Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

• 252. Finish Strong: 7 Fun & Meaningful Literacy Ideas for the End of the Year

  As the final weeks of school approach, it can be tempting to hit cruise control—but the end of the year is actually the perfect time to bring some fresh energy into your literacy block. In this episode, I’m sharing seven fun, low-prep literacy ideas that will help you keep students engaged and learning all the way to the last day of school. Whether you’re running on caffeine, countdown chains, or sheer willpower, I’ve got you covered.These literacy ideas are practical, meaningful, and designed to support the skills your students have been building all year long—without adding more stress to your plate. From word ladders and genre studies to book clubs and research projects, you’ll find easy-to-implement activities that blend fun with academic purpose. These strategies aren’t just engaging—they’re also flexible, so you can adapt them to fit whatever time or energy you have left as the year winds down.So if you're wondering how to make the most of May, this episode is your game plan. These end-of-year literacy ideas will help you maintain momentum, create lasting memories with your students, and finish the year feeling confident and proud of the learning still happening in your classroom.Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join!Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here!Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode252.Mentioned in this episode:The Writing Revolution 2.0 Summer Book StudyRegister for the Stellar Teacher Summer Book Study: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/stc-book-study

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• 251. Dear Stellar Teacher: Our Writing Confessions (and What We’d Do Differently!)

  If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to teach writing, you’re going to love today’s episode. In this Dear Stellar Teacher conversation, I’m joined by my teammate Emily, and we’re opening up and sharing our biggest writing confessions—the mistakes we made in the classroom and the lessons we’ve learned since. Spoiler alert: if you’ve ever felt like you were just assigning writing instead of actually teaching it, you are definitely not alone!We’re reflecting on why writing used to feel so overwhelming, how we misunderstood the writing process, and what we would do differently now after everything we’ve learned from resources like The Writing Revolution 2.0. I hope our honest conversation encourages you and reminds you that it’s never too late to strengthen your writing instruction and support your students in becoming more confident writers.I’m also sharing all the details about our upcoming summer book study on The Writing Revolution 2.0—and how you can join us for a summer full of learning, collaboration, and encouragement. Whether you’re ready to change your writing instruction or just want to hear some relatable writing confessions, this episode is for you!Sign up for our 2025 Summer Book Study: stellarteacher.com/bookstudyJoin us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join!Fill out the Dear Stellar Teacher form for a chance to be featured on a future episode.Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here!Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode251.Mentioned in this episode:The Writing Revolution 2.0 Summer Book StudyRegister for the Stellar Teacher Summer Book Study: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/stc-book-study

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• 250. Let Them Be Bored: Why Boredom Might Be Exactly What Kids Need with Mike Bender and Chuck Dillon

  Have you ever had a student declare, “I’m bored!”—and then look to you to fix it? In this fun and thought-provoking episode, I’m joined by returning guest Mike Bender, author of The End Is Just the Beginning, The Most Serious Fart, and The Bravest Booger, along with Chuck Dillon, the brilliant illustrator behind Mike’s newest picture book Bored Panda. Together, we dive into why boredom might be exactly what our students—and we—need.We explore the inspiration behind Bored Panda and talk about how boredom can be a gateway to creativity, imagination, and unexpected adventures. Mike and Chuck also give us a behind-the-scenes look at their author-illustrator collaboration, share hilarious stories from the making of the book, and reflect on the role of screen time, mindfulness, and finding joy in slowing down.Whether you're looking for a meaningful read-aloud to spark classroom discussions or simply want a reminder that it's okay to let your mind wander, this episode will leave you inspired. Get ready to rethink boredom—and maybe even celebrate it.Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join!Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here!Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode250.Mentioned in this episode:The Writing Revolution 2.0 Summer Book StudyRegister for the Stellar Teacher Summer Book Study: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/stc-book-study

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• 249. Closing Learning Gaps: Practical Strategies for Supporting Struggling Readers with Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift

  Supporting students with learning gaps can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift, host of Literacy Matters: Empowered Conversations and Director of Professional Learning and Academic Partnerships at Learning Without Tears. Cheryl brings both heart and expertise to our conversation as we talk about how to meet students where they are—especially those who are missing foundational literacy skills.We dive into the impact of the pandemic on student learning, how to assess literacy skills in meaningful ways, and practical strategies for differentiation that benefit every student in the classroom. Cheryl shares how multisensory tools, student choice, and oral language can all be leveraged to support growth in reading and writing. Whether your students are working below, on, or above grade level, this episode is filled with actionable ideas you can start using right away.If you’re looking for ways to help struggling readers, foster a love of literacy, or simply breathe new life into your instruction, this episode is full of encouragement and practical wisdom. Take a deep breath, grab a notebook, and let’s rethink how we can close learning gaps—one student at a time.Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join!Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here!Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode249.Mentioned in this episode:The Writing Revolution 2.0 Summer Book StudyRegister for the Stellar Teacher Summer Book Study: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/stc-book-study

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• 248. Rethinking Narrative Writing: A Better Way to Teach Students to Write

  Personal narratives have long been a staple in elementary writing instruction—but what if this traditional approach is actually holding our students back? In this episode, we’re rethinking the role of personal narrative writing and exploring why it can be such a challenging task for students. From memory recall struggles to a lack of structured storytelling practice, we’re unpacking the reasons personal narratives often fall flat in the classroom.Instead of having students write about personal experiences they can’t quite remember or don’t feel confident sharing, what if we shifted our focus toward content-based expository and narrative writing? When students write about what they’ve learned—whether it’s a science topic, a social studies figure, or a story they’ve read—they’re better equipped with the background knowledge and vocabulary to write with clarity, detail, and structure.In this episode, I’ll walk you through why content-rich writing tasks can lead to better writing outcomes, how to redefine narrative writing beyond personal stories, and what it looks like to create a knowledge-driven writing block. If you’ve been frustrated with vague student writing or looking for ways to make your writing instruction more meaningful, this episode is a must-listen!Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join!Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here!Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode248.Mentioned in this episode:The Writing Revolution 2.0 Summer Book StudyRegister for the Stellar Teacher Summer Book Study: https://learn.stellarteacher.com/stc-book-study

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