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...
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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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...
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Intermediate Novel Analysis: A Butterfly Is Patient
Grades 2-5 Elementary Book Review “A Butterfly Is Patient” by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long, is a beautifully crafted children’s book that combines poetic prose with stunning illustrations...
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Intermediate Novel Analysis: The Lotus Seed
Review “The Lotus Seed” by Sherry Garland is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that tells the story of a young Vietnamese girl’s journey from her homeland to America. This story...
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Retell, Recount, and Summarize: 3 Essential Reading Comprehension Skills
As a literacy coach, I typically get asked by 4th and 5th-grade teachers how to teach students to summarize. When this happens, I refer teachers to the ELA Standard 2...
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6 Guided Reading Mistakes You Might be Making
An important time to support struggling readers is during guided reading. However, just because you are doing guided reading does not necessarily mean that you are supporting your struggling readers....
