How do you take beginning of the year writers who ask endless questions because they are afraid of being wrong and turn them into independent writers who produce quality work? Today I’m going to talk to you about some tools that can accompany any writing program. Your students can use these tools to gain independence in writing and spelling.

Watch students take a big step toward spelling independence.

Teachers answer questions - all day, every day. It’s what we do. And it’s what we should do. After all, we teach because we want to inspire and encourage students, sharing knowledge and helping them learn important concepts and skills. Questions are a natural and vital part of learning.

However…

There’s one question that every teacher answers at least 20 times a day every day.

No, I don’t mean, “Is it almost time for lunch?” or “Can we have extra recess?”

The question I’m talking about is, “How do you spell…?”

Students who are not confident, independent spellers often turn to the most convenient of dictionaries - you. If you’re ready to retire from your role as a human dictionary (or at least greatly reduce your hours), keep reading. I want to share some resources with you that will help your students take an active role in their own spelling.

Learn how to use Spelling Fluency, a trusted Orton Gillingham practice, in your classroom to help students improve spelling accuracy.

Learn about the Spelling Fluency method and why it’s the best way to help your students gain automaticity in spelling high frequency words.

Are you looking to start Literature Circles or Book Clubs with your upper elementary students, but don’t know which books to use? I have a short list of titles - some new and some classic - to get you started. You’ll find a range of reading levels and genres included including a graphic novel or two, which are perfect for reluctant readers.

All Types of Books Perfect for Valentine's Day |  Whether you’re looking for mentor texts for guided reading, popular kids titles for close reading activities, or just the best kids books to celebrate school holidays, this list is for you. Includes picture and chapter books, kids poetry books, and children’s read alouds. | everythingjustso.org #valentinesday #booklists #valentinesdaybooks #upperelementary

I'm always hearing from teachers looking for ways to get their students engaged and excited about reading. It seems to be an all-too-common trend that kids love the reading life, and then it just sort of starts to fizzle out.

Sound familiar?

If you're looking for a simple way to get your classroom excited about reading, Literature Circles are calling your name!

Literature Circles are a great way to expose your students to different genres of books, differentiate instruction, and let them talk about what they are reading. Using Literature Circles in my classroom was a game changer for me.

When you first introduce this type of group work, it can be overwhelming to have multiple groups reading different texts. So I’m sharing four tips for launching Literature Circles successfully in your Upper Elementary classroom to help alleviate some of that overwhelm.

As reading teachers, one of our biggest goals is to instill a love of reading in our students while building comprehension skills. One of the best ways to accomplish both is by utilizing strategies such as Literature Circles or Book Clubs. While many people use the terms synonymously, they’re actually quite different. Which strategy is best for your Upper Elementary students? Let’s take a look at both.

Ten Children’s Books that Teach Kids to be Kind | When teaching character skills, it’s often helpful to start with a children’s book. To support my monthly thankful for kindness writing, I compiled a list of popular children’s books that are perfect mentor texts. These are the best children’s books I’ve found for kindness. | everythingjustso.org #childrensbooks #kindness #kindnessmatters #kindnessbooks #upperelementary

10 Super Simple Resources to Encourage a Love of Poetry | April is National Poetry Month. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas to use in the month of April or all through the year, these ten simple resources will help encourage a love of poetry in your upper elementary students. Use these popular children’s books, teaching resources, and other materials to broaden students understanding and appreciation of poetry. | everythingjustso.org

On Read Across America Day, move the focus from Dr. Seuss Week to its intended purpose – encouraging students to celebrate reading. Rather than focusing on one author, it’s the perfect time to create a reading day for exploring diverse children’s literature from multiple writers. Here’s how I celebrated Read Across America in my upper elementary classroom in the simplest, but most effective way.

The Biggest Little Museum You Absolutely Must Visit | Do you love children’s books? Do you love artwork from children’s literature? Then this is the spot for you! Discover rare pieces of art, listen to popular authors and illustrators, and attend meaningful professional development. This treasure is simply a must-see for educators, artists, and anyone who loves children’s literature. | everythingjustso.org

Five Resources that will Make You a Children's Book Guru | Improve your ability to match your students with books they love simply by expanding your knowledge of children’s books. Staying current on what’s new in children’s literature can be overwhelming with the vast number of books published every year. These five resources will keep you current and help you make book recommendations like a pro. | everythingjustso.org

Free Digital Resource for Popular Read Alouds | Looking for a site that has popular children’s book read aloud for free? This site features dozens of videos featuring popular celebrities, authors, and athletes reading well-loved children’s books. And it’s free! | everythingjustso.org

After years of practice, and one impactful workshop, I share how my ideas on in-class reading and homework reading logs have changed. Plus read about my very best tips for stocking your classroom library for little to no cost.