Posts by category
- Category: [Ask Smekens]
- Category: [Reading]
- Summarize Stories with Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
- Plan 3 components into every anchor chart
- Notice & note what the text says and means
- Practice note-taking with short videos
- Collect Snapple Facts—but focus on the important
- Equip students to attack prompts independently
- Teach 4 details that imply a text’s main idea
- Introduce Reading Voice and Thinking Voice
- Practice 2-step synthesizing with visuals
- Emphasize the 3 purposes of text features
- Strengthen text citations in 3 steps
- Rework the Prompt to Serve as an Introduction
- Identify 4 reasons to take notes
- Ask two types of after-reading questions
- Improve prompt responses with the Yes, MA’AM acronym
- Introduce a new comprehension skill with the right text
- Teach literature and informational text skills together
- Scaffold the K-12 argumentative reading standard
- Use the prompt to determine the genre
- Emphasize thinking when reading math story problems
- Decode a prompt in 3 steps
- Use longer basal passages after the mini-lesson
- Reveal 3 categories of character lessons
- Support summary writing with Information Pyramids
- Use previously-read texts to keep mini-lessons short
- Establish effective Turn & Talk procedures
- Use text to model the Distracting Voice
- Convert favorite Smekens resources into Google Jamboards
- Avoid direct quotes in summary writing
- Embrace the reciprocity among RACE, CER, & Yes, MA’AM
- Add elaboration to Yes, MA’AM responses
- Explain the difference between main idea & topic
- Adjust annotation expectations for struggling readers
- Prepare students to synthesize when reading off a screen
- Teach explicitly–I do; You Watch & Listen
- Prompt readers when their inferences are off track
- Activate background knowledge when inferring
- Identify “relevant” textual details per reading standard
- Tie every comprehension lesson to the Inference Silhouette
- Clarify summary versus synthesis
- Mark new and contradictory information
- Focus on the little words in math story problems
- Explain the value of multiple sources
- Cross the Bridge of Fluency
- Balance on-paper and on-screen experiences
- Require students to listen during conversations with Talk Moves
- Broaden the meaning of
text-to-world connections
- Return to annotations after reading
- Explore bell-ringer options
- Initiate a school-wide Root Rally
- Teach phonemic awareness without teaching phonics
- Target reading rate with closed captioning
- Consider alternatives to round-robin reading
- Seek magazines with short nonfiction passages
- Compare vocabulary study to dating
- Measure a text’s complexity
- Plan & Ask Text-Dependent Questions
- Introducing Fluency to Students
- Provide Frequent Opportunities to Read Visuals & Videos
- Plan Whole-Class Lessons Using Content-Area Text
- Annotate Based on the Reading Purpose
- Go Beyond Highlighting–
Expect Why-Lighting
- Find the Story Within the Problem
- Synthesize & Cite Evidence from Multiple Sources
- Troubleshoot Evidence Errors in Reading Responses
- Balance Evidence v. Elaboration in Reading Responses
- Culminate a Close Reading with a Writing Task
- Identify Text Worthy of a Close Reading
- Follow Explicit Instruction with Close-Reading Experiences
- Start a Close Reading Without Previewing the Text
- Take Advantage of Root-Word Instruction
- Enhance Learning with Active Instruction
- Increase Word-Study Knowledge With Sorts
- Alert Readers to Subtle Misspellings in Fake Websites
- Define Visual Evidence as Observable Details
- Track Individual Ideas to Analyze Their Influences
- Identify the Skill First & the Text Second
- Assess Vocabulary with Cloze Passages
- Apply Connections Back to the Text
- Discern 3 Types of Syntheses
- Differentiate Between Themes and Topics
- Integrate Excerpts into Comprehension Instruction
- End a Constructed Response with an Explanation
- Skim and Slim Portions of a Novel
- Think Beyond the Text with Fat Questions
- Infer Perspective with TV Commercials
- Teach Readers How to Skim Long Texts
- Recognize Cursor Symbols to Improve On-Screen Reading
- Create Group Products with Think, Ink, Pair, Square
- Self-monitor to mute the Distracting Voice
- Strengthen Textual Evidence for Video-Based Texts While Writing on a Screen
- Translate Technical Symbols to Words
- Introduce the Purpose of Annotation
- Identify 10-15 General Academic Words per Grade Level
- Master the 10 Anchor Reading Standards with a Cheat Sheet
- Prove Reader Curiosity with the Right Text
- Omit Examples from Core Vocabulary Lists
- Generate Narratives in Response to Reading
- Compare a Book to its Movie Version
- Parallel Summary Writing with ESPN SportsCenter
- Starting Literacy Stations
- Find Common Ground When Comparing Texts
- Clarify Character Traits Versus Feelings
- Take Some Grades From Literacy Station Products
- Build Choice into Digital Learning
- Support Summary Writing with Frames Based on a Text’s Structure
- Follow 4-Step Predictions in Science
- Introduce Reader Synthesis
- Communicate Must-Do versus May-Do Tasks
- Simulate Research-Writing Tasks During eLearning
- Integrate Information Across Diverse Media Formats
- Support Main Idea with Textual Evidence
- Engage Every Student with ESRs
- Maximize On-Screen Reading Time
- Identify the Best Answers
- Embed Technology-Enhanced Items with Edulastic
- Compile Assessment Data with a Reading Data Tracker
- Follow 5 Steps to Make an Inference
- Pre-Teach Only the Most Critical Vocabulary
- Expect Students to Build Their Own Background Knowledge
- Capture Ideas with Emojis
- Evaluate Text Features for Their Added Value
- Review Terms & Roots with Headbands
- Maintain Vocabulary Notebooks
- Organize Supplies to Maximize Time in Small Groups
- Add Editorial Cartoons to Science & Social Studies
- Apply Transformation to Complex Concepts
- Add a Tech Twist to Marzano Six
- Remain Neutral When Asking How do you know?
- Expose K-2 Readers to Annotation Strategies
- Define Evidence Versus Just a Detail
- Restate the Question in a Constructed Response
- Reflect, Don’t Revise, Before Standardized Tests
- Vary Text Types
- Weave the What, Which, & Where into Textual Citations
- Find Lower-Level Texts for Upper-Level Readers
- Strengthen the Organization of Nonfiction Notebooks
- Identify and Evaluate an Author’s Ideas
- Introduce the 3 Phases of Close Reading to Students
- Build Sound & Letter Knowledge within Small Groups
- Address Word Study/Spelling for Transitional Readers
- Access Top Tools for Digital Annotating
- Locate High-Frequency Words in Small-Group Meetings
- Improve Comprehension of Math Word Problems
- Adapt Yes, MA’AM to Fit Longer Essays
- Clarify Purpose versus Point of View versus Perspective
- Measuring the Value of High-Frequency Words
- Ensure Efficient Literacy Stations with Task Sheets
- Meet the Multi-Text Expectation
- Teach Parody with Picture Books
- Attack Story Problems with the 3 Phases of Close Reading
- Keep Track as Students Build Reading Stamina
- Tweak the Purposes & Uses of Content-Area Notebooks
- Boost Background Knowledge to Understand Author Allusions
- Use Word Spokes within Word Study & Vocab Development
- Distinguish Between Key Terms and Their Synonyms
- Teach Readers to Discern Text Structure
- Narrow the Focus within your Core Reading Program
- Simplify Annotation with Marks, Codes, & Abbreviations
- Apply Phonics & Rhythm in a Primary Music Class
- Maintain Fluency Despite Difficult Words
- Guide Small Groups Through Constructed-Response Writing
- Read & Write On Demand
- Access Visual Flashcards to Improve Students’ Vocabulary
- Summarize Texts by Creating Found Poems
- Differentiate Small-Group Lessons Based on Reader Needs
- Stop and Say Something
- Assess Comprehension with Retelling Labels
- Provide Boy-Friendly Texts & Topics
- Temporarily Suspend Small Groups in Lieu of Book Clubs
- Build Background Knowledge With Text Sets
- Release Responsibility to the Students During the Cycle
- Write Critiques Based on 5 Big Questions
- Walk Through the Features of Informational Text
- Incorporate Word-Work Games WITHOUT a Lot of Work
- Assess Reader Thinking with this Simple Handout
- Achieve Close Reading in Technical Text
- Organize Your Classroom Library
- Minimize Discussions About Text-to-Self Connections
- Analyze Historical Characters & Their Motivations
- Comprehending Cause & Effect
- Teach Main Idea with Titles
- Provide Engaging Text for Partners to Read in Fluency Station
- Use Tech Tools for Classroom Management
- Redefine Fiction and Nonfiction
- Defining Differences Between Perspective & Point of View
- Get Creative with Crafty Creamer Characters
- Choose a Core Reading Program
- Build Incidental Vocabularies
- Decipher Literal v. Inferential Reading Questions
- Communicate with QR Codes in the Classroom
- Gauge the Length of Typed Responses
- Keep Track of Thinking and Papers with a Reader’s Notebook
- Avoid Robot Readers with Three Key Strategies
- Manage powerful classroom conversations with Talking Sticks
- Target Students’ Inferring Skills in Daily Doses
- Teach Spelling Principles, not Spelling Words
- Demonstrate Expert Thoughts with Think Alouds
- Build Stamina for Readers and Writers
- Review Syllabication Skills
- Incorporate The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle as a Mentor Text
- Teach Reading Through Your Read Alouds
- Facilitate a Questioning Spirit
- Plan Text-to-Text Comparisons with a T-Chart
- Constructed Responses Require Textual Evidence
- Read Movie Scripts
- Use the Retelling Glove for Summarizing Stories
- Provide Math Reading Tips to Aid All Students
- Assess Overall Understanding with a Cloze Activity
- Visualize within Listening Stations
- Utilize Photo Files in Your Literacy Classroom
- Infer Beyond the Text with Character Cubing
- Personalized Post-its
- Read for Word Meanings
- Interest Inventories for Your Readers
- Find Figurative Language in Popular Song Lyrics
- Save Reading Materials for Next Year
- Provide Oral Fluency Practice with Joke Books
- Organize a Summer Reading Program
- Distinguishing Main Idea from Theme
- Helping Students Identify the Main Idea of Any Text
- Write Simple Summaries and Determining Main Idea
- Color-Code Yes, MA’AM Facets
- Creative Literature Responses
- Use Cutouts to Depict Vocab Terms
- Collect Research from Images
- Utilize Charts & Tables as Vocabulary Strategies
- Introducing Text Features & Conducting a Scavenger Hunt
- Generate Genre-Specific Literary Writing Tasks
- Teach Math Extended-Response Writing Skills
- Use High-Interest Scary Stories
- Brainstorm Details & Take Notes Using the ABC Chart
- Stay Engaged with During-Reading Questions
- Read punctuation to increase fluency
- Apply Principles of Question-Answer Relationship
- Make Digraphs Come to Life
- Use Visuals to Support Content-Area Vocabulary
- Review with Action-Packed Strategies
- Practice Reading for Context with WordMarks
- Incorporate Answer of the Day
- Broaden Character Feelings Beyond Happy, Sad, Mad
- Engage More Readers with Highlighter Tape
- Write Strong 20-Word Summaries
- Create 3-D Study Guides
- Take Notes Visually
- Target Automaticity with Fonts and Typestyles
- Using Audio Books to Reinforce Visualization
- Determining the Important Information
- Develop Core Vocabulary for Each Academic Area
- Create a Character Life Map
- Manage Students Who Read Faster than the Rest
- Review Phonics with Year-End Awards
- Track Words While Reading
- Refer to Vocabulary Daily
- Note the Author’s Words That Led to a Visualization
- Use Picture Books in the Content Areas
- Set a Purpose for Reading
- Build Phonics Skills with Word-Maker Cups
- Improve Constructed Responses with the Invisible Questions Strategy
- Develop Reading Vocabulary
- Tackle Obscure Proper Nouns in Reading
- Hear Punctuation
- Motivate Readers to Dive into the Text
- Category: [Writing]
- Master the 4-step mini-lesson
- Track writing skills with a yearlong 6-Traits bulletin board
- Teach letter writing based on the sender’s purpose
- Strengthen arguments with counterclaims
- Plan Problems into Narrative Stories
- Pre-write in 2 Steps with the ABC Chart
- Overcome “listy” writing with idea development
- End writing units with a from-scratch product
- Persuade an audience with rhetorical devices
- Incorporate 3 literary devices into the middle of any narrative
- Deliver information with 4 word-choice techniques
- Integrate 3 ingredients within every claim
- Focus on how writing is taught regardless of curriculum
- Make informative writing your year-end focus
- Create digital writing portfolios
- Consider a digital writer’s notebooks in the primary grades
- Teach from the “Launch” book all year long
- Utilize digital exit tickets to assess learning
- Introduce the Test Lady to Students
- Adjust letter-writing skills to write effective emails
- Follow a 6-Traits introduction with genre-specific units
- Launch a digital writer’s notebook
- Incorporate evidence in a narrative response
- Identify the 6 Traits within state writing rubrics
- Balance traditional research projects with shorter research experiences
- Vary the pace of the writing process
- Use writing prompts effectively
- Make notes during writer conferences
- Adjust the writing process for digital devices
- Reteach grammar skills in maintenance mini-lessons
- Target grammar skills within writing units
- Teach conventions in context
- Evaluate when to introduce a digital writer’s notebook
- Include idiom costumes in fall party
- Execute the 3 parts of a writer’s workshop
- Round up similar ideas in revision
- Establish a “Done” List
- Develop independent first-draft spellers
- Support writers when they need help
- Communicate feedback within the writing rubric
- Tweak the Six-Traits rubric for different units
- Use a Six-Traits rubric for efficient assessment
- Clarify the role of Wikipedia
- Make peer-revision meaningful
- Encourage spelling risk-takers with a bulletin board
- Stretch spelling perfectionists
- Include publishing: The +1 of 6+1 Writing
- Understand the difference between revising and editing
- Adjust conventions expectations
- Teach one skill across 3+ days
- Create a writing curriculum of mini-units
- Build Kid-Friendly Writing Rubrics
- Juggle Reader & Writer Workshops in 50 Minutes
- Identify Strong Word Choice with the Purple Highlighter
- Assess Speeches
- Stop editing all student errors
- Generate More First Drafts Than Final Drafts
- Separate Information by Source & Perspective
- Vary Time Spent in the Writing Process
- Go Beyond a Model;
Reveal a Think Aloud
- Introduce 1-2 New Skills Per Mini-Unit
- Emphasize the “Trump” Traits
- Provide a Listening Purpose During Author’s Chair
- Adjust a T-Chart to Fit Various Text Structures
- Track Main Ideas and Details within a Dissected Web
- Adapt the Storyboard to Fit All Chronological Texts
- Maintain Control During Mini-Lessons
- Align with the Strongest Position
- Push Students Beyond Obvious Descriptions
- Organize Information Collected from Sources
- Hold Writer-Process Conferences Daily
- Define the Purpose of Every Grammar Skill
- Start and End Persuasive Pieces
- Scaffold You-do writing experiences
- Distinguish "Reasons" from "Evidence"
- Integrate Mentor Text within Writing Instruction
- Connect Modes of Writing to Author’s Purpose
- Paraphrase Author Ideas
- Clarify That Voice is a Choice
- Convey Tone & Mood with Sentence Length
- Introduce the 6 Traits
- Piece Together Informative Introductions
- Incorporate Persuasive, Informative, & Narrative Writing in PK-1
- Compare Argumentative v. Persuasive Writing
- See the 6 Traits Within the College and Career-Ready ELA Standards
- Start with 2-Word Sentences
- Identify Synonyms for the Basic Color Words
- Develop Paragraphs–One Sentence at a Time
- Identify the Beginning, Middle, End of PK-1 Opinion Writing
- Boost Writers’ Sentence Fluency with Specific Strategies
- Advance Students from Opinion to Persuasive to Argumentative
- Download a list of picture books to introduce the 6 Traits
- Teach Even the Youngest Writers About the 6 Traits
- Craft Informative Conclusions
- Convert Rubric Scores to Grades
- Build Students’ Verb Choice
- Crescendo to the Strongest Persuasive Reason
- Hear Punctuation for Writing
- Upgrade the 6-Traits Songs
- Target Picture Writing to Improve Sentence Writing
- Access Free Download for 20 Ways to Develop an Idea
- Conduct Multiple Label-Writing Units Throughout the Year
- Connect Ideas Within Paragraphs
- Develop School-Wide/District-Wide Writing Assessments
- Convey Tone with Word Connotations
- Advance from Transition Words to Phrases to Sentences
- Add 6 Types of Supporting Details
- Achieve Consistency Scoring School-Wide Writing Prompts
- Target List-Making as a Writing Genre
- See the Traits within the Writing Process
- Watch the Test Lady Sisters Style Show
- Define What Makes a Source "Relevant"
- Motivate Young Writers with Holiday Topics
- Connect Writing Lessons to Concrete Triggers
- Conduct Focused Edits
- Digitize Student Portfolios with Seesaw
- Catch up Students on Missed Lessons
- Make Room to Revise & Edit
- Tap Into Curiosity with Technology
- Practice Punctuation with Conversation
- Include Feeling Words in Exclamatory Sentences
- Define or Describe Nouns with Appositives
- Play with Prepositions
- Punctuate Dialogue with Comic Strips, Candy Hearts, & More
- Reach the Digital Generation with Dynamic Presentations
- Navigate the Internet
- Increase Writing Fluency in Primary Grades
- Embrace the Monster Teacher Inside
- Require WHAT & WHY in Primary Opinion Writing
- Dissect Rubrics for the 6 Traits of Writing
- Evaluate 4 Factors in Argument Analysis
- Use a Cheat Sheet to Recognize the 6 Traits
- Show Students How to Indent New Paragraphs
- Reveal the Different Purposes for Writing
- Create Traits Madness with Basketball Brackets
- Adjust Writer’s Voice for Purpose & Audience
- Build Research & Argumentative Skills with ProCon.org
- Turn up the Voice in Primary Writing
- Reinforce Content-Area Learning with ABC Lists
- Put Research Topics to the Test
- Expect Students to Edit a First Draft
- Answer the Great Pronoun Debate
- Check for Writer Understanding
- Plan a Meaningful Writing Time to Follow Each Trait Introduction
- Write Critiques Based on 5 Big Questions
- Share Voice with a Moody Pumpkin Patch
- Spark Writers with Images
- Explain Writing Topics with the Bright Ideas Light Bulb
- Incorporate Kristina’s Top 10 Favorite Mentor Texts
- Rethink the Possibilities When Using Search Sites
- Integrate Images for Various Instructional Purposes
- Dabble with Digital Storytelling
- Celebrate National Poetry Month All Year Long
- Get Creative with Crafty Creamer Characters
- Define Differences Between Perspective & Point of View
- Teach Research Writing in Smaller Mini-Units
- Kick Off Biography Research Unit with Song Lyrics
- Create Multigenre Research Projects
- Create a Customized Classroom Thesaurus
- Maximize the Benefits of Pinterest
- Teach Primary Students Figurative Language
- Build Strong Writing Paragraph by Paragraph
- Provide Authentic Writing Experiences
- Build Stamina for Readers and Writers
- Use Mentor Texts to Kick Off a New Unit
- Incorporate The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle as a Mentor Text
- Hold Editing Games to Boost Student Interest
- Motivate Struggling Writers to Generate More Sentences
- Teach Compare-Contrast Writing
- Write in P.E.
- Peruse These Purple Word Paloozas
- Make Every Word Count with Micro-Fiction
- Include Descriptive Writing in Every Genre
- Experiment with Voice-Filled Lessons
- Brainstorm Research Topics with Desktop Graffiti
- Use Texting to Your Advantage
- Engage Students with How-To Writing
- Provide Efficient Feedback with Customized Post-its
- Provide Opportunities for Pictorial Writing
- Set Writing Expectations with a Parent Letter
- Introduce Fun Revision Strategy: Story Surgery
- Get Students to Show, Not Tell with a Gotcha!
- Create Simple Flap Booklets
- Remember Story Beginnings for Writing
- Assess Second Graders Who Use Pictures to Start Writing
- Focus on Building Writers, Not Simply Illustrators
- Teach the Power of Word Spacing
- Teach Students to Assess Readability of their Own Writing
- Provide Support for Idea Generation
- Use American Idol to Inspire Peer Conferences
- Tie Writing Assignments to Literature
- Crown a Conventions Court
- Make a Summer To-Do List
- Target Close-up Details in Descriptive Writing
- Let Dead Words R.I.P.
- Create a Spolder Writing Folder
- Demonstrate the Power of Punctuation
- Pack in More Details with Single-Sentence Contests
- Teach Students How to Omit Cliches
- Use Grammar to Improve Sentence Fluency
- Provide Kid-Friendly 6-Traits Reminders
- Dissect Picture Books for Trait-Based Lessons
- Engage Writers with Highlighter Tape
- Dabble with Alternatives to the Traditional Research Paper
- Write About Conventions Characters
- Identify Expectations Through Anchor Papers
- Develop Acrostic Poems for Vocab Practice
- Discover 6-Traits Resources for the Secondary Teacher
- Write in Cursive or Print on Tests
- Practice Beginnings & Endings for State Writing Tests
- Write Letters from the Perspective of Concepts
- Strengthen Student Titles
- Use One of These Books for Word Choice
- Stretch Sentences with the Dice Game
- Celebrate Strong Word Choice
- Reveal Good Writing Before Students Write
- Remove Pronoun I in Research Paper
- Find Poems in Previous Writing
- Organize Your Mini-Lessons
- Include All Facets of the Task
- Write Endings That Don’t Merely Summarize
- Move from Personal Narratives to Memoir Writing
- Notice Great Word Choice–Even at Home
- Target Detailed Writing with Zoo Pals Paper Plates
- Teach Parents About the 6 Traits
- Draft Stronger Literature Responses with the 6 Traits
- Combine Reading & Writing in Literacy Notebooks
- Publish Writing on the Bulletin Board
- Track Student Writing Experiences
- Use Anchor Papers to Teach 6 Traits
- Prepare for Research Papers
- Jumpstart a Research-Writing Unit
- Self-Edit with Lift, Whisper, & Track
- Manage Writer Conferences
- Teach Students to Read for the 6 Traits of Writing
- Give the Gift of Words
- Teach Voice with Picture Books
- Let Your Voice Be Heard
- Check Out 3 Anchor Papers with Voice
- Create Leprechaun Adventure Stories
- Focus on Action Verbs
- Choose High-Energy Words
- Stretch Ideas in the Primary Grades
- Color-Code Pre-Write Lists
- Stretch Sentences with 2 Super Strategies
- Supersize Sentences in the Primary Grades
- Consider the Frequency of Grading Writing
- Introduce a Writer’s Notebook to 6-year olds
- Pick Partners for Reading, Revising, and More
- Get Ready for the Next School Year
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