Those two routines are Acrostic Response and Tell All About It.

              If you’ve listened to Episodes 135 and Episode 134, you know that I’ll be breaking down the purpose, suggested time, general tips, examples, and ways to support or extend each routine. While these routines still work on literacy skills, what makes these two creative writing ideas unique is they touch on a genre and type of writing that usually doesn’t get a lot of love or attention. 

              Since we’re at the end of the series, not only would I love to hear which creative writing ideas were your favorite, but samples of what your students have created! Share your hard work and dedication to these routines with me on Instagram or email me at megan@theliteracydive.com!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode136

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              921c817a-d679-44ef-8778-4fa8689bae5aMon, 22 May 2023 04:00:00 -040020:26falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              135. Quick Write & Emoji Memories: Disguising Writing Part 2135. Quick Write & Emoji Memories: Disguising Writing Part 2Getting students to write and practice various literacy skills can be a daunting task, which is why I’ve loved coming up with different ways for disguising writing for students! In Episode 134, I shared two creative writing routines and in today’s episode, I’ll be sharing two more writing routines for disguising writing. 

              The two creative writing routines I’m showcasing are Quick Write and Emoji Memories. In the same format as last week, with each routine, I highlight the purpose, suggested time, general tips, examples, and ways to support or extend the routine. With each disguising writing routine, students are still practicing literacy skills, but with these two in particular, they’re given a choice in their writing!

              Whether you’re implementing these routines at any point in the school year, they’re proven to be effective and efficient. By disguising writing with these routines, students are learning essential literacy skills that can be utilized with various genres and content areas. Stay turned to next week’s episode for the last two writing routines! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode135

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              Getting students to write and practice various literacy skills can be a daunting task, which is why I’ve loved coming up with different ways for disguising writing for students! In Episode 134, I shared two creative writing routines and in today’s episode, I’ll be sharing two more writing routines for disguising writing. 

              The two creative writing routines I’m showcasing are Quick Write and Emoji Memories. In the same format as last week, with each routine, I highlight the purpose, suggested time, general tips, examples, and ways to support or extend the routine. With each disguising writing routine, students are still practicing literacy skills, but with these two in particular, they’re given a choice in their writing!

              Whether you’re implementing these routines at any point in the school year, they’re proven to be effective and efficient. By disguising writing with these routines, students are learning essential literacy skills that can be utilized with various genres and content areas. Stay turned to next week’s episode for the last two writing routines! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode135

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              7630f51c-e57c-4f48-be0b-edda744fec71Mon, 15 May 2023 04:00:00 -040019:29falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              134. Picture This & Building Words: Disguising Writing Part 1134. Picture This & Building Words: Disguising Writing Part 1We all know the groans and complaining that happens when we ask students to write. But what if we could present writing in a way that is hidden or disguised? Which is why I’ve come up with creative writing routines that you can use with your students that are purposeful, yet non-threatening. In this three week series, I’ll be highlighting two creative writing routines each week that will be engaging and meaningful for your students.

              The two creative writing routines I’m sharing are Picture This and Building Words. Each of these routines help students practice targeted skills while exploring their creative writing abilities. Since all kids learn differently, I provide ways to support struggling students and those needing extensions for both routines. 

              I’ve loved coming up with different ways to disguise writing for my students and wanted to share my ideas with you. Implementing these creative writing routines in your classroom any time during the school year will have your students excited and enjoy writing in no time! Stay tuned next week for two more writing routines. 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode134

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              We all know the groans and complaining that happens when we ask students to write. But what if we could present writing in a way that is hidden or disguised? Which is why I’ve come up with creative writing routines that you can use with your students that are purposeful, yet non-threatening. In this three week series, I’ll be highlighting two creative writing routines each week that will be engaging and meaningful for your students.

              The two creative writing routines I’m sharing are Picture This and Building Words. Each of these routines help students practice targeted skills while exploring their creative writing abilities. Since all kids learn differently, I provide ways to support struggling students and those needing extensions for both routines. 

              I’ve loved coming up with different ways to disguise writing for my students and wanted to share my ideas with you. Implementing these creative writing routines in your classroom any time during the school year will have your students excited and enjoy writing in no time! Stay tuned next week for two more writing routines. 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode134

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              ef9f1c57-eae6-4935-9c17-010b7128e5acMon, 08 May 2023 04:00:00 -040019:55falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              133. How the Enneagram Can Be a Powerful Teaching Tool with Kirsten Hammond133. How the Enneagram Can Be a Powerful Teaching Tool with Kirsten HammondToday’s episode is on a topic that’s gaining popularity amongst everyone, which is the Enneagram test. This personality theory helps determine certain characteristics based on a variety of factors. And while it’s good to be self-aware, this information can be beneficial in the classroom. My guest today, Kirsten Hammond, is sharing how the Enneagram test can be a powerful teaching tool.

              For those that are unaware, Kirsten first gives a brief overview of the Enneagram test and outlines the nine different primary personality types. From there, she explains how it can be used to differentiate and support different learning experiences in the classroom. This includes tailoring your lessons, how students process information, and ways students can showcase their learning to meet the needs of each student. 

              Having students take the Enneagram test helps you determine how best to support your students academically and emotionally. Kirsten shared so many useful ways to bring the Enneagram test into your classroom, and just like me, you’ll gain so many ideas on how to utilize it with your own students!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode133

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              Today’s episode is on a topic that’s gaining popularity amongst everyone, which is the Enneagram test. This personality theory helps determine certain characteristics based on a variety of factors. And while it’s good to be self-aware, this information can be beneficial in the classroom. My guest today, Kirsten Hammond, is sharing how the Enneagram test can be a powerful teaching tool.

              For those that are unaware, Kirsten first gives a brief overview of the Enneagram test and outlines the nine different primary personality types. From there, she explains how it can be used to differentiate and support different learning experiences in the classroom. This includes tailoring your lessons, how students process information, and ways students can showcase their learning to meet the needs of each student. 

              Having students take the Enneagram test helps you determine how best to support your students academically and emotionally. Kirsten shared so many useful ways to bring the Enneagram test into your classroom, and just like me, you’ll gain so many ideas on how to utilize it with your own students!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode133

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              5dd3bf0f-99a0-492b-977d-a6cf88c01055Mon, 01 May 2023 04:00:00 -040044:09falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              132. 5 Questions to Ask to Keep Any Writing Curriculum Grounded in Best Practices with Emily and Carrie132. 5 Questions to Ask to Keep Any Writing Curriculum Grounded in Best Practices with Emily and CarrieIncorporating writing that engages students into your instruction can be difficult, especially if you already have an established writing curriculum that your district requires. However, I’m here to tell you it’s not impossible! My guests on today’s episode, Emily and Carrie, are both writing experts who specialize in engaging students to write creatively and often. They’re sharing how to use best practices with any writing curriculum.

              With both Emily and Carrie’s expertise, they have come up with fun writing activities that are achievable for students and also make parents and teachers confident and feel at ease knowing they’re working on their writing foundation. While it seems like kids are reluctant and unsure about what to write, Emily and Carrie believe the exact opposite is the case. Instead, they recommend asking yourself 5 questions that will change your mindset about best practices in any writing curriculum.

              In order to make writing a priority and create a conducive environment for growth amongst your students, having best practices for any writing curriculum is essential. Since Emily and Carrie have a wide range of experience between them, from elementary and middle, their beliefs and instruction are focused on student growth in their writing. Implement one or all of their best practices and watch your writing curriculum go from rigid to flexible! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode132

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              Incorporating writing that engages students into your instruction can be difficult, especially if you already have an established writing curriculum that your district requires. However, I’m here to tell you it’s not impossible! My guests on today’s episode, Emily and Carrie, are both writing experts who specialize in engaging students to write creatively and often. They’re sharing how to use best practices with any writing curriculum.

              With both Emily and Carrie’s expertise, they have come up with fun writing activities that are achievable for students and also make parents and teachers confident and feel at ease knowing they’re working on their writing foundation. While it seems like kids are reluctant and unsure about what to write, Emily and Carrie believe the exact opposite is the case. Instead, they recommend asking yourself 5 questions that will change your mindset about best practices in any writing curriculum.

              In order to make writing a priority and create a conducive environment for growth amongst your students, having best practices for any writing curriculum is essential. Since Emily and Carrie have a wide range of experience between them, from elementary and middle, their beliefs and instruction are focused on student growth in their writing. Implement one or all of their best practices and watch your writing curriculum go from rigid to flexible! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode132

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              9a1a0b96-618a-4baf-a3ae-106816917c67Mon, 24 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -040039:38falsefullMegan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              131. Secrets to Engaging Students During Testing Season131. Secrets to Engaging Students During Testing SeasonMost teachers think that in order to prepare for the upcoming state test, they have to deviate from their normal routine and activities. When in reality, adding engagement and using tools and activities that are familiar to your students is actually helpful to their success. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing 6 secrets to engaging students during testing season. 

              Each idea that I share can be differentiated based on your students’ needs and level of practice they need. I adapted my lessons and learning experiences for the kids so that we were studying and preparing, but also engaging students during testing season. This ensured that not only was I feeling way less stressed and overwhelmed, but so were my students.

              Instead of boring and monotonous, test prep can be engaging, informative, collaborative, and enjoyable for your students. These 6 ideas for engaging students during testing season will help shift your mindset and teaching practices in order to make test prep meaningful for your students! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode131

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              Most teachers think that in order to prepare for the upcoming state test, they have to deviate from their normal routine and activities. When in reality, adding engagement and using tools and activities that are familiar to your students is actually helpful to their success. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing 6 secrets to engaging students during testing season. 

              Each idea that I share can be differentiated based on your students’ needs and level of practice they need. I adapted my lessons and learning experiences for the kids so that we were studying and preparing, but also engaging students during testing season. This ensured that not only was I feeling way less stressed and overwhelmed, but so were my students.

              Instead of boring and monotonous, test prep can be engaging, informative, collaborative, and enjoyable for your students. These 6 ideas for engaging students during testing season will help shift your mindset and teaching practices in order to make test prep meaningful for your students! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode131

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              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              e246a562-3c55-4fbc-96a2-e22239c52a7aMon, 17 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -040018:51falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              130. 7 Test-Taking Tips for Student Preparation and Success130. 7 Test-Taking Tips for Student Preparation and SuccessI don’t know about you, but every time test prep season started to creep up, I became anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed. And honestly, so did my students. But with preparation and tools in their toolbox, they became more confident, calm, and ready for the test. In order to get your students prepared as well, I’m sharing 7 test taking tips to use in your classroom during test prep season. 

              With each tip that I provide, it can easily be implemented in your already established literacy routine and instruction. Keep in mind that these test taking tips might be ideas and activities you’ve already used throughout the year, but are specifically targeted for success on the test. Additionally, each tip has positive benefits for every student in your classroom.

              Strategies truly are the key to student success. So whether you are searching for new ways to prepare your students or different ideas to try with your students who are struggling, these simple test taking tips will help prepare your students for standardized test success! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode130

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              I don’t know about you, but every time test prep season started to creep up, I became anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed. And honestly, so did my students. But with preparation and tools in their toolbox, they became more confident, calm, and ready for the test. In order to get your students prepared as well, I’m sharing 7 test taking tips to use in your classroom during test prep season. 

              With each tip that I provide, it can easily be implemented in your already established literacy routine and instruction. Keep in mind that these test taking tips might be ideas and activities you’ve already used throughout the year, but are specifically targeted for success on the test. Additionally, each tip has positive benefits for every student in your classroom.

              Strategies truly are the key to student success. So whether you are searching for new ways to prepare your students or different ideas to try with your students who are struggling, these simple test taking tips will help prepare your students for standardized test success! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode130

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              d7e5022c-82cd-4c66-a456-e505375d5779Mon, 10 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -040022:13falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              129. Build Student Confidence with These Test-Taking Strategies129. Build Student Confidence with These Test-Taking StrategiesWe know that state tests are quickly approaching, so it’s our job to begin preparing our students for them. Beyond getting them ready for the content portion of the test, it’s important to acknowledge that this test can be a source of stress and anxiety for our students and prepare them to stay calm and think positively. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to utilize test taking strategies to give students confidence and success.

              There’s a lot of different aspects to the state test, so I’ve come up with 4 main test taking strategies that cover them all. The strategies range from types of test questions and how to answer them to managing time and building confidence. To give better insight, I share examples, tips, and even a helpful acronym, that will give your students a new found sense of confidence and preparation. 

              Knowing common test taking challenges, practical tips and tricks for mastering skills, and effective time management will help teachers prepare students for the state test. This is a difficult and stressful time for both parties, so I’m wishing you the best during testing season and please reach out for support or references! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode129

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              We know that state tests are quickly approaching, so it’s our job to begin preparing our students for them. Beyond getting them ready for the content portion of the test, it’s important to acknowledge that this test can be a source of stress and anxiety for our students and prepare them to stay calm and think positively. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to utilize test taking strategies to give students confidence and success.

              There’s a lot of different aspects to the state test, so I’ve come up with 4 main test taking strategies that cover them all. The strategies range from types of test questions and how to answer them to managing time and building confidence. To give better insight, I share examples, tips, and even a helpful acronym, that will give your students a new found sense of confidence and preparation. 

              Knowing common test taking challenges, practical tips and tricks for mastering skills, and effective time management will help teachers prepare students for the state test. This is a difficult and stressful time for both parties, so I’m wishing you the best during testing season and please reach out for support or references! 

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode129

              Resources Mentioned:


              Connect with me:


              If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

              ]]>              92cb21c8-0835-4811-ae6e-3a5af0147b83Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -040021:04falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher              128. Meeting the Needs of Gifted Learners: Effective Differentiation Techniques with Stephanie Higgs128. Meeting the Needs of Gifted Learners: Effective Differentiation Techniques with Stephanie HiggsToday’s topic of conversation involves a group of students who need our support, but in a different way than the majority of our students. I’m talking about our gifted learners. We tend to always think about students who struggle or need additional support, but it’s important to remember that our high-achieving students deserve our attention and their own needs met as well.

              In order to provide you with the most effective information, I brought on guest Stephanie Higgs to join me in this conversation. Stephanie is a gifted educator and differentiation coach, where she’s an expert in her field. She joins me today in sharing how to meet the needs of gifted learners by providing effective differentiation techniques and strategies. 

              Stephanie starts off by sharing a shocking statistic that puts into perspective the importance of supporting and providing complexity and depth of content. She reiterates the fact that teachers should support them where they are academically and find challenging ways that help them grow as learners. Likewise, she shares activities that seamlessly fit in an already established literacy block or routine. 

              If you have gifted learners in your classroom and maybe lacking ways to support them or you don’t have ideas for what to do to keep them engaged, this episode is for you! Stephanie is a wealth of knowledge and wants to partner together to figure out how to support gifted learners in a manageable way. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

              Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode128

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              Connect with me:

              • Check out my TpT Store
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              • https://theliteracydive.com/episode128

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                ]]>80d8c18a-165b-4771-ab84-cbf759b8400dMon, 27 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -040044:11falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher127. Transforming the Writing Process with Peer Editing127. Transforming the Writing Process with Peer EditingI’ve talked many times about the process and importance of students engaging in the writing process. It allows students to work on their written skills and creativity. But the step that most teachers gloss over or find optional is the peer editing stage, when in reality, it provides many benefits and life skills for students. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing a new perspective to make peer editing work for your students and how to use it effectively in the classroom.

                When students are peer editing, they’re building their communication, critical thinking and collaboration skills that will only make them successful in the future. However, there are so many more benefits to having students peer edit, which are highlighted and provided throughout the episode. 

                Since teaching writing can be challenging for some teachers, especially with a skill as important as peer editing, I help explore strategies that you can easily implement in your classroom. And even though it’s toward the end of the school year, now is still a great time to teach peer editing to your students. Not only have they built a foundation of writing, but they’ve gained practice and experience throughout the year. 

                The next time you go through the writing process with your students, don’t skip or downplay the importance of the peer editing step. I’ve established the many benefits and how it’s a game changer when it comes to developing writing skills in young writers. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode127

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                I’ve talked many times about the process and importance of students engaging in the writing process. It allows students to work on their written skills and creativity. But the step that most teachers gloss over or find optional is the peer editing stage, when in reality, it provides many benefits and life skills for students. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing a new perspective to make peer editing work for your students and how to use it effectively in the classroom.

                When students are peer editing, they’re building their communication, critical thinking and collaboration skills that will only make them successful in the future. However, there are so many more benefits to having students peer edit, which are highlighted and provided throughout the episode. 

                Since teaching writing can be challenging for some teachers, especially with a skill as important as peer editing, I help explore strategies that you can easily implement in your classroom. And even though it’s toward the end of the school year, now is still a great time to teach peer editing to your students. Not only have they built a foundation of writing, but they’ve gained practice and experience throughout the year. 

                The next time you go through the writing process with your students, don’t skip or downplay the importance of the peer editing step. I’ve established the many benefits and how it’s a game changer when it comes to developing writing skills in young writers. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode127

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                bd6f7814-1cf1-4a74-b3ef-7c7921db869fMon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -040025:06falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                126. Using SEL to Boost Reading and Writing Skills with Andrea Burns126. Using SEL to Boost Reading and Writing Skills with Andrea BurnsSometimes our students experience big feelings and they’re not always equipped on how to cope or even express how they feel. A great way to teach your students about SEL and create an open dialogue within your classroom is through literacy. On today’s episode, I have guest expert Andrea Burns to show how to use SEL to boost reading and writing skills.

                Andrea Burns is extremely passionate about all things bookish! This includes children’s literature, the smell of a brand new book, or adding new picture and chapter books to her already full bookshelf. Andrea lives in Kansas and works as a book buyer for a local bookstore. She has a Masters of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and loves to continually learn new things! Andrea's passion about social emotional learning and her advocacy for SEL and literature has been featured on Good Morning America. Andrea's debut book is called Failure Friday, which is published through National Center for Youth Issues. Andrea is expecting her first child in March and can't wait to make her little one an avid reader!

                Since Andrea is a lover of all books, especially related to SEL, she talks openly about the importance of having conversations revolving around a students’ social emotional well being. In order to prioritize this in your classroom, Andrea shares ways to incorporate SEL to boost reading and writing skills with your students. Each tip is simple, quick, and achievable, no matter how much time you have. 

                As we know, SEL is a big topic that can encompass so many feelings and emotions. By using books, it helps create connections with your students, their peers, and can be relatable to everyone. Using SEL to boost reading and writing skills fosters open and shared discussions in your classroom that teaches students essential skills that can be utilized as they navigate life. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode126

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Sometimes our students experience big feelings and they’re not always equipped on how to cope or even express how they feel. A great way to teach your students about SEL and create an open dialogue within your classroom is through literacy. On today’s episode, I have guest expert Andrea Burns to show how to use SEL to boost reading and writing skills.

                Andrea Burns is extremely passionate about all things bookish! This includes children’s literature, the smell of a brand new book, or adding new picture and chapter books to her already full bookshelf. Andrea lives in Kansas and works as a book buyer for a local bookstore. She has a Masters of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and loves to continually learn new things! Andrea's passion about social emotional learning and her advocacy for SEL and literature has been featured on Good Morning America. Andrea's debut book is called Failure Friday, which is published through National Center for Youth Issues. Andrea is expecting her first child in March and can't wait to make her little one an avid reader!

                Since Andrea is a lover of all books, especially related to SEL, she talks openly about the importance of having conversations revolving around a students’ social emotional well being. In order to prioritize this in your classroom, Andrea shares ways to incorporate SEL to boost reading and writing skills with your students. Each tip is simple, quick, and achievable, no matter how much time you have. 

                As we know, SEL is a big topic that can encompass so many feelings and emotions. By using books, it helps create connections with your students, their peers, and can be relatable to everyone. Using SEL to boost reading and writing skills fosters open and shared discussions in your classroom that teaches students essential skills that can be utilized as they navigate life. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode126

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                516ac8aa-3ac1-438e-a542-5518e4765671Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -040036:09falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                125. 10 Reasons Why You Should Have Students Engaging in Collaborative Writing125. 10 Reasons Why You Should Have Students Engaging in Collaborative WritingAs students move up in grades, working with others seems to happen less often and independent work becomes the norm. However, since collaboration is a 21st century skill, having students work together is something that should be practiced. So in today’s episode, I’m going to provide 10 reasons why you should have students engaging in collaborative writing in your classroom. 

                I’m a big fan of collaborative writing and have seen it benefit my students, our classroom environment, and myself as the teacher when implemented. Throughout the episode, I share 10 ways using collaborative writing benefits students as it pertains to their writing skills and life skills. As students work together, they’re working toward a common goal, which broadens their perspectives and improves the development of teamwork skills.

                By engaging and working with a partner or small group, students are able to share ideas, provide feedback, and support one another as they work to improve their writing. After listening to this episode, I hope you feel inspired to prioritize collaborative writing and start to implement it when assigning practice, projects, and written work! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode125

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                As students move up in grades, working with others seems to happen less often and independent work becomes the norm. However, since collaboration is a 21st century skill, having students work together is something that should be practiced. So in today’s episode, I’m going to provide 10 reasons why you should have students engaging in collaborative writing in your classroom. 

                I’m a big fan of collaborative writing and have seen it benefit my students, our classroom environment, and myself as the teacher when implemented. Throughout the episode, I share 10 ways using collaborative writing benefits students as it pertains to their writing skills and life skills. As students work together, they’re working toward a common goal, which broadens their perspectives and improves the development of teamwork skills.

                By engaging and working with a partner or small group, students are able to share ideas, provide feedback, and support one another as they work to improve their writing. After listening to this episode, I hope you feel inspired to prioritize collaborative writing and start to implement it when assigning practice, projects, and written work! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode125

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                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                ef26bccf-74b0-40c5-ad0a-be3e73c417f3Mon, 06 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -040015:41falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                124. Balance Creativity and Technical Writing Skills: 5 Strategies for Your Writers124. Balance Creativity and Technical Writing Skills: 5 Strategies for Your WritersWith most things, balance is the key to life. It’s about finding the right amount between two things, not having too much or too little. Well, the same can be said with writing skills. We’ve established before that writing can be difficult and is a challenge for a lot of students, so it’s finding the right balance between interest and skill. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 strategies you can start using with your students that’s a balance between creativity and technical writing skills.

                When two concepts are on opposite ends of the spectrum, we tend to teach them separately, when really, they should happen inter-connectedly. It’s important for students to understand that writing is fun and engaging, while also displaying proper technical accuracy. 

                In order to create this balance of writing skills, I’ve come up with 5 strategies that pulls out student creativity, along with paying attention to technical writing, which are:

                1. Provide student choice and voice in their writing
                2. Model effective writing techniques
                3. Incorporate a variety of writing experiences in your classroom
                4. Find a balance between creative expression and technical accuracy
                5. Encourage reading

                Finding this balance of writing skills can be a complex and challenging task, but is achieved through the right approach and these 5 strategies. Showing students the balance will help them value both creativity and technical accuracy, while also striving to improve in each area to eventually become confident, skilled, and expressive writers! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode124

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                With most things, balance is the key to life. It’s about finding the right amount between two things, not having too much or too little. Well, the same can be said with writing skills. We’ve established before that writing can be difficult and is a challenge for a lot of students, so it’s finding the right balance between interest and skill. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 strategies you can start using with your students that’s a balance between creativity and technical writing skills.

                When two concepts are on opposite ends of the spectrum, we tend to teach them separately, when really, they should happen inter-connectedly. It’s important for students to understand that writing is fun and engaging, while also displaying proper technical accuracy. 

                In order to create this balance of writing skills, I’ve come up with 5 strategies that pulls out student creativity, along with paying attention to technical writing, which are:

                1. Provide student choice and voice in their writing
                2. Model effective writing techniques
                3. Incorporate a variety of writing experiences in your classroom
                4. Find a balance between creative expression and technical accuracy
                5. Encourage reading

                Finding this balance of writing skills can be a complex and challenging task, but is achieved through the right approach and these 5 strategies. Showing students the balance will help them value both creativity and technical accuracy, while also striving to improve in each area to eventually become confident, skilled, and expressive writers! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode124

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                ad2247fa-e74d-412f-a29b-29823c194e4dMon, 27 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -040013:36falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                123. Strengthening Student Language & Critical Thinking Skills with Hallie Sherman123. Strengthening Student Language & Critical Thinking Skills with Hallie ShermanAs a literacy expert, I always bring you strategies and tips that you can use in your classroom that bring your students success to their reading and writing skills. But sometimes, I love bringing on other experts to add to your teacher toolbox, especially when they bring a different perspective. 

                That’s exactly what I’m doing on today’s episode. I have guest Hallie Sherman, a speech-language pathologist, who’s giving us insight and sharing strategies on strengthening student language and critical thinking skills.

                Hallie Sherman M.S. CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist working full time in a public school in New York. She currently works with 5th and 6th grade students but has experience working with preschool through high school. She is also the CEO behind Speech Time Fun, Inc. where she helps SLPs working with older students plan with ease and confidence through her blog, TpT store, SLP Coffee Talk podcast and her SLP Elevate membership. 

                Although Hallie works with students with language disabilities, these strategies can be used with any student who struggles with vocabulary, comprehension, and other critical thinking skills. Hallie explains what different literacy skills she works with students on and emphasizes how building a strong foundation is the key to long term academic success.

                In order to be an effective reader, students need to retain a variety of skills, so if they’re lacking in certain skills, it’s going to hold them back. Therefore, by implementing these strategies that Hallie has provided us, it’s going to strengthen a students’ language and critical thinking skills, which is the ultimate goal. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode123

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                As a literacy expert, I always bring you strategies and tips that you can use in your classroom that bring your students success to their reading and writing skills. But sometimes, I love bringing on other experts to add to your teacher toolbox, especially when they bring a different perspective. 

                That’s exactly what I’m doing on today’s episode. I have guest Hallie Sherman, a speech-language pathologist, who’s giving us insight and sharing strategies on strengthening student language and critical thinking skills.

                Hallie Sherman M.S. CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist working full time in a public school in New York. She currently works with 5th and 6th grade students but has experience working with preschool through high school. She is also the CEO behind Speech Time Fun, Inc. where she helps SLPs working with older students plan with ease and confidence through her blog, TpT store, SLP Coffee Talk podcast and her SLP Elevate membership. 

                Although Hallie works with students with language disabilities, these strategies can be used with any student who struggles with vocabulary, comprehension, and other critical thinking skills. Hallie explains what different literacy skills she works with students on and emphasizes how building a strong foundation is the key to long term academic success.

                In order to be an effective reader, students need to retain a variety of skills, so if they’re lacking in certain skills, it’s going to hold them back. Therefore, by implementing these strategies that Hallie has provided us, it’s going to strengthen a students’ language and critical thinking skills, which is the ultimate goal. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode123

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                fefb86ef-a31d-4990-8e6f-2577b5e64d15Mon, 20 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -040032:32falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                122. How to Best Utilize Mentor Texts During Your Biography Units122. How to Best Utilize Mentor Texts During Your Biography UnitsWhen introducing a new type of genre, sometimes students need an example to understand certain literacy skills and concepts. This is where mentor texts come in. Most teachers understand the concept of mentor texts, but struggle with knowing how to utilize them in the classroom. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to best utilize mentor texts, specifically during your biography units.

                Since biographies, and even autobiographies, aren’t the most exciting for students, engagement and interest is key to getting them hooked. Once they are engaged, mentor texts are used to make connections, show examples of reading skills, and so much more. In the episode, I provide guidance, activities, resources, and tips to help you implement mentor texts that’s purposeful and meaningful.

                With the next few months being prime opportunities to teach biographies, incorporating the use of mentor texts increases a students’ engagement with the genre. Implementing the strategies and tips on how to best utilize mentor texts during biography units, will get kids excited to learn about other important people in our society. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode122

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                When introducing a new type of genre, sometimes students need an example to understand certain literacy skills and concepts. This is where mentor texts come in. Most teachers understand the concept of mentor texts, but struggle with knowing how to utilize them in the classroom. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to best utilize mentor texts, specifically during your biography units.

                Since biographies, and even autobiographies, aren’t the most exciting for students, engagement and interest is key to getting them hooked. Once they are engaged, mentor texts are used to make connections, show examples of reading skills, and so much more. In the episode, I provide guidance, activities, resources, and tips to help you implement mentor texts that’s purposeful and meaningful.

                With the next few months being prime opportunities to teach biographies, incorporating the use of mentor texts increases a students’ engagement with the genre. Implementing the strategies and tips on how to best utilize mentor texts during biography units, will get kids excited to learn about other important people in our society. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode122

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                f95c66c6-fcd8-45b0-ac66-e6042afb18acMon, 13 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -040014:23falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                121. Best Practices for Teaching Biographies121. Best Practices for Teaching BiographiesTeaching literacy is often surrounded by the genre of fiction. Students understand the characteristics and plot elements, which results in them independently reading fictional books on their own. But there’s another type of genre, nonfiction, and more specifically biographies, which they’re less familiar with. 

                February is the perfect time for teaching biographies by incorporating Black History Month. But even without that, incorporating biographies into your classroom is so important. While it’s not as initially engaging as fiction, there are ways to pique students’ interest with this genre. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my best practices for teaching biographies. 

                Oftentimes, students don’t like what they don’t understand, so getting them to understand biographies is the first step. Throughout the episode, I walk you through my five simple steps of exploring biographies in order to get students interested in this type of genre. With this exploration, you’ll help students understand how this genre works, how to identify it from a group of texts, and how to recognize the main purpose of this genre. 

                Fiction is a genre students already enjoy, but by incorporating these best practices for teaching biographies, this will soon be a genre students will be engaged in and exploring all on their own. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode121

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Teaching literacy is often surrounded by the genre of fiction. Students understand the characteristics and plot elements, which results in them independently reading fictional books on their own. But there’s another type of genre, nonfiction, and more specifically biographies, which they’re less familiar with. 

                February is the perfect time for teaching biographies by incorporating Black History Month. But even without that, incorporating biographies into your classroom is so important. While it’s not as initially engaging as fiction, there are ways to pique students’ interest with this genre. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my best practices for teaching biographies. 

                Oftentimes, students don’t like what they don’t understand, so getting them to understand biographies is the first step. Throughout the episode, I walk you through my five simple steps of exploring biographies in order to get students interested in this type of genre. With this exploration, you’ll help students understand how this genre works, how to identify it from a group of texts, and how to recognize the main purpose of this genre. 

                Fiction is a genre students already enjoy, but by incorporating these best practices for teaching biographies, this will soon be a genre students will be engaged in and exploring all on their own. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode121

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                db20d2c1-044c-4f1e-8f35-aa14074adfc5Mon, 06 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -040014:29falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                120. What is SEL and How do I Implement it in my Classroom? with Rachel Davis120. What is SEL and How do I Implement it in my Classroom? with Rachel DavisThe majority of this podcast’s content is literacy-focused, including effective strategies to implement in your classroom, which is all academic. While literacy is an important component in a classroom, so is a students’ mental health. In order to check on students and begin to look at the whole child, implementing SEL is the best way to do that. 

                Since the beginning of the pandemic and certainly afterwards, SEL has become a hot topic and the forefront of teachers and other educational professionals’ minds. Although you might know what it is, how can you effectively use it in your classroom to impact students? I have special guest, Rachel Davis, on the podcast today to help share actionable tips and strategies for implementing SEL in the classroom.

                Rachel is the school counselor and curriculum designer behind Bright Futures Counseling. With nearly a decade of experience, a highly rated school counseling podcast, and an engaged online community, Rachel is passionate about helping school counselors increase their impact and advocate for their role. She resides in Costa Rica, and when she's not working on her business you can find her at the beach playing with her family!

                Throughout our conversation, Rachel identifies what SEL is and easy ways it can be incorporated into your already existing schedule. There are so many Rachel shares lesson and engagement ideas, along with simple tips to create a common language and community in your classroom by understanding the whole child through SEL. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode120

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                ]]>                The majority of this podcast’s content is literacy-focused, including effective strategies to implement in your classroom, which is all academic. While literacy is an important component in a classroom, so is a students’ mental health. In order to check on students and begin to look at the whole child, implementing SEL is the best way to do that. 

                Since the beginning of the pandemic and certainly afterwards, SEL has become a hot topic and the forefront of teachers and other educational professionals’ minds. Although you might know what it is, how can you effectively use it in your classroom to impact students? I have special guest, Rachel Davis, on the podcast today to help share actionable tips and strategies for implementing SEL in the classroom.

                Rachel is the school counselor and curriculum designer behind Bright Futures Counseling. With nearly a decade of experience, a highly rated school counseling podcast, and an engaged online community, Rachel is passionate about helping school counselors increase their impact and advocate for their role. She resides in Costa Rica, and when she's not working on her business you can find her at the beach playing with her family!

                Throughout our conversation, Rachel identifies what SEL is and easy ways it can be incorporated into your already existing schedule. There are so many Rachel shares lesson and engagement ideas, along with simple tips to create a common language and community in your classroom by understanding the whole child through SEL. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode120

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                06a67d33-622f-4639-9c14-e2394f453547Mon, 30 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -040037:21falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                119. 5 Black History Month Activities for Elementary Students119. 5 Black History Month Activities for Elementary StudentsIn order to change our future, it’s important to know and learn from our history. There are so many important events and people in our nation’s history, that we should take time to teach it in our classrooms. February is next month, and also Black History Month, which is the perfect time to teach your students about African American history and the people who have impacted our society and laws. 

                If this is your time teaching this topic, this episode is for you! I’m sharing easy to implement and creative Black History Month activities to teach, while also engaging students in literacy practices that are focused on reading and writing. I’ll also remind you of 3 important words to remember when discussing this topic. 

                I first start out by sharing those 3 words: resilience, contributions, and inquiry. With each word, I explain how they’re associated with the teachings of black history, which leads into my 5 black history month activities. Each activity is meaningful and can be adapted to your individual students and specific topics you’re teaching of black history. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode119

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                ]]>                In order to change our future, it’s important to know and learn from our history. There are so many important events and people in our nation’s history, that we should take time to teach it in our classrooms. February is next month, and also Black History Month, which is the perfect time to teach your students about African American history and the people who have impacted our society and laws. 

                If this is your time teaching this topic, this episode is for you! I’m sharing easy to implement and creative Black History Month activities to teach, while also engaging students in literacy practices that are focused on reading and writing. I’ll also remind you of 3 important words to remember when discussing this topic. 

                I first start out by sharing those 3 words: resilience, contributions, and inquiry. With each word, I explain how they’re associated with the teachings of black history, which leads into my 5 black history month activities. Each activity is meaningful and can be adapted to your individual students and specific topics you’re teaching of black history. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode119

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                4db93a9f-9db7-4875-aed3-01731f0f4908Mon, 23 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -040022:17falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                118. Using Morning Meeting to Support Black History118. Using Morning Meeting to Support Black HistoryWith today being Martin Luther King Jr. day, the topic of today’s episode aligns perfectly. We talked last week about morning meeting and how it’s a designated time to take in new information and build classroom community. Keeping those ideas in mind, I’m sharing ways to use morning meeting as a way to support black history. 

                In order to expose your students to and support black history, I’ve come up with 4 simple ways you can embed this information during morning meeting. Each idea is both meaningful and beneficial, that provide opportunities for learning and discussion amongst your students. 

                Although I mention morning meeting throughout the episode, you can discuss these ideas any time you have available throughout your day. Whether your students are exploring famous people, events, or profound words spoken, they’re gaining a deeper understanding of the importance to support black history. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode118

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                With today being Martin Luther King Jr. day, the topic of today’s episode aligns perfectly. We talked last week about morning meeting and how it’s a designated time to take in new information and build classroom community. Keeping those ideas in mind, I’m sharing ways to use morning meeting as a way to support black history. 

                In order to expose your students to and support black history, I’ve come up with 4 simple ways you can embed this information during morning meeting. Each idea is both meaningful and beneficial, that provide opportunities for learning and discussion amongst your students. 

                Although I mention morning meeting throughout the episode, you can discuss these ideas any time you have available throughout your day. Whether your students are exploring famous people, events, or profound words spoken, they’re gaining a deeper understanding of the importance to support black history. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode118

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                cbe0e219-cbb6-447c-b077-c5d9d6c2923dMon, 16 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -040016:39falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                117. Build a Thriving Classroom Community Through Morning Meeting with Shelly Small117. Build a Thriving Classroom Community Through Morning Meeting with Shelly SmallRoutines and structure are important parts to a smooth and effective classroom, but when a routine involves students, engagement, and relationships, that’s when it becomes an essential part of your day. This routine is known as morning meeting. While you may have heard of this before, my guest today, Shelly Small, provides more insight as she shares how to build a classroom community through morning meeting. 

                Shelly Small is in her 15th year in Elementary Education and 13th year in the Dual Language setting in the Dallas area. Currently, she’s the 3rd-grade Dual Language teacher and Dual Language Lead at her campus. She loves being involved in her district’s Dual Language cohort. 

                Señorita Small has taught 1st-6th grade with her favorite grade level being 3rd. She had the honor of winning Teacher of the Year during the unprecedented pandemic school year of 2020-2021. These past two years have been years of professional firsts including recording her first podcast episode - this one!

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode117

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Routines and structure are important parts to a smooth and effective classroom, but when a routine involves students, engagement, and relationships, that’s when it becomes an essential part of your day. This routine is known as morning meeting. While you may have heard of this before, my guest today, Shelly Small, provides more insight as she shares how to build a classroom community through morning meeting. 

                Shelly Small is in her 15th year in Elementary Education and 13th year in the Dual Language setting in the Dallas area. Currently, she’s the 3rd-grade Dual Language teacher and Dual Language Lead at her campus. She loves being involved in her district’s Dual Language cohort. 

                Señorita Small has taught 1st-6th grade with her favorite grade level being 3rd. She had the honor of winning Teacher of the Year during the unprecedented pandemic school year of 2020-2021. These past two years have been years of professional firsts including recording her first podcast episode - this one!

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode117

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                64cf5102-6b77-4477-975a-2d47536741c2Mon, 09 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -040036:58falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                116. Your Relationships with Parents: Reflect & Reset for 2023116. Your Relationships with Parents: Reflect & Reset for 2023The last month has been all about resetting your classroom routines and reading and writing instruction. While all those are important, there’s another aspect of teaching we often forget about that might need a reset. That area is your relationships with parents. In today’s episode, I’m exploring three areas to consider when determining if a reset is necessary pertaining to your relationship with parents. 

                Speaking from experience, I’ve gathered and evaluated everything I’ve done regarding improving my relationship with parents, and have narrowed it down to these three main categories: communication, support, and interactions/involvement. To give further insight, I breakdown each category and provide simple and effective ideas and strategies that you can easily implement in the new year. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode116

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                The last month has been all about resetting your classroom routines and reading and writing instruction. While all those are important, there’s another aspect of teaching we often forget about that might need a reset. That area is your relationships with parents. In today’s episode, I’m exploring three areas to consider when determining if a reset is necessary pertaining to your relationship with parents. 

                Speaking from experience, I’ve gathered and evaluated everything I’ve done regarding improving my relationship with parents, and have narrowed it down to these three main categories: communication, support, and interactions/involvement. To give further insight, I breakdown each category and provide simple and effective ideas and strategies that you can easily implement in the new year. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode116

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                08b7b662-81d2-49ce-913b-1bba6799d33aMon, 02 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -040030:46falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                115. Your Reading Block: Reflect & Reset for 2023115. Your Reading Block: Reflect & Reset for 2023The beginning of the year is the perfect opportunity to think about the practices and routines that are set in your classroom. There’s power in asking yourself questions intended to see at what point you can add, remove, or adjust key elements in your instruction. In sticking with the theme of the past several episodes of reflecting, in this episode, I’m going to explore resetting the other side of literacy, which is reading, specifically your reading block. 

                Reading is fundamental and the foundation of all subjects, which makes it so important to have an effective reading block. The five questions I share examine your practices while leaving you with actionable tips you can easily implement. They also take a look into your reading strategies, supports, and reading goals set for your students. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode115

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                The beginning of the year is the perfect opportunity to think about the practices and routines that are set in your classroom. There’s power in asking yourself questions intended to see at what point you can add, remove, or adjust key elements in your instruction. In sticking with the theme of the past several episodes of reflecting, in this episode, I’m going to explore resetting the other side of literacy, which is reading, specifically your reading block. 

                Reading is fundamental and the foundation of all subjects, which makes it so important to have an effective reading block. The five questions I share examine your practices while leaving you with actionable tips you can easily implement. They also take a look into your reading strategies, supports, and reading goals set for your students. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode115

                Resources Mentioned: 


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                a0d1ff6c-453e-487c-918e-c441a88a6d2aMon, 26 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -040027:42falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                114. Your Writing Block: Reflect & Reset for 2023114. Your Writing Block: Reflect & Reset for 2023In last week’s episode, I talked about the importance of reflection, especially with the start of a new year approaching. I asked you to think broad with classroom routines, but this week I want you to look more specifically at your writing block. We want our students to develop their skills and enjoy writing, so in order to do that, it might be necessary to revamp or reset your writing block.

                Instead of asking your students questions, this week, the questions are for you. Your writing block is an opportunity for students to develop and grow their writing skills. Therefore, each question examines your practices, methods, and engagement, while also looking closely at written supports and student feedback. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode114

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                In last week’s episode, I talked about the importance of reflection, especially with the start of a new year approaching. I asked you to think broad with classroom routines, but this week I want you to look more specifically at your writing block. We want our students to develop their skills and enjoy writing, so in order to do that, it might be necessary to revamp or reset your writing block.

                Instead of asking your students questions, this week, the questions are for you. Your writing block is an opportunity for students to develop and grow their writing skills. Therefore, each question examines your practices, methods, and engagement, while also looking closely at written supports and student feedback. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode114

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                042db382-86cc-40f1-8bb9-4ad3e66b6d97Mon, 19 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -040028:31falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                113. Your Classroom Routines: Reflect & Reset for 2023113. Your Classroom Routines: Reflect & Reset for 2023With being so close to winter break, you’re probably just in survival mode and ready to leave the classroom behind for a while and not think about it until you go back in January. And while I totally understand your mindset, now is the perfect time to evaluate and reassess your current classroom routines, procedures, and systems and determine if a change is needed. Trust me, you’ll thank me come January! 

                While I think it’s important for you to do some self-reflection, there’s another group that needs to be involved in the assessment of the first half of the school year: your students. By involving your students, you’ll get the most accurate depiction of what’s truly working or not working in your classroom. I’ve come up with 5 key questions to ask your students that will help you determine if a reset is necessary on any of your current classroom routines. 

                Resources Mentioned:


                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode113

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                With being so close to winter break, you’re probably just in survival mode and ready to leave the classroom behind for a while and not think about it until you go back in January. And while I totally understand your mindset, now is the perfect time to evaluate and reassess your current classroom routines, procedures, and systems and determine if a change is needed. Trust me, you’ll thank me come January! 

                While I think it’s important for you to do some self-reflection, there’s another group that needs to be involved in the assessment of the first half of the school year: your students. By involving your students, you’ll get the most accurate depiction of what’s truly working or not working in your classroom. I’ve come up with 5 key questions to ask your students that will help you determine if a reset is necessary on any of your current classroom routines. 

                Resources Mentioned:


                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode113

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                754f8901-28ef-4aed-bc5a-4d98c979c696Mon, 12 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -040022:00falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                112. How to Be a Parent-Friendly Teacher with Heidi and Emily112. How to Be a Parent-Friendly Teacher with Heidi and EmilyLiteracy Dive listeners, you are in for a treat today! On the podcast today, I’m doing something I’ve never done before, which is airing an episode from another show’s podcast. This episode is coming from the Teacher Approved podcast, co-hosted by Heidi & Emily, who share research-based and teacher approved strategies that make your teaching more efficient and effective. The episode they’re sharing with me on today’s show is on how to be a parent-friendly teacher. 

                As teachers, you know that parents are your biggest allies. Having parents on your side during the school year helps make your year run smoothly when it comes to behavior issues, volunteer opportunities, and so much more. Throughout the episode, Heidi & Emily discuss what being a parent-friendly teacher means and a common misconception teachers have in being a parent-friendly teacher. 

                In order to achieve that goal, they’ve come up with 6 tips that will help you become a parent-friendly teacher. To gain further understanding, Heidi & Emily explain each tip, share how to achieve them, and provide real-life examples.

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode112

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Literacy Dive listeners, you are in for a treat today! On the podcast today, I’m doing something I’ve never done before, which is airing an episode from another show’s podcast. This episode is coming from the Teacher Approved podcast, co-hosted by Heidi & Emily, who share research-based and teacher approved strategies that make your teaching more efficient and effective. The episode they’re sharing with me on today’s show is on how to be a parent-friendly teacher. 

                As teachers, you know that parents are your biggest allies. Having parents on your side during the school year helps make your year run smoothly when it comes to behavior issues, volunteer opportunities, and so much more. Throughout the episode, Heidi & Emily discuss what being a parent-friendly teacher means and a common misconception teachers have in being a parent-friendly teacher. 

                In order to achieve that goal, they’ve come up with 6 tips that will help you become a parent-friendly teacher. To gain further understanding, Heidi & Emily explain each tip, share how to achieve them, and provide real-life examples.

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode112

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                e327c2d5-fc7a-4c74-87e4-c7be711c8366Mon, 05 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -040026:57falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                111. Help Your ESL Students Find Success and Confidence With These 4 Tips111. Help Your ESL Students Find Success and Confidence With These 4 TipsFinding ways to support students, whether it’s in writing or other academic needs, is a passion of mine. Therefore, when I had ESL students in my classroom, it was my goal to help them grow, learn, and develop academically and in the English language. 

                In last week’s episode, Episode 110, I shared writing strategies that support ESL students, so be sure to take a listen if you haven’t already. On the podcast today, I’m sharing 4 additional tips to support your ESL students that help them thrive in your classroom.

                When having students in your classroom who need additional support, it’s important that each support helps them grow academically, in the language, and provide simple action steps. These 4 tips are simple, yet effective for your ESL students, or really, any student needing additional support pertaining to literacy. My 4 tips are:

                1. Allow and welcome more think/wait time
                2. Provide oral response stems or rephrase student statements
                3. Use visuals and icons
                4. Read aloud to students

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode111

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                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Finding ways to support students, whether it’s in writing or other academic needs, is a passion of mine. Therefore, when I had ESL students in my classroom, it was my goal to help them grow, learn, and develop academically and in the English language. 

                In last week’s episode, Episode 110, I shared writing strategies that support ESL students, so be sure to take a listen if you haven’t already. On the podcast today, I’m sharing 4 additional tips to support your ESL students that help them thrive in your classroom.

                When having students in your classroom who need additional support, it’s important that each support helps them grow academically, in the language, and provide simple action steps. These 4 tips are simple, yet effective for your ESL students, or really, any student needing additional support pertaining to literacy. My 4 tips are:

                1. Allow and welcome more think/wait time
                2. Provide oral response stems or rephrase student statements
                3. Use visuals and icons
                4. Read aloud to students

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode111

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                432f171e-f463-4007-a6da-ddf900d5ee4eMon, 28 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -040015:45falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                110. Writing Strategies to Support Your ESL Students110. Writing Strategies to Support Your ESL StudentsI’ve mentioned before about how writing can be difficult and students often struggle with it. But let’s take it a step further, and imagine what writing is like for a student whose English is not their native language. As the world becomes more diverse, so are our classrooms. Therefore, we want to be able to provide support for ESL students in our classroom. Take a listen to today’s episode where I’m sharing a variety of writing strategies to support your ESL students. 

                While all these tips and strategies can be used for any student needing writing support, they’re especially helpful for your ESL students. All of these writing strategies help students find success, confidence, and assist students in getting their thoughts and ideas out in written form. Along with getting them started, a lot of these strategies can be modified and adapted to the next level as your students grow in the skills and become more confident, which is the ultimate goal! 

                In order to make a difference and help develop their skills, make sure you implement these writing strategies that support your ESL students. By practicing writing daily, providing tools and other resources, and so much more, your students will begin to feel confident in their written language in no time! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode110

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                I’ve mentioned before about how writing can be difficult and students often struggle with it. But let’s take it a step further, and imagine what writing is like for a student whose English is not their native language. As the world becomes more diverse, so are our classrooms. Therefore, we want to be able to provide support for ESL students in our classroom. Take a listen to today’s episode where I’m sharing a variety of writing strategies to support your ESL students. 

                While all these tips and strategies can be used for any student needing writing support, they’re especially helpful for your ESL students. All of these writing strategies help students find success, confidence, and assist students in getting their thoughts and ideas out in written form. Along with getting them started, a lot of these strategies can be modified and adapted to the next level as your students grow in the skills and become more confident, which is the ultimate goal! 

                In order to make a difference and help develop their skills, make sure you implement these writing strategies that support your ESL students. By practicing writing daily, providing tools and other resources, and so much more, your students will begin to feel confident in their written language in no time! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode110

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                ad1c2d9d-acd4-449a-839a-8da4dee3f718Mon, 21 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -040025:30falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                109. Using Your Read Aloud Specifically for Spiral Review109. Using Your Read Aloud Specifically for Spiral ReviewAll month long I’ve been discussing the topic of read alouds, so if you missed episodes 106, 107, and 108, make sure you go back and take a listen to hear all the different strategies, tips, and suggestions regarding read alouds. This episode is the last in our series, which helps bring it all together. Today, I’ll be sharing the benefits of using your read aloud specifically for spiral review. 

                Just like we want to make sure our students understand and practice new concepts, there are certain skills we utilize spiral review on. While we know additional instructional time for such review can be limited, that’s why practicing these skills during your read aloud is beneficial. During the episode, I share 4 ideas on how to organically and purposefully incorporate spiral review on struggling skills during your read aloud time. 

                Incorporating spiral review during your read aloud doesn’t have to take up a lot of time or provide you with a lot of additional prep work. These 4 quick and easy ideas will give you an opportunity to focus on spiral review of specific skills, all during your designated read aloud time. Implement these ideas and watch your students master their struggling skills with daily practice! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode109

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                All month long I’ve been discussing the topic of read alouds, so if you missed episodes 106, 107, and 108, make sure you go back and take a listen to hear all the different strategies, tips, and suggestions regarding read alouds. This episode is the last in our series, which helps bring it all together. Today, I’ll be sharing the benefits of using your read aloud specifically for spiral review. 

                Just like we want to make sure our students understand and practice new concepts, there are certain skills we utilize spiral review on. While we know additional instructional time for such review can be limited, that’s why practicing these skills during your read aloud is beneficial. During the episode, I share 4 ideas on how to organically and purposefully incorporate spiral review on struggling skills during your read aloud time. 

                Incorporating spiral review during your read aloud doesn’t have to take up a lot of time or provide you with a lot of additional prep work. These 4 quick and easy ideas will give you an opportunity to focus on spiral review of specific skills, all during your designated read aloud time. Implement these ideas and watch your students master their struggling skills with daily practice! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode109

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                188f9de2-51f1-4097-a4ea-051063781796Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -040016:20falsefull111Megan Polk, Literacy Elementary Teacher                108. 5 Ideas for Focusing on Fluency During Your Read Aloud with Aylin Claahsen5 Ideas for Focusing on Fluency During Your Read Aloud with Aylin ClaahsenAll this month we’ve been having discussions around read alouds, why they’re effective, and what texts to choose. But did you know that you can also use read alouds to work on literacy skills with your students? One of the best literacy skills you could work on is fluency. In today’s episode, we have special guest Aylin Claahsen, who is sharing 5 ideas for focusing on fluency during read alouds.

                Aylin Claahsen is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips for teaching readers. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th Grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog or through social media at Literacy with Aylin Claahsen. She has a huge passion for small group reading as she has seen the impact it has on readers of all ability levels. Creating engaging literacy resources is one way that Aylin loves to connect with students and teachers all around the world. Aylin personally believes that building confidence in readers is one of the most important things teachers can do.

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode108

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                All this month we’ve been having discussions around read alouds, why they’re effective, and what texts to choose. But did you know that you can also use read alouds to work on literacy skills with your students? One of the best literacy skills you could work on is fluency. In today’s episode, we have special guest Aylin Claahsen, who is sharing 5 ideas for focusing on fluency during read alouds.

                Aylin Claahsen is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips for teaching readers. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th Grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog or through social media at Literacy with Aylin Claahsen. She has a huge passion for small group reading as she has seen the impact it has on readers of all ability levels. Creating engaging literacy resources is one way that Aylin loves to connect with students and teachers all around the world. Aylin personally believes that building confidence in readers is one of the most important things teachers can do.

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode108

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                ae7613eb-ba27-43c4-a373-c6df3258de7aMon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -040024:41falsefull110811081Megan Polk                107. How to Choose Effective Read AloudsHow to Choose Effective Read AloudsAs literacy teachers, we’re always finding new ways to read to our students that help develop their reading skills, which is why read alouds are so effective. We’re in the middle of our series all about read alouds, so if you haven’t listened to the first episode, Episode 106, make sure you take a listen to get caught up in the series. In episode two of our series, I’m sharing how to choose effective read alouds and then how to use them. 

                When it comes to choosing effective read alouds, there are many things to consider, which all stem from the purpose of your read aloud. Depending on which skill or strategy you want your students to focus on, that will also help determine which text to use and how to use read alouds effectively. 

                One of the great things about read alouds is you can mix up how you use them and they benefit all grade levels. It can be overwhelming to think about how to choose effective read alouds, so take these ideas into consideration:

                1. Use a variety of texts
                2. Think about the experience of your students
                3. Supporting other content areas
                4. Books read by the author
                5. Using books in a series
                6. Finding ways to incorporate audiobooks, video books, and podcasts
                7. Consider the length of texts you’re reading

                Although you might know you want to start incorporating more read alouds into your classroom, it can be difficult finding the right texts and knowing how to use them. After listening to the episode, you’ll be more prepared on how to choose effective read alouds that help develop your students’ literacy skills. Stay tuned next week for the next episode in the series! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode107

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                As literacy teachers, we’re always finding new ways to read to our students that help develop their reading skills, which is why read alouds are so effective. We’re in the middle of our series all about read alouds, so if you haven’t listened to the first episode, Episode 106, make sure you take a listen to get caught up in the series. In episode two of our series, I’m sharing how to choose effective read alouds and then how to use them. 

                When it comes to choosing effective read alouds, there are many things to consider, which all stem from the purpose of your read aloud. Depending on which skill or strategy you want your students to focus on, that will also help determine which text to use and how to use read alouds effectively. 

                One of the great things about read alouds is you can mix up how you use them and they benefit all grade levels. It can be overwhelming to think about how to choose effective read alouds, so take these ideas into consideration:

                1. Use a variety of texts
                2. Think about the experience of your students
                3. Supporting other content areas
                4. Books read by the author
                5. Using books in a series
                6. Finding ways to incorporate audiobooks, video books, and podcasts
                7. Consider the length of texts you’re reading

                Although you might know you want to start incorporating more read alouds into your classroom, it can be difficult finding the right texts and knowing how to use them. After listening to the episode, you’ll be more prepared on how to choose effective read alouds that help develop your students’ literacy skills. Stay tuned next week for the next episode in the series! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode107

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                d483e37a-5ebf-4dcc-8fab-0af6b2b9ec70Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -040019:08falsefull110711071Megan Polk                106. 4 Best Practices for Executing a Successful Read Aloud Experience4 Best Practices for Executing a Successful Read Aloud ExperienceMy main goal in all that I do is to help teachers build ways to support and enhance their students’ literacy skills. While a lot of our discussions revolve around what students can do, with your guidance and support, this particular activity requires more from you as the teacher that ultimately supports your students, which are read alouds. I’m kicking off a new series that starts with today’s episode about the 4 best practices for executing a successful read aloud experience. 

                Reading aloud is a powerful way to engage students in the literacy process, and is crucial to incorporate during your instructional time throughout the day. Whether you are new to adding read alouds to your classroom or a teacher who does them every day, it’s important to know the benefits and reasons why you make it a priority during your day. Some of those include increasing student vocabulary development, reading comprehension growth, and an increased motivation and willingness to read. However, there’s so much more, which I outline during the episode.

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode106

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                My main goal in all that I do is to help teachers build ways to support and enhance their students’ literacy skills. While a lot of our discussions revolve around what students can do, with your guidance and support, this particular activity requires more from you as the teacher that ultimately supports your students, which are read alouds. I’m kicking off a new series that starts with today’s episode about the 4 best practices for executing a successful read aloud experience. 

                Reading aloud is a powerful way to engage students in the literacy process, and is crucial to incorporate during your instructional time throughout the day. Whether you are new to adding read alouds to your classroom or a teacher who does them every day, it’s important to know the benefits and reasons why you make it a priority during your day. Some of those include increasing student vocabulary development, reading comprehension growth, and an increased motivation and willingness to read. However, there’s so much more, which I outline during the episode.

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode106

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                e30200a4-4ae2-47ba-acc4-e5c1451a9e7aMon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -040023:26falsefull110611061Megan Polk                105. Solving the Mystery of How to Make Writing FunSolving the Mystery of How to Make Writing FunIf you’ve been listening to the podcast for awhile, you know that we’ve been discussing all things writing. Our topics have ranged from finding time to teach it, effective strategies, and how to incorporate writing across various content areas. However, we still know that students are reluctant writers and one way to help with that is by making it more fun and enjoyable. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing how to make writing fun that’s beyond the basics. 

                Now, there’s a lot of simple ways to make writing fun, but I want to go beyond the basics. What I mean by that is more than fun paper, materials, or just allowing student choice. I’m not saying there’s nothing wrong with adding those to student writing, but there’s endless possibilities you could try as well. Some ways to make writing fun include:

                • Draw on student interest
                • Have materials only accessed through writing center
                • Start writing with your students
                • Make the transition time special
                • Include opportunities for share time
                • Partner writing or writing buddies

                As we’ve learned over the last several episodes, writing can be a challenge for students, making them reluctant writers. Nevertheless, providing opportunities to make writing fun for your students will keep them engaged and willing to write during your designated writing time. By incorporating my tips for making writing fun, you will be amazed by how much your students look forward to it! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode105

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                If you’ve been listening to the podcast for awhile, you know that we’ve been discussing all things writing. Our topics have ranged from finding time to teach it, effective strategies, and how to incorporate writing across various content areas. However, we still know that students are reluctant writers and one way to help with that is by making it more fun and enjoyable. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing how to make writing fun that’s beyond the basics. 

                Now, there’s a lot of simple ways to make writing fun, but I want to go beyond the basics. What I mean by that is more than fun paper, materials, or just allowing student choice. I’m not saying there’s nothing wrong with adding those to student writing, but there’s endless possibilities you could try as well. Some ways to make writing fun include:

                • Draw on student interest
                • Have materials only accessed through writing center
                • Start writing with your students
                • Make the transition time special
                • Include opportunities for share time
                • Partner writing or writing buddies

                As we’ve learned over the last several episodes, writing can be a challenge for students, making them reluctant writers. Nevertheless, providing opportunities to make writing fun for your students will keep them engaged and willing to write during your designated writing time. By incorporating my tips for making writing fun, you will be amazed by how much your students look forward to it! 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode105

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                83187770-eed0-4105-acd2-b8e720a7ef8eMon, 17 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -040020:41falsefull110511051Megan Polk                104. 5 Ways to Sneak Writing Into Other Content Areas5 Ways to Sneak Writing Into Other Content AreasOver the last couple of weeks, we’ve been discussing the challenges that teachers face when it comes to writing with our students and how to incorporate more writing into your literacy block. However, there are definitely more ways to get your students writing, without them even knowing it! In today’s episode, I’m revealing 5 ways to sneak writing into other content areas throughout your school day. 

                By incorporating writing into other content areas, your students will be exposed to more opportunities that will have them practicing their writing skills outside of your designated writing block. During the episode, I share my 5 easy ways that you can implement at any grade level. Those ways are double dipping, creativity, materials, questioning, and partners. 

                Each way that sneaks writing into other areas is easy, quick, and allows students to make connections amongst a variety of content areas, making most of your lessons transdisciplinary. It’s easy to embed writing into social studies or science, but I even have ideas on how to use writing during your math lessons! I also provide numerous examples to go along with each opportunity to write to visually show you how to use them effectively in your classroom. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode104

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been discussing the challenges that teachers face when it comes to writing with our students and how to incorporate more writing into your literacy block. However, there are definitely more ways to get your students writing, without them even knowing it! In today’s episode, I’m revealing 5 ways to sneak writing into other content areas throughout your school day. 

                By incorporating writing into other content areas, your students will be exposed to more opportunities that will have them practicing their writing skills outside of your designated writing block. During the episode, I share my 5 easy ways that you can implement at any grade level. Those ways are double dipping, creativity, materials, questioning, and partners. 

                Each way that sneaks writing into other areas is easy, quick, and allows students to make connections amongst a variety of content areas, making most of your lessons transdisciplinary. It’s easy to embed writing into social studies or science, but I even have ideas on how to use writing during your math lessons! I also provide numerous examples to go along with each opportunity to write to visually show you how to use them effectively in your classroom. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode104

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                b5fd195c-eafd-4321-b985-ee7183f8fce2Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -040019:55falsefull110411041Megan Polk                103. How to Find More Time to Teach Writing How to Find More Time to Teach Writing Our number one complaint as teachers is we don’t have enough time. Enough time to lesson plan, gather materials, teach each content area with the same equity, communicate with parents, eat our lunch, or have time for ourselves. The list goes on and on. But let me ask you this: how are you using your time? Is it that you don’t have enough of it or are you not managing it in the best way?

                In last week’s episode, Episode 102, I discussed the challenges of teaching writing and how to overcome them. The issue of time was definitely part of those challenges. But what if I told you there were ways to find more time in your day to teach writing? In today’s episode, I’m going to share my tips and strategies on how to find more time to teach writing in your classroom. 

                Throughout the episode, I share simple ways that either prioritize making time to teach writing or small ways to incorporate it throughout your day. We all have a writing block incorporated into our day that’s designated for writing, but I help break down what that can look like and how to make that writing block effective and achievable for you, as well as your students. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode103

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Our number one complaint as teachers is we don’t have enough time. Enough time to lesson plan, gather materials, teach each content area with the same equity, communicate with parents, eat our lunch, or have time for ourselves. The list goes on and on. But let me ask you this: how are you using your time? Is it that you don’t have enough of it or are you not managing it in the best way?

                In last week’s episode, Episode 102, I discussed the challenges of teaching writing and how to overcome them. The issue of time was definitely part of those challenges. But what if I told you there were ways to find more time in your day to teach writing? In today’s episode, I’m going to share my tips and strategies on how to find more time to teach writing in your classroom. 

                Throughout the episode, I share simple ways that either prioritize making time to teach writing or small ways to incorporate it throughout your day. We all have a writing block incorporated into our day that’s designated for writing, but I help break down what that can look like and how to make that writing block effective and achievable for you, as well as your students. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode103

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                9135e9e8-3822-443f-9a45-1ba677607dc2Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -040014:06falsefull110311031Megan Polk                102. The Challenges of Teaching Writing and How to Overcome ThemThe Challenges of Teaching Writing and How to Overcome ThemThroughout our school day, teachers face a variety of challenges from a variety of different components. Some of them we can control, but some of them we can’t. One of the challenges teachers face is teaching writing to students. Although we can’t control every aspect of our literacy block or the skills students come to us with, we can start to change their mindset to grow their skills. In today’s episode, I’m talking all about the challenges of teaching writing and how to overcome them.

                First, these writing challenges aren’t new, but they have been impacted more due to the pandemic. Other skills may have taken precedence over writing, which explains why their writing skills are lacking. However, students’ writing skills aren't the only roadblock. Teachers are lacking support, guidance, and personal confidence when it comes to writing. Some may even be without a true writing curriculum in their schools or districts. 

                While all of those components result in challenges of teaching writing, there are ways to overcome them and be successful. During the episode, I share several different ways to change the way you think about writing or how it’s incorporated throughout your day. Each idea is simple, yet effective, and shows the countless benefits writing has on your students. And spoiler alert, they don’t just apply to your students! I share ways that you, as the teacher, can overcome your own challenges to teaching writing. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode102

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Throughout our school day, teachers face a variety of challenges from a variety of different components. Some of them we can control, but some of them we can’t. One of the challenges teachers face is teaching writing to students. Although we can’t control every aspect of our literacy block or the skills students come to us with, we can start to change their mindset to grow their skills. In today’s episode, I’m talking all about the challenges of teaching writing and how to overcome them.

                First, these writing challenges aren’t new, but they have been impacted more due to the pandemic. Other skills may have taken precedence over writing, which explains why their writing skills are lacking. However, students’ writing skills aren't the only roadblock. Teachers are lacking support, guidance, and personal confidence when it comes to writing. Some may even be without a true writing curriculum in their schools or districts. 

                While all of those components result in challenges of teaching writing, there are ways to overcome them and be successful. During the episode, I share several different ways to change the way you think about writing or how it’s incorporated throughout your day. Each idea is simple, yet effective, and shows the countless benefits writing has on your students. And spoiler alert, they don’t just apply to your students! I share ways that you, as the teacher, can overcome your own challenges to teaching writing. 

                Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/episode102

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                fff04a01-fc51-48de-86d4-aa3b203d99d9Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:25 -040021:21falsefull110211021Megan Polk                101. Orthographic Mapping: What it is and How You Can Use it in Your Reading Instruction with Michelle SullivanOrthographic Mapping: What it is and How You Can Use it in Your Reading Instruction with Michelle SullivanWith so many “buzzwords” circling through the educational world, it’s hard to keep them all straight. What do they mean? How is this different from what I’m already doing in the classroom? What type of activities do I need to be implementing in order for my students to be successful? 

                All of these questions can relate to the idea of orthographic mapping. Luckily, I have brought on guest Michelle Sullivan to help give us some insight on this topic. So in today’s episode, we’re discussing exactly what orthographic mapping is and why it is so crucial for your reading instruction.

                Michelle helps explain why this idea is so important for our students, for it’s more than just having words stored in our brains. Orthographic mapping also has positive effects on reading comprehension and fluency. Beyond those, there are so many reasons why it’s important, which Michelle helps breakdown for us throughout the episode. 

                Resources Mentioned:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode101

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                With so many “buzzwords” circling through the educational world, it’s hard to keep them all straight. What do they mean? How is this different from what I’m already doing in the classroom? What type of activities do I need to be implementing in order for my students to be successful? 

                All of these questions can relate to the idea of orthographic mapping. Luckily, I have brought on guest Michelle Sullivan to help give us some insight on this topic. So in today’s episode, we’re discussing exactly what orthographic mapping is and why it is so crucial for your reading instruction.

                Michelle helps explain why this idea is so important for our students, for it’s more than just having words stored in our brains. Orthographic mapping also has positive effects on reading comprehension and fluency. Beyond those, there are so many reasons why it’s important, which Michelle helps breakdown for us throughout the episode. 

                Resources Mentioned:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode101

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                1dd8edd7-f7f2-4358-a9cd-16c908e49a41Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -040036:15falsefull110111011Megan Polk                100. Leveling Up Your Small Groups with Reading ResponsesLeveling Up Your Small Groups with Reading ResponsesSmall group instruction is a big part of a teacher’s literacy block and being able to work with students on certain skills. But the question always seems to be, what different types of activities can I do with my students during that time, especially when working with texts? In today’s (100th 🥳) episode, I’m sharing how to keep students engaged by leveling up your small groups with reading responses. 

                To help celebrate my 100th episode, I’m giving away a resource of mine for FREE! In order to receive your free resource, here are the steps.

                1. Take a screenshot of one of your favorite episodes from The Literacy Dive Podcast
                2. Share the episode on Instagram (through a post, reel, or story) and tag me @theliteracydive (that’s the most important part!)
                3. Once you do that, you have the opportunity to win a free resource that assists you with responding to reading
                4. Then, I’ll send you a DM with a Google Form that you will need to fill out (includes your Instagram handle and select the reading response resource you want)
                5. Finally, the form is reviewed and I’ll send you a link to the free download!

                Resources Mentioned:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode100

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Small group instruction is a big part of a teacher’s literacy block and being able to work with students on certain skills. But the question always seems to be, what different types of activities can I do with my students during that time, especially when working with texts? In today’s (100th 🥳) episode, I’m sharing how to keep students engaged by leveling up your small groups with reading responses. 

                To help celebrate my 100th episode, I’m giving away a resource of mine for FREE! In order to receive your free resource, here are the steps.

                1. Take a screenshot of one of your favorite episodes from The Literacy Dive Podcast
                2. Share the episode on Instagram (through a post, reel, or story) and tag me @theliteracydive (that’s the most important part!)
                3. Once you do that, you have the opportunity to win a free resource that assists you with responding to reading
                4. Then, I’ll send you a DM with a Google Form that you will need to fill out (includes your Instagram handle and select the reading response resource you want)
                5. Finally, the form is reviewed and I’ll send you a link to the free download!

                Resources Mentioned:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode100

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                705d9bab-1cea-4501-b417-9631121beec1Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:18 -040018:56falsefull110011001Megan Polk                99. 3 Things to Stop Doing During Small Groups3 Things to Stop Doing During Small GroupsSmall group instruction is an important and necessary part of your day. It’s a great opportunity to reteach and practice a variety of reading skills with a smaller group of students. I thought I had mastered small group instruction, until I accidentally stopped what I had planned, and it worked out for the better! So in today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 things to stop doing during small groups. 

                During our small groups, we have goals and skills we want our students to accomplish during that instruction time. It was amazing to me, that when I stopped doing these 3 things, it was more beneficial for my students! Not only did I see more growth, but I also saw an excitement amongst my students as readers. 

                The 3 things to stop doing during small groups are stop reading a text only one time through, stop making students read silently during that time, and stop finishing every book you bring to the small group table. After each of these suggestions, I explain the many benefits to not doing these during your small groups.

                These 3 suggestions aren’t meant to criticize the way you run your small group instruction, but to give you a new perspective on practices that are helpful for your students. When you stop doing those 3 things during small groups, not only will you feel less stressed, but your students will start excelling in the area of literacy skills.

                Resources Mentioned:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode99

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Small group instruction is an important and necessary part of your day. It’s a great opportunity to reteach and practice a variety of reading skills with a smaller group of students. I thought I had mastered small group instruction, until I accidentally stopped what I had planned, and it worked out for the better! So in today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 things to stop doing during small groups. 

                During our small groups, we have goals and skills we want our students to accomplish during that instruction time. It was amazing to me, that when I stopped doing these 3 things, it was more beneficial for my students! Not only did I see more growth, but I also saw an excitement amongst my students as readers. 

                The 3 things to stop doing during small groups are stop reading a text only one time through, stop making students read silently during that time, and stop finishing every book you bring to the small group table. After each of these suggestions, I explain the many benefits to not doing these during your small groups.

                These 3 suggestions aren’t meant to criticize the way you run your small group instruction, but to give you a new perspective on practices that are helpful for your students. When you stop doing those 3 things during small groups, not only will you feel less stressed, but your students will start excelling in the area of literacy skills.

                Resources Mentioned:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode99

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                f01c7f49-e17a-4a17-9a06-328a1a52643eMon, 05 Sep 2022 09:00:08 -040017:37falsefull1991991Megan Polk                98. Using Multimedia to Support Readers in a 21st Century Classroom with Rachael ParlettUsing Multimedia to Support Readers in a 21st Century Classroom with Rachael ParlettI’m so excited about today’s episode because it’s a topic that I haven’t discussed in almost 100 episodes, but is so important and relevant in our world today. That topic is multimedia in a 21st century classroom. Now, you might think you know what all of this entails, but some concepts discussed might surprise you. To help me dive in, I have guest Rachael Parlett and we’re discussing using multimedia to support readers in a 21st century classroom.

                Rachael Parlett has been an educator for 16+ years, having spent most of her time teaching 4th grade.  Currently, she is the founder and creator of The Classroom Nook, an educational company that supports upper elementary teachers with resources that make learning interactive, engaging, and fun for both teachers and students.  She is also the host of the podcast The Classroom Commute where she shares tips, strategies, and best teaching practices for a 21st century classroom.  

                Most recently, Rachael, along with her husband, Jacob, have founded a second educational company called LINKtivity Learning - a membership that provides teachers with a growing library of interactive digital resources known as LINKtivities.  LINKtivities have been used in tens of thousands of classrooms around the world and provide students with a multimedia learning experience that truly ignites the love of learning and is powerful enough to meet the demands of a 21st century classroom.  

                At the heart of everything, Rachael believes that classrooms should be student-centered, hands-on, and collaborative.  She loves sharing this passion with educators around the world.

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode98

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with Rachael:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                I’m so excited about today’s episode because it’s a topic that I haven’t discussed in almost 100 episodes, but is so important and relevant in our world today. That topic is multimedia in a 21st century classroom. Now, you might think you know what all of this entails, but some concepts discussed might surprise you. To help me dive in, I have guest Rachael Parlett and we’re discussing using multimedia to support readers in a 21st century classroom.

                Rachael Parlett has been an educator for 16+ years, having spent most of her time teaching 4th grade.  Currently, she is the founder and creator of The Classroom Nook, an educational company that supports upper elementary teachers with resources that make learning interactive, engaging, and fun for both teachers and students.  She is also the host of the podcast The Classroom Commute where she shares tips, strategies, and best teaching practices for a 21st century classroom.  

                Most recently, Rachael, along with her husband, Jacob, have founded a second educational company called LINKtivity Learning - a membership that provides teachers with a growing library of interactive digital resources known as LINKtivities.  LINKtivities have been used in tens of thousands of classrooms around the world and provide students with a multimedia learning experience that truly ignites the love of learning and is powerful enough to meet the demands of a 21st century classroom.  

                At the heart of everything, Rachael believes that classrooms should be student-centered, hands-on, and collaborative.  She loves sharing this passion with educators around the world.

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode98

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with Rachael:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                e80490f4-126d-4947-b581-e57e808c615fMon, 29 Aug 2022 09:00:35 -040039:44falsefull1981981Megan Polk                97. Descriptive Writing: Figurative Language StrategiesDescriptive Writing: Figurative Language StrategiesBringing you descriptive writing strategies has been like Christmas morning to me, and today might be my favorite strategy of them all. Have you guessed it yet? It’s figurative language! In the last episode in the series about descriptive writing, I’m sharing my favorite and effective figurative language strategies. 

                First, let’s get on the same page. Figurative language is defined as the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order in meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or comparisons. Since this descriptive writing idea deviates from literal meanings, it can definitely be tricky for students to understand. However, the use of figurative language is a powerful way to express language, written expression, and keeping readers engaged.

                As I’ve stated throughout this series, keep exposing your students to the various descriptive writing elements, but keep it on their level. Meaning, start small and at a level they understand, then work your way to more complex components. Today I’m sharing seven figurative language strategies to start using in your classroom today. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode97

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Bringing you descriptive writing strategies has been like Christmas morning to me, and today might be my favorite strategy of them all. Have you guessed it yet? It’s figurative language! In the last episode in the series about descriptive writing, I’m sharing my favorite and effective figurative language strategies. 

                First, let’s get on the same page. Figurative language is defined as the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order in meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or comparisons. Since this descriptive writing idea deviates from literal meanings, it can definitely be tricky for students to understand. However, the use of figurative language is a powerful way to express language, written expression, and keeping readers engaged.

                As I’ve stated throughout this series, keep exposing your students to the various descriptive writing elements, but keep it on their level. Meaning, start small and at a level they understand, then work your way to more complex components. Today I’m sharing seven figurative language strategies to start using in your classroom today. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode97

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                a0c5318d-2a9e-4219-beac-ee3e9633f385Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:00:49 -040023:10falsefull1971971Megan Polk                96. Descriptive Writing: Excellent Word Choice StrategiesDescriptive Writing: Excellent Word Choice StrategiesDo you have students who are constantly using bland and boring words in their writing? I know I sure do! I’m continuing our series on descriptive writing, but if you haven’t listened to the first two episodes in the series, Episode 94 and Episode 95, be sure to do that now. In today’s episode, I’m focusing on providing excellent word choice strategies to use with your students. 

                When I noticed my students not being descriptive with their writing, I realized the words they were using were in their comfort zone. However, as I started implementing ways to get them out of their comfort zone, to think more creatively about the words they were choosing and using, their language became more colorful and descriptive. 

                I came up with 7 word choice strategies to use with my students, which you can start using immediately in your classroom! As always, make sure you model and practice each strategy with your students so they know what’s expected of them and how to use each strategy properly. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode96

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Do you have students who are constantly using bland and boring words in their writing? I know I sure do! I’m continuing our series on descriptive writing, but if you haven’t listened to the first two episodes in the series, Episode 94 and Episode 95, be sure to do that now. In today’s episode, I’m focusing on providing excellent word choice strategies to use with your students. 

                When I noticed my students not being descriptive with their writing, I realized the words they were using were in their comfort zone. However, as I started implementing ways to get them out of their comfort zone, to think more creatively about the words they were choosing and using, their language became more colorful and descriptive. 

                I came up with 7 word choice strategies to use with my students, which you can start using immediately in your classroom! As always, make sure you model and practice each strategy with your students so they know what’s expected of them and how to use each strategy properly. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode96

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                1f28cd46-a66a-40c4-8f8a-5c66c2673560Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:08 -040018:51falsefull1961961Megan Polk                95. Descriptive Writing: Writing Leads and Conclusions StrategiesDescriptive Writing: Writing Leads and Conclusions StrategiesOn this podcast I’ve discussed various components of descriptive writing, several techniques, and the importance of instilling the writing process in your students. Today’s episode is essential to student writing, as it is the key to engaging the reader right away and wrapping it up in a conclusive way. I’m sharing strategies for writing leads and conclusions so they can begin incorporating them into their own writing. 

                I’ve said it in previous episodes and I’ll say it again: writing is hard and it takes a lot of modeling and practice in order for students to feel comfortable with it. Writing effective introductions and conclusions of writing is no different. Nevertheless, by using these 6 strategies, students will get better at developing them on their own. Those strategies include:

                1. Explore examples
                2. Share your own drafts
                3. Explore what doesn’t work
                4. Use storytelling
                5. Peer assistance
                6. Rework the beginning of the first draft

                Along with helping your students generate attention-grabbing leads and jaw-dropping conclusions in their writing, there are a few leads that are guaranteed to be a success for your students. During the episode, I share my top four leads and ways to model them in your classroom. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode95

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                On this podcast I’ve discussed various components of descriptive writing, several techniques, and the importance of instilling the writing process in your students. Today’s episode is essential to student writing, as it is the key to engaging the reader right away and wrapping it up in a conclusive way. I’m sharing strategies for writing leads and conclusions so they can begin incorporating them into their own writing. 

                I’ve said it in previous episodes and I’ll say it again: writing is hard and it takes a lot of modeling and practice in order for students to feel comfortable with it. Writing effective introductions and conclusions of writing is no different. Nevertheless, by using these 6 strategies, students will get better at developing them on their own. Those strategies include:

                1. Explore examples
                2. Share your own drafts
                3. Explore what doesn’t work
                4. Use storytelling
                5. Peer assistance
                6. Rework the beginning of the first draft

                Along with helping your students generate attention-grabbing leads and jaw-dropping conclusions in their writing, there are a few leads that are guaranteed to be a success for your students. During the episode, I share my top four leads and ways to model them in your classroom. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode95

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                d7270eda-9bc7-4b08-a068-baafe24b8104Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:00:12 -040024:27falsefull1951951Megan Polk                94. Descriptive Writing: Show Don't Tell StrategiesDescriptive Writing: Show Don't Tell StrategiesI focus a lot of episodes on strategies pertaining to writing and today is no different. Having students write descriptively is what engages the reader and makes them part of the story, not just reading about plot events. The best way to accomplish this goal as a writer is through show vs. tell. In today’s episode, I’m sharing eight strategies to consider when teaching show don’t tell to your students.

                Show don’t tell is easy in theory to understand, but when applying it, can be quite complex. Throughout the episode, I give multiple examples of how to explain this technique to your students, but simply put, showing offers the reader a mental image of a scene or emotion, while telling merely offers a statement of action or emotion. 

                Show don’t tell enhances any piece of written text and involves the reader by grabbing that person’s attention and hooking them, which is the ultimate goal of descriptive writing. My goal is to help you and your students become better writers, so stay encouraged during this writing technique. But I promise, by implementing these 8 strategies for show don’t tell, it’s going to be embedded indefinitely in student writing over time! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode94

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                I focus a lot of episodes on strategies pertaining to writing and today is no different. Having students write descriptively is what engages the reader and makes them part of the story, not just reading about plot events. The best way to accomplish this goal as a writer is through show vs. tell. In today’s episode, I’m sharing eight strategies to consider when teaching show don’t tell to your students.

                Show don’t tell is easy in theory to understand, but when applying it, can be quite complex. Throughout the episode, I give multiple examples of how to explain this technique to your students, but simply put, showing offers the reader a mental image of a scene or emotion, while telling merely offers a statement of action or emotion. 

                Show don’t tell enhances any piece of written text and involves the reader by grabbing that person’s attention and hooking them, which is the ultimate goal of descriptive writing. My goal is to help you and your students become better writers, so stay encouraged during this writing technique. But I promise, by implementing these 8 strategies for show don’t tell, it’s going to be embedded indefinitely in student writing over time! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode94

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                b4b04e42-5899-42bc-909b-d837b092594aMon, 01 Aug 2022 09:00:03 -040033:32falsefull1941941Megan Polk                93. Writing a Complete Sentence: How to Make it StickWriting a Complete Sentence: How to Make it StickHow many of your students still struggle with writing complete sentences? I know I have experienced this in my classroom year after year. So what can you do to support your students? In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 tips for writing a complete sentence. 

                When our students enter our classrooms, they all come with different academic levels and prior knowledge. Although you might teach upper elementary, it cannot be assumed your students know the basics of complete sentences. With this alone, it’s important to make sure they have the foundational skills before they dive right in. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode93

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                How many of your students still struggle with writing complete sentences? I know I have experienced this in my classroom year after year. So what can you do to support your students? In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 tips for writing a complete sentence. 

                When our students enter our classrooms, they all come with different academic levels and prior knowledge. Although you might teach upper elementary, it cannot be assumed your students know the basics of complete sentences. With this alone, it’s important to make sure they have the foundational skills before they dive right in. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode93

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                e9cc3fbc-84d6-483f-ad0b-424225857944Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:00:04 -040022:30falsefull9393Megan Polk                92. The 4 Elements of Strong Paragraph WritingThe 4 Elements of Strong Paragraph WritingParagraph writing can be hard, but it can be easier! A major part of the battle is that our students just don’t understand how a paragraph works. If you are ready to make that a thing of the past, this episode is for you! In today’s episode, I’m sharing the 4 elements of strong paragraph writing.

                Like all things, this process of paragraph writing does not happen overnight. But also like all things, with explicit teaching, routine, practice, consistency and accountability, progress and mastery can and will follow. But first, it’s important for your students to understand the 4 elements of strong paragraph writing, which are unity, order, coherence, and completeness.

                Knowing the basics of paragraph writing is essential before the construction of the actual paragraph. We also know that writing can be difficult for students, especially getting started and coming up with their ideas. I’m also sharing 4 tips to help get your students started with paragraph writing that will meet the needs of each student.

                Paragraph writing takes time and patience, but your students will eventually get there. The key is to be thorough, consistent, and intentional when modeling and supporting your students. By knowing the 4 elements of strong paragraph writing, it will have your students writing clear, focused paragraphs in no time! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode92

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Paragraph writing can be hard, but it can be easier! A major part of the battle is that our students just don’t understand how a paragraph works. If you are ready to make that a thing of the past, this episode is for you! In today’s episode, I’m sharing the 4 elements of strong paragraph writing.

                Like all things, this process of paragraph writing does not happen overnight. But also like all things, with explicit teaching, routine, practice, consistency and accountability, progress and mastery can and will follow. But first, it’s important for your students to understand the 4 elements of strong paragraph writing, which are unity, order, coherence, and completeness.

                Knowing the basics of paragraph writing is essential before the construction of the actual paragraph. We also know that writing can be difficult for students, especially getting started and coming up with their ideas. I’m also sharing 4 tips to help get your students started with paragraph writing that will meet the needs of each student.

                Paragraph writing takes time and patience, but your students will eventually get there. The key is to be thorough, consistent, and intentional when modeling and supporting your students. By knowing the 4 elements of strong paragraph writing, it will have your students writing clear, focused paragraphs in no time! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode92

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                91435e01-d9d6-4186-9302-4817b7b34de6Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:00:38 -040018:51falsefull1921921Megan Polk                91. Designing Your Reading Instruction with Dyslexia in Mind with Rae PritchettDesigning Your Reading Instruction with Dyslexia in Mind with Rae PritchettIn this podcast, we talk a lot about how to best incorporate literacy into your classroom that will benefit all of your students. But as teachers, we know that every student is not on the same academic level and some of our students have learning disabilities that we need to take into consideration when giving our instruction. One of the learning disabilities impacting students is dyslexia. In today’s episode, I have guest Rae Pritchett who is providing us with an understanding of dyslexia through best tips and practices.

                Rae Pritchett is a curriculum author and Special Education Facilitator specializing in the area of teaching reading to students with Learning Disabilities. Rae is a passionate educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience and she holds a master’s degree in education, a CAGS in Educational Leadership, and is a certified Dyslexia practitioner. Rae shares her knowledge of teaching reading to students with Learning Disabilities on her blog and by teaching education courses through The Learning Tree Professional Development Network, LLC, an online teaching college Rae co-owns with her teacher husband.

                Throughout the episode, Rae provides a wealth of knowledge on understanding dyslexia in a way that teachers can easily translate that to the instruction they provide for their students. Since dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in reading, particularly in relation to a student’s cognitive abilities, Rae breaks down what that can look like for each child.

                Our conversation continues to circle back to two main points: the importance of early intervention and understanding the whole child. Rae discusses action steps you can take in your classroom if you notice potential warning signs of dyslexia in a student, while sharing tips on how teachers can design their reading instruction for students with learning disabilities in their classroom. These two ideas help contribute and are most effective when understanding the whole child and learning their areas of struggle when it comes to literacy. 

                This episode is full of wonderful and useful information that can be easily transmitted to your own classroom and group of students. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of dyslexia and the best tips and practices to reach all of your students’ academic needs! 

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode91

                Connect with Rae:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                In this podcast, we talk a lot about how to best incorporate literacy into your classroom that will benefit all of your students. But as teachers, we know that every student is not on the same academic level and some of our students have learning disabilities that we need to take into consideration when giving our instruction. One of the learning disabilities impacting students is dyslexia. In today’s episode, I have guest Rae Pritchett who is providing us with an understanding of dyslexia through best tips and practices.

                Rae Pritchett is a curriculum author and Special Education Facilitator specializing in the area of teaching reading to students with Learning Disabilities. Rae is a passionate educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience and she holds a master’s degree in education, a CAGS in Educational Leadership, and is a certified Dyslexia practitioner. Rae shares her knowledge of teaching reading to students with Learning Disabilities on her blog and by teaching education courses through The Learning Tree Professional Development Network, LLC, an online teaching college Rae co-owns with her teacher husband.

                Throughout the episode, Rae provides a wealth of knowledge on understanding dyslexia in a way that teachers can easily translate that to the instruction they provide for their students. Since dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty in reading, particularly in relation to a student’s cognitive abilities, Rae breaks down what that can look like for each child.

                Our conversation continues to circle back to two main points: the importance of early intervention and understanding the whole child. Rae discusses action steps you can take in your classroom if you notice potential warning signs of dyslexia in a student, while sharing tips on how teachers can design their reading instruction for students with learning disabilities in their classroom. These two ideas help contribute and are most effective when understanding the whole child and learning their areas of struggle when it comes to literacy. 

                This episode is full of wonderful and useful information that can be easily transmitted to your own classroom and group of students. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of dyslexia and the best tips and practices to reach all of your students’ academic needs! 

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/episode91

                Connect with Rae:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                b43a0b35-c4e2-46a8-9544-2144d0ad6612Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:00:37 -040038:35falsefull1911911Megan Polk                90. 8 Ways to Celebrate Published Writing8 Ways to Celebrate Published WritingJust like I hope you’re celebrating our country’s independence, today’s episode is all about a different kind of celebration in the classroom. Over the past several episodes, I’ve been discussing the writing process and sharing ways to make it smooth and effectives for your students. Today I’m sharing 8 ways to celebrate published writing with your students.

                If you’ve been listening to these recent episodes, you know that publishing is the last step in the writing process. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to complete a published piece of written work for your students, so why not celebrate it?! Celebrating their final product has a lot of benefits to it. One of those being that I find when taking the time to showcase writing, students can make the connection between truly writing for an audience, they tend to take writing a bit more seriously and will generally give a better effort.

                The eight ideas I share in this episode are all ideas I’ve done in my classroom that my students have loved! Make sure to mix it up and use a variety of these ideas when you celebrate in order to keep it fresh and new. However, keep in mind one key factor before having your students read their final work out loud to others. 

                Remember, celebrating your students’ work is supposed to be fun, engaging, and enjoyable, which these ideas reflect! By designating time to have your students showcase their work in some way, you will see the joy on their faces for all that they’ve accomplished. After completing the writing process, your students, and you, will appreciate being able to celebrate published writing in your classroom! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/celebrate-published-writing/

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Just like I hope you’re celebrating our country’s independence, today’s episode is all about a different kind of celebration in the classroom. Over the past several episodes, I’ve been discussing the writing process and sharing ways to make it smooth and effectives for your students. Today I’m sharing 8 ways to celebrate published writing with your students.

                If you’ve been listening to these recent episodes, you know that publishing is the last step in the writing process. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to complete a published piece of written work for your students, so why not celebrate it?! Celebrating their final product has a lot of benefits to it. One of those being that I find when taking the time to showcase writing, students can make the connection between truly writing for an audience, they tend to take writing a bit more seriously and will generally give a better effort.

                The eight ideas I share in this episode are all ideas I’ve done in my classroom that my students have loved! Make sure to mix it up and use a variety of these ideas when you celebrate in order to keep it fresh and new. However, keep in mind one key factor before having your students read their final work out loud to others. 

                Remember, celebrating your students’ work is supposed to be fun, engaging, and enjoyable, which these ideas reflect! By designating time to have your students showcase their work in some way, you will see the joy on their faces for all that they’ve accomplished. After completing the writing process, your students, and you, will appreciate being able to celebrate published writing in your classroom! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/celebrate-published-writing/

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                d6c638b5-af9c-4ce4-87cc-c303fb19660eMon, 04 Jul 2022 09:00:45 -040019:05falsefull1901901Megan Polk                89. The Writing Process - 6 Best Practice TipsThe Writing Process - 6 Best Practice TipsThe past couple of episodes have been focused on student writing and the writing process. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, Episode 88, make sure you go back and listen to it now. I discuss in detail the steps of the writing process, which is a prelude to today’s topic. In today’s episode, I’m continuing to talk about the writing process with 6 best practice tips to keep in mind when it comes to writing and having your students keep the writing process in mind.

                The writing process is more than just knowing the order of the steps and having your students just write. In order for students to become effective and successful writers, it’s a process that takes time and effort on your end. These 6 best practice tips ensure your students utilize the writing process to support their writing needs. The 6 tips are:

                1. Use a variety of writing prompts
                2. Have students write daily
                3. Move at the pace of your students
                4. Conference with your students throughout the process
                5. Explain the why 
                6. Experiment with different writing skills and strategies

                Over the last few weeks, I hope you have a better understanding of why we should guide our students to using the writing process as their milestones from brainstorming to publishing, while implementing these best practice tips. You know that I’m a lover of writing, but I can guarantee this produces some writing excitement for you in your classroom and that you’ll make time for it during your literacy or writing block. Let the writing begin! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/6-best-practice-tips/

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                The past couple of episodes have been focused on student writing and the writing process. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, Episode 88, make sure you go back and listen to it now. I discuss in detail the steps of the writing process, which is a prelude to today’s topic. In today’s episode, I’m continuing to talk about the writing process with 6 best practice tips to keep in mind when it comes to writing and having your students keep the writing process in mind.

                The writing process is more than just knowing the order of the steps and having your students just write. In order for students to become effective and successful writers, it’s a process that takes time and effort on your end. These 6 best practice tips ensure your students utilize the writing process to support their writing needs. The 6 tips are:

                1. Use a variety of writing prompts
                2. Have students write daily
                3. Move at the pace of your students
                4. Conference with your students throughout the process
                5. Explain the why 
                6. Experiment with different writing skills and strategies

                Over the last few weeks, I hope you have a better understanding of why we should guide our students to using the writing process as their milestones from brainstorming to publishing, while implementing these best practice tips. You know that I’m a lover of writing, but I can guarantee this produces some writing excitement for you in your classroom and that you’ll make time for it during your literacy or writing block. Let the writing begin! 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/6-best-practice-tips/

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                05b5e43c-de96-4fea-87f1-7986a7477e8cMon, 27 Jun 2022 09:00:49 -040014:49falsefull8989Megan Polk                88. Step-By-Step: Understanding the Writing ProcessStep-By-Step: Understanding the Writing ProcessHey literacy friends! As you all know, I’m very passionate about literacy…especially writing. In last week’s episode, I shared 4 ways to enhance how you teach descriptive writing, so take a listen to that episode to further strengthen your students’ writing. In today's episode, I’m walking you through different steps of the writing process and focusing on the overall goal of each step. 

                It is said that writing is a journey, not a destination, which explains why it’s called a process and takes time to complete effectively. In order to do that, it’s important to note the steps of the writing process, which are brainstorming (or prewriting), drafting, revision, editing (including peer editing), and publishing. Throughout the episode, I dive further into each of those steps and provide ways to help your students achieve each step of the process fully. 

                Teaching writing as a process is the key to showing kids how to navigate language and the different purposes of writing on their own. If you’re unfamiliar with the writing process, this will help give you an overview of what the steps are and how to implement them in your classroom. By explicitly explaining and modeling the writing process, you are helping your students become better and strong writers, which is the ultimate goal! 

                Stay tuned for next week’s episode where I share some best practices when it comes to teaching writing. And then look for a future episode where I go more in depth with the additional ways you can allow students to celebrate their published work. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/understanding-the-writing-process

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Hey literacy friends! As you all know, I’m very passionate about literacy…especially writing. In last week’s episode, I shared 4 ways to enhance how you teach descriptive writing, so take a listen to that episode to further strengthen your students’ writing. In today's episode, I’m walking you through different steps of the writing process and focusing on the overall goal of each step. 

                It is said that writing is a journey, not a destination, which explains why it’s called a process and takes time to complete effectively. In order to do that, it’s important to note the steps of the writing process, which are brainstorming (or prewriting), drafting, revision, editing (including peer editing), and publishing. Throughout the episode, I dive further into each of those steps and provide ways to help your students achieve each step of the process fully. 

                Teaching writing as a process is the key to showing kids how to navigate language and the different purposes of writing on their own. If you’re unfamiliar with the writing process, this will help give you an overview of what the steps are and how to implement them in your classroom. By explicitly explaining and modeling the writing process, you are helping your students become better and strong writers, which is the ultimate goal! 

                Stay tuned for next week’s episode where I share some best practices when it comes to teaching writing. And then look for a future episode where I go more in depth with the additional ways you can allow students to celebrate their published work. 

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/understanding-the-writing-process

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                4bcf6391-e05c-4463-8878-b452591c9218Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:00:16 -040020:12falsefull1881881Megan Polk                87. 4 Ways to Enhance How You Teach Descriptive Writing4 Ways to Enhance How You Teach Descriptive WritingThe ability to write and use descriptive language is a skill that doesn’t come easy to most, especially our young learners in our classrooms. So what can you do as a teacher to help your students? In today's episode, I’m sharing 4 ways to teach descriptive writing and ideas that you can put into practice in the fall.

                Last week, I had a special guest, Anna Brekken, a 16 year old high school student, on the podcast. She talked about what teachers should avoid when teaching descriptive writing, so if you haven’t listened to it, go take a listen now! 

                Teaching descriptive writing can be tricky, but it’s important to remember that it is a behavior that has to be taught and learned. But how do you do that? I’m sharing 4 ways to teach descriptive writing that are super easy and effective! Those ways include: use it, show it, find it, give it. 

                Throughout the episode, I go into detail and provide examples of how to incorporate those four ideas in your classroom. You’ll find that I never miss opportunities where I can be intentional with helping kids find where descriptive language exists because that’s going to help them with understanding how it works. Then, once kids start experiencing descriptive writing and language, it changes the world for them and opens up a whole new dynamic of words and language. 

                That’s ultimately the goal, right? I am passionate about writing, particularly descriptive writing, and know that after implementing these strategies in your classroom, it will increase your students’ vocabulary on descriptive writing and start using it in their everyday language.

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/teach-descriptive-writing

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                The ability to write and use descriptive language is a skill that doesn’t come easy to most, especially our young learners in our classrooms. So what can you do as a teacher to help your students? In today's episode, I’m sharing 4 ways to teach descriptive writing and ideas that you can put into practice in the fall.

                Last week, I had a special guest, Anna Brekken, a 16 year old high school student, on the podcast. She talked about what teachers should avoid when teaching descriptive writing, so if you haven’t listened to it, go take a listen now! 

                Teaching descriptive writing can be tricky, but it’s important to remember that it is a behavior that has to be taught and learned. But how do you do that? I’m sharing 4 ways to teach descriptive writing that are super easy and effective! Those ways include: use it, show it, find it, give it. 

                Throughout the episode, I go into detail and provide examples of how to incorporate those four ideas in your classroom. You’ll find that I never miss opportunities where I can be intentional with helping kids find where descriptive language exists because that’s going to help them with understanding how it works. Then, once kids start experiencing descriptive writing and language, it changes the world for them and opens up a whole new dynamic of words and language. 

                That’s ultimately the goal, right? I am passionate about writing, particularly descriptive writing, and know that after implementing these strategies in your classroom, it will increase your students’ vocabulary on descriptive writing and start using it in their everyday language.

                Resources:


                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/teach-descriptive-writing

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                d533c572-d66f-45c6-853f-0165222c3dc3Mon, 13 Jun 2022 09:00:49 -040021:05falsefull1871871Megan Polk                86. 3 Things to Avoid When Teaching Writing (From a Student's Perspective!) with Anna Brekken3 Things to Avoid When Teaching Writing (From a Student's Perspective!) with Anna BrekkenYou all know that I love writing and enjoy sharing tips when it comes to teaching writing. But I have a treat for you today! On today’s episode, I have guest Anna Brekken, who is a very accomplished 15 year old student! Anna is sharing three things teachers should avoid when teaching writing. 

                Anna is a high school student and creative writer. She believes everyone has an incredibly important story to share, and creative writing is the tool to uncover your voice and stand out. When Anna started high school, she was disappointed in the way English was taught, so she did a TEDx talk about how to improve it.

                Before that, Anna launched a blog, built her greeting card shop on Etsy, and pondered major life questions like, “Which font is worse, Comic Sans or Curlz?” 

                If she’s not connecting with other teen business owners, you might find Anna chasing Pickles (her cat) or making every school assignment aggressively creative. Anna is an aspiring speaker and writer– new ideas flood her notes app daily!

                One of the reasons I enjoy this episode is because our conversation revolves around a student perspective instead of the typical teacher or adult perspective. Anna is open about the three things teachers should avoid when teaching writing, which are: shy away from basic retell of texts repetitively, focus more on a specific audience, and not prioritizing grammar over the actual content and writing.

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/anna-brekken/

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                You all know that I love writing and enjoy sharing tips when it comes to teaching writing. But I have a treat for you today! On today’s episode, I have guest Anna Brekken, who is a very accomplished 15 year old student! Anna is sharing three things teachers should avoid when teaching writing. 

                Anna is a high school student and creative writer. She believes everyone has an incredibly important story to share, and creative writing is the tool to uncover your voice and stand out. When Anna started high school, she was disappointed in the way English was taught, so she did a TEDx talk about how to improve it.

                Before that, Anna launched a blog, built her greeting card shop on Etsy, and pondered major life questions like, “Which font is worse, Comic Sans or Curlz?” 

                If she’s not connecting with other teen business owners, you might find Anna chasing Pickles (her cat) or making every school assignment aggressively creative. Anna is an aspiring speaker and writer– new ideas flood her notes app daily!

                One of the reasons I enjoy this episode is because our conversation revolves around a student perspective instead of the typical teacher or adult perspective. Anna is open about the three things teachers should avoid when teaching writing, which are: shy away from basic retell of texts repetitively, focus more on a specific audience, and not prioritizing grammar over the actual content and writing.

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/anna-brekken/

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                a690a995-0254-40ac-a306-d679ce5a3ac3Mon, 06 Jun 2022 09:00:15 -040024:51falsefull1861861Megan Polk                85. Implementing an End of the School Year 5W ReflectionImplementing an End of the School Year 5W ReflectionLet’s celebrate YOU! You’ve finished, or almost finished, the school year! While it’s a time for celebration, it’s also a time to think about how the year went and find changes or positives throughout the year. In today’s episode, I’m sharing why implementing an end of the school year 5W reflection is so powerful and beneficial. 

                If you know me and have been following me for awhile, you know how much I value reflections, but I find reflections are the most powerful at the end of the year. When it comes to an end of the year reflection, I like to go back to the basics of the 5W’s: who, what, when, where, why, and the bonus area of how. 

                These 5W reflections are designed for you to think about all different aspects of your school year from your students, parents, activities, schedule, management, and most importantly, yourself. Throughout the episode, I present a variety of questions involving each category that will help you think about all variations of your school year.

                Please remember that no school year is perfect, but when you can do the intentional work, you are making the vow to make it as best as it can be for the kids. By implementing an end of the year 5W reflection, it will provide a clear vision for what next year will hold and what that will look like for you.

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/5w-reflection

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                Let’s celebrate YOU! You’ve finished, or almost finished, the school year! While it’s a time for celebration, it’s also a time to think about how the year went and find changes or positives throughout the year. In today’s episode, I’m sharing why implementing an end of the school year 5W reflection is so powerful and beneficial. 

                If you know me and have been following me for awhile, you know how much I value reflections, but I find reflections are the most powerful at the end of the year. When it comes to an end of the year reflection, I like to go back to the basics of the 5W’s: who, what, when, where, why, and the bonus area of how. 

                These 5W reflections are designed for you to think about all different aspects of your school year from your students, parents, activities, schedule, management, and most importantly, yourself. Throughout the episode, I present a variety of questions involving each category that will help you think about all variations of your school year.

                Please remember that no school year is perfect, but when you can do the intentional work, you are making the vow to make it as best as it can be for the kids. By implementing an end of the year 5W reflection, it will provide a clear vision for what next year will hold and what that will look like for you.

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/5w-reflection

                Connect with me:


                If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                ]]>                8da167ab-4a37-48cf-9f5d-9bf06583880fMon, 30 May 2022 09:00:40 -040020:22falsefull1851851Megan Polk                84. 6 Tips for Summer School Success6 Tips for Summer School SuccessWhile the majority of teachers have summer on their minds, other teachers are extending their time in school to teach summer school. Whether you’re required or volunteering, please know you are doing a great thing! In order to make your time more enjoyable, on today’s episode I’m sharing 6 tips for summer school success. 

                Teaching summer school is an important job. You are the reason they’re not prone to the summer slide and you’re helping set them up for summer success. If teaching summer school, implement these 6 tips:

                • Have empathy
                • Try new strategies
                • Offer incentive and rewards
                • Collaborate with others
                • Use your time wisely
                • Have consistent communication with parents

                SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/summer-school/

                Resources Mentioned:


                Connect with me:

                • Check out my TpT Store
                • Subscribe to my E-mail list
                • Instagram Posts
                • While the majority of teachers have summer on their minds, other teachers are extending their time in school to teach summer school. Whether you’re required or volunteering, please know you are doing a great thing! In order to make your time more enjoyable, on today’s episode I’m sharing 6 tips for summer school success. 

                  Teaching summer school is an important job. You are the reason they’re not prone to the summer slide and you’re helping set them up for summer success. If teaching summer school, implement these 6 tips:

                  • Have empathy
                  • Try new strategies
                  • Offer incentive and rewards
                  • Collaborate with others
                  • Use your time wisely
                  • Have consistent communication with parents

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/summer-school/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  3e5d0e21-e647-4098-9b73-441f7749288fMon, 23 May 2022 09:00:10 -040027:28falsefull1841841Megan Polk83. 8 Tasks for a Teacher's Summer To-Do List8 Tasks for a Teacher's Summer To-Do ListWith summer approaching, it’s important for teachers to take some time to take a break and relax because you deserve it! I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been good at taking the whole summer off. So in today’s episode I’m sharing 8 tasks that you can add to your summer to-do list that will help you ease yourself back into school!

                  Like I mentioned, I tend to get antsy or feel overwhelmed when I head back to school if I don't prepare just a little bit over the summer for the upcoming school year. Plus, I’ve found that taking the whole summer off can make it difficult to get back in the groove when school starts again. I’m a believer in a good balance between work and relaxation, and this teacher’s summer to-do list will accomplish just that.

                  The 8 tasks for a teacher’s summer to-do list include:

                  1. Prioritize what brings you joy
                  2. Read for work and enjoyment
                  3. Plan ahead for the next school year
                  4. Participate in professional development seminars
                  5. Create personal and professional goals
                  6. Start a side hustle or social media page
                  7. Find local meetups
                  8. Volunteer

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/summer-to-do-list

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  With summer approaching, it’s important for teachers to take some time to take a break and relax because you deserve it! I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been good at taking the whole summer off. So in today’s episode I’m sharing 8 tasks that you can add to your summer to-do list that will help you ease yourself back into school!

                  Like I mentioned, I tend to get antsy or feel overwhelmed when I head back to school if I don't prepare just a little bit over the summer for the upcoming school year. Plus, I’ve found that taking the whole summer off can make it difficult to get back in the groove when school starts again. I’m a believer in a good balance between work and relaxation, and this teacher’s summer to-do list will accomplish just that.

                  The 8 tasks for a teacher’s summer to-do list include:

                  1. Prioritize what brings you joy
                  2. Read for work and enjoyment
                  3. Plan ahead for the next school year
                  4. Participate in professional development seminars
                  5. Create personal and professional goals
                  6. Start a side hustle or social media page
                  7. Find local meetups
                  8. Volunteer

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/summer-to-do-list

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  89aed89a-531b-45f3-8ba0-2b7aff19fe91Mon, 16 May 2022 10:59:20 -040022:55falsefull1831831Megan Polk                  82. An Honest Talk About Teacher Mental Health with Kelsey SorensonAn Honest Talk About Teacher Mental Health with Kelsey SorensonI’m so excited because today’s topic is something I’ve never discussed on the podcast, but it’s such an important conversation to have. On today’s episode, guest Kelsey Sorenson and I are having an open dialogue about providing tools and strategies to use towards a better mental health.

                  Kelsey Sorenson is a former teacher and sub turned homeschool mom and owner of Wife Teacher Mommy. She has helped hundreds of thousands of educators cut down planning time and balance the many roles in their lives with her time-saving resources, blogs, and her new podcast, Wife Teacher Mommy: The Podcast.

                  One of the reasons we decided on this topic is due to the fact that a lot of teachers are struggling with their mental health. It’s the end of the year, this is year three of teaching during a pandemic, and the educational gaps are at an all-time low. Teachers are dealing with a lot! Let alone all they have going on personally and at home. So this seems like the best time to have that conversation.

                  Kelsey gives a raw and real conversation about her own mental health journey that will certainly resonate with many of you. Along with her story, Kelsey provides tools and strategies viewers can apply and use today! 

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/teacher-mental-health

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with Kelsey:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I’m so excited because today’s topic is something I’ve never discussed on the podcast, but it’s such an important conversation to have. On today’s episode, guest Kelsey Sorenson and I are having an open dialogue about providing tools and strategies to use towards a better mental health.

                  Kelsey Sorenson is a former teacher and sub turned homeschool mom and owner of Wife Teacher Mommy. She has helped hundreds of thousands of educators cut down planning time and balance the many roles in their lives with her time-saving resources, blogs, and her new podcast, Wife Teacher Mommy: The Podcast.

                  One of the reasons we decided on this topic is due to the fact that a lot of teachers are struggling with their mental health. It’s the end of the year, this is year three of teaching during a pandemic, and the educational gaps are at an all-time low. Teachers are dealing with a lot! Let alone all they have going on personally and at home. So this seems like the best time to have that conversation.

                  Kelsey gives a raw and real conversation about her own mental health journey that will certainly resonate with many of you. Along with her story, Kelsey provides tools and strategies viewers can apply and use today! 

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/teacher-mental-health

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with Kelsey:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  f447fb80-6945-477e-a48b-c9da5c5a68ceMon, 09 May 2022 09:00:01 -040024:19falsefull1821821Megan Polk                  81. Engaging Literacy-Based End of Year ActivitiesEngaging Literacy-Based End of Year ActivitiesWe can feel it - it’s getting closer and closer each week. I’m talking about summer! While we’re all excited for the break, it has a lot of us teachers asking the magic question: What am I supposed to do the last few weeks of school? This is one of my favorite times of the year, so I’m sharing engaging literacy-based end of year activities you can easily do with your students!

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/end-of-year-activities

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  We can feel it - it’s getting closer and closer each week. I’m talking about summer! While we’re all excited for the break, it has a lot of us teachers asking the magic question: What am I supposed to do the last few weeks of school? This is one of my favorite times of the year, so I’m sharing engaging literacy-based end of year activities you can easily do with your students!

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/end-of-year-activities

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  35f12f71-462f-46c3-bac8-8e030bf3fdf2Mon, 02 May 2022 09:00:37 -040023:59falsefull1811811Megan Polk                  80. 8 Ideas to Prevent "Summer Slide"8 Ideas to Prevent "Summer Slide"With only a few weeks of school left, we tend to be in summer mode or close to it. While we all love the break that summer brings, it can sometimes interfere with maintaining students’ literacy skills. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 8 preventative ideas to help prevent the “summer slide”. 

                  Although it’s always fun to receive gifts on your birthday, this year, I wanted to give YOU, my audience, a gift! To win, complete the BINGO card that has clickable links with various tasks that you will need to complete. Completing five in a row (a BINGO) counts as one entry; for five more entries you can complete a blackout board; and two more additional entries, post it on your Instagram story and tag me. 

                  I will randomly select three winners who have a chance to win an Amazon gift card, Target gift card, Teachers Pay Teachers gift card, or credit to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. This gift goes until April 29th and I’ll pick the winners on April 30th. Submit a screenshot of your BINGO card either to megan@theliteracydive.com, or DM me @theliteracydive. 

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/prevent-summer-slide

                  Resources Mentioned:



                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for...]]>With only a few weeks of school left, we tend to be in summer mode or close to it. While we all love the break that summer brings, it can sometimes interfere with maintaining students’ literacy skills. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 8 preventative ideas to help prevent the “summer slide”. 

                  Although it’s always fun to receive gifts on your birthday, this year, I wanted to give YOU, my audience, a gift! To win, complete the BINGO card that has clickable links with various tasks that you will need to complete. Completing five in a row (a BINGO) counts as one entry; for five more entries you can complete a blackout board; and two more additional entries, post it on your Instagram story and tag me. 

                  I will randomly select three winners who have a chance to win an Amazon gift card, Target gift card, Teachers Pay Teachers gift card, or credit to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. This gift goes until April 29th and I’ll pick the winners on April 30th. Submit a screenshot of your BINGO card either to megan@theliteracydive.com, or DM me @theliteracydive. 

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/prevent-summer-slide

                  Resources Mentioned:



                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>66f89710-da0a-45cc-bc7f-6adb1e75bcc8Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:00:36 -040024:36falsefull1801801Megan Polk                  79. Answering Your Questions! A Birthday Celebration Q&AAnswering Your Questions! A Birthday Celebration Q&AI am beyond excited about this episode because in celebration of my birthday week, I am doing something a little different on the podcast today. Instead of the regular strategies to use in the classroom and providing an entire episode on literacy content, I decided to do something fun and answer some listener questions! This is an episode full of fun, relaxation, stress-free, some teacher-related recommendations, and knowing a little bit about the voice behind the podcast - me! 

                  Throughout the episode, I answered 10 random questions, and a bonus question, from my audience. What I loved about the questions was the mix of content. Some were fun and silly questions about myself, while others touched on my love for literacy and my passion, helping other educators learn and grow in the educational field. 

                  It’s always fun to receive gifts on your birthday, but this year, I wanted to give YOU, my audience, a gift! To win, complete the BINGO card that has clickable links with various tasks that you will need to complete. Completing five in a row (a BINGO) counts as one entry; for five more entries you can complete a blackout board; and two more additional entries, post it on your Instagram story and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  I will randomly select three winners who have a chance to win an Amazon gift card, Target gift card, Teachers Pay Teachers gift card, or credit to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. This giveaway goes until April 29th and I’ll pick the winners on April 30th. Submit a screenshot of your BINGO card either to megan@theliteracydive.com, or DM me @theliteracydive.

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/birthday-celebration

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I am beyond excited about this episode because in celebration of my birthday week, I am doing something a little different on the podcast today. Instead of the regular strategies to use in the classroom and providing an entire episode on literacy content, I decided to do something fun and answer some listener questions! This is an episode full of fun, relaxation, stress-free, some teacher-related recommendations, and knowing a little bit about the voice behind the podcast - me! 

                  Throughout the episode, I answered 10 random questions, and a bonus question, from my audience. What I loved about the questions was the mix of content. Some were fun and silly questions about myself, while others touched on my love for literacy and my passion, helping other educators learn and grow in the educational field. 

                  It’s always fun to receive gifts on your birthday, but this year, I wanted to give YOU, my audience, a gift! To win, complete the BINGO card that has clickable links with various tasks that you will need to complete. Completing five in a row (a BINGO) counts as one entry; for five more entries you can complete a blackout board; and two more additional entries, post it on your Instagram story and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  I will randomly select three winners who have a chance to win an Amazon gift card, Target gift card, Teachers Pay Teachers gift card, or credit to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. This giveaway goes until April 29th and I’ll pick the winners on April 30th. Submit a screenshot of your BINGO card either to megan@theliteracydive.com, or DM me @theliteracydive.

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/birthday-celebration

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  b67d2034-aea6-446d-8f78-7bf75b067db9Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:00:53 -040034:17falsefull1791791Megan Polk                  78. 6 Ways to Engage Your Students During Test Prep6 Ways to Engage Your Students During Test PrepTest prep is so much fun, said no teacher ever! Well friends, it’s that time of year again - test prep season right before state assessments. 

                  There’s always a negative connotation with test prep, but I’m here to tell you that it can be engaging, informative, enjoyable, and collaborative amongst your students. In today’s episode I’ll be sharing 6 ways to keep your students highly interested throughout your test prep season.

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/engage-your-students/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Test prep is so much fun, said no teacher ever! Well friends, it’s that time of year again - test prep season right before state assessments. 

                  There’s always a negative connotation with test prep, but I’m here to tell you that it can be engaging, informative, enjoyable, and collaborative amongst your students. In today’s episode I’ll be sharing 6 ways to keep your students highly interested throughout your test prep season.

                  SHOW NOTES:

                  https://theliteracydive.com/engage-your-students/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  cf92d42b-b856-4ead-bee1-878a6845efb6Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:00:58 -040017:45falsefull1781781Megan Polk                  77. Test Prep Tips That Will Help ALL of Your StudentsTest Prep Tips That Will Help ALL of Your StudentsThe stress and overwhelm felt during test season is not only felt by students, but also by teachers as well. Every year during testing season the days seemed longer and tougher. Looking back now I can only imagine that my students were impacted by my feelings during those times, and not for the better. 

                  I knew that testing season was inevitable every year, but I also knew I had to figure out ways to make testing season more manageable for myself and my students. By teaching and reinforcing strategies I saw my students grow and tackle the hard topics with ease. These strategies were beneficial for all of us! 

                  In this episode, I share some of my best practices when it comes to reading and preparing students for tests so you don’t feel the way I did years ago.

                  These tips that I share are not only meant for those students that are behind. Each and every student in your class will benefit from knowing these strategies and having them at their disposal.

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/test-prep-tips

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  The stress and overwhelm felt during test season is not only felt by students, but also by teachers as well. Every year during testing season the days seemed longer and tougher. Looking back now I can only imagine that my students were impacted by my feelings during those times, and not for the better. 

                  I knew that testing season was inevitable every year, but I also knew I had to figure out ways to make testing season more manageable for myself and my students. By teaching and reinforcing strategies I saw my students grow and tackle the hard topics with ease. These strategies were beneficial for all of us! 

                  In this episode, I share some of my best practices when it comes to reading and preparing students for tests so you don’t feel the way I did years ago.

                  These tips that I share are not only meant for those students that are behind. Each and every student in your class will benefit from knowing these strategies and having them at their disposal.

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/test-prep-tips

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  2a184265-7611-4d1d-b3a4-8da826d6337cMon, 04 Apr 2022 09:00:59 -040021:01falsefull1771771Megan Polk                  76. How to Make Poetry Your Students' Next Favorite Writing Unit!How to Make Poetry Your Students' Next Favorite Writing Unit!Last week I spoke about National Poetry Month and ideas to spark reading in your classroom. I want to continue the conversation about poetry because it is such an interesting genre that students really enjoy learning about! In this week’s episode we are diving into ideas that will engage your students in writing with a big connection to poetry. 

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/favorite-writing-unit/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Last week I spoke about National Poetry Month and ideas to spark reading in your classroom. I want to continue the conversation about poetry because it is such an interesting genre that students really enjoy learning about! In this week’s episode we are diving into ideas that will engage your students in writing with a big connection to poetry. 

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/favorite-writing-unit/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  29b99bec-d419-44dc-a74d-79bf5d13467cMon, 28 Mar 2022 09:00:26 -040017:58falsefull1761761Megan Polk                  75. 5 Ways to Focus on Reading During National Poetry Month5 Ways to Focus on Reading During National Poetry MonthDid you know that April is National Poetry Month? This is a genre that your students will love to explore! This week, we are going to dive into ways that you can incorporate poetry into your school day that promotes reading. These ideas can be embedded into your daily schedule or you can give Poetry Month its own special block. If you’re anything like me you love any and everything that promotes reading! 

                  National Poetry Month truly comes at the perfect time of the year. Routines are established, they’ve recovered from the holiday break, and they’ve worked hard learning literacy skills for more than six months now. Let’s be honest, it’s testing season and there’s truly no better time for them to be able to explore their creativity. There’s no better time to make reading fun while still practicing those important skills you’ve been teaching.

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/national-poetry-month

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? This is a genre that your students will love to explore! This week, we are going to dive into ways that you can incorporate poetry into your school day that promotes reading. These ideas can be embedded into your daily schedule or you can give Poetry Month its own special block. If you’re anything like me you love any and everything that promotes reading! 

                  National Poetry Month truly comes at the perfect time of the year. Routines are established, they’ve recovered from the holiday break, and they’ve worked hard learning literacy skills for more than six months now. Let’s be honest, it’s testing season and there’s truly no better time for them to be able to explore their creativity. There’s no better time to make reading fun while still practicing those important skills you’ve been teaching.

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/national-poetry-month

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  50cee3d4-d203-4e4d-991c-6b1ee5b64922Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:00:22 -040018:59falsefull1751751Megan Polk                  74. 7 Fantastic Classroom Management Hacks with Dr. Lori Friesen7 Fantastic Classroom Management Hacks with Dr. Lori FriesenWe may be approaching the spring season, but it is truly never too late to try new classroom management strategies. Bringing structures and systems into your classroom will not only bring you less stress, but it's going to bring success to your students. 

                  On today’s episode, I am chatting with Dr. Lori Friesen from the podcast Beginning Teacher Talk. She will be sharing seven classroom management hacks every teacher should try!

                  Dr. Lori Friesen is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to education. She has taught multiple grade levels in multiple countries. She has a PhD in elementary education with a specialization in language and literacy and has published the Beginning Teachers Handbook for Elementary School.

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/classroom-management-hacks/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  We may be approaching the spring season, but it is truly never too late to try new classroom management strategies. Bringing structures and systems into your classroom will not only bring you less stress, but it's going to bring success to your students. 

                  On today’s episode, I am chatting with Dr. Lori Friesen from the podcast Beginning Teacher Talk. She will be sharing seven classroom management hacks every teacher should try!

                  Dr. Lori Friesen is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to education. She has taught multiple grade levels in multiple countries. She has a PhD in elementary education with a specialization in language and literacy and has published the Beginning Teachers Handbook for Elementary School.

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/classroom-management-hacks/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  ac9be3cd-6431-451a-9229-fc7b821a6909Mon, 14 Mar 2022 10:00:33 -040024:52falsefull1741741Megan Polk                  73. 13 Ways to Give Your Students' Brains a Break in 5 Minutes or Less!13 Ways to Give Your Students' Brains a Break in 5 Minutes or Less!This episode is brought to you by test prep! Whether we like it or not, it is among us and likely the exhaustion has set in. Let’s be honest, the exhaustion has set in for both teachers and the students. Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to take all the lessons from the year and put them to practice. Our students are such good sports during this time of the year and so I want to focus this episode on ideas to give them the break they deserve. 

                  • Break ideas involving movement, direction, and thinking
                  • How brain breaks strengthen other aspects of learning
                  • Tips for identifying when to incorporate brain breaks
                  • Ways you’ll know if your brain breaks are achieving the results you want
                  • A no-prep brain break idea for upper elementary students

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/give-your-students-brains-a-break

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  This episode is brought to you by test prep! Whether we like it or not, it is among us and likely the exhaustion has set in. Let’s be honest, the exhaustion has set in for both teachers and the students. Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to take all the lessons from the year and put them to practice. Our students are such good sports during this time of the year and so I want to focus this episode on ideas to give them the break they deserve. 

                  • Break ideas involving movement, direction, and thinking
                  • How brain breaks strengthen other aspects of learning
                  • Tips for identifying when to incorporate brain breaks
                  • Ways you’ll know if your brain breaks are achieving the results you want
                  • A no-prep brain break idea for upper elementary students

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/give-your-students-brains-a-break

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  96be9f9a-e34b-4102-80d8-d1e371f43573Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:00:11 -040022:31falsefull7373Megan Polk                  72. Our Best Tips on Collaborating with Your Teacher Team: A Conversation with Sara MaryeOur Best Tips on Collaborating with Your Teacher Team: A Conversation with Sara MaryeI am so excited about today’s episode because I’m sitting down with my good friend Sara Marye. 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. 

                  Sara Marye is a great friend of mine, who is the voice behind The Stellar Teacher Podcast. We have a long history starting when we were on the same team, two different times, teaching both 2nd and 4th grade. Plus, we started our Teachers Pay Teachers stores at the same time, and have even collaborated on our own businesses, so we found it perfect to provide some tips and strategies on the best ways to collaborate with your teacher team! 

                  One of the best parts about working on a team is the ability to collaborate, and not only share ideas, but share the workload. Nevertheless, working together can be challenging with all the different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. We discuss how to use everyone’s differences to your advantage, and how to navigate a funk between your team members. 

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  • Why working with a team increases student success
                  • Benefits to identifying individual strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits
                  • Finding and building your teacher community
                  • Practical tips and suggestions to increase effectiveness and fun within your teacher team

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/teacher-team/

                  Connect with Sara:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I am so excited about today’s episode because I’m sitting down with my good friend Sara Marye. 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. 

                  Sara Marye is a great friend of mine, who is the voice behind The Stellar Teacher Podcast. We have a long history starting when we were on the same team, two different times, teaching both 2nd and 4th grade. Plus, we started our Teachers Pay Teachers stores at the same time, and have even collaborated on our own businesses, so we found it perfect to provide some tips and strategies on the best ways to collaborate with your teacher team! 

                  One of the best parts about working on a team is the ability to collaborate, and not only share ideas, but share the workload. Nevertheless, working together can be challenging with all the different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. We discuss how to use everyone’s differences to your advantage, and how to navigate a funk between your team members. 

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  • Why working with a team increases student success
                  • Benefits to identifying individual strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits
                  • Finding and building your teacher community
                  • Practical tips and suggestions to increase effectiveness and fun within your teacher team

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/teacher-team/

                  Connect with Sara:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  fe004265-36a3-4277-89d1-9301b33ac927Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:00:08 -040043:18falsefull1721721Megan Polk                  71. Getting Your Students Excited About the Nonfiction Genre with Aylin ClaahsenGetting Your Students Excited About the Nonfiction Genre with Aylin ClaahsenI am super excited about today’s podcast episode to continue this month’s theme of biographies! Aylin Claahsen is a good friend of mine and no stranger to those of you who have been listening for a while. If you’re new here, head over to episode 57 to learn more about the importance of fluency and how to incorporate it into your busy day. On today’s episode she will be talking about all things related to nonfiction texts.

                  Aylin Claahsen is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant, and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips for teaching readers. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th Grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog, social media, or in her newsletter. Aylin has a huge passion for writing engaging passages and creating engaging literacy resources. She has seen the impact it has on readers of all ability levels and she truly loves helping readers, near and far. Knowing that is one way that she gets to connect with students and teachers all around the world makes her heart so happy.

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Where you can teach nonfiction texts
                  • Ways to get buy in from your students
                  • How to make the nonfiction genre meaningful
                  • Opportunities for students to work together with nonfiction texts

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/nonfiction-genre

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!]]>                  I am super excited about today’s podcast episode to continue this month’s theme of biographies! Aylin Claahsen is a good friend of mine and no stranger to those of you who have been listening for a while. If you’re new here, head over to episode 57 to learn more about the importance of fluency and how to incorporate it into your busy day. On today’s episode she will be talking about all things related to nonfiction texts.

                  Aylin Claahsen is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant, and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips for teaching readers. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th Grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog, social media, or in her newsletter. Aylin has a huge passion for writing engaging passages and creating engaging literacy resources. She has seen the impact it has on readers of all ability levels and she truly loves helping readers, near and far. Knowing that is one way that she gets to connect with students and teachers all around the world makes her heart so happy.

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Where you can teach nonfiction texts
                  • Ways to get buy in from your students
                  • How to make the nonfiction genre meaningful
                  • Opportunities for students to work together with nonfiction texts

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/nonfiction-genre

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!]]>                  b65e0ec6-fc45-4ede-b786-4e281842a26aMon, 21 Feb 2022 10:00:56 -040025:26falsefull1711711Megan Polk                  70. 7 Key Reading Skills to Support Biographies7 Key Reading Skills to Support BiographiesI hope you’ve been enjoying this month’s biography theme. The last two episodes I gave tips for introducing biographies to your students and tips for using mentor texts. At this point your students should be familiar with the genre, which leads me to today’s episode. I will be sharing how to use biographies to focus on key reading skills that go hand in hand with this genre.

                  These reading skills really lend themselves beautifully to this genre and I’m going to tell you why. Although I could think of even more, today I will specifically be sharing seven key reading skills to target with biographies. The reason I want to talk about this is because you don’t have to always grab that fiction text when you want to introduce certain skills!

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 7 reading skills that can be easily practiced through biographies
                  • Tips for incorporating these reading skills into biography exploration
                  • How biographies can be used to have student expand their answers
                  • Why biographies are beneficial for test prep

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/7-key-reading-skills/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I hope you’ve been enjoying this month’s biography theme. The last two episodes I gave tips for introducing biographies to your students and tips for using mentor texts. At this point your students should be familiar with the genre, which leads me to today’s episode. I will be sharing how to use biographies to focus on key reading skills that go hand in hand with this genre.

                  These reading skills really lend themselves beautifully to this genre and I’m going to tell you why. Although I could think of even more, today I will specifically be sharing seven key reading skills to target with biographies. The reason I want to talk about this is because you don’t have to always grab that fiction text when you want to introduce certain skills!

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 7 reading skills that can be easily practiced through biographies
                  • Tips for incorporating these reading skills into biography exploration
                  • How biographies can be used to have student expand their answers
                  • Why biographies are beneficial for test prep

                  SHOW NOTES: https://theliteracydive.com/7-key-reading-skills/

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  e38a73fb-41a1-48ba-b3a7-ab54c68f522eMon, 14 Feb 2022 10:00:43 -040017:35falsefull1701701Megan Polk                  69. 9 Quick Mini-Lesson Ideas for Biography Exploration9 Quick Mini-Lesson Ideas for Biography ExplorationWelcome to another episode to highlight February’s topic of biographies! If you listened to last week’s episode then your students should know what biographies are now that you’ve introduced them. Biographies may not seem like the most interesting genre, so today I’ll be sharing nine mini-lesson ideas that are going to be engaging and interesting for your students. These ideas should leave you inspired and focused on this nonfiction genre.

                  In this episode, I share:

                  • 9 exciting mini-lesson ideas to explore biographies
                  • Whole group and individual activities for teaching biographies
                  • How to use graphic organizers to make learning memorable
                  • Tips for taking advantage of available resources

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode69

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Welcome to another episode to highlight February’s topic of biographies! If you listened to last week’s episode then your students should know what biographies are now that you’ve introduced them. Biographies may not seem like the most interesting genre, so today I’ll be sharing nine mini-lesson ideas that are going to be engaging and interesting for your students. These ideas should leave you inspired and focused on this nonfiction genre.

                  In this episode, I share:

                  • 9 exciting mini-lesson ideas to explore biographies
                  • Whole group and individual activities for teaching biographies
                  • How to use graphic organizers to make learning memorable
                  • Tips for taking advantage of available resources

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode69

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  3f6c5ed4-4657-4447-a9ba-43174327b351Mon, 07 Feb 2022 10:00:09 -040023:06falsefull1691691Megan Polk                  BONUS EPISODE - Tips and Ideas for Teaching Black HistoryBONUS EPISODE - Tips and Ideas for Teaching Black HistoryBlack History is celebrated this month, but I have been one to celebrate Black and diverse history all year long.

                  This episode will support teachers who are wanting to implement African American history into their classrooms whether it's their first year or tenth year. You will gain helpful reminders when navigating your conversations about Black influential individuals with students, as well as activities that can be easily implemented throughout this month and beyond.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Black History Month is celebrated in February but is encouraged to be taught year-round
                  • It is the duty of teachers to help fill in the gaps that are left out of textbooks and omitted from curriculum standards
                  • 3 helpful reminders when discussing Black history with students
                  • 5 ways to implement Black history in the classroom - activities you can get up and running today!

                  Links referenced:


                  Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode17/

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Black History is celebrated this month, but I have been one to celebrate Black and diverse history all year long.

                  This episode will support teachers who are wanting to implement African American history into their classrooms whether it's their first year or tenth year. You will gain helpful reminders when navigating your conversations about Black influential individuals with students, as well as activities that can be easily implemented throughout this month and beyond.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Black History Month is celebrated in February but is encouraged to be taught year-round
                  • It is the duty of teachers to help fill in the gaps that are left out of textbooks and omitted from curriculum standards
                  • 3 helpful reminders when discussing Black history with students
                  • 5 ways to implement Black history in the classroom - activities you can get up and running today!

                  Links referenced:


                  Show Notes: https://theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode17/

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  f1649913-5d76-4819-bcfa-9835e3412110Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:00:16 -040022:13falsebonus111Megan Polk                  68. Introducing and Teaching the Biography GenreIntroducing and Teaching the Biography GenreAs we enter the month of February it is time that we discuss and celebrate what Black History Month really stands for with our students. My favorite way to do this is by acknowledging iconic Black and African American figures. 

                  This is truly a great opportunity to teach biography and I have so many creative ways to do this that I’m going to share with you today. In this episode I will share how to teach this nonfiction genre so your students get the most out of their reading experience.

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Simple ways to help your students understand how biographies work
                  • Ways to use mentor texts when teaching your students biographies
                  • How to identify biographies from a big group of texts 
                  • Tips for recognizing the main purpose of the genre
                  • My favorite techniques to let students share their ideas with others

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode68

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  As we enter the month of February it is time that we discuss and celebrate what Black History Month really stands for with our students. My favorite way to do this is by acknowledging iconic Black and African American figures. 

                  This is truly a great opportunity to teach biography and I have so many creative ways to do this that I’m going to share with you today. In this episode I will share how to teach this nonfiction genre so your students get the most out of their reading experience.

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Simple ways to help your students understand how biographies work
                  • Ways to use mentor texts when teaching your students biographies
                  • How to identify biographies from a big group of texts 
                  • Tips for recognizing the main purpose of the genre
                  • My favorite techniques to let students share their ideas with others

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode68

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  4fcab530-5ee0-4073-920b-7948a7498f5cMon, 31 Jan 2022 10:00:55 -040024:43falsefull1681681Megan Polk                  67. Reset Relationships with Parents: 3 Areas to ConsiderReset Relationships with Parents: 3 Areas to ConsiderI don’t know about you, but I have really been enjoying this Resetting Series to start off this new 2022 year! We’ve talked about topics such as routines and writing blocks, but this episode will be focused on something more pragmatic: parents. It is never too late to reset your relationship with parents, or as I like to call them,”your student’s grown ups!” This episode is important for so many reasons, and I’m going to share those with you today.

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Why building relationships with parents has become more difficult during the pandemic
                  • 3 areas to form healthy relationships with parents
                  • 5 simple and effective ways to communicate with parents
                  • How to support parents and students at home
                  • 5 fun ways I have gotten parents involved in my classroom

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode67

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I don’t know about you, but I have really been enjoying this Resetting Series to start off this new 2022 year! We’ve talked about topics such as routines and writing blocks, but this episode will be focused on something more pragmatic: parents. It is never too late to reset your relationship with parents, or as I like to call them,”your student’s grown ups!” This episode is important for so many reasons, and I’m going to share those with you today.

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Why building relationships with parents has become more difficult during the pandemic
                  • 3 areas to form healthy relationships with parents
                  • 5 simple and effective ways to communicate with parents
                  • How to support parents and students at home
                  • 5 fun ways I have gotten parents involved in my classroom

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode67

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  496ddd67-0ec8-4bcb-8ef3-7af7a470657aMon, 24 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -040029:03falsefull1671671Megan Polk                  66. Reset Your Reading Block: 5 Questions to Ask YourselfReset Your Reading Block: 5 Questions to Ask YourselfThis time of the year is perfect for resetting, and I personally find it to be such a powerful opportunity. In my previous episode I provided tips for resetting your writing block and in this episode we’re going to speak about the other part of literacy, which is reading. We all know that reading is a complex skill and you may be surprised to learn that the reason your students are having difficulty is solely due to needing a reset. 

                  This episode will follow a similar format as my previous episodes with five questions and actionable tips for you to put into place. These questions will make you consider what you like about your reading block and how you may be able to change it for the better. You will get an accurate idea of what skills and strategies your students are able to apply to their reading or need additional instruction. It’s not too late to reset and establish new goals for both you and your students!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The benefits of making daily reading a priority

                  -The dos and don’ts for how to organize your mini-lessons 

                  -Why you shouldn’t worry about providing multiple scaffolds

                  -Various approaches to collecting data on your students reading abilities

                  -A surprising idea to get your students to read every day

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode66

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  Episode 64, Reset Your Routine: 5 Questions to Ask Your Students

                  Running Records Cheat Sheet Freebie

                  Reading Choice Boards freebie

                  Reading Reference Sheets

                  Reading Activities Bundle

                  Reading Skills and Strategies Anchor Charts

                  Reading Response Sentence Stem Anchor Charts

                  Small Group Observation Notes Data Tracker

                  Reading Workshop Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  This time of the year is perfect for resetting, and I personally find it to be such a powerful opportunity. In my previous episode I provided tips for resetting your writing block and in this episode we’re going to speak about the other part of literacy, which is reading. We all know that reading is a complex skill and you may be surprised to learn that the reason your students are having difficulty is solely due to needing a reset. 

                  This episode will follow a similar format as my previous episodes with five questions and actionable tips for you to put into place. These questions will make you consider what you like about your reading block and how you may be able to change it for the better. You will get an accurate idea of what skills and strategies your students are able to apply to their reading or need additional instruction. It’s not too late to reset and establish new goals for both you and your students!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The benefits of making daily reading a priority

                  -The dos and don’ts for how to organize your mini-lessons 

                  -Why you shouldn’t worry about providing multiple scaffolds

                  -Various approaches to collecting data on your students reading abilities

                  -A surprising idea to get your students to read every day

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode66

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  Episode 64, Reset Your Routine: 5 Questions to Ask Your Students

                  Running Records Cheat Sheet Freebie

                  Reading Choice Boards freebie

                  Reading Reference Sheets

                  Reading Activities Bundle

                  Reading Skills and Strategies Anchor Charts

                  Reading Response Sentence Stem Anchor Charts

                  Small Group Observation Notes Data Tracker

                  Reading Workshop Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  24a38abc-da8b-4182-9727-a00b0d9b5180Mon, 17 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -040026:36falsefull1661661Megan Polk                  65. Reset Your Writing Block: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Reset Your Writing Block: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode65

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Primary and Upper Elementary Writing Office

                  -Writing Reference Sheets

                  -Descriptive Writing Anchor Charts

                  -Writing Prompts

                  -Writing Process Sticky Note Checklists

                  -Literacy Choice Boards freebie

                  -Episode 32, Setting Up Effective Writing Centers

                  -Episode 23, Using Centers for Upper Elementary Kids

                  -Episode 9, Using Quick Writes to Strengthen Student Writing

                  -Episode 2, 5 Components of a Mini Lesson

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode65

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Primary and Upper Elementary Writing Office

                  -Writing Reference Sheets

                  -Descriptive Writing Anchor Charts

                  -Writing Prompts

                  -Writing Process Sticky Note Checklists

                  -Literacy Choice Boards freebie

                  -Episode 32, Setting Up Effective Writing Centers

                  -Episode 23, Using Centers for Upper Elementary Kids

                  -Episode 9, Using Quick Writes to Strengthen Student Writing

                  -Episode 2, 5 Components of a Mini Lesson

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  4e8f61c3-cf1b-4a29-a5d7-ea29f38b39eeMon, 10 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -040027:35falsefull1651651Megan Polk                  64. Reset Your Routine: 5 Questions to Ask Your StudentsReset Your Routine: 5 Questions to Ask Your StudentsHappy New Year! After all the reflection that you did in December, it’s now time to decide which processes you should continue and what needs to be changed in your classroom. A lot of people think that it’s a necessity to reset or restart their procedures when they return from break. This isn’t always the best strategy, so I’m going to make sure you are prepared to make the best decision on what stays and goes in 2022.

                  In order to get a better idea on what is working, you will first need to speak with your target audience- your students. I say this from experience since I learned the hard way after being influenced by Pinterest too many times! I found that even with the best intentions it sometimes did more harm than good to change a classroom procedure. Once I started asking questions to my students, I realized I had more insight on what made my classroom engaging and conducive to learning. It’s true what they say, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

                  In this episode I share: -5 questions I like to ask my students prior to making changes -When to change your routine and when not to change your routine -Why it’s important to do a midyear check-in -Methods to collect your student’s responses

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode64

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -FREEBIE: Would You Rather/This or That Slides

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Happy New Year! After all the reflection that you did in December, it’s now time to decide which processes you should continue and what needs to be changed in your classroom. A lot of people think that it’s a necessity to reset or restart their procedures when they return from break. This isn’t always the best strategy, so I’m going to make sure you are prepared to make the best decision on what stays and goes in 2022.

                  In order to get a better idea on what is working, you will first need to speak with your target audience- your students. I say this from experience since I learned the hard way after being influenced by Pinterest too many times! I found that even with the best intentions it sometimes did more harm than good to change a classroom procedure. Once I started asking questions to my students, I realized I had more insight on what made my classroom engaging and conducive to learning. It’s true what they say, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

                  In this episode I share: -5 questions I like to ask my students prior to making changes -When to change your routine and when not to change your routine -Why it’s important to do a midyear check-in -Methods to collect your student’s responses

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode64

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -FREEBIE: Would You Rather/This or That Slides

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  48bd698f-5c46-4f4e-9d51-4f68fd4754caMon, 03 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -040019:40falsefull1641641Megan Polk                  63. Starting the New Year with Student Reflection and Goal SettingStarting the New Year with Student Reflection and Goal SettingI can’t believe I’m saying this, but this is my last episode of 2021! I’m going to take this opportunity to continue my conversation from my last episode when I shared my personal reflections from 2021. In my opinion, January is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set goals for moving forward and this episode I’m going to share how to do that with your students.

                  By looking at the positive and negative parts of the previous year you can learn and grow in the future. This is an important concept for not only adults, but our students as well. That’s why I created a 5-page writing activity for them to do just that! This is not just your typical hand-made book because I’ve incorporated illustrations, polaroids, and more! I can’t wait to hear how your students enjoyed this activity, so don’t forget to grab check out this flipbook linked below!

                  In this episode I share: -A description of my 5-page student reflection and goal writing flip book -Why my flipbook is my favorite activity for the first week back from break -Ideas to get students motivated to generate creative goals -Fun suggestions for how to make self-portraits

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode63

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -2022 New Year Flipbook

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this is my last episode of 2021! I’m going to take this opportunity to continue my conversation from my last episode when I shared my personal reflections from 2021. In my opinion, January is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set goals for moving forward and this episode I’m going to share how to do that with your students.

                  By looking at the positive and negative parts of the previous year you can learn and grow in the future. This is an important concept for not only adults, but our students as well. That’s why I created a 5-page writing activity for them to do just that! This is not just your typical hand-made book because I’ve incorporated illustrations, polaroids, and more! I can’t wait to hear how your students enjoyed this activity, so don’t forget to grab check out this flipbook linked below!

                  In this episode I share: -A description of my 5-page student reflection and goal writing flip book -Why my flipbook is my favorite activity for the first week back from break -Ideas to get students motivated to generate creative goals -Fun suggestions for how to make self-portraits

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode63

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -2022 New Year Flipbook

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  38b47e39-6793-4fb4-988c-96acb5da7cf0Mon, 27 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -040016:28falsefull1631631Megan Polk                  62. Empowering Realizations From 2021Empowering Realizations From 2021It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2021 and yet I can’t believe it’s almost 2022! I always like to think back on the good times and the challenging times as the new year approaches. In this episode, I reflect on the priorities I will be carrying over to 2022. These routines and practices have been important to me and I think you’ll find they can be important to you as well!

                  Every year I find myself thinking back on those moments of insight that I want to focus on for the future. Those realizations have allowed me to move on and accept whatever difficult situation that may come my way. Life is not about the positive or negative situations you’re faced with, but how you perceive them. By practicing these strategies and mindfulness ideas there is no doubt you will have a joyful year ahead!

                  In this episode I share: -Tips for setting boundaries for people who can’t say no -How to accept those things that can’t be changed -Strategies for saving your energy for positive things rather than negative -My daily practices for maintaining a joyful life -Self-care you can incorporate into your daily routines

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode62

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  1 Second Everyday: Video Diary

                  Connect with me:

                  Check out my TpT Store

                  Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  Instagram Posts

                  Blog Posts

                  Facebook Posts

                  Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2021 and yet I can’t believe it’s almost 2022! I always like to think back on the good times and the challenging times as the new year approaches. In this episode, I reflect on the priorities I will be carrying over to 2022. These routines and practices have been important to me and I think you’ll find they can be important to you as well!

                  Every year I find myself thinking back on those moments of insight that I want to focus on for the future. Those realizations have allowed me to move on and accept whatever difficult situation that may come my way. Life is not about the positive or negative situations you’re faced with, but how you perceive them. By practicing these strategies and mindfulness ideas there is no doubt you will have a joyful year ahead!

                  In this episode I share: -Tips for setting boundaries for people who can’t say no -How to accept those things that can’t be changed -Strategies for saving your energy for positive things rather than negative -My daily practices for maintaining a joyful life -Self-care you can incorporate into your daily routines

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode62

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  1 Second Everyday: Video Diary

                  Connect with me:

                  Check out my TpT Store

                  Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  Instagram Posts

                  Blog Posts

                  Facebook Posts

                  Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  38144842-92d2-4a39-bf07-7e7bf147d073Mon, 20 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -040025:58falsefull1621621Megan Polk                  61. Holiday Literacy Ideas to Get You to Winter Break | Part 3Holiday Literacy Ideas to Get You to Winter Break | Part 3If you’ve been following along the last two weeks you know that this is the last episode of the three-part holiday series. I’ve provided you with six strategies thus far and today I’ll be giving you four more! The purpose of these strategies is not to add more onto your plate, but rather incorporate small changes into your current schedule. You’ll be working smarter, not harder!

                  There are multiple ways to increase student engagement, it just takes a little creativity. I’ve got you covered! We’re going to step back from paper and pencil tasks and broaden the ways students will be sharing what they know. The best part about these ideas is that you can use them after the holidays when your students return from break to ease them back into their routine.

                  In this episode I share: -4 literacy ideas for the holiday season -How to modify your lessons so they can be used at home -Creative ideas to ensure all students are participating -A no-prep literacy activity to work on growing sentences

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode61

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  Christmas Around the World Reading & Writing Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Around-the-World-Reading-and-Writing-Activities-7512578

                  Kwanzaa Reading & Writing Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kwanzaa-Reading-and-Writing-Activities-7524902

                  Christmas Writing Choice Boards: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Writing-Choice-Board-Activities-3527674

                  December Writing Prompts: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/December-Writing-Prompts-and-Journal-4212274

                  Writing Center Posters: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Center-Posters-and-Writing-Paper-Templates-3236844

                  Episode 9 on Quick Writes: https://theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode9/

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  If you’ve been following along the last two weeks you know that this is the last episode of the three-part holiday series. I’ve provided you with six strategies thus far and today I’ll be giving you four more! The purpose of these strategies is not to add more onto your plate, but rather incorporate small changes into your current schedule. You’ll be working smarter, not harder!

                  There are multiple ways to increase student engagement, it just takes a little creativity. I’ve got you covered! We’re going to step back from paper and pencil tasks and broaden the ways students will be sharing what they know. The best part about these ideas is that you can use them after the holidays when your students return from break to ease them back into their routine.

                  In this episode I share: -4 literacy ideas for the holiday season -How to modify your lessons so they can be used at home -Creative ideas to ensure all students are participating -A no-prep literacy activity to work on growing sentences

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode61

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  Christmas Around the World Reading & Writing Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Around-the-World-Reading-and-Writing-Activities-7512578

                  Kwanzaa Reading & Writing Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kwanzaa-Reading-and-Writing-Activities-7524902

                  Christmas Writing Choice Boards: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Writing-Choice-Board-Activities-3527674

                  December Writing Prompts: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/December-Writing-Prompts-and-Journal-4212274

                  Writing Center Posters: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Center-Posters-and-Writing-Paper-Templates-3236844

                  Episode 9 on Quick Writes: https://theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode9/

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  c6b8ab1a-efc3-4cb3-b76b-dde257df879fMon, 13 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -040014:16falsefull1611611Megan Polk                  60. Holiday Literacy Ideas to Get You to Winter Break | Part 2Holiday Literacy Ideas to Get You to Winter Break | Part 2Last week I started my three-part series about how to keep your students engaged during the holiday season. I decided to expand on those holiday literacy ideas by giving you three more ways to keep your students on task. As always, these ideas are simple and can be put into practice the very day you listen to this episode.

                  We all know one way to keep students interested in our lessons is to avoid standing in the front of the class and expecting them to listen. These ideas are far from that! My suggestions not only provide students with the opportunity to interact with peers, but also members of the community. There will be no lack of interest once you introduce your students to these interactive activities!

                  In this episode I share: -3 ideas for keeping students engaged during the holiday season -Different ways to have students share their perspectives -Suggestions for different ways to access holiday stories -Activities that will connect your students with members of the community

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode60

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Writing Center Posters and Writing Paper Templates

                  -Christmas Writing Choice Board Activities

                  -December Writing Prompts

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Last week I started my three-part series about how to keep your students engaged during the holiday season. I decided to expand on those holiday literacy ideas by giving you three more ways to keep your students on task. As always, these ideas are simple and can be put into practice the very day you listen to this episode.

                  We all know one way to keep students interested in our lessons is to avoid standing in the front of the class and expecting them to listen. These ideas are far from that! My suggestions not only provide students with the opportunity to interact with peers, but also members of the community. There will be no lack of interest once you introduce your students to these interactive activities!

                  In this episode I share: -3 ideas for keeping students engaged during the holiday season -Different ways to have students share their perspectives -Suggestions for different ways to access holiday stories -Activities that will connect your students with members of the community

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode60

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Writing Center Posters and Writing Paper Templates

                  -Christmas Writing Choice Board Activities

                  -December Writing Prompts

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  62ca8df8-4f64-48f5-8f3d-3106694e7acbMon, 06 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -040013:19falsefull1601601Megan Polk                  59. Holiday Literacy Ideas to Get You to Winter Break | Part 1Holiday Literacy Ideas to Get You to Winter Break | Part 1While the holiday season is exciting, it is also notoriously a time that students are distracted and energetic. There are so many extra activities that need to be added to the schedule which means ditching those daily academic lessons. In this episode, I will discuss how to get through the holiday season without abandoning teaching your literacy components.

                  This holiday season seems to be even more exhausting than usual with all the challenges we have been facing this year. It is more important than ever to embed activities that your students find fun and enjoy while making sure you are targeting those important reading skills simultaneously. This is your opportunity to be creative while focusing on literacy skills. This may seem impossible, which is why I have done the work for you and am sharing my favorite activities to keep student engagement during the holiday season!

                  In this episode I share: -3 low-prep ideas for teaching literacy while keeping students engaged during the holiday season -How to use holiday advertisements while working on reading skills -Ideas for homework over the holidays if parents make a request -Tips to incorporate creativity into your writing block

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode59

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Christmas Writing Choice Board Activities 

                  -December Writing Prompts and Journal

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  While the holiday season is exciting, it is also notoriously a time that students are distracted and energetic. There are so many extra activities that need to be added to the schedule which means ditching those daily academic lessons. In this episode, I will discuss how to get through the holiday season without abandoning teaching your literacy components.

                  This holiday season seems to be even more exhausting than usual with all the challenges we have been facing this year. It is more important than ever to embed activities that your students find fun and enjoy while making sure you are targeting those important reading skills simultaneously. This is your opportunity to be creative while focusing on literacy skills. This may seem impossible, which is why I have done the work for you and am sharing my favorite activities to keep student engagement during the holiday season!

                  In this episode I share: -3 low-prep ideas for teaching literacy while keeping students engaged during the holiday season -How to use holiday advertisements while working on reading skills -Ideas for homework over the holidays if parents make a request -Tips to incorporate creativity into your writing block

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode59

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Christmas Writing Choice Board Activities 

                  -December Writing Prompts and Journal

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  5a329c3c-1ea9-4a1f-bddd-9c576b44df2bMon, 29 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -040014:50falsefull1591591Megan Polk                  58. Making the Most Out of Your Read AloudMaking the Most Out of Your Read AloudI have to admit that my episode last week with my guest and good friend, Aylin Claahsen, got me thinking more deeply about reading fluency. I realized that we can grow our student’s reading fluency with something that we’re already doing, which is read alouds. I’m not talking about those days when you pick a book off the shelf and decide to share an enjoyable literacy-driven experience with your students. I’m referring to lessons that are focused on specific skills and standards.

                  When you think of both of these literacy concepts it makes sense that they influence each other. Reading fluency actually refers to the accuracy, speed, and expression of a student’s reading rather than a quick scan of the words on the page. What better way to practice this than read alouds? We need to take advantage of the opportunity to model during read alouds because let’s face it, we know that students are always watching and listening to us. Let me know which of these strategies worked for you and your students!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Goals teachers should consider during read alouds -2 things that will happen when students improve their fluency skills -Strategies for improving reading fluency with read alouds -Processes to teach your students when they come across unknown words -The benefits of pausing during read alouds

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode58

                  Check out episode 57, Understanding the Importance of Fluency and Incorporating it Into Your Busy Day with Aylin Claahsen.

                  Grab my Sentence Fluency Sight Word Task Cards!

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I have to admit that my episode last week with my guest and good friend, Aylin Claahsen, got me thinking more deeply about reading fluency. I realized that we can grow our student’s reading fluency with something that we’re already doing, which is read alouds. I’m not talking about those days when you pick a book off the shelf and decide to share an enjoyable literacy-driven experience with your students. I’m referring to lessons that are focused on specific skills and standards.

                  When you think of both of these literacy concepts it makes sense that they influence each other. Reading fluency actually refers to the accuracy, speed, and expression of a student’s reading rather than a quick scan of the words on the page. What better way to practice this than read alouds? We need to take advantage of the opportunity to model during read alouds because let’s face it, we know that students are always watching and listening to us. Let me know which of these strategies worked for you and your students!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Goals teachers should consider during read alouds -2 things that will happen when students improve their fluency skills -Strategies for improving reading fluency with read alouds -Processes to teach your students when they come across unknown words -The benefits of pausing during read alouds

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode58

                  Check out episode 57, Understanding the Importance of Fluency and Incorporating it Into Your Busy Day with Aylin Claahsen.

                  Grab my Sentence Fluency Sight Word Task Cards!

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  15bfd56a-90f8-4bab-ba71-59edee2c728eMon, 22 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -040025:30falsefull1581581Megan Polk                  57. Understanding the Importance of Fluency and Incorporating it Into Your Busy School Day with Aylin ClaahsenUnderstanding the Importance of Fluency and Incorporating it Into Your Busy School Day with Aylin ClaahsenI can not wait for you to listen to this episode with a special guest and friend of mine, Aylin Claahsen. Aylin is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant, and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips for teaching readers. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th Grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog, social media, or in her newsletter. She is sharing all kinds of incredible tips and tricks that will help you to engage your students while improving their fluency. 

                  If you’re an elementary teacher you may consider reading fluency as the child’s ability to read a story from start to finish. During this discussion with Aylin you’ll learn that fluency is really much more than that! It truly connects to so many different skills that will improve reading comprehension. By using these strategies, you can focus on fluency without recreating the wheel or disrupting what you’re already doing.

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -What reading fluency really means -Reasons teachers should focus on fluency -How fluency corresponds to reading comprehension -Ways to incorporate fluency strategies into the day -The benefits of using centers during your reading block

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode57

                  Connect with Aylin: 

                  -Read her blog.

                  -Shop her TpT store.

                  -Follow her on Instagram and Facebook @literacywithaylinclaahsen.

                  -Check out her membership site.

                  -Grab her FREE fluency guide.

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I can not wait for you to listen to this episode with a special guest and friend of mine, Aylin Claahsen. Aylin is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant, and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips for teaching readers. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th Grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog, social media, or in her newsletter. She is sharing all kinds of incredible tips and tricks that will help you to engage your students while improving their fluency. 

                  If you’re an elementary teacher you may consider reading fluency as the child’s ability to read a story from start to finish. During this discussion with Aylin you’ll learn that fluency is really much more than that! It truly connects to so many different skills that will improve reading comprehension. By using these strategies, you can focus on fluency without recreating the wheel or disrupting what you’re already doing.

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -What reading fluency really means -Reasons teachers should focus on fluency -How fluency corresponds to reading comprehension -Ways to incorporate fluency strategies into the day -The benefits of using centers during your reading block

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode57

                  Connect with Aylin: 

                  -Read her blog.

                  -Shop her TpT store.

                  -Follow her on Instagram and Facebook @literacywithaylinclaahsen.

                  -Check out her membership site.

                  -Grab her FREE fluency guide.

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  4ae00b33-e910-449b-95b0-014886bafa37Mon, 15 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -040031:47falsefull1571571Megan Polk                  56. How to Keep Writing Prompts Running SmoothlyHow to Keep Writing Prompts Running SmoothlyLast week I talked about writing prompts and this week I will continue the conversation by giving you tips to implement writing prompts. If you haven’t been using writing prompts regularly, I can imagine it may be intimidating to put it on your schedule every day of the week. What I can also tell you is that if writing prompts stress you out, then I’m about to change your mind.

                  Writing prompts are meant to be fun for both you and your students. By keeping this time of day positive and encouraging your students to share their thoughts on paper, your students will most likely share your enthusiasm. You may actually be surprised by the quality and quantity of writing you get while working on writing prompts compared to a writers workshop. I hope that this episode has decreased any stress or anxiety you may have had and that you are ready to make writing fun!

                  In this episode I share: -7 big ideas to implement writing prompts -The importance of getting time for writing prompts onto your schedule -What to do if a writing process is too difficult for a student -How to manage your expectations for writing prompts vs. writing workshops -Ways to motivate and differentiate for your students

                  PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway to celebrate a full year of The Literacy Dive Podcast:

                  1. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Before you submit, take a screenshot and send it to me on Instagram @theliteracydive or in an email at megan@theliteracydive.com

                  2. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot a favorite episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  In this episode I share:

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode56

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Episode 55: Cultivating Engaged and Confident Writers Through the Use of Writing Prompts

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Last week I talked about writing prompts and this week I will continue the conversation by giving you tips to implement writing prompts. If you haven’t been using writing prompts regularly, I can imagine it may be intimidating to put it on your schedule every day of the week. What I can also tell you is that if writing prompts stress you out, then I’m about to change your mind.

                  Writing prompts are meant to be fun for both you and your students. By keeping this time of day positive and encouraging your students to share their thoughts on paper, your students will most likely share your enthusiasm. You may actually be surprised by the quality and quantity of writing you get while working on writing prompts compared to a writers workshop. I hope that this episode has decreased any stress or anxiety you may have had and that you are ready to make writing fun!

                  In this episode I share: -7 big ideas to implement writing prompts -The importance of getting time for writing prompts onto your schedule -What to do if a writing process is too difficult for a student -How to manage your expectations for writing prompts vs. writing workshops -Ways to motivate and differentiate for your students

                  PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway to celebrate a full year of The Literacy Dive Podcast:

                  1. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Before you submit, take a screenshot and send it to me on Instagram @theliteracydive or in an email at megan@theliteracydive.com

                  2. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot a favorite episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  In this episode I share:

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode56

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Episode 55: Cultivating Engaged and Confident Writers Through the Use of Writing Prompts

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  f3c2bf53-f915-4c6e-907b-ca73b8bb3d69Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -040028:18falsefull1561561Megan Polk                  55. Cultivating Engaged and Confident Writers Through the Use of Writing PromptsCultivating Engaged and Confident Writers Through the Use of Writing PromptsGuess what?! Today’s episode is my one year anniversary of The Literacy Dive Podcast. How exciting is that? Whether you’ve listened to one episode, every single one, or somewhere in between…thank you!

                  To add to the excitement, this episode is airing on November 1, 2021. The beginning of a new month is always a fun and refreshing time. I remember my students coming in at the beginning of a month eager to see what special days were planned and what the new writing prompts would be!

                  You may already know that I am a HUGE fan of writing prompts, and for good reason. Writing prompts offer students choice and opportunities to practice their writing skills, often times in a low impact non-stressful way. They are an engaging way to increase your students’ overall love of writing. I’m going to walk you through the details of why writing prompts are so useful and how I use them to cultivate excited writers. If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to fit writing prompts in, don’t worry…I’m covering that too!

                  PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway to celebrate a full year of The Literacy Dive Podcast:

                  1. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Before you submit, take a screenshot and send it to me on Instagram @theliteracydive or in an email at megan@theliteracydive.com

                  2. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot a favorite episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  In this episode I share:

                  -My definition of a writing prompt

                  -Why writing prompts are such a useful tool

                  -Tips on choosing writing prompts that will spark creativity and engagement

                  -How writing prompts can direct student writing

                  -Specific questions I like to model with my students

                  -When and where to implement the writing prompt style of writing

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode55

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Episode 9: Using Quick Writes to Strengthen Student Writing

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Guess what?! Today’s episode is my one year anniversary of The Literacy Dive Podcast. How exciting is that? Whether you’ve listened to one episode, every single one, or somewhere in between…thank you!

                  To add to the excitement, this episode is airing on November 1, 2021. The beginning of a new month is always a fun and refreshing time. I remember my students coming in at the beginning of a month eager to see what special days were planned and what the new writing prompts would be!

                  You may already know that I am a HUGE fan of writing prompts, and for good reason. Writing prompts offer students choice and opportunities to practice their writing skills, often times in a low impact non-stressful way. They are an engaging way to increase your students’ overall love of writing. I’m going to walk you through the details of why writing prompts are so useful and how I use them to cultivate excited writers. If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to fit writing prompts in, don’t worry…I’m covering that too!

                  PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway to celebrate a full year of The Literacy Dive Podcast:

                  1. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Before you submit, take a screenshot and send it to me on Instagram @theliteracydive or in an email at megan@theliteracydive.com

                  2. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot a favorite episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  In this episode I share:

                  -My definition of a writing prompt

                  -Why writing prompts are such a useful tool

                  -Tips on choosing writing prompts that will spark creativity and engagement

                  -How writing prompts can direct student writing

                  -Specific questions I like to model with my students

                  -When and where to implement the writing prompt style of writing

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode55

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Episode 9: Using Quick Writes to Strengthen Student Writing

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  3c6df72d-76fb-483f-b13d-d6a194d003acMon, 01 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -040029:23falsefull1551551Megan Polk                  54. How to Teach Context CluesHow to Teach Context CluesLast week I talked about context clues strategies, but I’m sure many of you are wondering how to apply them and when. I got you! This episode is going to cover how to use the different strategies I shared and really give you a framework for implementing them.

                  Just like all the great activities in literacy, you can start teaching context clues by using highlighters and anchor charts. As you listen you’ll realize that the strategies I’ve provided can seamlessly be woven into your current lessons. Before you know it your students will be internalizing and utilizing these strategies all on their own!

                  Don't forget to enter my giveaway to celebrate a full year of The Literacy Dive Podcast:

                  1. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Before you submit, take a screenshot and send it to me on Instagram @theliteracydive.

                  2. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot a favorite episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  In this episode I share: -How to introduce context clues to your students -Steps for implementing context clue strategies -4 words that will remind students how to find the meaning of unknown words -When to apply strategies unknown words throughout your reading block -Tips for differentiating instruction

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode54

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Context Clues FREEBIE

                  -Context Clues Mini Unit

                  -Episode 53, 7 Context Clues Strategies Every Student Should Know

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Last week I talked about context clues strategies, but I’m sure many of you are wondering how to apply them and when. I got you! This episode is going to cover how to use the different strategies I shared and really give you a framework for implementing them.

                  Just like all the great activities in literacy, you can start teaching context clues by using highlighters and anchor charts. As you listen you’ll realize that the strategies I’ve provided can seamlessly be woven into your current lessons. Before you know it your students will be internalizing and utilizing these strategies all on their own!

                  Don't forget to enter my giveaway to celebrate a full year of The Literacy Dive Podcast:

                  1. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Before you submit, take a screenshot and send it to me on Instagram @theliteracydive.

                  2. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot a favorite episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @theliteracydive.

                  In this episode I share: -How to introduce context clues to your students -Steps for implementing context clue strategies -4 words that will remind students how to find the meaning of unknown words -When to apply strategies unknown words throughout your reading block -Tips for differentiating instruction

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode54

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Context Clues FREEBIE

                  -Context Clues Mini Unit

                  -Episode 53, 7 Context Clues Strategies Every Student Should Know

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  42653b5d-6c8e-471b-9397-54d4866ab610Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -040029:25falsefull1541541Megan Polk                  53. 7 Context Clue Strategies Every Student Should Know7 Context Clue Strategies Every Student Should KnowThere’s a good chance that your students have heard the term “context clues” before. But do they actually know what it means? Are they really able to apply strategies to figure out the meaning of unknown words? In my experience, using context clues is one of those skills that students are aware of, but struggle to implement independently.

                  Today I’m sharing several different types of context clues strategies that you can intentionally teach to your students. My best advice is to not only teach these strategies in your lessons, but to also find other opportunities throughout your day where you can decipher unknown words. This could be during read alouds, while watching a video, or in everyday conversation.

                  Practice these strategies with your students whenever possible, so that when they come across tricky words during independent reading they will not only have strategies in place, but be able to use them effectively and independently!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Examples of how to teach the various context clues strategies

                  -The importance of background knowledge in relation to context clues

                  -The “why” behind using pictures and other visuals to help with meaning

                  -How to embed and model context clues strategies throughout your day

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode53

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Context Clues FREEBIE

                  -Context Clues Mini-Lesson

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  There’s a good chance that your students have heard the term “context clues” before. But do they actually know what it means? Are they really able to apply strategies to figure out the meaning of unknown words? In my experience, using context clues is one of those skills that students are aware of, but struggle to implement independently.

                  Today I’m sharing several different types of context clues strategies that you can intentionally teach to your students. My best advice is to not only teach these strategies in your lessons, but to also find other opportunities throughout your day where you can decipher unknown words. This could be during read alouds, while watching a video, or in everyday conversation.

                  Practice these strategies with your students whenever possible, so that when they come across tricky words during independent reading they will not only have strategies in place, but be able to use them effectively and independently!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Examples of how to teach the various context clues strategies

                  -The importance of background knowledge in relation to context clues

                  -The “why” behind using pictures and other visuals to help with meaning

                  -How to embed and model context clues strategies throughout your day

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode53

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Context Clues FREEBIE

                  -Context Clues Mini-Lesson

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  00ce1fb8-e2d6-4628-bc09-044cdd20e9feMon, 18 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -040022:29falsefull1531531Megan Polk                  52. Watch Your Students Become Strong and Descriptive Writers Through the Art of StorytellingWatch Your Students Become Strong and Descriptive Writers Through the Art of StorytellingHow do your students become successful and descriptive writers? I get this question all the time. Do you want to know my secret? The one thing that plays the greatest role in helping young learners improve their writing skills is the art of storytelling.

                  The power of storytelling became clear to me when I was teaching kindergarten. Telling personal stories is how my kindergartners learned how to write a story. I continued to practice storytelling with all of my students, even in upper elementary grades.

                  You may not realize it, but we are all storytellers. We typically think about events in terms of beginning, middle, and end. Every part of our day is a story! Giving opportunities to storytell in your classroom is a great way to teach your students important skills that will transfer to their writing. If storytelling seems intimidating for you, don’t worry! I’m going to give you actionable strategies that you can implement as soon as TODAY.

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The many benefits of storytelling

                  -Steps to take to get this practice up and running in your classroom

                  -Simple ways to make storytelling interactive

                  -The importance of asking questions and how it translates into more descriptive writing

                  -Suggestions on what to do if you feel like you aren’t a natural storyteller

                  -What a prop box is and how I use it

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode52

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Free Writing and Conversation Prompts

                  -Creative Writing Picture Cards

                  -Monthly Writing Prompt and Journal Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  How do your students become successful and descriptive writers? I get this question all the time. Do you want to know my secret? The one thing that plays the greatest role in helping young learners improve their writing skills is the art of storytelling.

                  The power of storytelling became clear to me when I was teaching kindergarten. Telling personal stories is how my kindergartners learned how to write a story. I continued to practice storytelling with all of my students, even in upper elementary grades.

                  You may not realize it, but we are all storytellers. We typically think about events in terms of beginning, middle, and end. Every part of our day is a story! Giving opportunities to storytell in your classroom is a great way to teach your students important skills that will transfer to their writing. If storytelling seems intimidating for you, don’t worry! I’m going to give you actionable strategies that you can implement as soon as TODAY.

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The many benefits of storytelling

                  -Steps to take to get this practice up and running in your classroom

                  -Simple ways to make storytelling interactive

                  -The importance of asking questions and how it translates into more descriptive writing

                  -Suggestions on what to do if you feel like you aren’t a natural storyteller

                  -What a prop box is and how I use it

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode52

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Free Writing and Conversation Prompts

                  -Creative Writing Picture Cards

                  -Monthly Writing Prompt and Journal Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  d7a931e3-6573-4a38-9cb8-fbab33c95d31Mon, 11 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -040025:13falsefull1521521Megan Polk                  51. How to Find Time to ACTUALLY TeachHow to Find Time to ACTUALLY TeachToday’s episode is about something we all wish we had more of: time. There are so many demands on teachers and it always feels like there’s not enough time in the day. I found there are some ways to maximize your schedule and I will be sharing some tips and tricks I’ve found helpful. I hope these action steps will allow you to really focus on what is important, your students!

                  By the end of this episode, there will be three different areas for you to look at that will free up your schedule. Before you get worried, this does not mean you have to cancel all the activities that you enjoy the most. If you make these small changes to your day, you will actually find you have more time for both mandatory and optional activities. After you finish this episode, please share what you decided to do with those extra 20-40 minutes you now have available!

                  In this episode I share: -3 parts of your day that you can look at to free up your time -Ways you can maximize your schedule -How to balance what you want vs need to get accomplished -The 3 questions you need to ask yourself about your transitions

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode51

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Episode 50: 50th Episode Celebration: Ask me Anything!

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Today’s episode is about something we all wish we had more of: time. There are so many demands on teachers and it always feels like there’s not enough time in the day. I found there are some ways to maximize your schedule and I will be sharing some tips and tricks I’ve found helpful. I hope these action steps will allow you to really focus on what is important, your students!

                  By the end of this episode, there will be three different areas for you to look at that will free up your schedule. Before you get worried, this does not mean you have to cancel all the activities that you enjoy the most. If you make these small changes to your day, you will actually find you have more time for both mandatory and optional activities. After you finish this episode, please share what you decided to do with those extra 20-40 minutes you now have available!

                  In this episode I share: -3 parts of your day that you can look at to free up your time -Ways you can maximize your schedule -How to balance what you want vs need to get accomplished -The 3 questions you need to ask yourself about your transitions

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode51

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Episode 50: 50th Episode Celebration: Ask me Anything!

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  06e9d8cf-83ae-46a6-a3f4-d46a24d25581Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -040028:16falsefull1511511Megan Polk                  LISTENER FAVORITE: 5 Components of a Mini-LessonLISTENER FAVORITE: 5 Components of a Mini-LessonTo continue the celebration of reaching 50 episodes of The Literacy Dive, I've got a BONUS episode for you today! This is a replay of a listener favorite, episode 2! It's all the importance and power of a mini-lesson. Enjoy!

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode2

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The definition of a mini-lesson

                  -How to find content for your mini-lesson

                  -The structure of a mini-lesson (5 parts)

                  -Tips and reminders to make mini-lessons successful

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  To continue the celebration of reaching 50 episodes of The Literacy Dive, I've got a BONUS episode for you today! This is a replay of a listener favorite, episode 2! It's all the importance and power of a mini-lesson. Enjoy!

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode2

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The definition of a mini-lesson

                  -How to find content for your mini-lesson

                  -The structure of a mini-lesson (5 parts)

                  -Tips and reminders to make mini-lessons successful

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  e3992d7a-4a07-4885-87bd-14a23f6c8147Wed, 29 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -040020:33falsebonus111Megan Polk                  50. 50TH EPISODE CELEBRATION: ASK ME ANYTHING!50TH EPISODE CELEBRATION: ASK ME ANYTHING!Oh my goodness! This is the 50th episode of The Literacy Dive Podcast! I am so thankful and have been having a blast with all of you. To celebrate this milestone we will be doing something spontaneous and laid-back. I hope you enjoy this question and answer format just as much as I enjoyed recording it!

                  I originally thought I would answer 50 questions for the 50th episode, but my dear friend has narrowed down the questions so that we can play a little game of 20 questions. You’ll learn about me and my experiences, both good and bad! From reality TV shows to reading lessons, we cover it all. I loved this interactive and fun episode and would love to hear what you thought as well!

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode50

                  In this episode I answer your questions such as:

                  -What should a good guided reading lesson contain?

                  -What tips do you have for lesson planning?

                  -What advice do you have for first year teachers?

                  -What is the most spontaneous thing you have done?

                  -If I could look at your DVR or Netflix, what would I find?

                  -Where do you see yourself in five years?

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Guided Reading: What Is It? (blog post)

                  -Guided Reading Small Groups: Face-to-Face vs. Virtual (blog post)

                  -Sticky Note Resources

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Oh my goodness! This is the 50th episode of The Literacy Dive Podcast! I am so thankful and have been having a blast with all of you. To celebrate this milestone we will be doing something spontaneous and laid-back. I hope you enjoy this question and answer format just as much as I enjoyed recording it!

                  I originally thought I would answer 50 questions for the 50th episode, but my dear friend has narrowed down the questions so that we can play a little game of 20 questions. You’ll learn about me and my experiences, both good and bad! From reality TV shows to reading lessons, we cover it all. I loved this interactive and fun episode and would love to hear what you thought as well!

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode50

                  In this episode I answer your questions such as:

                  -What should a good guided reading lesson contain?

                  -What tips do you have for lesson planning?

                  -What advice do you have for first year teachers?

                  -What is the most spontaneous thing you have done?

                  -If I could look at your DVR or Netflix, what would I find?

                  -Where do you see yourself in five years?

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Guided Reading: What Is It? (blog post)

                  -Guided Reading Small Groups: Face-to-Face vs. Virtual (blog post)

                  -Sticky Note Resources

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  4787c6db-97db-4e7d-8efc-0de9864329b6Mon, 27 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -040035:57falsefull1501501Megan Polk                  49. 8 Reasons to Start Using Exit Tickets8 Reasons to Start Using Exit TicketsHave you been searching for ways to assess your student’s understanding of your lessons? An easy way to do this is by using exit tickets. Contrary to what some people may think, exit tickets are not tests, but definitely are a way to measure your student’s comprehension of that day’s topic. Exit tickets may look different each day, but if used correctly they can be a driving force for your curriculum.

                  Exit tickets can support data-driven instruction by providing information on where students are performing and what modifications need to be made. Let’s be honest, "data-driven instruction" is one of the most important phrases in education today. Not only will you impress your administration, but you’ll also be able to use this information to differentiate instruction to your students. As I always say, it’s better to have too much data than not enough data!

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode49

                  In this episode I share:

                  -8 reasons to incorporate exit tickets into your classroom

                  -The components of a good exit ticket

                  -How to use exit tickets to differentiate instruction

                  -Ways to increase motivation and participation

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Reading Response Bookmarks

                  -Reading Response Sticky Notes

                  -Reading Response Graphic Organizers

                  -Reading Response Stem Cards

                  -Small-Group Data Trackers

                  -Sticky Notes Resource Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Have you been searching for ways to assess your student’s understanding of your lessons? An easy way to do this is by using exit tickets. Contrary to what some people may think, exit tickets are not tests, but definitely are a way to measure your student’s comprehension of that day’s topic. Exit tickets may look different each day, but if used correctly they can be a driving force for your curriculum.

                  Exit tickets can support data-driven instruction by providing information on where students are performing and what modifications need to be made. Let’s be honest, "data-driven instruction" is one of the most important phrases in education today. Not only will you impress your administration, but you’ll also be able to use this information to differentiate instruction to your students. As I always say, it’s better to have too much data than not enough data!

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode49

                  In this episode I share:

                  -8 reasons to incorporate exit tickets into your classroom

                  -The components of a good exit ticket

                  -How to use exit tickets to differentiate instruction

                  -Ways to increase motivation and participation

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Reading Response Bookmarks

                  -Reading Response Sticky Notes

                  -Reading Response Graphic Organizers

                  -Reading Response Stem Cards

                  -Small-Group Data Trackers

                  -Sticky Notes Resource Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  db735f9b-4410-4d7c-b9d5-5a3374fb47b0Mon, 20 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -040015:13falsefull1491491Megan Polk                  48. Leveraging Math Word Problems to Practice Reading and Writing SkillsLeveraging Math Word Problems to Practice Reading and Writing SkillsIf you don’t already know this, it may shock you, but my favorite subject is actually math. Crazy, right? There’s nothing better than when I can combine my two favorite things, math and literacy, at the same time with math word problems. In this episode I will provide you with strategies for incorporating comprehension and writing practice while also working on math.

                  When I was a self-contained teacher responsible for every subject, it was so important to “double dip” different subject areas. During that time I found that English Language Arts and Math teachers can benefit from this as well. If you think about it, when it comes to word problems these two areas are so interconnected so it makes perfect sense! If you try one of the strategies I mention in this episode or use the freebie, let me know what you think!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -How word problems can enhance literacy skills

                  -4 ways you can move beyond word problems to practice reading and writing skills

                  -Realistic examples for the suggested strategies

                  -Which reading skills can be targeted through word problems

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode48

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Word Problem Task Cards Bundle

                  -Episode 47: 7 Strategies to Enhance Higher Order Thinking Skills in Your Students

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  If you don’t already know this, it may shock you, but my favorite subject is actually math. Crazy, right? There’s nothing better than when I can combine my two favorite things, math and literacy, at the same time with math word problems. In this episode I will provide you with strategies for incorporating comprehension and writing practice while also working on math.

                  When I was a self-contained teacher responsible for every subject, it was so important to “double dip” different subject areas. During that time I found that English Language Arts and Math teachers can benefit from this as well. If you think about it, when it comes to word problems these two areas are so interconnected so it makes perfect sense! If you try one of the strategies I mention in this episode or use the freebie, let me know what you think!

                  In this episode I share:

                  -How word problems can enhance literacy skills

                  -4 ways you can move beyond word problems to practice reading and writing skills

                  -Realistic examples for the suggested strategies

                  -Which reading skills can be targeted through word problems

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode48

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Word Problem Task Cards Bundle

                  -Episode 47: 7 Strategies to Enhance Higher Order Thinking Skills in Your Students

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  39a4e5c8-a703-4c14-9700-c83d1bd4f274Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -040017:42falsefull1481481Megan Polk                  47. 7 Strategies to Enhance Higher Order Thinking Skills in Your Students7 Strategies to Enhance Higher Order Thinking Skills in Your StudentsToday’s episode is about a topic that has taken over the world of education and is probably the focus of most of your staff meetings. If you guessed this episode would be about higher order thinking then you’d be correct! Lucky for you, the strategies I will talk about today are ones that you can put into practice as soon as tomorrow!

                  Some of my suggestions may be exactly what you try not to do during your reading block, and believe me I’ve been there. If you’re a teacher who dismisses student questions due to lack of time or otherwise, I feel you. It sometimes feels like there’s not enough time in a day, but in order to get students to think critically there must be opportunities for them to do so. Whether you make a small change or decide to incorporate something creative into your classroom I’d love to hear about your success!

                  In today's episode I share:

                  -A brief overview of what higher order thinking looks like -7 teaching strategies to enhance higher order thinking skills -Examples of how to present strategies in your classroom -Simple changes you can use to enhance your student’s higher order thinking

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode47

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Graphic Organizers

                  -Higher-Order Thinking Question Cards

                  -Episode 24: Six Ways to Teach Visualization to Readers

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Today’s episode is about a topic that has taken over the world of education and is probably the focus of most of your staff meetings. If you guessed this episode would be about higher order thinking then you’d be correct! Lucky for you, the strategies I will talk about today are ones that you can put into practice as soon as tomorrow!

                  Some of my suggestions may be exactly what you try not to do during your reading block, and believe me I’ve been there. If you’re a teacher who dismisses student questions due to lack of time or otherwise, I feel you. It sometimes feels like there’s not enough time in a day, but in order to get students to think critically there must be opportunities for them to do so. Whether you make a small change or decide to incorporate something creative into your classroom I’d love to hear about your success!

                  In today's episode I share:

                  -A brief overview of what higher order thinking looks like -7 teaching strategies to enhance higher order thinking skills -Examples of how to present strategies in your classroom -Simple changes you can use to enhance your student’s higher order thinking

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode47

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Graphic Organizers

                  -Higher-Order Thinking Question Cards

                  -Episode 24: Six Ways to Teach Visualization to Readers

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  1af2c5a2-2d1b-41fb-8cf4-d591658d5a52Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -040020:22falsefull1471471Megan Polk                  46. Increasing Student Writing Skills and Motivation (Part 2)Increasing Student Writing Skills and Motivation (Part 2)As promised, this episode is a continuation of the conversation on ways to increase motivation and writing skills with your students. Let’s be honest, we all have at least one student who desperately avoids any writing task. It’s those exact students I always think of when I introduce new strategies because we’ve got the opportunity to show them that writing can be fun!

                   

                  If you listened last week, you’ve already learned five ways to get students excited about writing. Well today you’re going to learn six more! With little effort and a lot of creativity, these strategies will get your students involved with not only other children in their class but also outside in the community. Dare I say it, but they may even look forward to writing once you introduce these activities! Let me know which one of these ideas is your student’s favorite by sending me a DM on Instagram @theliteracydive

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Tips to create an exciting writing environment -Ways to make writing fun while practicing the 5 parts of a friendly letter -Ideas to make connections in the community to increase motivation -Easy and simple year-long activities that spark excitement -How to utilize technology to increase involvement in writing tasks

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode46

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Episode 45: Increasing Student Writing Skills and Motivation (Part 1)

                  -Episode 32: How Do You Set up Effective Writing Centers?

                  -Letter Writing FREEBIE

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Padlet

                   

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  As promised, this episode is a continuation of the conversation on ways to increase motivation and writing skills with your students. Let’s be honest, we all have at least one student who desperately avoids any writing task. It’s those exact students I always think of when I introduce new strategies because we’ve got the opportunity to show them that writing can be fun!

                   

                  If you listened last week, you’ve already learned five ways to get students excited about writing. Well today you’re going to learn six more! With little effort and a lot of creativity, these strategies will get your students involved with not only other children in their class but also outside in the community. Dare I say it, but they may even look forward to writing once you introduce these activities! Let me know which one of these ideas is your student’s favorite by sending me a DM on Instagram @theliteracydive

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Tips to create an exciting writing environment -Ways to make writing fun while practicing the 5 parts of a friendly letter -Ideas to make connections in the community to increase motivation -Easy and simple year-long activities that spark excitement -How to utilize technology to increase involvement in writing tasks

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode46

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Episode 45: Increasing Student Writing Skills and Motivation (Part 1)

                  -Episode 32: How Do You Set up Effective Writing Centers?

                  -Letter Writing FREEBIE

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Padlet

                   

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please follow, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  e3dabe7e-3138-440b-ad52-2a88672fe932Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -040019:52falsefull1461461Megan Polk                  45. Increasing Student Writing Skills and Motivation (Part 1)Increasing Student Writing Skills and Motivation (Part 1)What if your students actually looked forward to writing time?  What if they all cheered instead of moaning and groaning when you announce it’s time for writing? I’ll bet that sounds like music to your teacher ears! 

                   

                  I continue to hear from many of you that getting your students excited to write  is still one of your greatest challenges. That’s why today I’m going to share ways to improve student writing skills AND improve their motivation to write. Writing doesn’t have to be bland. It doesn’t have to take a ton of prep either. Push play to hear my favorite engaging writing strategies, and check out the next episode for part two of this topic!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The important connection between reading and writing

                  -Super simple and creative ways to make writing FUN

                  -How to encourage daily journaling + examples of writing prompts

                  -Ideas to strengthen creative writing skills by writing short stories

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode45

                   

                  Related Resources:

                  -Creative Writing Boggle Boards

                  -Creative Writing Activities

                  -Scholastic Story Starters 

                   

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  What if your students actually looked forward to writing time?  What if they all cheered instead of moaning and groaning when you announce it’s time for writing? I’ll bet that sounds like music to your teacher ears! 

                   

                  I continue to hear from many of you that getting your students excited to write  is still one of your greatest challenges. That’s why today I’m going to share ways to improve student writing skills AND improve their motivation to write. Writing doesn’t have to be bland. It doesn’t have to take a ton of prep either. Push play to hear my favorite engaging writing strategies, and check out the next episode for part two of this topic!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The important connection between reading and writing

                  -Super simple and creative ways to make writing FUN

                  -How to encourage daily journaling + examples of writing prompts

                  -Ideas to strengthen creative writing skills by writing short stories

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode45

                   

                  Related Resources:

                  -Creative Writing Boggle Boards

                  -Creative Writing Activities

                  -Scholastic Story Starters 

                   

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  a69c9feb-d8e8-486e-9619-a2c8d3cbd084Mon, 23 Aug 2021 09:00:37 -040015:34falsefull1451451Megan Polk                  44. The Why Behind Interactive Read Alouds & How to Plan for OneThe Why Behind Interactive Read Alouds & How to Plan for OneI am a huge proponent of reading aloud for pure joy with no strings attached. These moments are one of the best ways to foster a true love of reading within your students. However, I also know the immense power of interactive read alouds and the great effect in has on our young readers. For example, did you know that interactive read alouds can build community as well as vocabulary and communication skills? They are also an excellent opportunity to bring diversity into your classroom.

                   

                  So what’s the difference between simply opening up a book and reading it aloud versus an interactive read aloud? For one thing, interactive read alouds are pre-planned. This needs to be an intentional time with intentional texts.

                   

                  It truly is the foundation for instruction in your classroom! It’s going to be what provides every kind of student with rich learning opportunities. An effective interactive read aloud structure involves three parts: introducing the text, reading the text, and discussing the text. I’m going to share how to implement each of these three parts in today’s episode, as well as ideas for extensions.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Why interactive read alouds are so important

                  -The role of the teacher and students during read alouds

                  -How to set expectations and set the scene for an interactive read aloud

                  -What to consider when choosing engaging book titles

                  -Using hand signals to increase engagement and productivity

                  -An ideal length for your read aloud and how to stick to that timeframe

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode44

                   

                  Related Resources:

                  -Reading Response Sentence Stem Posters

                  -Reading Response Bookmarks

                  -Reading and Writing Sticky Note Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I am a huge proponent of reading aloud for pure joy with no strings attached. These moments are one of the best ways to foster a true love of reading within your students. However, I also know the immense power of interactive read alouds and the great effect in has on our young readers. For example, did you know that interactive read alouds can build community as well as vocabulary and communication skills? They are also an excellent opportunity to bring diversity into your classroom.

                   

                  So what’s the difference between simply opening up a book and reading it aloud versus an interactive read aloud? For one thing, interactive read alouds are pre-planned. This needs to be an intentional time with intentional texts.

                   

                  It truly is the foundation for instruction in your classroom! It’s going to be what provides every kind of student with rich learning opportunities. An effective interactive read aloud structure involves three parts: introducing the text, reading the text, and discussing the text. I’m going to share how to implement each of these three parts in today’s episode, as well as ideas for extensions.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Why interactive read alouds are so important

                  -The role of the teacher and students during read alouds

                  -How to set expectations and set the scene for an interactive read aloud

                  -What to consider when choosing engaging book titles

                  -Using hand signals to increase engagement and productivity

                  -An ideal length for your read aloud and how to stick to that timeframe

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: theliteracydive.com/podcast-episode44

                   

                  Related Resources:

                  -Reading Response Sentence Stem Posters

                  -Reading Response Bookmarks

                  -Reading and Writing Sticky Note Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  f06720ae-a2ca-4684-8296-f16a5d3a7e13Mon, 16 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -040030:40falsefull1441441Megan Polk                  43. 8 Strategies to Teach Show Don't Tell 8 Strategies to Teach Show Don't Tell Do your students look back at you with blank stares when you ask them to “show, don’t tell” in their writing? If so, it’s for a good reason! While it seems simple to some, show don’t tell is a difficult concept to understand. The real way to ensure students fully grasp this strategy is through a lot of intentional practice and exposure. This is why I recommend teaching show don’t tell at the very beginning of the year, and spiraling back all throughout the year.

                   

                  So, exactly how do you get your students to understand and apply this technique? I’m sharing eight specific strategies to help your students show vivid and concrete details in their writing. From illustrating the scene to using dialogue, these strategies will help your writers transform their compositions and engage their readers. Remember, if this seems like a difficult skill for your kids right now, don’t worry! Stay encouraged. Show don’t tell will become easier over time!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The big difference between showing vs. telling

                  -Using your five senses to support character development

                  -Incorporating interactive games into your lessons

                  -Why I recommend avoiding adverbs

                  -A simple way to introduce the use of dialogue

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode43

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Character Traits and Character Feelings

                  -Show Don't Tell Charts

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Do your students look back at you with blank stares when you ask them to “show, don’t tell” in their writing? If so, it’s for a good reason! While it seems simple to some, show don’t tell is a difficult concept to understand. The real way to ensure students fully grasp this strategy is through a lot of intentional practice and exposure. This is why I recommend teaching show don’t tell at the very beginning of the year, and spiraling back all throughout the year.

                   

                  So, exactly how do you get your students to understand and apply this technique? I’m sharing eight specific strategies to help your students show vivid and concrete details in their writing. From illustrating the scene to using dialogue, these strategies will help your writers transform their compositions and engage their readers. Remember, if this seems like a difficult skill for your kids right now, don’t worry! Stay encouraged. Show don’t tell will become easier over time!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The big difference between showing vs. telling

                  -Using your five senses to support character development

                  -Incorporating interactive games into your lessons

                  -Why I recommend avoiding adverbs

                  -A simple way to introduce the use of dialogue

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode43

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Character Traits and Character Feelings

                  -Show Don't Tell Charts

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  9b514dab-4b8f-428e-a63f-16ca944e34feMon, 09 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -040032:45falsefull1431431Megan Polk                  42. 6 Back-to-School Activities to Get to Know Your Students 6 Back-to-School Activities to Get to Know Your Students Whether you are a first-year or veteran teacher, you know how incredibly important it is to build community at the beginning of the school year. You also know how stressful this time of year can be. Exciting? Yes. But still stressful! You have so much to do, yet you also want to focus on making your students feel welcome and valued. This is the prime time to really set the tone for the upcoming year!

                   

                  Between organizing school supplies and establishing rules and routines, there is no time for activities that require hours of preparation. Over the years, I have collected several effective, simple, and FUN getting-to-know-you activities that can be used on the fly with little to no prep. Better yet, they can all be used for in person or virtual teaching! Send me a message on Instagram @theliteracydive and let me know which activity is your favorite!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -6 engaging “getting to know you” activities to use anytime of year

                  -How to manage each activity with ease

                  -My experiences using these back-to-school activities

                  -Why the beginning of the year isn’t the only time to have students get to know each other

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode42

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -FREEBIE - "This or That" & "Would You Rather" Slides

                  -FREEBIE - All About Me Share Bag Labels

                  -Episode 41, Small Group Must-Haves

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Whether you are a first-year or veteran teacher, you know how incredibly important it is to build community at the beginning of the school year. You also know how stressful this time of year can be. Exciting? Yes. But still stressful! You have so much to do, yet you also want to focus on making your students feel welcome and valued. This is the prime time to really set the tone for the upcoming year!

                   

                  Between organizing school supplies and establishing rules and routines, there is no time for activities that require hours of preparation. Over the years, I have collected several effective, simple, and FUN getting-to-know-you activities that can be used on the fly with little to no prep. Better yet, they can all be used for in person or virtual teaching! Send me a message on Instagram @theliteracydive and let me know which activity is your favorite!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -6 engaging “getting to know you” activities to use anytime of year

                  -How to manage each activity with ease

                  -My experiences using these back-to-school activities

                  -Why the beginning of the year isn’t the only time to have students get to know each other

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode42

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -FREEBIE - "This or That" & "Would You Rather" Slides

                  -FREEBIE - All About Me Share Bag Labels

                  -Episode 41, Small Group Must-Haves

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  9285eca8-a87e-409d-afb6-808bbd2deabaMon, 02 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -040028:14falsefull1421421Megan Polk                  41. Diving Into Your Q&As: What Are Your Small Group Must-Haves?Diving Into Your Q&As: What Are Your Small Group Must-Haves? True story - small groups are 100% my teaching love language! So when Emily asked, “What are some of your favorite small group must-haves?” I jumped at the opportunity to share. While I can’t list EVERYTHING, I’m going to list my 15 most-loved small group staples. I bet you won’t be surprised to hear that sticky notes are on this list, but what about a laser pointer?! These items can all be found on Amazon or at your local Target/Dollar Tree.

                   

                  As with any supply list, don’t let this overwhelm you. If you’re new to using tools in small groups, start slow. Choose a few items to begin! Slowly begin to implement materials, gauge the student response, and go from there! Have fun building your unique small group toolbox this year and let me know which items are your favorite by sending me a DM on Instagram @theliteracydive.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -My top small group tools and how to use them

                  -Which items to use for decoding texts and responding to reading

                  -Creative ways to hold student’s attention during small group

                  -How to organize your tools to save time and space

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode41

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Guided Reading Calculator

                  -FREE Running Record Cheat Sheet

                  -Guided Reading Strip Overlays

                  -Dry Erase Pockets

                  -Mini Magnetic Dry Erase Boards

                  -Students Response Cards

                  -Reading Choice Boards (use a dice) 

                  -Whisper Phones

                  -Reading Reference Helpers

                  -Observation Tracker Sheets

                  -Laser Pointer

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  True story - small groups are 100% my teaching love language! So when Emily asked, “What are some of your favorite small group must-haves?” I jumped at the opportunity to share. While I can’t list EVERYTHING, I’m going to list my 15 most-loved small group staples. I bet you won’t be surprised to hear that sticky notes are on this list, but what about a laser pointer?! These items can all be found on Amazon or at your local Target/Dollar Tree.

                   

                  As with any supply list, don’t let this overwhelm you. If you’re new to using tools in small groups, start slow. Choose a few items to begin! Slowly begin to implement materials, gauge the student response, and go from there! Have fun building your unique small group toolbox this year and let me know which items are your favorite by sending me a DM on Instagram @theliteracydive.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -My top small group tools and how to use them

                  -Which items to use for decoding texts and responding to reading

                  -Creative ways to hold student’s attention during small group

                  -How to organize your tools to save time and space

                   

                  SHOW NOTES: misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode41

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Guided Reading Calculator

                  -FREE Running Record Cheat Sheet

                  -Guided Reading Strip Overlays

                  -Dry Erase Pockets

                  -Mini Magnetic Dry Erase Boards

                  -Students Response Cards

                  -Reading Choice Boards (use a dice) 

                  -Whisper Phones

                  -Reading Reference Helpers

                  -Observation Tracker Sheets

                  -Laser Pointer

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  30d884ba-e04e-4f89-9d54-f5dd9d30adccMon, 26 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -040027:17falsefull1411411Megan Polk                  40. Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Help Students Increase Their Stamina?Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Help Students Increase Their Stamina?I have trouble with getting my students to sit for extended periods of time and accomplishing their goals. How do you help students increase their stamina when it comes to independent reading and writing? This question comes from Craig and I’ll bet many of you have the same one!

                   

                  Here’s one thing I know for sure. Stamina takes time! So, give yourself and your students some grace. Tune in to hear my favorite strategies that I have used with students in second through fifth grade. Whether you implement these at the very beginning of the year, or the middle of the year, they will  help students succeed in increasing their stamina over time!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -How important it is to take the time to establish systems and expectations

                  -How to tap into student’s interests to increase buy-in

                  -Incorporating various media types into independent reading and writing time

                  -Why peer collaboration can help students stay on task longer

                  -Using a visual timer, choice boards, and stamina graphs to support students in reaching their goals

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Writing Genre Posters

                  -Daily Writing Prompts

                  -Free Reading and Writing Choice Boards

                  -Online Stopwatch

                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode40

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  I have trouble with getting my students to sit for extended periods of time and accomplishing their goals. How do you help students increase their stamina when it comes to independent reading and writing? This question comes from Craig and I’ll bet many of you have the same one!

                   

                  Here’s one thing I know for sure. Stamina takes time! So, give yourself and your students some grace. Tune in to hear my favorite strategies that I have used with students in second through fifth grade. Whether you implement these at the very beginning of the year, or the middle of the year, they will  help students succeed in increasing their stamina over time!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -How important it is to take the time to establish systems and expectations

                  -How to tap into student’s interests to increase buy-in

                  -Incorporating various media types into independent reading and writing time

                  -Why peer collaboration can help students stay on task longer

                  -Using a visual timer, choice boards, and stamina graphs to support students in reaching their goals

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Writing Genre Posters

                  -Daily Writing Prompts

                  -Free Reading and Writing Choice Boards

                  -Online Stopwatch

                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode40

                  Connect with me:

                  -Check out my TpT Store

                  -Subscribe to my E-mail list

                  -Instagram Posts

                  -Blog Posts

                  -Facebook Posts

                  -Watch my YouTube channel 

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  4e4cff96-c468-4f94-9720-ddd9ea9b902bMon, 19 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -040023:27falsefull1401401Megan Polk                  39. Diving Into Your Q&As: What Do I Do When My Students Rush Through Their Writing?Diving Into Your Q&As: What Do I Do When My Students Rush Through Their Writing?Today we have a question from Shelby! Shelby asks, “How do you help kids who just want to finish writing as fast as they can and do not want to add any details because of the time it takes?” Just like Shelby, we all have those students in our writing block who say “I’m done” before most kids even have their name on the paper! Few things are more frustrating than watching students who rush to get done without implementing the skills that you have worked so hard to teach!

                   

                  I’m sharing 10 strategies to help with motivation and getting students taking their time when it comes to writing. These are tips that have helped my students look forward to writing time and shift from saying “I’m done” to “how can I make my writing better?”.  Are you ready to watch your writers grow and transform?

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Common reasons why students tend to rush through their work and how to fix it

                  -Focusing on small achievable writing goals

                  -How to use checklists to eliminate rushing and increase accountability

                  -Using a timer to set expectations

                  -Implementing frequent check-ins to eliminate behaviors before they even begin

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Writing Process Charts and Checklists

                  -Writing Process and Writing VOICES Checklists

                  -Descriptive Writing Anchor Charts

                  -FREE Writing Choice Boards

                   

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Instagram: @theliteracydive

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode39

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Today we have a question from Shelby! Shelby asks, “How do you help kids who just want to finish writing as fast as they can and do not want to add any details because of the time it takes?” Just like Shelby, we all have those students in our writing block who say “I’m done” before most kids even have their name on the paper! Few things are more frustrating than watching students who rush to get done without implementing the skills that you have worked so hard to teach!

                   

                  I’m sharing 10 strategies to help with motivation and getting students taking their time when it comes to writing. These are tips that have helped my students look forward to writing time and shift from saying “I’m done” to “how can I make my writing better?”.  Are you ready to watch your writers grow and transform?

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Common reasons why students tend to rush through their work and how to fix it

                  -Focusing on small achievable writing goals

                  -How to use checklists to eliminate rushing and increase accountability

                  -Using a timer to set expectations

                  -Implementing frequent check-ins to eliminate behaviors before they even begin

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Writing Process Charts and Checklists

                  -Writing Process and Writing VOICES Checklists

                  -Descriptive Writing Anchor Charts

                  -FREE Writing Choice Boards

                   

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Instagram: @theliteracydive

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode39

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  6d7f59b1-6e9d-4fca-a3ba-6d7b032556dfMon, 12 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -040027:51falsefull1391391Megan Polk                  38. Diving Into Your Q&As: How Can I Better Differentiate to Reach All of My Students?Diving Into Your Q&As: How Can I Better Differentiate to Reach All of My Students?Picture this: you are in the middle of a well prepared mini-lesson and it’s going great. When the time comes to start a written response, all of your students get started right away working on the exact same assignment and moving at the exact same pace. Hah! That would be nice, right? The reality is, it’s far more likely that you will have students at all different levels. The solution to this challenge is to differentiate your instruction. But how? 

                   

                  This week’s question comes from Karina! Karina wrote, “I struggle with differentiating. I have some advanced fourth graders and others at a kindergarten level. How can I better differentiate to reach all of my students?”. Do you share Karina’s challenge? Today I’m diving into all things differentiation to give you new ideas and strategies to take back to your classroom.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The very first thing to do when making a differentiation plan

                  -Celebrating each student’s growth throughout the year

                  -4 ways to implement differentiation when your students are grade levels apart

                  -My #1 favorite way to support students

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Reading Graphic Organizers

                  -Reading Response Sentence Stem Anchor Charts

                  -Reading Response Stem Cards Bundle

                  -Reading Response Question Rings

                  -Episode 15, The Power of Sentence Stems

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Instagram: @theliteracydive

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode38

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Picture this: you are in the middle of a well prepared mini-lesson and it’s going great. When the time comes to start a written response, all of your students get started right away working on the exact same assignment and moving at the exact same pace. Hah! That would be nice, right? The reality is, it’s far more likely that you will have students at all different levels. The solution to this challenge is to differentiate your instruction. But how? 

                   

                  This week’s question comes from Karina! Karina wrote, “I struggle with differentiating. I have some advanced fourth graders and others at a kindergarten level. How can I better differentiate to reach all of my students?”. Do you share Karina’s challenge? Today I’m diving into all things differentiation to give you new ideas and strategies to take back to your classroom.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -The very first thing to do when making a differentiation plan

                  -Celebrating each student’s growth throughout the year

                  -4 ways to implement differentiation when your students are grade levels apart

                  -My #1 favorite way to support students

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Reading Graphic Organizers

                  -Reading Response Sentence Stem Anchor Charts

                  -Reading Response Stem Cards Bundle

                  -Reading Response Question Rings

                  -Episode 15, The Power of Sentence Stems

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Instagram: @theliteracydive

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode38

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  580c2615-1f19-442d-9a8b-51f8b5a19fa3Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -040020:31falsefull1381381Megan Polk                  37. Creating a Classroom Community That LOVES Reading with Sara MaryeCreating a Classroom Community That LOVES Reading with Sara MaryeThis episode is extra special because our guest is actually a long time friend of mine! Once upon a time, Sara and I even had classrooms right next door to each other. Tune in to hear how Sara and I first met and became teacher besties!

                   

                  Sara is on the show to talk all about how you can create a classroom community who genuinely loves reading.  This episode will give you the inspiration you need as you intentionally plan for the upcoming school year. Standards and assessments are important, and part of our job, but first we need to determine how we can appeal to our student’s needs and interests when it comes to reading. Sara is going to tell us how!

                   

                  Sara has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. She is now a literacy specialist and the CEO of the Stellar Teacher Company who is passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world grow their students into life long readers. Sara is also the host of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, where she loves to share her favorite literacy tips each week.

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -The idea that you are teaching the reader, not the text

                  -Why students lose their love for reading and how we can we change this

                  -Reading picture books for fun without having an assignment attached to it

                  -Empowering our students to have a reading identity and voice

                  -Ways to increase student independence, buy-in, and engagement

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

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

                  -Genre Anchor Charts, Reading Passages, and Activities Bundle

                  -Reading Response Choice Boards

                  -Episode 23, Using Centers for Upper Elementary Kids

                   

                  Connect with Sara:

                  -stellarteacher.com

                  -Instagram: @thestellarteacher

                  -Stellar Teacher Podcast

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode37

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  This episode is extra special because our guest is actually a long time friend of mine! Once upon a time, Sara and I even had classrooms right next door to each other. Tune in to hear how Sara and I first met and became teacher besties!

                   

                  Sara is on the show to talk all about how you can create a classroom community who genuinely loves reading.  This episode will give you the inspiration you need as you intentionally plan for the upcoming school year. Standards and assessments are important, and part of our job, but first we need to determine how we can appeal to our student’s needs and interests when it comes to reading. Sara is going to tell us how!

                   

                  Sara has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. She is now a literacy specialist and the CEO of the Stellar Teacher Company who is passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world grow their students into life long readers. Sara is also the host of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, where she loves to share her favorite literacy tips each week.

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -The idea that you are teaching the reader, not the text

                  -Why students lose their love for reading and how we can we change this

                  -Reading picture books for fun without having an assignment attached to it

                  -Empowering our students to have a reading identity and voice

                  -Ways to increase student independence, buy-in, and engagement

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

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

                  -Genre Anchor Charts, Reading Passages, and Activities Bundle

                  -Reading Response Choice Boards

                  -Episode 23, Using Centers for Upper Elementary Kids

                   

                  Connect with Sara:

                  -stellarteacher.com

                  -Instagram: @thestellarteacher

                  -Stellar Teacher Podcast

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode37

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  aa2c07c4-74ce-4176-b965-d7126214267dMon, 28 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -040028:36falsefull1371371Sara Marye                  36. Chaos to Calm: How to Take Control of Writing Workshop ft. Jamie SearsChaos to Calm: How to Take Control of Writing Workshop ft. Jamie SearsTeaching writing is tricky to say the least. It can feel very chaotic when our students are each in various places in their writing and all have different needs. On any given day, you may have students who are pages in while others are struggling to write their first sentence. If you are finding it difficult to teach writing, and be excited about it, you are most definitely not alone! My guest today, Jamie Sears, is here to help take the chaos out of writing workshop so that you can feel in control of your classroom again!

                   

                  Jamie Sears is a fun-loving mom of 5 (soon to be 6), wife, entrepreneur, and forever a teacher at heart. After several years in the classroom, her passion to make learning fun and effective for students and teachers alike inspired her to start the Not So Wimpy Teacher. Now she has the honor of serving hundreds of thousands of teachers around the world by providing easy-to-use hands-on resources that help students to love learning and teachers to love teaching.

                   

                  Check out Jamie's Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass!

                   

                  You can connect with Jamie on notsowimpyteacher.com, on IG @notsowimpyteacher, on her YouTube channel [Not So Wimpy Teacher] or by joining one of her grade-level-specific teacher Facebook groups!

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -Components of a super successful writing block

                  -The importance of keeping your mini-lessons MINI

                  -Problems that arise with the traditional writing workshop model

                  -How you can make writing workshop work regardless of how long your writing block is

                  -Simple and creative ways to get our kiddos excited about writing

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode36

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Teaching writing is tricky to say the least. It can feel very chaotic when our students are each in various places in their writing and all have different needs. On any given day, you may have students who are pages in while others are struggling to write their first sentence. If you are finding it difficult to teach writing, and be excited about it, you are most definitely not alone! My guest today, Jamie Sears, is here to help take the chaos out of writing workshop so that you can feel in control of your classroom again!

                   

                  Jamie Sears is a fun-loving mom of 5 (soon to be 6), wife, entrepreneur, and forever a teacher at heart. After several years in the classroom, her passion to make learning fun and effective for students and teachers alike inspired her to start the Not So Wimpy Teacher. Now she has the honor of serving hundreds of thousands of teachers around the world by providing easy-to-use hands-on resources that help students to love learning and teachers to love teaching.

                   

                  Check out Jamie's Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass!

                   

                  You can connect with Jamie on notsowimpyteacher.com, on IG @notsowimpyteacher, on her YouTube channel [Not So Wimpy Teacher] or by joining one of her grade-level-specific teacher Facebook groups!

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -Components of a super successful writing block

                  -The importance of keeping your mini-lessons MINI

                  -Problems that arise with the traditional writing workshop model

                  -How you can make writing workshop work regardless of how long your writing block is

                  -Simple and creative ways to get our kiddos excited about writing

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode36

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  faf2caf7-5f83-4ce3-8752-4a29d5c96bccMon, 21 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -040030:35falsefull1361361Megan Polk                  35. Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Find Enough Time to Teach New or Spiraled Content?Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Find Enough Time to Teach New or Spiraled Content?Teachers, do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time to cover everything that your students are meant to learn throughout the year? Perhaps every time you look at your pacing guide, you think about how unrealistic it appears! I hear you. For quite some time this was me. While teaching, I constantly felt like I was running out of time to teach the required content and do it well. If you have the same concern, this episode is for you.

                   

                  Today we’re diving into the question of “how do you find enough time to teach new or spiraled content? I feel like there is never enough time to actually cover the standards I’m supposed to"! The strategies I share today will hep to decrease your overwhelm so you can feel in control of your literacy block again.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -My favorite tips on teaching reading and writing standards even when you feel crunched for time.

                  -Why you should be revisiting familiar texts and writing prompts

                  -The transformation that takes place when you use the bite-sized approach

                  -The practice of embedding skills into routine work stations

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Episode 23, Using Centers for Upper Elementary Kids

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode35

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Teachers, do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time to cover everything that your students are meant to learn throughout the year? Perhaps every time you look at your pacing guide, you think about how unrealistic it appears! I hear you. For quite some time this was me. While teaching, I constantly felt like I was running out of time to teach the required content and do it well. If you have the same concern, this episode is for you.

                   

                  Today we’re diving into the question of “how do you find enough time to teach new or spiraled content? I feel like there is never enough time to actually cover the standards I’m supposed to"! The strategies I share today will hep to decrease your overwhelm so you can feel in control of your literacy block again.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -My favorite tips on teaching reading and writing standards even when you feel crunched for time.

                  -Why you should be revisiting familiar texts and writing prompts

                  -The transformation that takes place when you use the bite-sized approach

                  -The practice of embedding skills into routine work stations

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Episode 23, Using Centers for Upper Elementary Kids

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode35

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  3d077bd9-2e28-4d3d-83b2-bf77224c2632Mon, 14 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -040011:07falsefull1351351Megan Polk                  34. Diving Into Your Q&As: My Students Never Finish Their Guided Reading Book... HELP!Diving Into Your Q&As: My Students Never Finish Their Guided Reading Book... HELP!Our question today comes from Tina L. Her question is, "My fourth graders have a hard time finishing the book by the end of our session together. What is one thing I can try to help with this?" Oh, how I love this question! This may surprise some of you but I recommend that you do not have your students finish their guided reading book in one sitting (or in some cases, ever at all). Tune in to find out why!

                   

                  While there are some books that you’ll want to finish to support a specific reading strategy, you absolutely do not have to complete every single one! Today's tips will help your students truly enjoy the reading process without the rush and overwhelm.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Why I don’t finish a guided reading book in one sitting

                  -Choosing the best course of action based on student need

                  -What to do if students finish tasks at different times

                  -Giving students the opportunity to abandon a book

                  -Benefits of repeating the same book for multiple sessions

                   

                  Guided Reading Resources:

                  -Guided Reading Question Cards

                  -Reading Response Stem Cards Bundle

                  -Reading Skills and Activities Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode34

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Our question today comes from Tina L. Her question is, "My fourth graders have a hard time finishing the book by the end of our session together. What is one thing I can try to help with this?" Oh, how I love this question! This may surprise some of you but I recommend that you do not have your students finish their guided reading book in one sitting (or in some cases, ever at all). Tune in to find out why!

                   

                  While there are some books that you’ll want to finish to support a specific reading strategy, you absolutely do not have to complete every single one! Today's tips will help your students truly enjoy the reading process without the rush and overwhelm.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Why I don’t finish a guided reading book in one sitting

                  -Choosing the best course of action based on student need

                  -What to do if students finish tasks at different times

                  -Giving students the opportunity to abandon a book

                  -Benefits of repeating the same book for multiple sessions

                   

                  Guided Reading Resources:

                  -Guided Reading Question Cards

                  -Reading Response Stem Cards Bundle

                  -Reading Skills and Activities Bundle

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode34

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  55d467fc-2253-4382-a5ab-3b5c138b1d22Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -040008:01falsefull1341341Megan Polk                  33. Diving Into Your Q&As: What Exactly is Free Choice Friday?Diving Into Your Q&As: What Exactly is Free Choice Friday?Welcome to the second episode in our summer Q&A series! This week we have a question from Marsha T. She asked - Can you give some insight into what free choice Friday entails? Ya’ll. Free Choice Friday is seriously my jam, so I am thrilled to answer this question today!

                   

                  There’s a reason we say T.G.I.F. By the end of the week, you are ready for a much needed break. You’re thinking about closing out the current week while also planning for the next. Friday is about slowing down and catching your breath. It is totally possible to make your Fridays FUN without sacrificing learning time. This is a practice I’ve used in kindergarten, second, and fourth grade, so you can absolutely use Free Choice Friday in ANY grade.

                   

                  Remember, send me a DM on Instagram @missps_style with your question! I’d love to answer it on the podcast!

                   

                  In this episode I share 5 benefits of Implementing Free Choice Friday:

                  1. Student Choice

                  2. Time to allow for catch up work

                  3. Time to review data and pull strategy groups

                  4. It's a way to not start new content before a weekend

                  5. It gives YOU a break from the long week you just had!

                   

                  Resourced mentioned:

                  -Episode 32, Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Set Up Effective Writing Centers?

                  -Small Group Notes Observation Tracker

                  -Reading Skills and Strategies Posters

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode33

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Welcome to the second episode in our summer Q&A series! This week we have a question from Marsha T. She asked - Can you give some insight into what free choice Friday entails? Ya’ll. Free Choice Friday is seriously my jam, so I am thrilled to answer this question today!

                   

                  There’s a reason we say T.G.I.F. By the end of the week, you are ready for a much needed break. You’re thinking about closing out the current week while also planning for the next. Friday is about slowing down and catching your breath. It is totally possible to make your Fridays FUN without sacrificing learning time. This is a practice I’ve used in kindergarten, second, and fourth grade, so you can absolutely use Free Choice Friday in ANY grade.

                   

                  Remember, send me a DM on Instagram @missps_style with your question! I’d love to answer it on the podcast!

                   

                  In this episode I share 5 benefits of Implementing Free Choice Friday:

                  1. Student Choice

                  2. Time to allow for catch up work

                  3. Time to review data and pull strategy groups

                  4. It's a way to not start new content before a weekend

                  5. It gives YOU a break from the long week you just had!

                   

                  Resourced mentioned:

                  -Episode 32, Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Set Up Effective Writing Centers?

                  -Small Group Notes Observation Tracker

                  -Reading Skills and Strategies Posters

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode33

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  2828ea15-fa09-4af1-8d72-a4a6f56d0db2Mon, 31 May 2021 09:00:00 -040012:02falsefull1331331Megan Polk                  32. Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Set Up Effective Writing Centers?Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Set Up Effective Writing Centers?Let’s talk writing centers. Do you use them? If so, do you find them to be effective? Writing centers are such a powerful way to provide students with authentic and engaging writing experiences while also practicing important skills. Better yet, when set up intentionally, your writing center can run on autopilot with very little maintenance!

                   

                  Today I’m answering all of your questions regarding writing centers such as, how do you set them up? How do you keep kids engaged? How do you keep it from looking like a hot mess? It’s not too late to perfect your writing center, even during the final weeks of school!

                   

                  If you have a question that you’d like me to address on a future Q&A episode, send me a message on IG @missps_style!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Tips that will make your writing center a success

                  -Storage ideas for writing center supplies 

                  -My favorite way to display resource materials

                  -What to do if your writing station becomes unorganized or neglected

                  -The importance of reflecting and making necessary changes

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Writing Center Posters & Paper

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Seasonal Literacy Sets

                  -Descriptive Writing Anchor Charts

                  -Writing Reference Helpers

                  -Writing Office

                  -The Literacy Dive Facebook Group

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode32

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Let’s talk writing centers. Do you use them? If so, do you find them to be effective? Writing centers are such a powerful way to provide students with authentic and engaging writing experiences while also practicing important skills. Better yet, when set up intentionally, your writing center can run on autopilot with very little maintenance!

                   

                  Today I’m answering all of your questions regarding writing centers such as, how do you set them up? How do you keep kids engaged? How do you keep it from looking like a hot mess? It’s not too late to perfect your writing center, even during the final weeks of school!

                   

                  If you have a question that you’d like me to address on a future Q&A episode, send me a message on IG @missps_style!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  -Tips that will make your writing center a success

                  -Storage ideas for writing center supplies 

                  -My favorite way to display resource materials

                  -What to do if your writing station becomes unorganized or neglected

                  -The importance of reflecting and making necessary changes

                   

                  Resources mentioned:

                  -Writing Center Posters & Paper

                  -Monthly Writing Prompts

                  -Seasonal Literacy Sets

                  -Descriptive Writing Anchor Charts

                  -Writing Reference Helpers

                  -Writing Office

                  -The Literacy Dive Facebook Group

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode32

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  1e9ba520-a27c-44df-a1c9-ab7f1e1d90c5Mon, 24 May 2021 09:00:00 -040022:33falsefull1321321Megan Polk                  31. Writing Strategies to Support Your ELL Students with Beth VaucherWriting Strategies to Support Your ELL Students with Beth VaucherFor students who are acquiring the English language, writing can be an extremely difficult and intimidating task. Today we’re talking all about how to bring down the fear of failure in ELL students. Our guest, Beth Vaucher, is an expert in this topic. She is sharing so many amazing tips that will help you provide the very best writing instruction not only for your ELLs, but for your whole class. We’ll discuss using tools such as sentence starters, picture prompts, word banks, collaborative journals, and graphic organizers. As Beth says, when we teach with ELLs in mind, all of our students win!

                   

                  Beth Vaucher is passionate about empowering teachers to equip the English language learners in their classrooms.  As a homeroom teacher who is ESL certified, she has been paralyzed by all the demands and lack of support, but she's also broken through the barriers to see ELLs have tremendous success in reaching English fluency and wants to help others do the same thing. She has successfully worked with all levels of ELLs both in the US and Internationally, as well as sold a curriculum created to teach newcomers in over 70 countries worldwide.

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -3 tips for writing with ELLs

                  -Breaking down goals to make tasks more approachable

                  -Simple ways to differentiate writing activities

                  -How to help students who struggle to generate ideas in their writing

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Download your FREE intervention guide at inspiringyounglearners.com

                  -Beth's TpT Store

                  -Instagram: @inspiringyounglearners

                  -ELL Strategy Academy

                  -Writing Office resource

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode31

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  For students who are acquiring the English language, writing can be an extremely difficult and intimidating task. Today we’re talking all about how to bring down the fear of failure in ELL students. Our guest, Beth Vaucher, is an expert in this topic. She is sharing so many amazing tips that will help you provide the very best writing instruction not only for your ELLs, but for your whole class. We’ll discuss using tools such as sentence starters, picture prompts, word banks, collaborative journals, and graphic organizers. As Beth says, when we teach with ELLs in mind, all of our students win!

                   

                  Beth Vaucher is passionate about empowering teachers to equip the English language learners in their classrooms.  As a homeroom teacher who is ESL certified, she has been paralyzed by all the demands and lack of support, but she's also broken through the barriers to see ELLs have tremendous success in reaching English fluency and wants to help others do the same thing. She has successfully worked with all levels of ELLs both in the US and Internationally, as well as sold a curriculum created to teach newcomers in over 70 countries worldwide.

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  -3 tips for writing with ELLs

                  -Breaking down goals to make tasks more approachable

                  -Simple ways to differentiate writing activities

                  -How to help students who struggle to generate ideas in their writing

                   

                  Resources Mentioned:

                  -Download your FREE intervention guide at inspiringyounglearners.com

                  -Beth's TpT Store

                  -Instagram: @inspiringyounglearners

                  -ELL Strategy Academy

                  -Writing Office resource

                  Connect with me:

                  -TpT Store

                  -Join The Literacy Dive Facebook group!

                  -Instagram

                  -Blog

                  -Facebook Page

                  -YouTube

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode31

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  edd2cce8-2aed-4659-b2c3-718e9ffb5cbfMon, 17 May 2021 09:00:00 -040039:01falsefull1311311Megan Polk                  30. Team Up With Parents and Students to Prevent Summer SlideTeam Up With Parents and Students to Prevent Summer SlideTeachers, you’ve almost made it. The end of the year is so close! In all the excitement of summer break, there’s one thing that may cause some lingering concern. Summer slide. You and your students have worked so hard all year long and you know how important it is for them to continue practicing their skills over the summer. Doing so will set them up for success in the upcoming school year.

                   

                  There are many thing you can do to ensure that parents are joining in and helping their child achieve their summer reading goals. Some key things to remember are to make it fun, let the parents know what you have planned, and celebrate what your student’s are doing during their break! I’ll show you how you can team up with your students and their parents before summer break even begins.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Benefits of having individual parent-teacher conferences at the end of the school year

                  • How to continue school year routines over the summer at home

                  • Ways to embed literacy practice in board games and other activities

                  • The importance of discussing summer goals with your student


                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode30

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Teachers, you’ve almost made it. The end of the year is so close! In all the excitement of summer break, there’s one thing that may cause some lingering concern. Summer slide. You and your students have worked so hard all year long and you know how important it is for them to continue practicing their skills over the summer. Doing so will set them up for success in the upcoming school year.

                   

                  There are many thing you can do to ensure that parents are joining in and helping their child achieve their summer reading goals. Some key things to remember are to make it fun, let the parents know what you have planned, and celebrate what your student’s are doing during their break! I’ll show you how you can team up with your students and their parents before summer break even begins.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Benefits of having individual parent-teacher conferences at the end of the school year

                  • How to continue school year routines over the summer at home

                  • Ways to embed literacy practice in board games and other activities

                  • The importance of discussing summer goals with your student


                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode30

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  9bf7f98d-b424-4a3b-9b29-d488e17e2e3aMon, 10 May 2021 09:00:00 -040027:48falsefull1301301Megan Polk                  29. Ways to Stay Motivated When Feeling UnderappreciatedWays to Stay Motivated When Feeling UnderappreciatedLesson planning, parent conferences, endless meetings, and working way beyond contract hours. The job of a teacher is truly never-ending. Feeling underappreciated on top of all of this can really negatively affect your mental state.

                   

                  I’m here to help you find ways to stay motivated, even when feeling a major lack of appreciation. Rather than relying on others for validation of your hard work, it’s time to take control of your own joy! So, happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of you incredible teachers today and every day! I’m always cheering you on.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Actionable tips for staying motivated
                  • How to approach conversations with others when you aren’t feeling appreciated
                  • Fostering self-confidence even when nobody else is giving you the encouragement you crave
                  • Building a workplace culture that prioritizes appreciation

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode29

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Lesson planning, parent conferences, endless meetings, and working way beyond contract hours. The job of a teacher is truly never-ending. Feeling underappreciated on top of all of this can really negatively affect your mental state.

                   

                  I’m here to help you find ways to stay motivated, even when feeling a major lack of appreciation. Rather than relying on others for validation of your hard work, it’s time to take control of your own joy! So, happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of you incredible teachers today and every day! I’m always cheering you on.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Actionable tips for staying motivated
                  • How to approach conversations with others when you aren’t feeling appreciated
                  • Fostering self-confidence even when nobody else is giving you the encouragement you crave
                  • Building a workplace culture that prioritizes appreciation

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode29

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  4d3bfbfb-0a0a-4e27-bee9-da61d06c6e93Mon, 03 May 2021 09:00:00 -040025:00falsefull1291291Megan Polk                  28. 7 Test Prep Ideas for Every Learning Style7 Test Prep Ideas for Every Learning StyleIt’s that time of year again. Test season. Although it seems crazy to continue with testing despite the inconsistent year everyone has had, the show must go on right? This time of year is an important opportunity to fill in the gaps and squeeze in some extra practice. Let’s take a look at how we can best prepare your students while having a little fun too!

                   

                  My number one piece of advice is to avoid overusing traditional test prep, which involves individually reading long passages and answering many questions in one sitting.  These test prep strategies I share today include tips that you can use all throughout the school year. This episode is all about helping you and your students feel confident for the test. You’ve got this!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • How to break up test prep to avoid student burn out
                  • My belief of effort over a high test score
                  • 7 engaging test prep strategies that will accommodate all learning styles
                  • Why you should be incorporating peer collaboration into prep

                  How are you planning to tackle test prep this season? Send me a message on Instagram @missps_style and let me know!

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode28

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  It’s that time of year again. Test season. Although it seems crazy to continue with testing despite the inconsistent year everyone has had, the show must go on right? This time of year is an important opportunity to fill in the gaps and squeeze in some extra practice. Let’s take a look at how we can best prepare your students while having a little fun too!

                   

                  My number one piece of advice is to avoid overusing traditional test prep, which involves individually reading long passages and answering many questions in one sitting.  These test prep strategies I share today include tips that you can use all throughout the school year. This episode is all about helping you and your students feel confident for the test. You’ve got this!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • How to break up test prep to avoid student burn out
                  • My belief of effort over a high test score
                  • 7 engaging test prep strategies that will accommodate all learning styles
                  • Why you should be incorporating peer collaboration into prep

                  How are you planning to tackle test prep this season? Send me a message on Instagram @missps_style and let me know!

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode28

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  3d8c78f7-5bb6-4fde-80d5-8c927784ebc2Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -040020:32falsefull1281281Megan Polk                  27. 6 Strategies to Help Students Craft Engaging Leads and Jaw-Dropping Conclusions6 Strategies to Help Students Craft Engaging Leads and Jaw-Dropping ConclusionsHow many times have you had a student begin a story with “one day” and close with “the end”? Probably more than you can count! Today is the day to finally put an end to the overused leads and conclusions. This episode is all about exposing your students to better leads and conclusions so they can begin incorporating them into their own writing. If you take some time to make leads and endings the focus of your lessons, you will be surprised at how quickly your students' overall writing skills will improve.

                   

                  I have six strategies that will help your students generate attention-grabbing leads and jaw-dropping conclusions in their writing. After listening, just start small. Pick one strategy and give it a try! You can always revisit this episode if you need it. Are you ready to see your students' writing transform before your eyes?

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Specific examples of hooks and conclusions that you can model for your students
                  • How students can work together to craft strong leads and conclusions
                  • Engaging go-to leads that students can always draw from: climactic, the circular lead ending combination, sharing feelings and emotions, and dialogue
                  • Why reworking the beginning of a first draft is so crucial

                  Resources mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode27

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  How many times have you had a student begin a story with “one day” and close with “the end”? Probably more than you can count! Today is the day to finally put an end to the overused leads and conclusions. This episode is all about exposing your students to better leads and conclusions so they can begin incorporating them into their own writing. If you take some time to make leads and endings the focus of your lessons, you will be surprised at how quickly your students' overall writing skills will improve.

                   

                  I have six strategies that will help your students generate attention-grabbing leads and jaw-dropping conclusions in their writing. After listening, just start small. Pick one strategy and give it a try! You can always revisit this episode if you need it. Are you ready to see your students' writing transform before your eyes?

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • Specific examples of hooks and conclusions that you can model for your students
                  • How students can work together to craft strong leads and conclusions
                  • Engaging go-to leads that students can always draw from: climactic, the circular lead ending combination, sharing feelings and emotions, and dialogue
                  • Why reworking the beginning of a first draft is so crucial

                  Resources mentioned:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode27

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  4602b3c3-b18a-4801-a8f3-185b08213f2bMon, 19 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -040023:25falsefull1271271Megan Polk                  26. Inferential Strategies: A Deep Dive with Shane Saeed from Fantastically FourthInferential Strategies: A Deep Dive with Shane Saeed from Fantastically FourthWe have an incredibly fun guest on the show today! It’s Shane Saeed and you may know her over on Instagram as Fantastically Fourth. Shane and I are chatting about all things inferring. Making inferences is something that we do all day long without even realizing it. When it comes to reading comprehension, inferring is one of those very tricky concepts for kids. Luckily, Shane is giving us all sorts of strategies to take back to the classroom. These are simple ways that you can help your students grow their inferencing skills while also having a little fun!

                   

                  Shane Saeed teaches 4th grade in Colorado. She has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Literacy and a Master’s Degree in School Leadership. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on Equity.

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  • Helping our students understand how to make inferences
                  • The importance of building background knowledge and remembering that not everyone's background knowledge is the same
                  • How Shane uses a 3-column chart as a powerful strategy for isolating skills
                  • Tying inferring into writing using the “show don’t tell” strategy

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with Shane:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode26

                  ]]>                  We have an incredibly fun guest on the show today! It’s Shane Saeed and you may know her over on Instagram as Fantastically Fourth. Shane and I are chatting about all things inferring. Making inferences is something that we do all day long without even realizing it. When it comes to reading comprehension, inferring is one of those very tricky concepts for kids. Luckily, Shane is giving us all sorts of strategies to take back to the classroom. These are simple ways that you can help your students grow their inferencing skills while also having a little fun!

                   

                  Shane Saeed teaches 4th grade in Colorado. She has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Literacy and a Master’s Degree in School Leadership. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on Equity.

                   

                  In this episode we discuss:

                  • Helping our students understand how to make inferences
                  • The importance of building background knowledge and remembering that not everyone's background knowledge is the same
                  • How Shane uses a 3-column chart as a powerful strategy for isolating skills
                  • Tying inferring into writing using the “show don’t tell” strategy

                  Resources Mentioned:


                  Connect with Shane:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode26

                  ]]>                  02de85ab-26fb-4bf2-b540-25e43e0d615eMon, 12 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -040031:40falsefull1261261Megan Polk                  25. 5 Tips for Teaching Poetry5 Tips for Teaching PoetryApril is National Poetry Month and I am here for it! Poetry is something that is not typically embedded in the curriculum all year long, yet exploring poetry with your class provides numerous learning opportunities. It opens the door to new reading and writing experiences that your students may have not tried out before. The more exposure that you and your students have to poetry, the better. If you feel like teaching poetry is scary, it doesn’t have to be!

                   

                  As you may be able to tell, I love poetry so much! Through my experiences I have found that giving my students intentional exposure to poetry helped so much when it came to state testing. While test prep is always a good thing, there are many other benefits as well. Poetry is meant to be creative and exploratory, so have a little fun with it!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 5 simple tips for teaching poetry
                  • The many benefits of teaching poetry
                  • Various ways you can incorporate poetry in your classroom daily
                  • Suggestions of famous poets to explore
                  • Key features of poetry to teach such as metaphors, similes, line breaks, and repetition
                  • My favorite common forms of poetry 

                  Resources mentioned in the episode:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode25

                  ]]>                  April is National Poetry Month and I am here for it! Poetry is something that is not typically embedded in the curriculum all year long, yet exploring poetry with your class provides numerous learning opportunities. It opens the door to new reading and writing experiences that your students may have not tried out before. The more exposure that you and your students have to poetry, the better. If you feel like teaching poetry is scary, it doesn’t have to be!

                   

                  As you may be able to tell, I love poetry so much! Through my experiences I have found that giving my students intentional exposure to poetry helped so much when it came to state testing. While test prep is always a good thing, there are many other benefits as well. Poetry is meant to be creative and exploratory, so have a little fun with it!

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 5 simple tips for teaching poetry
                  • The many benefits of teaching poetry
                  • Various ways you can incorporate poetry in your classroom daily
                  • Suggestions of famous poets to explore
                  • Key features of poetry to teach such as metaphors, similes, line breaks, and repetition
                  • My favorite common forms of poetry 

                  Resources mentioned in the episode:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode25

                  ]]>                  56246628-69eb-4c1a-9690-9f82055fdb91Mon, 05 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -040014:18falsefull1251251Megan Polk                  24. Six Ways to Teach Visualization to ReadersSix Ways to Teach Visualization to ReadersToday we’re taking a deep dive into one of my favorite reading comprehension strategies…visualization. It seems so simple, yet it’s one that kids tend to really get stuck on! I believe that learning the skill of visualization can also help strengthen other challenging reading comprehension strategies such as inferring, predicting, and summarizing.

                   

                  Essentially, visualizing is creating pictures in our head based on the text that we read or the words that we hear. However, it’s not just about seeing one single mental picture. We want our students to constantly be tweaking and adding to their mental images. I like to think about it like a movie we create in our heads. No matter if you’re teaching fiction or nonfiction, there are various things you can do to help bring visualization to life for your students and increase their comprehension as a result.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 6 visualization strategies that you can get up and running in no time
                  • How to use each visualization technique with your students
                  • Why drawing from all 5 senses and each student’s unique personal experiences will help with visualization
                  • Creating a visualization station in your classroom
                  • Specific book title recommendations for teaching this skill

                  Resources mentioned in the episode:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode24

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much...]]>Today we’re taking a deep dive into one of my favorite reading comprehension strategies…visualization. It seems so simple, yet it’s one that kids tend to really get stuck on! I believe that learning the skill of visualization can also help strengthen other challenging reading comprehension strategies such as inferring, predicting, and summarizing.

                   

                  Essentially, visualizing is creating pictures in our head based on the text that we read or the words that we hear. However, it’s not just about seeing one single mental picture. We want our students to constantly be tweaking and adding to their mental images. I like to think about it like a movie we create in our heads. No matter if you’re teaching fiction or nonfiction, there are various things you can do to help bring visualization to life for your students and increase their comprehension as a result.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 6 visualization strategies that you can get up and running in no time
                  • How to use each visualization technique with your students
                  • Why drawing from all 5 senses and each student’s unique personal experiences will help with visualization
                  • Creating a visualization station in your classroom
                  • Specific book title recommendations for teaching this skill

                  Resources mentioned in the episode:


                  Connect with me:


                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode24

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>e5ef1af4-e989-437e-ab49-95a51bb93740Mon, 29 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -040022:33falsefull1241241Megan Polk                  23. Using Centers for Upper Elementary KidsUsing Centers for Upper Elementary KidsWhen you think of literacy stations, what do you envision? It's likely that you picture a kindergarten, first, or second grade classroom. However, it's so impactful to use centers for your big kids too! I learned this after making the jump from teaching kindergarten to fourth grade.

                   

                  By the end of this episode, I know that you'll be able to see the value in working centers into your daily routine for third-fifth grade. Not only do centers give you time to work in small groups or one-on-one with students, but they also help build independence. After some up-front modeling and planning, centers act as a great time to practice new skills and revisit past ones.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 4 reasons why I love using centers with upper elementary students
                  • How to select the activities for each of your centers
                  • Getting your students' opinions on what is found in the centers
                  • Tips on making centers engaging for students
                  • Examples of ways you can make your centers evergreen and no-prep
                  • Managing your centers with ease

                   

                  Resources from this episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode23

                   

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  When you think of literacy stations, what do you envision? It's likely that you picture a kindergarten, first, or second grade classroom. However, it's so impactful to use centers for your big kids too! I learned this after making the jump from teaching kindergarten to fourth grade.

                   

                  By the end of this episode, I know that you'll be able to see the value in working centers into your daily routine for third-fifth grade. Not only do centers give you time to work in small groups or one-on-one with students, but they also help build independence. After some up-front modeling and planning, centers act as a great time to practice new skills and revisit past ones.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • 4 reasons why I love using centers with upper elementary students
                  • How to select the activities for each of your centers
                  • Getting your students' opinions on what is found in the centers
                  • Tips on making centers engaging for students
                  • Examples of ways you can make your centers evergreen and no-prep
                  • Managing your centers with ease

                   

                  Resources from this episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode23

                   

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  cecef897-c0bb-4fee-b092-c5134753ede1Mon, 22 Mar 2021 10:30:00 -040029:09falsefull1231231Megan Polk                  22. "Write Long" - A Reading Response Strategy"Write Long" - A Reading Response StrategyGetting students to write can often feel like pulling teeth. Can you relate? It doesn't have to be that way! Sometimes it just takes bringing some new ideas to the table, and I'm here to help. 

                   

                  Have you ever heard of the phrase "writing long"? Essentially it is when you turn a short idea or response into a longer well-developed reading response paragraph. I'm showing you how to implement this strategy with your students. It is an actionable practice that you can begin in your classroom right away! The best thing about this strategy is that it is beneficial for all students, whether they are below, on, or above grade level.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • What writing long is and how to use it starting with a general sticky note response
                  • 4 reasons why I love having students write long
                  • When it's best to implement this strategy
                  • How to make writing long a very low-prep activity
                  • Using write long reading responses as assessment data

                   

                  Resources from the episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode22

                   

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Getting students to write can often feel like pulling teeth. Can you relate? It doesn't have to be that way! Sometimes it just takes bringing some new ideas to the table, and I'm here to help. 

                   

                  Have you ever heard of the phrase "writing long"? Essentially it is when you turn a short idea or response into a longer well-developed reading response paragraph. I'm showing you how to implement this strategy with your students. It is an actionable practice that you can begin in your classroom right away! The best thing about this strategy is that it is beneficial for all students, whether they are below, on, or above grade level.

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • What writing long is and how to use it starting with a general sticky note response
                  • 4 reasons why I love having students write long
                  • When it's best to implement this strategy
                  • How to make writing long a very low-prep activity
                  • Using write long reading responses as assessment data

                   

                  Resources from the episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode22

                   

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  9b517716-d48d-4809-a0e1-582286444a49Mon, 15 Mar 2021 10:30:00 -040015:26falsefull1221221Megan Polk                  21. 4 Ways to Repurpose Sticky Note Reading Responses4 Ways to Repurpose Sticky Note Reading ResponsesIn case you don't already know, I have a major sticky note addiction. Seriously, I use them for everything! I get asked all the time, "what in the world do you do with all those sticky notes?!". To be honest, there was a time when I would just toss them in the trash can, but not anymore! Now I have several favorite ways to repurpose sticky notes to help document authentic student work.

                   

                  Sticky notes are my favorite teacher tool because they can be used in small group and whole group lessons. They can also be used during independent work, and the kids love them! They don't find them intimidating to write on because of their small size. There is so much you can do beyond just basic writing on a sticky note. Before you think about throwing yours away, try these tips. 

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • The 4 ways I love using sticky notes the most
                  • Why anchor charts with student examples should be utilized more
                  • How to use sticky notes for informal observation and assessment
                  • My favorite teacher hack for printing sticky note templates when you're short on time

                   

                  Resources mentioned in this episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode21

                   

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  In case you don't already know, I have a major sticky note addiction. Seriously, I use them for everything! I get asked all the time, "what in the world do you do with all those sticky notes?!". To be honest, there was a time when I would just toss them in the trash can, but not anymore! Now I have several favorite ways to repurpose sticky notes to help document authentic student work.

                   

                  Sticky notes are my favorite teacher tool because they can be used in small group and whole group lessons. They can also be used during independent work, and the kids love them! They don't find them intimidating to write on because of their small size. There is so much you can do beyond just basic writing on a sticky note. Before you think about throwing yours away, try these tips. 

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • The 4 ways I love using sticky notes the most
                  • Why anchor charts with student examples should be utilized more
                  • How to use sticky notes for informal observation and assessment
                  • My favorite teacher hack for printing sticky note templates when you're short on time

                   

                  Resources mentioned in this episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode21

                   

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  66100f57-306a-4113-a42b-1510a3b23a8dMon, 08 Mar 2021 11:30:00 -040016:05falsefull1211211Megan Polk                  20. Using “Think Marks” to Guide Student Reading ResponsesUsing “Think Marks” to Guide Student Reading ResponsesHaving your students write about their reading is something that should be happening every single day! It gives them practice to develop their writing skills and helps build thoughtful reflection while reading. If you're feeling like you've run out of ways to motivate your students to write about their reading, I have a great tool for you that you can implement today!

                   

                  My secret is a chart called the "think marks anchor chart". Teachers, this is the solution to getting even your most reluctant writers to think and write about what they are reading! And guess what? All you need is chart paper, sticky notes, and a pencil! 

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • What think marks are and how to link them to questioning
                  • How to make a think marks anchor chart that is right for your students
                  • 8 quick tips for using the think marks chart in your classroom
                  • The benefits of using visuals during literacy instruction
                  • The process of creating symbols to connect to each student response type

                   

                  Resources from this episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode20

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Having your students write about their reading is something that should be happening every single day! It gives them practice to develop their writing skills and helps build thoughtful reflection while reading. If you're feeling like you've run out of ways to motivate your students to write about their reading, I have a great tool for you that you can implement today!

                   

                  My secret is a chart called the "think marks anchor chart". Teachers, this is the solution to getting even your most reluctant writers to think and write about what they are reading! And guess what? All you need is chart paper, sticky notes, and a pencil! 

                   

                  In this episode I share:

                  • What think marks are and how to link them to questioning
                  • How to make a think marks anchor chart that is right for your students
                  • 8 quick tips for using the think marks chart in your classroom
                  • The benefits of using visuals during literacy instruction
                  • The process of creating symbols to connect to each student response type

                   

                  Resources from this episode:


                   

                  Connect with me:


                   

                  For full show notes, head to misspsstyle.com/podcast-episode20

                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  3a84ea53-f943-4433-851a-5ef8d8f72516Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:30:00 -040015:43falsefull1201201Megan Polk                  19. The 5 Parts to Writing a Complete SentenceThe 5 Parts to Writing a Complete SentenceHow many of your students still struggle with writing complete sentences? I know I have experienced this in my classroom year after year. Today, I am sharing the 5 necessary parts to a complete sentence. I will share a breakdown of how I have found success with teaching each part and ways I implement several opportunities for sentence writing practice in the classroom setting.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Determine whether sentence writing is a whole group or small group concern
                  • Explain that a complete sentence, at minimum, should include a subject, a verb, and an object or thought (when the verb and object/thought are joined together, it becomes the predicate)
                  • Explain that a sentence must have a capital letter and an end mark
                  • Begin with teaching basic sentence structures; more complex sentences can be explored once your students display they are ready
                  • When sharing the 5 parts upfront, it becomes a lot to digest; separating the structure from the grammatical components will help with sentence retention
                  • You can embed these moments for sentence practice in/during
                    • Morning Meeting
                    • Writing Workshop warm-ups
                    • Writing Center/Literacy Workstations
                    • Exit Tickets
                    • Responding to Reading

                  • Be intentional and allow for plenty of practice each day
                  • Learn easy-to-implement ideas and ways to create opportunities for your students

                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  How many of your students still struggle with writing complete sentences? I know I have experienced this in my classroom year after year. Today, I am sharing the 5 necessary parts to a complete sentence. I will share a breakdown of how I have found success with teaching each part and ways I implement several opportunities for sentence writing practice in the classroom setting.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Determine whether sentence writing is a whole group or small group concern
                  • Explain that a complete sentence, at minimum, should include a subject, a verb, and an object or thought (when the verb and object/thought are joined together, it becomes the predicate)
                  • Explain that a sentence must have a capital letter and an end mark
                  • Begin with teaching basic sentence structures; more complex sentences can be explored once your students display they are ready
                  • When sharing the 5 parts upfront, it becomes a lot to digest; separating the structure from the grammatical components will help with sentence retention
                  • You can embed these moments for sentence practice in/during
                    • Morning Meeting
                    • Writing Workshop warm-ups
                    • Writing Center/Literacy Workstations
                    • Exit Tickets
                    • Responding to Reading

                  • Be intentional and allow for plenty of practice each day
                  • Learn easy-to-implement ideas and ways to create opportunities for your students

                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  3edca181-07ad-4c35-ba9f-df4dd9bb3c12Mon, 22 Feb 2021 11:30:00 -040021:45falsefull1191191Megan Polk                  18. Paragraph Writing 101Paragraph Writing 101Paragraph writing can be hard, but it can be easier! A major part of the battle is that our students just don't understand how a paragraph works. If you are ready to make that a thing of the past, today's episode is for you! I am going to share 4 components to paragraph writing that will have your students writing clear, focused paragraphs in no time!

                  Episode highlights:

                  • A paragraph is a group of sentences that are organized around a central idea or topic
                  • A basic paragraph structure usually is comprised of 5-6 sentences: a topic sentence, 3-4 supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence
                  • 4 components of a paragraph: unity, order, coherence, and completeness
                  • Unity - a paragraph needs only one topic sentence
                  • Order - main focus on organization
                  • Coherence - main focus on the quality of writing with the use of transition words
                  • Completeness - the celebration of a well-developed paragraph and the focus is on the concluding sentence to make it complete
                  • Tip #1 - Allow students to write about what they like and know
                  • Tip #2 - Do not focus on an entire essay
                  • Tip #3 - Partner practice
                  • Tip #4 - Provide paragraph stems for student reference

                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Paragraph writing can be hard, but it can be easier! A major part of the battle is that our students just don't understand how a paragraph works. If you are ready to make that a thing of the past, today's episode is for you! I am going to share 4 components to paragraph writing that will have your students writing clear, focused paragraphs in no time!

                  Episode highlights:

                  • A paragraph is a group of sentences that are organized around a central idea or topic
                  • A basic paragraph structure usually is comprised of 5-6 sentences: a topic sentence, 3-4 supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence
                  • 4 components of a paragraph: unity, order, coherence, and completeness
                  • Unity - a paragraph needs only one topic sentence
                  • Order - main focus on organization
                  • Coherence - main focus on the quality of writing with the use of transition words
                  • Completeness - the celebration of a well-developed paragraph and the focus is on the concluding sentence to make it complete
                  • Tip #1 - Allow students to write about what they like and know
                  • Tip #2 - Do not focus on an entire essay
                  • Tip #3 - Partner practice
                  • Tip #4 - Provide paragraph stems for student reference

                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  62f82651-7027-4e80-b101-6f3483c761daMon, 15 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -040017:38falsefull1181181Megan Polk                  17. Tips and Ideas for Teaching Black HistoryTips and Ideas for Teaching Black HistoryBlack History is celebrated this month, but I have been one to celebrate Black and diverse history all year long. This episode will support teachers who are wanting to implement African American history into their classrooms whether it's their first year or tenth year. You will gain helpful reminders when navigating your conversations about Black influential individuals with students, as well as activities that can be easily implemented throughout this month and beyond.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Black History Month is celebrated in February but is encouraged to be taught year-round
                  • It is the duty of teachers to help fill in the gaps that are left out of textbooks and omitted from curriculum standards
                  • 3 helpful reminders when discussing Black history with students
                  • 5 ways to implement Black history in the classroom - activities you can get up and running today!

                  Links referenced:


                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  Black History is celebrated this month, but I have been one to celebrate Black and diverse history all year long. This episode will support teachers who are wanting to implement African American history into their classrooms whether it's their first year or tenth year. You will gain helpful reminders when navigating your conversations about Black influential individuals with students, as well as activities that can be easily implemented throughout this month and beyond.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Black History Month is celebrated in February but is encouraged to be taught year-round
                  • It is the duty of teachers to help fill in the gaps that are left out of textbooks and omitted from curriculum standards
                  • 3 helpful reminders when discussing Black history with students
                  • 5 ways to implement Black history in the classroom - activities you can get up and running today!

                  Links referenced:


                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  a97c90fd-592a-4ec7-8485-6d6f2c33bbfcMon, 08 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -040020:47falsefull1171171Megan Polk                  16. Why I Use Daily Writing PromptsWhy I Use Daily Writing PromptsThere are many benefits to having students write daily in the classroom. When I say "writing daily", I mean an intentional moment for writing. While I find opportunities to insert writing during every guided reading group, not all students are present during that small group time. Today, I will be diving into why I started implementing daily writing prompts into my classroom and the many positives of using them! I chat about how to help students understand what writing prompts are asking, what to do with writing prompts, when to incorporate them, and other helpful tips to get them up and running in your daily schedules.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Writing prompts provide topic ideas or starting points for original writing to follow
                  • The purpose of a writing prompt is to invite  students to think and develop a perspective about a topic... then students will write about it
                  • Ask these 4 questions about the prompt before releasing students to write
                  • The process of implementing writing prompts for maximum impact and effectiveness
                  • Writing prompts are great to show the writing process, foundations, and fundamentals of writing
                  • Learn 7 ways to incorporate writing prompts into your schedule
                  • Ultimate Benefits: Writing prompts take the guesswork out of daily planning and ensure there are fresh ideas available each day for students; the prompts allow for student choice in a stress-free. non-threatening environment; they spark interest specifically when connected to National Days; daily writing prompts allow for a variety of genres to be spiraled consistently

                  Links referenced:


                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  There are many benefits to having students write daily in the classroom. When I say "writing daily", I mean an intentional moment for writing. While I find opportunities to insert writing during every guided reading group, not all students are present during that small group time. Today, I will be diving into why I started implementing daily writing prompts into my classroom and the many positives of using them! I chat about how to help students understand what writing prompts are asking, what to do with writing prompts, when to incorporate them, and other helpful tips to get them up and running in your daily schedules.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Writing prompts provide topic ideas or starting points for original writing to follow
                  • The purpose of a writing prompt is to invite  students to think and develop a perspective about a topic... then students will write about it
                  • Ask these 4 questions about the prompt before releasing students to write
                  • The process of implementing writing prompts for maximum impact and effectiveness
                  • Writing prompts are great to show the writing process, foundations, and fundamentals of writing
                  • Learn 7 ways to incorporate writing prompts into your schedule
                  • Ultimate Benefits: Writing prompts take the guesswork out of daily planning and ensure there are fresh ideas available each day for students; the prompts allow for student choice in a stress-free. non-threatening environment; they spark interest specifically when connected to National Days; daily writing prompts allow for a variety of genres to be spiraled consistently

                  Links referenced:


                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a helpful review! It is much appreciated and thank you for listening!

                  ]]>                  cec392d3-5187-4cb7-9e26-c387401c7c4bMon, 01 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -040029:08falsefull1161161Megan Polk                  15. The Power of Sentence StemsThe Power of Sentence StemsThere is an art to implementing sentence stems intentionally in the classroom. Without proper explanation, modeling, and practice, sentence stems lost their effectiveness. I have found increased student achievement when using sentence stems, more specifically for reading responses. This episode unpacks my process for using the stems and explains how they are tools to boost, versus hinder, student ability.

                  Episode highlights:

                  • Sentence stems are a learning scaffold that helps students respond orally and through writing using complete sentences
                  • Sentence stems reduce pressure on students
                  • Sentence stems support students who need more time to formulate thoughts and responses
                  • Sentence stems improve student writing and sentence structure
                  • Teachers can use sentence stems to structure meaningful conversations, activate prior knowledge, respond to a question, reinforce key details, clarify information, use new vocabulary, summarize information, respond to peer discussion, and to work through a problem - modeling and using sentence stems help students greatly
                  • There is a process for incorporating sentence stems in the classroom: C.M.P.R. (Create, Model, Practice, Review)
                  • Sentence stems support student learning by using them as a resource, using them as a practice, and using intentional questioning to prompt the need for sentence stems in the response
                  • Sentence stems improve student language proficiency which results in improved writing and overall communication
                  • Sentence stems promote higher order thinking skills

                  Links referenced:


                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe to the show! Rating and leaving a review is appreciated!

                  ]]>                  There is an art to implementing sentence stems intentionally in the classroom. Without proper explanation, modeling, and practice, sentence stems lost their effectiveness. I have found increased student achievement when using sentence stems, more specifically for reading responses. This episode unpacks my process for using the stems and explains how they are tools to boost, versus hinder, student ability.

                  Episode highlights:

                  • Sentence stems are a learning scaffold that helps students respond orally and through writing using complete sentences
                  • Sentence stems reduce pressure on students
                  • Sentence stems support students who need more time to formulate thoughts and responses
                  • Sentence stems improve student writing and sentence structure
                  • Teachers can use sentence stems to structure meaningful conversations, activate prior knowledge, respond to a question, reinforce key details, clarify information, use new vocabulary, summarize information, respond to peer discussion, and to work through a problem - modeling and using sentence stems help students greatly
                  • There is a process for incorporating sentence stems in the classroom: C.M.P.R. (Create, Model, Practice, Review)
                  • Sentence stems support student learning by using them as a resource, using them as a practice, and using intentional questioning to prompt the need for sentence stems in the response
                  • Sentence stems improve student language proficiency which results in improved writing and overall communication
                  • Sentence stems promote higher order thinking skills

                  Links referenced:


                  Connect with Megan on social media:


                  If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe to the show! Rating and leaving a review is appreciated!

                  ]]>                  e67a3cda-8d04-4e73-9847-d573696c7f7aMon, 25 Jan 2021 11:00:00 -040026:15falsefull1151151Megan Polk                  14. Teaching Small Groups (Virtually) with Raffaella De MartinisTeaching Small Groups (Virtually) with Raffaella De MartinisTeaching small groups can be tricky, however, teaching small groups through distance learning can pose a whole new set of challenges. On today’s episode, I am chatting with a 3rd grade teacher from New Jersey who went into distance learning at the start of the pandemic (March 2020) and still has not returned to teaching in-person (now January 2021). Raffaella De Martinis will share her strategies and tips for keeping reading and writing small groups going, especially in a virtual setting. Her methods, words of encouragement, and simplicity are golden! I will also share my fangirl moment here by adding that Raffaella taught Jennifer Serravallo’s daughter and has a mention in one of her books! So cool! I hope you enjoy this informative chat with my literacy friend!

                  Here are the questions asked in this interview:

                  • What one word describes your school year so far?
                  • How do you create small groups?
                  • How do you know what you are going to teach in your small groups each day?
                  • How do you check in with your small groups?
                  • How do you track data?
                  • Are there any other tips to share regarding small groups?
                  • Do you have any words of encouragement for teachers to find confidence and success with finishing the school year strong?

                   

                  Ways to get connected with Raffaella:


                   

                  Resources mentioned in this episode by Raffaella:


                   

                  Connect with Megan on social media:

                  • TpT Store
                  • Instagram
                  • Teaching small groups can be tricky, however, teaching small groups through distance learning can pose a whole new set of challenges. On today’s episode, I am chatting with a 3rd grade teacher from New Jersey who went into distance learning at the start of the pandemic (March 2020) and still has not returned to teaching in-person (now January 2021). Raffaella De Martinis will share her strategies and tips for keeping reading and writing small groups going, especially in a virtual setting. Her methods, words of encouragement, and simplicity are golden! I will also share my fangirl moment here by adding that Raffaella taught Jennifer Serravallo’s daughter and has a mention in one of her books! So cool! I hope you enjoy this informative chat with my literacy friend!

                    Here are the questions asked in this interview:

                    • What one word describes your school year so far?
                    • How do you create small groups?
                    • How do you know what you are going to teach in your small groups each day?
                    • How do you check in with your small groups?
                    • How do you track data?
                    • Are there any other tips to share regarding small groups?
                    • Do you have any words of encouragement for teachers to find confidence and success with finishing the school year strong?

                     

                    Ways to get connected with Raffaella:


                     

                    Resources mentioned in this episode by Raffaella:


                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a helpful review! Thank you for listening!

                    ]]>ead1fcde-8f73-45dc-8a62-e70c8362a422Mon, 18 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -040046:06falsefull1141141Megan Polk13. 11 Ideas to Spice Up Your Writing Time11 Ideas to Spice Up Your Writing TimeReturning back to school after a break takes some easing into. In this episode, learn 11 ways to make your writing block fresh and more engaging! These ideas will for sure spice up your writing time and keep your students having fun! Spiral these ideas throughout the year to gain a boost in your day!

                    The 11 ways to increase engagement during your writing block are:

                    Idea #1: Writing Materials

                    Idea #2: Student DJ

                    Idea #3: Flexible Seating Options

                    Idea #4: Writing Outdoors

                    Idea #5: Writer of the Week

                    Idea #6: Quick Writes

                    Idea #7: Free Write

                    Idea #8: Writing Choice Boards

                    Idea #9: Partner Writing

                    Idea #10: Classroom Book

                    Idea #11: Publishing Party

                    Links mentioned:


                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    Returning back to school after a break takes some easing into. In this episode, learn 11 ways to make your writing block fresh and more engaging! These ideas will for sure spice up your writing time and keep your students having fun! Spiral these ideas throughout the year to gain a boost in your day!

                    The 11 ways to increase engagement during your writing block are:

                    Idea #1: Writing Materials

                    Idea #2: Student DJ

                    Idea #3: Flexible Seating Options

                    Idea #4: Writing Outdoors

                    Idea #5: Writer of the Week

                    Idea #6: Quick Writes

                    Idea #7: Free Write

                    Idea #8: Writing Choice Boards

                    Idea #9: Partner Writing

                    Idea #10: Classroom Book

                    Idea #11: Publishing Party

                    Links mentioned:


                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    6545039f-d03e-49f1-b7da-acf07f1c6d8aMon, 11 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -040019:44falsefull1131131Megan Polk                    12. Become an Effective Writing TeacherBecome an Effective Writing TeacherIt’s a new year and time for reflection as a writing teacher! In today’s episode, I will be diving into a few writing tips to make you a more effective teacher which will make your students stronger, as well. It is important to practice what you preach. How many times has a student called your bluff? Not following through definitely impacts the effectiveness of your processes.

                     

                    Tip 1: Show Up Everyday Excited and Enthused

                    Show up excited and enthused… even if you aren’t. Make writing time exciting - make it a BIG DEAL! There is power to your excitement; your students will feel your energy. 

                     

                    Tip 2: Take Your Time and Model All Key Parts

                    Authors do not write their entire book in 15 minutes and say, “I’m done!” Students do not know the life of an author and what the process they go through looks like. As the teacher, you must show your students what this looks like. Your modeling is vital and so important. 

                     

                    Tip 3: Be Consistent With Your Routines and Expectations

                    Whatever you expect your students to do, you are responsible for showing them how to do it. If there are certain steps or routines you want them to follow, consistency and showing the steps are necessary. Make it a habit. When you do not show up consistently or create a writing routine, students will lose their motivation and ability to perform and give their all.

                     

                    Tip 4: Lower Your Expectations

                    Teachers really have to start lowering their expectations at what they want their students to do. This does not mean having zero expectations. So often, teachers want student writing to be fluid and matching that of an adult. It is important to focus on the growth piece and not perfectionism. You must keep in mind that your students are still very much in their early stages of being a writer. Celebrate growth, move slowly, and allow the process to happen at your students’ pace.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    It’s a new year and time for reflection as a writing teacher! In today’s episode, I will be diving into a few writing tips to make you a more effective teacher which will make your students stronger, as well. It is important to practice what you preach. How many times has a student called your bluff? Not following through definitely impacts the effectiveness of your processes.

                     

                    Tip 1: Show Up Everyday Excited and Enthused

                    Show up excited and enthused… even if you aren’t. Make writing time exciting - make it a BIG DEAL! There is power to your excitement; your students will feel your energy. 

                     

                    Tip 2: Take Your Time and Model All Key Parts

                    Authors do not write their entire book in 15 minutes and say, “I’m done!” Students do not know the life of an author and what the process they go through looks like. As the teacher, you must show your students what this looks like. Your modeling is vital and so important. 

                     

                    Tip 3: Be Consistent With Your Routines and Expectations

                    Whatever you expect your students to do, you are responsible for showing them how to do it. If there are certain steps or routines you want them to follow, consistency and showing the steps are necessary. Make it a habit. When you do not show up consistently or create a writing routine, students will lose their motivation and ability to perform and give their all.

                     

                    Tip 4: Lower Your Expectations

                    Teachers really have to start lowering their expectations at what they want their students to do. This does not mean having zero expectations. So often, teachers want student writing to be fluid and matching that of an adult. It is important to focus on the growth piece and not perfectionism. You must keep in mind that your students are still very much in their early stages of being a writer. Celebrate growth, move slowly, and allow the process to happen at your students’ pace.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    1c49dd65-4942-487f-a98b-08a722b408c5Mon, 04 Jan 2021 12:55:43 -040020:32falsefull1121121Megan Polk                    11. My 2020 Wrap UpMy 2020 Wrap UpIn this final episode of 2020, I am sharing a few of my reflections from 2020. Despite 2020 being a tough and hard year, so much good has happened during this year and I will share some of the positives with you! I started from January and reflected all the way to December and wrote down great things that happened - I challenge you to do this same practice prior to 2021!

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe to the show! Rating and leaving a review is appreciated!

                    ]]>                    In this final episode of 2020, I am sharing a few of my reflections from 2020. Despite 2020 being a tough and hard year, so much good has happened during this year and I will share some of the positives with you! I started from January and reflected all the way to December and wrote down great things that happened - I challenge you to do this same practice prior to 2021!

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive Podcast, please subscribe to the show! Rating and leaving a review is appreciated!

                    ]]>                    91b28e41-09fa-4c9b-9c47-db803fd2b5e3Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:55:38 -040012:17falsefull1111111Megan Polk                    10. 4 Myths About Reading4 Myths About ReadingThis episode is all about unpacking some common myths and untruths about reading. While there are so many false beliefs when it comes to students and reading, I am only going to take a little bit of time to address four of them. These insights will increase awareness and will provide a fresh outlook on what is best for students.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    I will be sharing some truths to consider when it comes to these 4 myths,

                    • Myth #1: Children have to read the entire book that they are given.
                    • Myth #2: The faster a child reads, the better they are at reading.
                    • Myth #3: Reading comes naturally to kids and is a natural process.
                    • Myth #4: If my student receives intervention, they are getting what they need so I do not need to work with them in the classroom.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    This episode is all about unpacking some common myths and untruths about reading. While there are so many false beliefs when it comes to students and reading, I am only going to take a little bit of time to address four of them. These insights will increase awareness and will provide a fresh outlook on what is best for students.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    I will be sharing some truths to consider when it comes to these 4 myths,

                    • Myth #1: Children have to read the entire book that they are given.
                    • Myth #2: The faster a child reads, the better they are at reading.
                    • Myth #3: Reading comes naturally to kids and is a natural process.
                    • Myth #4: If my student receives intervention, they are getting what they need so I do not need to work with them in the classroom.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    5dd93e61-fdda-4e87-80cc-444b8fc805b7Mon, 14 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -040017:17falsefull1101101Megan Polk                    9. Using Quick Writes to Strengthen Student WritingUsing Quick Writes to Strengthen Student WritingAre your students reluctant to write? Is student interest in writing at 0%? We are going to turn that around! In today’s episode, I am going to share how to use Quick Writes with students and the many benefits that come along with implementing them. Listen and learn about this easy-to-implement Quick Write strategy!

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Quick Writes are great for building fluency and voice, writing spontaneously, allowing students to write freely in a stress-free environment, and reinforcing specific writing skills without students even knowing it!
                    • Quick Writes should only take 1, 3, or 5 minutes to complete
                    • Students have control of what genre they choose to write
                    • It is important to write along with your students
                    • Quick Writes will motivate students to write and will keep them intrigued

                    Steps:

                    1. Get students in a writing posture
                    2. Call out one or two words
                    3. Set the timer for 1, 3, or 5 minutes
                    4. Students will write to the “prompt” until time is up
                    5. Students will share their writing aloud

                    Extension:

                    • Allow students to submit one or two words for the prompts
                    • Allow students to take the Quick Write through the writing process
                    • Tie in current writing skills and hold students accountable to applying them to their Quick Write
                    • Encourage parents to try this at home

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    Are your students reluctant to write? Is student interest in writing at 0%? We are going to turn that around! In today’s episode, I am going to share how to use Quick Writes with students and the many benefits that come along with implementing them. Listen and learn about this easy-to-implement Quick Write strategy!

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Quick Writes are great for building fluency and voice, writing spontaneously, allowing students to write freely in a stress-free environment, and reinforcing specific writing skills without students even knowing it!
                    • Quick Writes should only take 1, 3, or 5 minutes to complete
                    • Students have control of what genre they choose to write
                    • It is important to write along with your students
                    • Quick Writes will motivate students to write and will keep them intrigued

                    Steps:

                    1. Get students in a writing posture
                    2. Call out one or two words
                    3. Set the timer for 1, 3, or 5 minutes
                    4. Students will write to the “prompt” until time is up
                    5. Students will share their writing aloud

                    Extension:

                    • Allow students to submit one or two words for the prompts
                    • Allow students to take the Quick Write through the writing process
                    • Tie in current writing skills and hold students accountable to applying them to their Quick Write
                    • Encourage parents to try this at home

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    ed11153f-6cf4-4497-8c88-91e518659c7dMon, 07 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -040012:37falsefull19191Megan Polk                    8. Running Records 101Running Records 101Today, we are taking a deep dive into running records. Why do we use them? How do we use them? What do all those acronyms and codes really mean?! If you are currently wondering one or more of these questions, I will walk you through the ins and outs of a running record. You can also grab my free running record templates and cheat sheet referenced in this episode here.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Running Records are forms to document student reading behaviors, errors, accuracy, self-corrections, fluency, and comprehension
                    • Use the forms to determine if a text is independent, instructional, or frustrational
                    • Formal Running Records - administer three times per year (beginning, middle, end) 
                    • Informal Running Records - administer weekly or bi-weekly during guided reading
                    • Learn about all the boxes, codes, and definitions
                    • Use Running Record data to drive intentional teaching points and reading instruction 

                     

                    To Download the Running Records freebie: CLICK HERE

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    Today, we are taking a deep dive into running records. Why do we use them? How do we use them? What do all those acronyms and codes really mean?! If you are currently wondering one or more of these questions, I will walk you through the ins and outs of a running record. You can also grab my free running record templates and cheat sheet referenced in this episode here.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Running Records are forms to document student reading behaviors, errors, accuracy, self-corrections, fluency, and comprehension
                    • Use the forms to determine if a text is independent, instructional, or frustrational
                    • Formal Running Records - administer three times per year (beginning, middle, end) 
                    • Informal Running Records - administer weekly or bi-weekly during guided reading
                    • Learn about all the boxes, codes, and definitions
                    • Use Running Record data to drive intentional teaching points and reading instruction 

                     

                    To Download the Running Records freebie: CLICK HERE

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe and leave a review!

                    ]]>                    bacaad80-7eda-4165-ba6f-37532fc215d7Mon, 30 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -040029:14falsefull18181Megan Polk                    7. Thankful for TeachersThankful for TeachersThis episode shares a quick and heartfelt “thank you” to teachers everywhere. The work is hard, the days are long, but teachers ARE making a difference. Thank you for impacting students all over the world. Education would not be the same without you.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    This episode shares a quick and heartfelt “thank you” to teachers everywhere. The work is hard, the days are long, but teachers ARE making a difference. Thank you for impacting students all over the world. Education would not be the same without you.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    267c0e20-b969-442d-9c9b-b3ab445685f5Mon, 23 Nov 2020 09:30:00 -040006:40falsefull17171Megan Polk                    6. Celebrating Student Writing GrowthCelebrating Student Writing GrowthWelcome back to The Literacy Dive! Writing is hard. Are your students feeling defeated from time-to-time in actually seeing their writing growth? Do you need new ideas for celebrating student growth and keeping student momentum going when it comes to writing? In this episode, I will share systems to use student writing samples as a way to empower them and continue their writing growth. No matter how far into the school year you are, it is not too late to begin these practices! 

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Keep 3-4 student samples (beginning of the year, Nov/Dec., March, end of the year)
                    • Option 1: Consider adding student samples to their writing folder in sheet protectors; this writing stays with them all year long as a reminder of growth
                    • Option 2: Involve parents by sending copies of the samples home with report cards; this celebrates writing progression and parents gain insight from the visual growth
                    • Option 3: Keep writing samples on file separated by each student; keep this easily accessible to pull during writing conferences or when you want to celebrate student growth
                    • Option 4: Class display board; celebrate frequent writing samples and students begin understanding the importance of writing for an audience
                    • Every student is a writer and every student will show growth

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    Welcome back to The Literacy Dive! Writing is hard. Are your students feeling defeated from time-to-time in actually seeing their writing growth? Do you need new ideas for celebrating student growth and keeping student momentum going when it comes to writing? In this episode, I will share systems to use student writing samples as a way to empower them and continue their writing growth. No matter how far into the school year you are, it is not too late to begin these practices! 

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Keep 3-4 student samples (beginning of the year, Nov/Dec., March, end of the year)
                    • Option 1: Consider adding student samples to their writing folder in sheet protectors; this writing stays with them all year long as a reminder of growth
                    • Option 2: Involve parents by sending copies of the samples home with report cards; this celebrates writing progression and parents gain insight from the visual growth
                    • Option 3: Keep writing samples on file separated by each student; keep this easily accessible to pull during writing conferences or when you want to celebrate student growth
                    • Option 4: Class display board; celebrate frequent writing samples and students begin understanding the importance of writing for an audience
                    • Every student is a writer and every student will show growth

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    e7a84f74-277a-4ca2-9851-932cdcf61321Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:30:00 -040020:39falsefull16161Megan Polk                    5. 3 Read Alouds for World Kindness Day3 Read Alouds for World Kindness DayWelcome back to The Literacy Dive! In this episode, I will be highlighting 3 book recommendations that lend themselves to teaching and spreading kindness. Below you will find a brief overview of each text. It is important to expose students to a variety of texts with different themes. Allow time for discussion to occur after reading one or more of these texts. As stated in episode 4, kindness should be a focus throughout the year so these books can far extend past World Kindness Day on November 13th.

                    Teacher Tip 1: Always pre-read text prior to reading it to your class. By doing this, you are able to ensure it is a good fit for your students and you can also prepare, in advance, for places where you will need to provide clarity or dive deeper into what the author is saying.

                    Teacher Tip 2: Books can be found at libraries, local bookstores, or by streaming them on a website like YouTube. You can also purchase books from Amazon. I will link to these books I am sharing with an affiliate link. There are many ways to access books in a printable or digital format.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Book Recommendation 1: Most People by Michael Leannah

                    Overview: Most people are kind. The idea is that we must teach children to be mindful and careful of people they don’t know, but we must teach them to understand that most people are kind, and even if someone makes a poor choice, they still have a seed of goodness inside and can change for the better.


                    Overview: A new girl enters a new school and is not well received by existing students in the class. Another girl in the class is pretty mean and rude to her. Toward the end of the book, Maya, is gone… she is no longer in the classroom… or at the school. It causes reflection and a heart shift within Chloe, the girl who was not very kind to the new girl in school. The power of this book - it is told in the perspective of Chloe.


                    Overview: An amazing dynamic between a boy and his grandmother; they ride the bus often. The boy has many questions and his nana helps CJ, her grandson, see the beauty in the world. She helps him to see the world differently by acts of kindness toward others and finding beauty in unlikely places.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    Welcome back to The Literacy Dive! In this episode, I will be highlighting 3 book recommendations that lend themselves to teaching and spreading kindness. Below you will find a brief overview of each text. It is important to expose students to a variety of texts with different themes. Allow time for discussion to occur after reading one or more of these texts. As stated in episode 4, kindness should be a focus throughout the year so these books can far extend past World Kindness Day on November 13th.

                    Teacher Tip 1: Always pre-read text prior to reading it to your class. By doing this, you are able to ensure it is a good fit for your students and you can also prepare, in advance, for places where you will need to provide clarity or dive deeper into what the author is saying.

                    Teacher Tip 2: Books can be found at libraries, local bookstores, or by streaming them on a website like YouTube. You can also purchase books from Amazon. I will link to these books I am sharing with an affiliate link. There are many ways to access books in a printable or digital format.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Book Recommendation 1: Most People by Michael Leannah

                    Overview: Most people are kind. The idea is that we must teach children to be mindful and careful of people they don’t know, but we must teach them to understand that most people are kind, and even if someone makes a poor choice, they still have a seed of goodness inside and can change for the better.


                    Overview: A new girl enters a new school and is not well received by existing students in the class. Another girl in the class is pretty mean and rude to her. Toward the end of the book, Maya, is gone… she is no longer in the classroom… or at the school. It causes reflection and a heart shift within Chloe, the girl who was not very kind to the new girl in school. The power of this book - it is told in the perspective of Chloe.


                    Overview: An amazing dynamic between a boy and his grandmother; they ride the bus often. The boy has many questions and his nana helps CJ, her grandson, see the beauty in the world. She helps him to see the world differently by acts of kindness toward others and finding beauty in unlikely places.

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    bb9e149e-6dda-4d6a-a0bd-bd191a2b2739Mon, 09 Nov 2020 09:30:00 -040014:52falsefull15151Megan Polk                    4. 5 Literacy Activities to Support World Kindness Day5 Literacy Activities to Support World Kindness DayWelcome back to The Literacy Dive! In this episode, I will be sharing 5 easy-to-implement, low prep (or no prep) literacy activities that can be done throughout this week leading up to World Kindness Day which is on November 13th! The great thing about these activities is that they can be done far beyond just this week. In fact, allowing your focus on kindness to extend throughout the year always keeps this idea fresh and top of mind with your students. You will be able to get into your classroom and try one of these simple activities out instantly!

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Activity 1: Letter Writing (using a bubble map)
                    • Activity 2: Creating a Kindness Book
                    • Activity 3: Post Kindness (using sticky notes to share kindness)
                    • Activity 4: Giving Compliments 
                    • Activity 5: Sending Kindness (a community focus on kindness)

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    Welcome back to The Literacy Dive! In this episode, I will be sharing 5 easy-to-implement, low prep (or no prep) literacy activities that can be done throughout this week leading up to World Kindness Day which is on November 13th! The great thing about these activities is that they can be done far beyond just this week. In fact, allowing your focus on kindness to extend throughout the year always keeps this idea fresh and top of mind with your students. You will be able to get into your classroom and try one of these simple activities out instantly!

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • Activity 1: Letter Writing (using a bubble map)
                    • Activity 2: Creating a Kindness Book
                    • Activity 3: Post Kindness (using sticky notes to share kindness)
                    • Activity 4: Giving Compliments 
                    • Activity 5: Sending Kindness (a community focus on kindness)

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    ad4e9884-894f-4e67-a7f0-1b0db4a2d931Mon, 09 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -040012:35falsefull14141Megan Polk                    3. Making Literacy Instruction Effective By Using Essential QuestionsMaking Literacy Instruction Effective By Using Essential QuestionsEpisode 3 is all about creating and using essential questions to move your literacy instruction forward. Essential questions help with student inquiry and accountability with internalizing the standards and skills that are required to be mastered. When we can begin crafting and implementing essential questions in reading and writing, our students will begin thinking deeper.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • What is an essential question?

                    • Step 1: Begin with academic standards or desired learning outcomes and choose your main concept
                    • Step 2: Turn the concept or desired learning outcome into a question
                    • Step 3: Become your students
                    • Step 4: Refine your question(s)
                    • Step 5: Provide opportunities for active exploration
                    • Learn the benefits of using essential questions during your literacy block

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    Episode 3 is all about creating and using essential questions to move your literacy instruction forward. Essential questions help with student inquiry and accountability with internalizing the standards and skills that are required to be mastered. When we can begin crafting and implementing essential questions in reading and writing, our students will begin thinking deeper.

                     

                    Key Points:

                    • What is an essential question?

                    • Step 1: Begin with academic standards or desired learning outcomes and choose your main concept
                    • Step 2: Turn the concept or desired learning outcome into a question
                    • Step 3: Become your students
                    • Step 4: Refine your question(s)
                    • Step 5: Provide opportunities for active exploration
                    • Learn the benefits of using essential questions during your literacy block

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    40421c8f-b13d-404b-a508-ef03c6e88cb7Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -040015:48falsefull13131Megan Polk                    2. 5 Components of a Mini-Lesson5 Components of a Mini-LessonIn episode 2, I will dive deeper into the importance and power of a mini-lesson. This is one of the most important parts of a literacy block. This is where explicit teaching happens and where students can take hold of a skill or concept you are teaching.

                    Key Points:

                    • The definition of a mini-lesson
                    • How to find content for your mini-lesson
                    • The structure of a mini-lesson (5 parts)
                    • Tips and reminders to make mini-lessons successful

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    In episode 2, I will dive deeper into the importance and power of a mini-lesson. This is one of the most important parts of a literacy block. This is where explicit teaching happens and where students can take hold of a skill or concept you are teaching.

                    Key Points:

                    • The definition of a mini-lesson
                    • How to find content for your mini-lesson
                    • The structure of a mini-lesson (5 parts)
                    • Tips and reminders to make mini-lessons successful

                     

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    If you are enjoying The Literacy Dive, please subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes!

                    ]]>                    ab5fd023-1ca4-4737-89ab-35211be19b27Mon, 02 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -040019:07falsefull12121Megan Polk                    1. IntroductionIntroductionWelcome to The Literacy Dive, a podcast that dives into all things reading and writing for ELA teachers. In this first episode, I, Megan Polk, share a little bit about myself and why I started this podcast. Through this show, I will offer a variety of information, actionable steps, and strategies to help you succeed as a literacy teacher. Thank you for tuning in!

                    Join The Literacy Dive Facebook Group

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    ]]>                    Welcome to The Literacy Dive, a podcast that dives into all things reading and writing for ELA teachers. In this first episode, I, Megan Polk, share a little bit about myself and why I started this podcast. Through this show, I will offer a variety of information, actionable steps, and strategies to help you succeed as a literacy teacher. Thank you for tuning in!

                    Join The Literacy Dive Facebook Group

                    Connect with Megan on social media:


                    ]]>                    e706c541-528f-4623-8852-44850c0fcf7aSun, 01 Nov 2020 16:03:35 -040006:31falsefull11111Megan Polk