Jason Oleskevich is a veteran teacher in Colorado. After 20 years of teaching, he started thinking the grass was greener outside the teaching realm, but after a year off realized he was a happier person in the classroom. Listen to this episode to hear his story, and find out why teaching is the best career out there for many of us.

CCIRA Literacy Conversations

Jason Oleskevich: Renewing A Love for Teaching

Laura Resau, local Colorado author shares her experiences and habits as a writer-anthropologist. Laura specializes in middle grades and young adult books that are inspired by and celebrate cultures she has had the opportunity to visit and learn from.https://www.lauraresau.com/

Laura Resau:

Author Gordon Korman discusses what he writes, how he writes, and the role teachers and librarians play in getting his books into the hands of young "slacker fans." He discuses how he has challenged himself as an author through the years as he progresses on his way to writing 100 books for middle grade readers.

Gordon Korman: Sharing the Magic of Writing for Young "Slacker Fans"

Katie Garner specializes in making meaning while reading using the science of reading to increase access to books of our primary students.

Katie Garner - Practical Application of the Science of Reading in Your Classroom

Tanny McGregor chats with Molly and Jessica about using sketch-notes to make thinking visible and improve comprehension.Resources:Tanny's websiteInk and Ideas (book)The link above features:A Heinemann Podcast about SketchnotingTable of Contents from the bookA Sample ChapterFree TemplatesPD Resources from Tanny McGregorQuick video on the bookVIsual Notetaking using Ink and Ideas (46 minutes video)Please email cciravideo@gmail.com with any questions or concerns you have about the episode. Thanks for listening!

Tanny McGregor: Sketch-notes to Improve Comprehension

Troy Hicks: professor of English and Education at Central Michigan University. former middle school language arts teacher, Director of the Chippewa River Writing Project shares about New Literacies in the classroom.Resources:Troy's WebsiteTroy's new book: Mindful Teaching with TechnologyNCTE Definition of literacy in the digital ageAdobe Spark: Free for K-12Northwestern University Knight Lab Storylines ToolsSutoriThinglinkChoose Your Own Adventure - Alice KeelerChippewa River Writing Project - YoutubeStanford History Education GroupLateral ReadingNational Writing ProjectTransmedia Storytelling 101 - Henry JenkinsCreating Confident WritersTroy Hick's heros:Chris Miller, mentor as a teacherErnest Morrell, Director of NCTE Policy Studies, mentor as a teacher educatorIf you have questions or concerns about the episode, please email CCIRAvideo@gmail.com.

Troy Hicks: Integrating Tech into Literacy Instruction

Colby Sharp, host of The Yarn Podcast, co-author of Game Changer, editor of The Creativity Project, and co-founder of The Nerdy Book club shares a bit about his recent projects and how to curate a great classroom library.*More show notes to come.Have questions or comments? Please email cciravideo@gmail.com.

Colby Sharp: Increasing Book Access in Your Classroom

Today's guest is Beth Skelton who is a guru of Language Acquisition. Throughout the podcast Beth shares numerous actionable steps to allow teachers to create effective literacy and language instruction. She recommends purposeful planning to support students in producing quality reading, writing, and speaking. Listen in to find out how to leverage student assets and elevate student language success. If you want to learn more from Beth, join us for the 2022 CCIRA Literacy conference!Resources:WIDAIsabel Beck - vocab guruWorking with Words Off the WallKaganWord SwapJeff ZwiersCris Tovani, "I Read It, but I Don't Get It"Harvard Graduate School of EducationProject ZeroSee, Think, WonderVisible Thinking RoutinesEllin Oliver KeeneHarvey Smokey DanielsDonalyn MillerRegie RoutmanAndrea Honigsfled, "Growing Language and Literacy"Spreadsheet of Resources - contact Beth at ellbeth@bethskelton.comFor questions about the episode, contact cciravideo@gmail.com

Beth Skelton - Every Teacher is a Language Teacher

Today's podcast was recorded with Erik Palmer, a guru of instructional practices for better spoken communication. Erik shares his philosophy on the importance of teaching speech as a crucial life skill. He has developed a framework to teach students what to do before and during speaking and uses mini lessons throughout the year to practice elements of great speech. He integrates speaking into all areas of instruction to maximize every moment and have students practice these skills. He elaborated on the importance of adults and teachers becoming effective oral communicators. Throughout our conversation Erik emphasized the importance of always improving and learning. He has many resources available through twitter, his website, and books, including checklists, a framework to teach, and other supporting materials. Erik Palmer will be a featured speaker at the 2022 CCIRA Literacy Conference.Resources:Erik Palmer's WebsiteErik Palmer's Twitter AccountErik's Basic Framework for Speaking (Begins at 6:56)What you do before you open your mouth - planning content for audience, appearance, visual aidsWhat you do as you are speaking - performing, body language, emotionPVLEGS (framework for speaking)Student Skill Monitors - example, "Poise Monitor"Framework becomes a tool for Peer FeedbackGuiding students from "I can't do speeches" to being effective speakers  (Begins 18:47)Break down speaking for studentsGet past the mystique and the idea of "I am not a good speaker.""We are emerging speakers"Mentor SpeechesWell Spoken: Teaching Speaking to All Students; Book by Erik PalmerSpeaking skills for teachers as educational advocates (29:31)Back to School NightIdentifying our weaknesses and speakers and learning to get betterErik's Inspirations to check out:Kelly GallagherUnknown Author Speaker from CCIRAQuestions or comments about the Episode? Email us at cciravideo@gmail.com. 

Erik Palmer - I think we can all improve at speaking

Today on the podcast we have Laura Whale, a literacy specialist whose passions include dyslexia and the science of reading. During our conversation, Laura shared with us a huge list of resources that she explored in her journey in becoming a better teacher. As she said many times: "when we know better, we do better."Resources mentioned during this episode:The Science of ReadingDyslexia Simulation - Rocky Mountain Branch, International Dyslexia AssociationVirtual Dyslexia SimulationThe Reports by Emily HanfordBook StudiesSpeech to Print by Louisa C. Moats, Ed. D.Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties by David KilpatrickLanguage at the Speed of Light by Mark SeidenbergEquipped for Reading Success by David KilpatrickLETRS TrainingOrton GillinghamCDE Reading ModulesHeggerty CurriculumMargaret GoldbergNatalie WexlerCCIRA, Inc.Tim RasinskiMarnie Ginsberg - Reading Simplified

Laura Whale - when we know better, we do better

Topics with Michele:Jeff Anderson and Whitney La Rocca - Patterns of Power (Grades 1-5) (Grades 6-8)Structuring breakout rooms and norms for your studentsRemote teaching schedulesUsing paper pencil remotely and how to have students use their camerasWorking with paras and support staff remotelyTaking care of your health and movement while teaching remotelyGrades as a measure during remote teachingSocial time, breaks for kids, and making connectionsMichele's role in CCIRA and what she has taken away from her involvementMichele's excitement for the online conference (which was canceled)

Michele Warner - Great Instruction Even in Quarantine

Emily Goldenstein joins Molly and Jessica to talk about how she is tackling teaching during a pandemic and what tips and strategies she uses to manage her time and keep her stress low. Check it out and find out about the special wednesday schedule that lets her tackle some of her feedback goals while meeting student needs.

Emily Goldenstein - Tackling Stress and Online Feedback

Jessie Meeks, 2nd and 3rd grade teacher talks about how she leverages technology and instructional practices to teach to two different grades in the same classroom. We cover a lot of territory in the podcast: the logistics of teaching lessons to two grade levels, technology tools and how to use them, lesson templates for online (like a "do-what" chart), staying current on professional learning, and so much more.

Jessie Meeks: Tackling Standards in Two Grades at Once and Other Brilliant Ideas

Cathy Lynskey, CCIRA Treasurer, chats with Jessica and Molly about teaching in fall 2020 and what school looks like for her students.

Cathy Lynskey: Teaching in 2020

Guest Pam Minard talks to Molly and Jessica about what the 2021 CCIRA Conference will look like, including why the conference is going virtual and how we hope to accommodate our members.

Pam Minard: a Virtual Journey in 2021

CCIRA Inc., Colorado's literacy organization, is ready to chat about literacy with some fantastic literacy experts. Get ready to learn expand your list of educational heros and gather ideas about ways you can improve your teaching practice.

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CCIRA Literacy Conversations

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