In my recent blog post for the International Literacy Association I share practical and engaging ways to scaffold writing to foster an environment of equity, independence, and success.

“Cool Tools” such as varied writing utensils and papers such as strips or sticky notes make writing together more fun and provides students with a framework for success!

August means heading back to school but there’s still time for cooling off in the pool, lake, river, or the ocean. Are you a quick jumper inner or diver who bravely plunges in all at once? Or do you take a more gradual approach by dipping your toes in and slowly wading up to your knees as you gradually slip in? Maybe your water entry depends upon your mood and the situation.

For this blog post I am sharing a report I wrote for the Bring Me a Book National School Consortium. The organization provides books for underserved communities. I am proud to serve on the expert literacy team. I invited Paradise Ridge School in Paradise CA to be part of the program and we selected two classrooms of students to receive 6 books each over the year to promote independent reading at school and in the home. Read the fabulous stories about how the third grades created their own impromptu book clubs and how the boys started a cookbook craze! See the powerful suggestions to use at your school to promote more reading.