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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: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Free Collections Sampler Pack Episode 135, Quick Write & Emoji Memories: Disguising Writing Part 2 Episode 134, Picture This & Building Words: Disguising Writing Part 1 Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Free Collections Sampler Pack Episode 134, Picture This & Building Words: Disguising Writing Part 1 Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Free Collections Sampler Pack Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Enneagram Personality Test Multiple Intelligences Test Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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 Resources Mentioned: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Test Prep Instagram Post Reading Graphic Organizers Reading Comprehension Activities Bundle Student Response Cards Simple Student Response Cards Freebie Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Reading Comprehension Activities Bundle Student Response Cards Simple Student Response Cards Freebie Episode 54, How to Teach Context Clues 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 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: Join my Daily Writing Disguise Reading Comprehension Reference Sheets Writing Skills Reference Sheets Reading Strategies UNREAL Chart Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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 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 Resources Mentioned: The Daily Writing Disguise Hink Pinks Vocabulary Fractions Boggle De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats Kaplan’s Depth & Complexity Icons Passion Projects (Video) Write and Pass Creativity Warm-Ups Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts

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: The Daily Writing Disguise Writing Process Checklists Writing Reference Sheets Six Traits of Writing Charts Episode 125, 10 Reasons Why You Should Have Students Engaging in Collaborative Writing Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Monthly Writing Prompts Free Sample Check out Andrea’s book Failure Friday Episode 120, What is SEL and How do I Implement it in my Classroom? with Rachel Davis Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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 Resources Mentioned: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Monthly Writing Prompts Free Sample Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Provide student choice and voice in their writing Model effective writing techniques Incorporate a variety of writing experiences in your classroom Find a balance between creative expression and technical accuracy 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Monthly Writing Prompts Free Sample Monthly Writing Prompts Writing Center Posters & Writing Paper Templates  Episode 32, Diving Into Your Q&As: How Do You Set Up Effective Writing Centers? Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Grab my free Step-by-Step Writing routine! Biography Graphic Organizers Freebie Black History Biography & Activity Bundle Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Grab my free Step-by-Step Writing routine! Biography Graphic Organizers Freebie Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership. Grab your FREE writing routine! Download Rachel's Feelings Check Freebie Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Black History Month Bundle Biography Graphic Organizer Freebie Episode 118, Using Morning Meeting to Support Black History Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join the Writing Made Simple Membership Black History Month Bundle Episode 117, Build a Thriving Classroom Community Through Morning Meeting with Shelly Small Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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: Join my Writing Made Simple Membership Connect with me: Check out my TpT Store Subscribe to my E-mail list Instagram Posts Blog Posts Facebook Posts 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!