Pre-Writing, Drafting, Revising, Editing and Publishing. While these are the five steps most closely, and most generally associated with the writing process, we must not forget one critical aspect of genre studies, the “Immersion Phase”. It was early in my teaching career when I engaged in the planning of a genre study with my grade level counterparts. I was eager, …

There Destiny stood, all of four feet tall, holding a single piece of paper tightly in her hands.  She smiled proudly, anxiously awaiting her audience members’ attention.  She gently brushed her freshly curled hair away from her face and carefully groomed the front of her dress as if to smooth away any lingering wrinkles. “Writers,” Mrs. Burns announced enthusiastically, “please …

Here’s what students had to say about the literature circles in their classrooms: “I get to ask more questions and learn more by talking about the books with my friends. We help each other with new words, reading them and understanding them.”  “During book clubs we talk to people and they can help you figure out questions or words.  Book …

March is National Women’s History Month. What better way to celebrate the legacy of female resilience, ingenuity, and limitless possibilities than with rich, diverse, picture books? A good book has the power to shift our thinking and challenge preconceived notions. Intentional Read Alouds provide the opportunity for students to think about and discuss great books while exploring big ideas, themes, …