Book Review: Refugee
Grades 5-8 Book Review Refugee weaves together the stories of three young people—Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud—who flee their homes at different points in history. Josef is a Jewish boy escaping...
Teaching Literacy Blog
Teaching literacy can be complex and overwhelming, particularly as expectations for literacy across content areas continue to grow. Here at Learning-Focused, we empower educators with effective instructional strategies that move the needle and boost literacy in the classroom. In the articles below, our experts offer novel recommendations, teaching best practices, and proven frameworks that create impact for every student.
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Color Isn’t Comprehension: Why Graphic Organizers Matter More Than Highlighters
You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. Pages streaked with neon yellow, students bent low over their desks, the squeak of a highlighter filling the quiet classroom. It looks like learning. It...
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Small Words, Big Impact: Why Ignoring Cohesive Devices Undermines Comprehension
Key Takeaways Cohesive devices may seem like “small words,” but they have a significant role in comprehension. By teaching students to notice pronouns, synonyms, and connectors, we strengthen their ability...
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Secondary Novel Analysis: Night
Grades 8-12 Book Review Elie Wiesel’s Night is his memoir about surviving the Holocaust as a teenager. Elie grows up in Sighet, a small town in Hungary, where he studies his...
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Intermediate Novel Analysis: Thank You, Mr. Falker
Plot Summary Trisha is a young girl who loves stories and dreams of being able to read like her older brother and sister. But when she starts school, she realizes...
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Intermediate Novel Analysis: Pink and Say
Grades 2-5 Book Review Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco is a powerful children’s book that explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the devastating effects of the Civil War. It...
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Middle Grade Novel Analysis: 90 Miles to Havana
Review “90 Miles to Havana” by Enrique Flores-Galbis is a heartfelt historical novel that portrays the experiences of Cuban children during Operation Pedro Pan. This significant yet often overlooked historical...
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Middle Novel Analysis: One Crazy Summer
Grades 5-8 Book Review In One Crazy Summer, eleven-year-old Delphine is like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. She’s had to be, ever since their mother,...
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The Sentence Solution: How Sentence Construction Improves Student Literacy
“Students can’t even write a basic sentence!” This frustration resonates with teachers at all grade levels, as too many students struggle with sentence structure—writing in fragments, misusing punctuation, or failing...
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Intermediate Novel Analysis: A Sirius Adventure
Grades 4-6 Book Review A Sirius Adventure is a historical adventure novel set in the 18th century. The story follows a young Portuguese boy and his dog who embark on...
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Teaching with Context Clues - Definition and Examples that Enhance Student Ability
For years, classrooms have displayed colorful anchor charts listing various types of context clues – definitions, antonyms, synonyms, and more. But ask yourself: when was the last time you consciously...
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Beyond Either/Or Literacy Tools: Why Sound Walls AND Word Walls Belong in K-5 Classrooms
One of my favorite things to discuss with elementary teachers is their classroom environment. Their faces light up with enthusiasm as we chat about furniture arrangements, bulletin boards, and inspirational...
