The Literacy Teacher's Life

The new school year is quickly approaching! So, this episode is dedicated to all things back to school. Elizabeth starts by discussing writing activities that can be used at the beginning of the year. Her new favorite is "I Statements" that she learned about this summer. Then, she shares ideas for introducing yourself to your students so that they learn a little about who you are. Reading at the b...

In this episode, Elizabeth shares why stories are so important for our students. She shares three strategies to keep kids engaged with the stories that they are reading - either in school or at home. Next, Elizabeth discusses some ideas for getting kids back into the routine of reading and writing before the new school year begins. The episode ends with a great book recommendation for emerging rea...

Summer is flying by! This week is another episode focusing on summer reading with kids. Elizabeth talks about book series and how they can help keep kids reading during the summer months. She talks about the benefits of reading book series and shares very manageable strategies to support readers during the summer months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's finally summer! Welcome to Episode 20! This episode is focused on parents and family members who are reading at home with kids over the summer. We will dive into picture books and how picture books can support readers of all ages. Summer reading should be fun and a time to connect with your child so pick books that you want to read with your child and that your child will enjoy reading. Eliza...

In today's episode, Elizabeth speaks with children and young adult author, Matt de la Peña. They begin by speaking about a few of his books and where the ideas for those books came from. He also shares ideas for how teachers can use his books with students. Matt then speaks about his writing process and how he collaborates with illustrators, such as Christian Robinson. He has some ideas for gettin...

In this episode, Elizabeth is joined by teacher, librarian, and writer John Schu! He is the author of the recent book, This is a Story and also the book This is a School. John believes in the power of stories and how stories affirm our own experiences and honor our own journeys. He shares strategies to help get children reading and writing as well. And...he ends with some great news about a book b...

If you enjoy going to the library, you won't want to miss this episode! Elizabeth speaks with Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, who is the President of the American Library Association. They discuss the mission of the ALA and the work that they are doing right now to support librarians, libraries, and communities. Lessa spends time discussing the ALA's upcoming conference, which will be held in Chi...

In today's episode, Elizabeth is joined by Jamie Sears, the founder of the Not So Wimpy Teacher - a website that makes teaching for grades 2-5 more manageable. Jamie has recently published a book, How to Love Teaching Again: Work Smarter, Beat Burnout, and Watch Your Students Thrive, and she shares tips and strategies to make teaching more sustainable. Some of the topics discussed include planning...

Today's episode has a very special guest! Laura Vanderkam, a time management and productivity author joins Elizabeth to discuss how time can be used well in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Laura shares a variety of strategies that can be implemented to make teaching more manageable as well as strategies to enjoy life outside of the classroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Interview season is upon us! Districts and schools are interviewing for teaching positions. In this episode, seven interview tips are discussed. Elizabeth also provides some examples of common interview questions to help prepare for a teaching interview. Elizabeth ends on a positive note by sharing a new book for teachers - How to Love Teaching Again: Work Smarter, Beat Burnout, and Watch Your Stu...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis and for today’s episode, I’m sharing a mixed bag of topics, stories, and examples you can use in teaching literacy.  Running Records  Running records are informative assessments that tell the teachers what the kids are doing so they can make informed decisions about what to teach their students. They provide teachers with what they need to know to make wise teachin...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis and for today’s episode, I’m sharing with you more tips to help your child practice literacy at home—those that won’t take a lot of time!  When it comes to the actual activity of reading, especially for kids who are just starting to learn, a few strategies you can do are the tap-it-out strategy to look at the word, segment the word, or use a bookmark or finger unde...

March is often the time for Parent-Teacher conferences, so now is a great time for parents to ask what can be done at home to help their young readers, and for teachers to give some guidance about how parents can do this.  As parents, you don’t need to spend a lot of time with your kids to help them read. You just have to be creative with what time you have. Here are some ways to support your youn...

As the literacy graduate program coordinator at SUNY Old Westbury, one of my tasks every January is to run a literacy clinic for graduate students earning their literacy specialist certifications. For today’s episode, I’m sharing with you my observations from this clinic on what’s working for both teachers and students, giving strategies on how to encourage kids to write, and tips for assessing wr...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis and for today’s episode, we’ll hear how we can encourage kids to write and draw more, both inside and outside the classroom. We’ll also learn that encouraging kids to have ideas isn’t that tricky, ideas for writing are all around us.  Our guest today is Amy Young. Amy has wanted to be an artist from as early as she can remember. She became a lawyer, but ended up mi...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis and for today’s episode, I’ll talk about writing and the purpose of writing. We’ll go deeper on this topic in the next few episodes as well.  The purpose of writing in the elementary grades  Kids love to share what they know and express themselves, and writing helps them do this. What they write varies depending on their age and grade level. Kindergarteners, for ex...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis, and for today’s episode, I get to speak with Jennifer Serravallo. She is a literary classroom consultant, author, and former NYC public school teacher.  In this episode, we discuss Jennifer’s newly released book, The Reading Strategies Book 2.0. She shares the changes that she made in this new edition as well as how teachers can use the strategies to support the r...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis and for today’s episode, I spoke with a former student, Talisa Cantos, who is a Bilingual Literacy Specialist about setting reading and writing goals with students for the new year.  The new year is an amazing time to touch base with students and children and set goals with them, even literacy goals. Students don’t start off knowing how to set goals, so we’ll need...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis and for today’s episode, I have with me our guest Julia Lindsey. Julia B. Lindsey, Ph. D., is a foundational literacy expert, consultant, and proud former elementary school teacher. Her work aims to help educators implement research findings in reading instruction.  She is the author of the newly released book, Reading Above the Fray: Research-based Routines for De...

I’m your host, Elizabeth Morphis and today, in preparation for the Holidays, I have for you 3 tips to get kids reading both in the classroom and at home, and I’ll also share some bonus suggestions along the way. In today’s digital age where children can get so easily distracted, it’s even more important to be able to instill in them the habit and discipline of reading.  Reading in the Classroom  M...

I’m Elizabeth Morphis your host and today I’m addressing the difference between a literacy specialist and a reading specialist. I also want to provide context for how the job came to be in schools. I’m also interviewing Kasey, a literacy specialist and one of my former students about her job and what it entails. Two questions I get often are: ●      What is the difference between a reading special...

As teachers, it is important to learn about the students in your classroom and for the students to learn a little about you. This helps build trusting relationships, which are essential for students to learn and for teachers to teach effectively. This episode does just that!   I introduce myself so that you learn about me, my current position as a professor, and my teaching experiences. In the Spo...

Welcome to the first episode of the Literacy Teacher's Life Podcast! Today's episode introduces the topic of literacy and expands on the common definition of literacy as simple "reading and writing." Host Elizabeth Morphis Brings her experience as both a teacher and amo to two elementary school-age daughters. Today's Topic on the Literacy List What is Literacy and what does it mean? The most commo...

This podcast is for teachers and parents who are dedicated to helping young readers and writers thrive. Children are naturally curious and it’s our role as parents and teachers to provide them with support so they learn to love reading and writing. Host, teacher, and mom Elizabeth Morphis is here to help you support your kids at home or in the classroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...