Episode 217
Have you ever wondered how to get your students talking in a way that builds deeper understanding? In this episode, we chat with Jeff Zwiers, author of Academic Conversations and Next Steps with Academic Conversations, about the power of authentic discussions in the classroom.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• 3 Key Features of Authentic Conversations: Building on ideas, clarifying and supporting, and using information gaps to spark curiosity.
• Practical Strategies: How to use routines like Think-Pair-Share to foster meaningful discussions.
• Building a Culture of Communication: Tips for helping students share opinions, argue effectively, and engage deeply.

This episode is packed with actionable ideas to help you create a classroom where every student’s voice matters. Tune in to discover how academic talk can boost participation, agency, and long-term success!

Resources

• Article: Enhancing Instruction with Authentic Communication: 3 Features Conversing to Fortify Literacy, Language, and Learning
• Book: Academic Conversations
• Book: Next Steps with Academic Conversations

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.

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Struggling to make writing click for your students?

In this episode, 5th-grade teacher Elise Frank shares practical strategies to tackle the challenges of teaching writing, inspired by "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen Harris.

Key takeaways:

• Simplify the hidden processes of writing for your students.
• Boost ownership and feedback.
• Integrate writing across all subjects.

Packed with actionable ideas, this episode is a must-listen for every teacher! Tune in now and transform your writing instruction!

Resources:

• Focus Article: "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen Harris
• See Elise's writing instruction in action:
  • Video: 5th Grade ELA: Writing about Esperanza Rising with SRSD
  • Video: 5th Grade ELA: The Power of SRSD and EL Education (Esperanza Rising)
• Urban teachers’ implementation of SRSD for persuasive writing following practice-based professional development: positive effects mediated by compromised fidelity. McKeown, D., FitzPatrick, E., Brown, M., Brindle, M., Owens, J., & Hendrick, R. (2019).
• Powerful Writing Strategies for All Students by Harris, Graham, Mason and Friedlander
• Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning by Patrice Bain and Pooja K Agarwal

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.

Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Steve Graham discusses the significance of writing in education, the challenges teachers face in teaching writing, and effective strategies to enhance students' writing skills.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

1. the interconnectedness of writing and reading
2. the importance of feedback
3. the role of handwriting and typing in writing fluency
4. the necessity of integrating writing instruction into the curriculum
5. the role of interactive writing as a bridge for early and progressing writers

Steve also shares his thoughts on the impact of 21st-century tools like AI on writing practices, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI in education.

Resources:

• Focus Article: "A Path to Better Writing" by Steve Graham and Karen Harris

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.

Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.