Teaching Literacy
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.
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 is a tale of migration but also one of heritage, memory, and hope. Plot Summary The story is narrated by a young girl who recounts…
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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 event saw over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors sent to the United States between 1960 and 1962. Through the eyes of 12-year-old Julian, Flores-Galbis brings to…
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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 spiral progression. We discuss the verbs used in grades K-3 and the student’s ability to retell and recount. Our discussion concludes that retelling and recounting…
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