Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

Comprehension instruction is about more than just teaching individual strategies—it’s about creating the right conditions for students to deeply understand what they read. In this episode, we’re continuing our two-part series on comprehension by exploring exactly how to move beyond the strategy-of-the-week approach. If you haven’t already listened to episode 244, be sure to go back and check it out first!Today, I’m sharing two simple but powerful shifts that can make a big impact on your students’ reading comprehension. First, we’ll explore the 3-2-1 framework—an easy way to build background knowledge, introduce key vocabulary, analyze sentence structure, and engage students in meaningful discussions about texts. Then, we’ll dive into how to be more intentional with text selection so that students engage with content-rich, purposeful texts that expand their knowledge and strengthen their comprehension.If you’ve ever wondered how to make comprehension instruction more effective, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using right away. Plus, if you want even more guidance, our Unlocking Comprehension workshop is still available throughout March—visit stellarteacher.com/workshop to sign up!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/episode245.

Many upper elementary teachers struggle with students mastering comprehension skills, often because they teach these skills in isolation. This approach can hinder lasting understanding. Instead, a deeper, integrative method is recommended, taking into account factors like background knowledge and vocabulary. The discussion emphasizes the importance of viewing comprehension as an outcome rather than a checklist. Listeners are encouraged to rethink their strategies and can look forward to more insights in a workshop and future discussions.

Supporting struggling readers can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure where to start or how to make the most of your intervention time. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome Shannon Moore from Moore Literacy Leaps to the podcast today! As a certified reading specialist, Shannon has helped countless teachers and schools implement effective literacy intervention programs, and she’s here to break it all down for us.In this episode, we’re tackling the four essential components of literacy intervention—data analysis, skill-based grouping, progress monitoring, and planning. Shannon shares practical strategies for making intervention both manageable and effective, so you can confidently support your students without feeling like you’re drowning in extra work. Whether your school has a structured intervention program or you’re navigating this on your own, you’ll walk away with clear steps to ensure struggling readers get the help they need.If you’ve ever wished for a more structured approach to intervention or wondered how to better track student progress, this episode is for you! Shannon’s expertise will give you the tools to implement research-based strategies that lead to real growth for your students. Let’s get started!Join 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/episode243.

Taking personal days as a teacher can feel complicated. Between the guilt, the prep work, and the fear of falling behind, many educators avoid taking time off even when they need it. But here’s the thing—your personal days are part of your compensation, and you deserve to use them without feeling guilt. In this episode of Dear Stellar Teacher, Emily and I are breaking down why teachers struggle to take time off and how you can shift your mindset to confidently use your personal days when you need them.We know that planning for a sub can sometimes feel like more work than it’s worth, but we’re sharing simple strategies to make it easier—from creating emergency sub plans to building routines that keep your classroom running smoothly. We’re also talking about how teachers can help shift school culture so that taking time off is normalized instead of frowned upon.If you’ve ever second-guessed taking personal days or worried about what others might think, this episode is for you. We’re here to remind you that rest is necessary, and you shouldn’t have to feel guilty for taking time off. Tune in for an honest conversation about setting boundaries, making sub planning easier, and finally letting go of the guilt!Join 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/episode242.

If you’re looking for a more effective way to help your students expand their vocabulary—without relying on endless word lists—this episode is for you! Today, we’re diving into morphology instruction and how a simple five-step routine can transform the way your students learn new words. By teaching morphemes explicitly, you can give your students the tools to decode unfamiliar words, make meaning independently, and support them in expanding vocabulary in a meaningful, lasting way.Teaching morphemes is one of the most powerful strategies for helping students recognize word patterns, determine word meanings, and build a stronger understanding of language. But if you’ve ever felt like you didn’t have enough time in the day to fit in meaningful word study, or if you’ve relied on worksheets and memorization without seeing long-term retention, this episode will show you a more effective approach to expanding vocabulary in your classroom.In this episode, I’ll walk you through a structured, step-by-step approach to teaching morphemes that will help students recognize word patterns, build connections, and focus on expanding vocabulary across all subject areas. This strategy works for all students but is especially powerful for upper elementary learners tackling complex texts.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a simple and effective plan for incorporating morphology into your literacy block—without adding more memorization or worksheets! Whether you're new to morphology instruction or looking for ways to refine your approach, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to support your students in expanding vocabulary in a way that truly sticks.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/episode240.

Fluency instruction is crucial in upper elementary, countering the belief that it's only for younger grades. This discussion highlights how fluency enhances comprehension, and provides insight into common challenges students face, such as slow reading and robotic delivery. Listeners will discover a structured five-day fluency routine designed to fit seamlessly into literacy blocks. By prioritizing fluency, teachers can significantly elevate their students' reading skills and confidence, ensuring lasting success beyond elementary school.

In this conversation, Lindsay Kemeny, an educator and literacy advocate, emphasizes the importance of research-backed strategies in reading instruction. She shares her transformative journey supporting her son with dyslexia, leading to the development of seven powerful techniques designed to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice. Lindsay encourages educators to adapt their methods to support struggling readers effectively. The discussion highlights the role of assessment data in tailoring instruction and promotes valuing progress in teaching.

Teaching is full of big goals, high expectations, and never-ending to-do lists—but what if you could make meaningful progress without feeling overwhelmed? In this Dear Stellar Teacher episode, Emily and I are breaking down simple, actionable strategies to help you stay on track, build momentum, and reach your goals without burnout.We know that so many teachers feel like they’re constantly behind, no matter how much they accomplish. But here’s the truth: you’re not behind—you’re right on time. Today, we’re sharing mindset shifts and practical steps that will help you prioritize, focus on what really matters, and confidently move forward without the pressure of perfection.If you’ve been feeling like there’s too much to do and not enough time, this episode will help you reset and refocus. Whether you're looking to improve your literacy instruction, streamline your routines, or simply feel more in control of your workload, we’ve got encouragement and strategies to help. Let’s dive in!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/episode237.

If you’re looking for a structured, research-backed approach to improving your students’ reading comprehension, this episode is for you. We’re diving into reciprocal teaching, a highly effective strategy that helps students become active, engaged readers by focusing on four key comprehension skills: predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing. This approach encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and independent learning—giving students the tools they need to deeply understand any text.Reciprocal teaching isn’t just another comprehension strategy—it’s a powerful, interactive routine that fosters student-led discussions and enhances metacognitive awareness. Research has consistently shown that students who engage in reciprocal teaching make significant gains in comprehension. And the best part? It’s easy to implement with any text and across all subject areas. In this episode, I’ll break down how to introduce reciprocal teaching in your classroom, step by step, so your students can start benefiting from it right away.By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap for setting up reciprocal teaching in your classroom, from modeling and guided practice to full student-led implementation. Whether you teach third, fourth, or fifth grade, this strategy can make a meaningful impact on your students' ability to process and engage with complex texts. So, if you’re ready to boost comprehension and empower your students as confident, independent readers, let’s dive in!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/episode237.

Have you ever wondered if read-alouds still belong in a Science of Reading-aligned classroom? As we dive deeper into research-based literacy practices, it’s easy to question whether cherished routines like reading aloud still have a place. The good news? They absolutely do! In this episode, we explore how read-alouds can be a powerful tool to build language comprehension, foster engagement, and enrich your students’ reading experiences.Joining me today is Dr. Molly Ness, a researcher, author, and expert on read-alouds. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for literacy, Dr. Ness shares fascinating insights into the academic, linguistic, and even physiological benefits of read-alouds. Together, we’ll discuss how read-alouds go beyond enjoyment to support vocabulary acquisition, background knowledge, and critical thinking skills.Whether you’re looking to elevate your current read-aloud practices or seeking fresh ideas to make them more impactful, this episode is packed with practical tips and research-based strategies. Tune in to discover why read-alouds remain a cornerstone of effective literacy instruction—and how you can use them to inspire and empower your students.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/episode236.