Best The Write Idea Workshop Podcasts (2024)

1
Finding 'Just Right' Books: Cultivating Lifelong Readers 21:37

10M ago21:37

21:37

One of the most essential aspects of teaching ELA is nurturing a lifelong love of reading in our students. In this episode, we'll explore how to help students discover that elusive "just right" book – the one that not only matches their reading level but also aligns with their interests. Listen in as I uncover the secrets to creating a reading expe…

1
The Power of Teacher Book Talks: Igniting a Passion for Reading 23:55

10M ago23:55

23:55

In a world filled with distractions like video games, social media, and viral TikTok videos, inspiring a love for reading in students can feel like an uphill battle. However, in this week's episode, we dive into a powerful tool that can captivate even the most reluctant readers: teacher book talks. Think of teacher book talks as the trailers of the…

1
Using Routines and Procedures in the Classroom to Build Classroom Community 19:25

11M ago19:25

19:25

Today, we are exploring the importance of establishing consistent routines and procedures in the classroom and how they will help us in building a classroom community. While focusing on middle school students, the ideas provided are relevant to all grade levels. Discover how well-defined routines and procedures create a thriving learning environmen…

1
Building Strong Teacher-Student Relationships Beyond Getting to Know you Activities 20:09

11M ago20:09

20:09

This episode explores the importance of building strong teacher-student relationships that extend beyond getting to know you activities. I discuss the misconception that teachers need to be friends with their students, emphasizing instead the value of creating a professional and caring connection. These relationships foster a sense of belonging, in…

1
Unique Reading Engagement Ideas with Katie from Mochas and Markbooks 40:47

11M ago40:47

40:47

Imagine turning your classroom into a hip coffee shop or observing your students actively browsing through your classroom bookshelves to create poetry. This is exactly what we are talking about in this episode! Katie Saj from Mochas and Markbooks stops by for a fun interview about creative ideas she uses to engage her students in reading! Katie sha…

1
Digital Escape Rooms with Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns 22:05

11M ago22:05

22:05

Escape rooms are inclusive and engaging activities that consist of games and puzzles aimed at fostering critical thinking and creativity. In this week’s episode, Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns shares her experience in both creating and presenting digital escape rooms in her secondary ELA classroom. Escape rooms can be tailored to introduce or review va…

1
Motivating Students through Book Talks with Mary Pat from Just Add Students 29:17

11M ago29:17

29:17

In this episode, we explore the benefits of book talks and their impact on students' motivation as students promote books they loved to their peers. Join me as I interview Mary Pat from Just Add Students, who shares her firsthand experience with implementing book talks in the classroom. Unveiling the secrets of effective book talks, Mary Pat unrave…

1
Leveled Writing Labs with Lisa from Mrs. Spangler in the Middle 31:19

12M ago31:19

31:19

The pandemic has left many middle school students with learning gaps in their writing abilities. Join me this week as I interview Lisa from Mrs. Spangler in the Middle, who has developed a writing program created specifically for middle school students that focuses on addressing those gaps. Discover the transformative power of Leveled Writing Labs,…

1
Student Accountability with Jennifer from Books, Babbles & Bows 31:15

12M ago31:15

31:15

Reading is a fundamental skill that forms the foundation for all other academic subjects and is an important life skill! In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer from Books, Babbles & Bows. We explore several strategies to promote reading and discuss practical methods for holding students accountable. Strategies such as assigning regular reading tim…

1
The Power of Student Choice with Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog 22:07

12M ago22:07

22:07

When students are given choices, their engagement and output increase, leading to a sense of ownership in their learning. Join me this week as I interview Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog about the importance and benefits of student choice. In this episode, Kristy and I discuss the power of student choice in the classroom and its impact on engagement a…

1
Using Centers in the Classroom with Rachel from Uniquely Upper 29:16

1y ago29:16

29:16

Centers, also known as learning stations, offer a structured approach to self-directed learning activities in the classroom. In today’s episode, Rachel from Uniquely Upper highlights several benefits of incorporating centers, with one key advantage being the ability to provide differentiated instruction for all students. In a classroom with diverse…

1
Moving Forward from Pandemic Challenges in Education + it’s Launch Day! 16:31

1y ago16:31

16:31

Today is launch day for the book, Motivating Readers: Teaching in the Post-Pandemic Era! In today’s episode, I share why I wrote the book and what I hope you will gain by reading the book. Motivating Readers: Teaching in the Post Pandemic Era, is written for secondary ELA teachers. It acknowledges the challenges faced during the pandemic and emphas…

1
Reflections on the Past School Year 18:13

1y ago18:13

18:13

In today’s episode, I’m sharing with you my reflections on this past school year. I share both the positive things I implemented that I’ll be keeping and a few areas where I want to make some changes. It is important to take some time at the end of the school year to reflect on the past year as it allows me to ponder the ideas over the summer and b…

1
Independent Reading in Class: A Q&A Session for Student Success 23:13

1y ago23:13

23:13

In this week's episode, I'm discussing independent reading in your secondary ELA classroom by answering five thought-provoking questions submitted by listeners. Join me as I share practical strategies and insights to make independent reading a more positive experience for both you and your students. In this Q&A episode on Independent Reading, I sha…

1
4 Professional Development Books to Read this Summer 14:58

1y ago14:58

14:58

Summer break is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to rest, recharge, reflect, and invest in some relevant professional development. In today’s episode, I’m sharing books that have changed and inspired my own professional practices. If you're looking for ways to enhance your teaching skills and inspire best practices in reading instr…

1
How to Work With (Almost) Anyone by Michael Bungay Stanier 18:55

1y ago18:55

18:55

Liked this? Subscribe to the bookmark newsletter to receive more book, podcast, music, and tech recommendations straight to your inbox every month. About the book The quality of your working relationships determines your success and your happiness. Stop leaving it all to chance. Build relationships that are safe, vital, and repairable. One essentia…

1
6 Tips to Help Students Embrace Productive Struggle 16:36

1y ago16:36

16:36

In this episode, I share the idea of productive struggle and its significance in education. Productive struggle is all about allowing students to tackle challenging tasks with limited adult intervention, enabling them to develop problem-solving skills, build confidence, and cultivate critical thinking abilities. Throughout the episode, I highlight …

1
Student Reflection: Empowering Students to Take Control of Their Learning 10:42

1y ago10:42

10:42

In this episode, I explore the importance of teaching students how to reflect on their learning and the impact it can have on their educational journey. By encouraging students to reflect, we shift their mindset from viewing education as something that happens to them to realizing that they have control over their learning. Reflection helps student…

1
End of Year Classroom Library Review + Tips on how to Expand Your Classroom Library 16:42

1y ago16:42

16:42

A classroom library is important for improving literacy as it provides access to books and reading materials that are essential for developing reading skills. In this week’s episode, I discuss the value of having a classroom library and tips for keeping it updated by spending time reviewing it each year. Having a well-stocked classroom library is c…

1
6 End of the Year Tasks To Do Before Summer Break 11:54

1y ago11:54

11:54

In this episode, I share some end of the year tasks for teachers that will set you up for a smoother back to school in the fall. Teaching is stressful and there are many things to manage before you leave for summer break. I talk about how to close out the year, review your library, make copies of activities you'll use in the first few weeks, and re…

1
Motivating Readers: Teaching in the Post Pandemic Era 12:29

1y ago12:29

12:29

Teaching has significantly changed in the past few years! Students returned to the classroom with large learning gaps and teachers are left to pick up the pieces. The traditional methods of teaching are no longer as effective as they once were, and teachers are struggling to find ways to motivate students to engage. To help address these issues, I’…

1
What I read in April 2023; pre-releases, comedy, and books I didn't finish 14:46

1y ago14:46

14:46

It's April, and it's been a funny month of starting books, not finishing books, and desperately trying to squeeze books in so that I did finish them. So here we are; two books read, two books retired, and two books in progress. This month I'm talking about... Books I read 📚 Before and Laughter by Jimmy Carr (audiobook) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📚 How to Work With (…

1
How to Teach Poetry Throughout the Year with Poetry Queen Lesa Smith 37:19

1y ago37:19

37:19

Do you have a subject you struggle to teach? That subject for me would be poetry, but I’m not afraid to seek advice from others. This week’s episode is an interview with Lesa from SmithTeachers9to12 who I have dubbed the Poetry Queen! Lesa shares with us where her passion for poetry came from and how she turned a struggle into a passion! In this ep…

1
6 ELA Activities to Finish the Year Strong! 12:52

1y ago12:52

12:52

In this episode, I cover a range of activities that incorporate technology, collaboration, and choice to make learning more enjoyable and interactive for your students. From choice boards to literary field trips, student-led book talks to silent debates, there's something for every teaching style. Some of these activities may seem intimidating to p…

1
Testing Season: Managing Stress and Setting Up Students for Success 11:39

1+ y ago11:39

11:39

Yes, it is that time of year already - state testing season! Although it is state testing season that doesn't mean teachers and students need to feel overwhelmed by the pressure. In this week's episode, I'm sharing how I approach state testing with my students. Testing season can be stressful for both students and teachers. That's why I wanted to s…

1
Teaching Writing: The Benefits of Writing in Front of Students 13:17

1+ y ago13:17

13:17

In this week's episode, I am sharing an amazing strategy I learned from attending a professional development led by Kelly Gallagher—writing in front of my students. Instead of just showing students an example of the end product, this strategy provides students with unique insights into the thought process and struggles I go through as I write in re…

1
What I read in March 2023; four books on publishing, poverty, poet punks, and preparing workshops 14:52

1+ y ago14:52

14:52

I'm back telling you about what I read last month, and what's worth reading. This month's books include... Write Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2 Hour Workshop Blueprint by Leanne Hughes (no rating as this was an early draft copy) Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke (audiobook) ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 If …

1
Engaging Students in Writing - Strategies to Increase Student Engagement 18:36

1+ y ago18:36

18:36

In this episode, I explore the unique challenges of teaching writing to students who have returned to classrooms after learning online during the pandemic. I reflect on how online learning has affected their skill level and ability to write at grade-level expectations - recognizing that transitioning "back to normal" may not be enough for our curre…

1
How to Get Students to Connect with Books Through Choice Reading Units with Samantha Heil 39:43

1+ y ago39:43

39:43

Samantha from Samantha in Secondary joins us on today's podcast to share her passion for choice reading with her students - you know I'm all about that! She shared how she incorporates choice reading units in addition to her regular curriculum. If you are looking for enrichment reading activities, Samatha shared many with us such as book tastings, …

1
Strategies for Peer-to-Peer Conversations and Student Led Book Talks 10:37

1+ y ago10:37

10:37

This episode focuses on how teachers can use student-led book talks as an alternative to traditional book clubs. This episode provides a plan of action for implementing this type of discussion in the classroom, as well as additional resources and ideas for getting students thinking and talking about literature. By having students lead discussions, …

1
How to Plan and Implement Book Clubs for Secondary ELA 13:44

1+ y ago13:44

13:44

Book clubs can provide a great way for secondary ELA students to engage in discussions about life and literature. When planning and implementing book clubs, teachers should take into consideration the time needed to plan the unit, the interests of their students, and how to facilitate student led discussions. In this week’s episode, I share how to …

1
What I read in February 2023: four books about creativity, epidemics, and grief 15:12

1+ y ago15:12

15:12

Sign up for the bookmark newsletter here ICYMI, this year I'm experimenting with a slightly different style of episode, featuring reviews of what I read over the last month. There'll still be occasional 'three big idea' episodes popping up throughout the year, and the four years and 197 other book based episodes will still be in the back catalogue …

1
The Value of Book Clubs in Secondary ELA 11:01

1+ y ago11:01

11:01

Are you the kind of teacher that loves hearing students engage in authentic conversations about books and life? Then this week’s podcast episode is for you! In this week's episode, I'm taking a deep dive into the power of using book clubs to teach reading. Through authentic conversations, book clubs offer real world experiences and allow students t…

1
3 Creative Vocabulary Review Activities for Your Classroom 16:15

1+ y ago16:15

16:15

We know that vocabulary instruction is essential to helping students comprehend more complex texts, but it doesn’t have to be boring. In this episode, I share ways to get creative with vocabulary review. I share how you can include students in determining which vocabulary words are necessary for a unit or lesson. Students don't always enjoy learnin…

1
Three Strategies for Vocabulary Instruction 14:11

1+ y ago14:11

14:11

In this week’s episode, I’m continuing our discussion on teaching vocabulary. Teachers know that vocabulary instruction is a key component to increasing students’ ability to comprehend text, yet they struggle to find the time to teach it. This episode will be exploring three ways to include vocabulary instruction through Word Walls, the Frayer Mode…

1
Vocabulary Instruction: Is it still relevant? 15:00

1+ y ago15:00

15:00

Does vocabulary instruction sometimes take a backseat to other standards? This week’s podcast episode discusses the importance of including vocabulary instruction in every unit. We know that vocabulary is a critical component for reading comprehension, yet for years, vocabulary instruction has not been the priority it should be. Join me as I discus…

1
What I read in January 2023: five books on life, food, and the future of work 18:47

1+ y ago18:47

18:47

Sign up for the bookmark newsletter here Welcome to 2023 and to 'season two' of Steph's Business Bookshelf. ICYMI, this year I'm experimenting with a slightly different style of episode, featuring reviews of what I read over the last month. There'll still be occasional 'three big idea' episodes popping up throughout the year, and the four years and…

1
Four Activities to Hold Students Accountable for Reading 22:54

1+ y ago22:54

22:54

In this episode, the last episode in the 4 part miniseries, I’m discussing four activities you can use to help hold your students accountable for their choice reading books. The activities I’m sharing today include a one-pager, task cards, letters of advice, and reading response journals. These activities ask students to think critically about what…

1
Setting Realistic Reading Goals 13:36

1+ y ago13:36

13:36

This week on the podcast we are talking about setting reading goals with students that focus on the number of pages read. We will discuss why it is important to use a more individualized approach for goal-setting rather than expecting all students to read the same amount of pages. We will then look at how to determine what a realistic goal number i…

1
Accountability Beyond Recording Pages With Reading Reflections 18:28

1+ y ago18:28

18:28

Do you use reading logs to hold students accountable for their reading outside of class? Is it producing the outcome you were hoping for when you assigned the reading? Yes, it's important to hold students accountable for the work we assign, but without a purpose beyond recording page numbers or number of minutes a student reads, is it really helpin…

1
It's 2023: what I'll be reading this year, and a year of experiments 12:50

1+ y ago12:50

12:50

Sign up to get the bookmark newsletter in your inbox Hi friends, as we roll into 2023 I wanted to share some of the reading I'm planning on doing in 2023, some experiments I'm playing with, my word of the year, and a few changes to the schedule that are coming up. Here's Madeleine's newsletter that I mention in this episode. Let's talk books on... …

1
The best books I read in 2022 22:03

1+ y ago22:03

22:03

Want more book recommendations? Get the bookmark newsletter in your inbox. It's time for the wrap that's not quite as good as the Spotify wrap, but still one of my favourite bits of the year; looking back at the books I've spent my year reading. This year I read 52 books, 29% were ebooks, 42% were physical books, and 29% were audiobooks. I use the …

1
Winter Break: Rest, Recharge, Regroup 15:59

1+ y ago15:59

15:59

December got you stressed? Although there are only a few teaching weeks in December, they can feel like some of the longest weeks of the year! That is why it is so important to unwind during the break. In today’s episode, I will share with you some ideas that have worked for me to rest, recharge and regroup over Winter Break so that you can start J…

1
4 Ways to have your Students Share their Reading 14:01

1+ y ago14:01

14:01

In Reader's Workshop, students take turns talking about what they are reading. This is one of the components of workshop that help students build confidence in their reading, speaking, and listening skills. When students share about their reading, it helps them stay actively engaged with their book. In today's episode, I share 4 ways you can get yo…

1
Get Started with Reading Conferences 22:45

1+ y ago22:45

22:45

Reading Conferences is where the magic happens! When you are able to sit one-on-one with students, listen to what they have to say, and correct any academic misunderstanding in real time - students will soar! Today's podcast episode is all about getting started with Reading Conferences. Once the most intimidating part of workshop (at least for me) …

1
Big Feelings by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy: how to be a human 12:23

1+ y ago12:23

12:23

Get the bookmark newsletter in your inbox and don't miss the best stuff of the year wrap. About the authors Liz Fosslien is the co-author and illustrator of the WSJ bestseller No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotion at Work and Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay. She leads the content and communications teams at H…

1
Ideas for Structuring your Class 20:14

1+ y ago20:14

20:14

In all my years of teaching, I’ve never heard an ELA teacher say they have too much time to cover the standards. We have no control over the length of our class period, but we do have control over how we spend that time. By strategically structuring our day/week, we can create time for students to read, practice and develop their skills. In this po…

1
Ideaflow by Jeremy Utley and Perry Klebahn: how to have more ideas 15:48

1+ y ago15:48

15:48

About the book Great Ideas. Methods, not Magic. Innovation is not an event; it’s a practice. Don’t leave the big ideas to the creatives. Revolutionize your creative process by mastering Ideaflow: the proven strategy that anyone can use to routinely generate and commercialize innovative ideas. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, student, C-suite leader,…

1
Improving Student Motivation 18:02

1+ y ago18:02

18:02

Student motivation is an important issue in every teacher's career. Even veteran teachers face challenges in motivating their students, and it can be especially difficult for new teachers. There are, however, a few things that can help get students reengaged in learning. In this episode, I will be sharing with your some ideas I've earned throughout…

1
Activities that Bring Joy into the Classroom during the Holiday Season 15:11

1+ y ago15:11

15:11

It's just three weeks until winter break! These three weeks can be long and stressful, but don't worry, this week's episode is full of ideas you can use with your class. I'll share some easy, low prep ideas that will change up your routine just enough to entice our students to participate in the learning opportunities you present. It can be tough t…

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