Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

Sara Marye, Literacy Teacher, Elementary Teacher
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Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

Welcome to the Stellar Teacher Podcast! We believe teaching literacy is a skill. It takes a lot of time, practice, and effort to be good at it. This podcast will show you how to level up your literacy instruction and make a massive impact with your students, all while having a little fun! Your host, Sara Marye, is a literacy specialist passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world pass on their love of reading to their students. She has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. Sara has made it her mission to create high quality no-fluff resources and lesson ideas that are both meaningful and engaging for young readers. Each week, Sara and her guests will share their knowledge, tips, and tricks so that you can feel confident in your ability to transform your students into life-long readers. For printable and digital resources, head to stellarteacher.com. Connect with Sara on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    231. [Listen Again] Episode #55 - Creative Ways to Assess Student Learning

    Winter break is almost here, and you’re probably balancing excitement for the holidays with the pressure to assess student learning before the semester wraps up. But assessments don’t have to mean stressful, time-consuming tests. This week on The Stellar Teacher Podcast, we’re bringing back one of our most popular episodes from the archives: Creative Ways to Assess Student Learning. These quick and engaging strategies will help you gather valuable insights without overwhelming your students—or yourself! In this episode, I’ll share 10 creative ways to assess student learning without relying on traditional tests. From quick brain dumps to hashtag challenges, these ideas are versatile, low-prep, and effective across all subjects. They’re designed to give you meaningful insights into your students’ thinking and understanding while keeping them engaged and motivated during the final days before winter break. If you’re looking for fresh ideas to assess student learning, this episode is packed with practical tips you can use right away. And if you’re looking for even more ideas, check out the templates available in my TPT store to make implementing these strategies even easier. Let’s finish the semester strong with fun, meaningful ways to celebrate all the learning your students have done so far! Purchase the Stellar Teacher Company Exit Ticket Sticky Notes here. 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/episode231.

    20 min

  2. DEC 9

    230. Supporting Students with Dyslexia: Expert Tips for Teachers and Parents with Heather O'Donnell

    Dyslexia is a complex challenge—but with the right support, students can thrive. In this episode, Sara is joined by dyslexia specialist Heather O’Donnell to explore how teachers can build strong, collaborative relationships with parents to support students with dyslexia. Together, they break down the essential steps teachers can take to identify potential signs of dyslexia and how to communicate effectively with families to ensure students get the interventions they need to succeed. Heather unpacks the common signs of dyslexia that teachers may observe, including challenges with reading, writing, spelling, and executive function tasks. She highlights the importance of early identification and structured literacy interventions, while also addressing misconceptions about dyslexia, like the myth that it’s simply “reversing letters.” With her practical advice, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to approach this learning difference with empathy and expertise. Whether you’ve worked with students with dyslexia before or are supporting a student for the first time, this episode offers valuable insights to help you build a team approach. Discover how to empower both students and parents with the tools they need to overcome obstacles and celebrate progress along the way. Don’t miss Heather’s expert tips for fostering confidence and collaboration in every step of the journey! 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. Fill out the Dear Stellar Teacher form for a chance to be featured on a future episode. To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode230.

    29 min

  3. DEC 2

    229. Dear Stellar Teacher: How can I make a familiar book or resource feel fresh and engaging for my students?

    Have you ever felt a little possessive over a favorite classroom activity or picture book? You’re not alone! In this month’s Dear Stellar Teacher episode, Sara and Emily dive into a question many teachers can relate to: What do you do when a beloved book or activity has already been used by another grade level? Together, they explore how to shift your mindset from competition to collaboration, unlocking new opportunities for your students. Throughout this episode, Sara and Emily share practical strategies to make familiar books and routines feel fresh and engaging, even for students who’ve seen them before. From creating collaborative campus traditions to tailoring activities for different grade levels, they highlight how to maximize the learning potential of shared resources. Plus, they discuss the unexpected benefits of rereading books and repeating routines across multiple years. Whether you’ve encountered this scenario or are simply curious about fostering a collaborative teaching culture, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Don’t miss the chance to transform how you approach shared classroom materials and build a stronger sense of community on your campus. Let’s make teaching a true team sport! 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/episode229.

    19 min

  4. NOV 25

    228. The Power of Outlining: 3 Strategies to Strengthen Student Writing

    Do your students struggle to turn their ideas into cohesive, organized writing? If so, you’re not alone. Outlining is an essential step in the writing process, yet it’s often rushed or overlooked in classrooms. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the art of teaching outlining—a skill that makes writing easier and more effective for students. By helping students create a roadmap for their writing, you’ll set them up for success and reduce the frustration of staring at a blank page. Drawing inspiration from The Writing Rope by Joan Sedita and The Writing Revolution by Judith Hochman and Natalie Wexler, we’ll explore why spending more time in the “think and plan” stage can transform your students’ writing. We’ll discuss how outlines reduce the cognitive load of drafting and make the writing process more efficient. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas, organizing details, or structuring a paragraph, outlining is the key to unlocking confident and skilled student writers. In this episode, I’m sharing three strategies to help your students master outlining. From teaching them to identify the task, audience, and purpose (TAP) to practicing paragraph deconstruction, you’ll walk away with practical tips to implement immediately. Plus, you’ll discover how to seamlessly integrate outlining into your literacy block and beyond, empowering your students to write with clarity and confidence. 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/episode228.

    18 min

  5. NOV 18

    227. Mastering Topic Sentences: 6 Strategies Every Teacher Should Know

    If teaching topic sentences has ever felt like a struggle, you’re not alone. Many students find it challenging to start their paragraphs with a clear, engaging main idea, often jumping into details or relying on repetitive phrases. In today’s episode, we’re tackling this foundational writing skill with six practical strategies to help students craft topic sentences that truly enhance their paragraphs. Reflecting on my own classroom experiences, I remember how often students would freeze at the beginning of a paragraph or produce overly generic topic sentences. Now, with proven strategies in hand, I’m here to share exactly how you can guide your students to create topic sentences that set the right tone and direction for their writing. From structuring their ideas to experimenting with sentence frames, these approaches will make a noticeable difference. Join me as we explore hands-on activities and techniques, like identifying topic sentences in reading materials and practicing with prompts, that are sure to build your students’ confidence and skill. With a bit of guidance, you’ll see them move from hesitation to mastery in no time! Plus, these strategies will not only strengthen their topic sentences but also enhance their overall paragraph writing, helping them create clearer, more cohesive paragraphs with ease. 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/episode227.

    22 min

  6. NOV 11

    226. The Powerful Impact of Sentence-Level Work

    Sentence-level writing can be a skill that is often overlooked but absolutely essential for literacy success. Many teachers feel the pressure to focus on end-of-year essay skills, but without strong sentence foundations, even the best essay instruction can falter. I’ll be sharing why it’s crucial to prioritize sentence writing with your students and how this focus will strengthen all areas of their literacy—from writing coherence to reading comprehension. Why is sentence work so powerful? It all starts with structure. When students learn to craft clear, varied, and purposeful sentences, they unlock the ability to communicate their ideas effectively. This skill also boosts comprehension, as students who understand sentence structure can better interpret complex texts. By building sentence-level skills, we’re helping students develop clarity in both their writing and their reading—setting them up for academic success across subjects. You’ll leave this episode with practical strategies to bring sentence-level work into your classroom, even if you’re short on time. Whether through sentence deconstruction in small groups or fluency-building exercises, these approaches will transform how your students approach writing and understanding texts. Ready to make sentence writing a priority? Tune in to discover how focusing on sentences can be one of the most impactful shifts you make in your teaching practice. 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/episode226.

    22 min

  7. NOV 4

    225. Dear Stellar Teacher: What Should Grading Look Like in My Classroom?

    Welcome to this month’s episode of Dear Stellar Teacher! We’re kicking things off with a heartwarming story straight from our Stellar Literacy Collective Facebook community, where fifth and sixth-grade teacher Rebecca shares an inspiring classroom win. At her new school, Rebecca has been using our whole group lessons, including a powerful poetry lesson on The Invisible Backpack, a lesson designed to help students understand that everyone carries unseen challenges or struggles. She had her students reflect on it through a thoughtful writing prompt—a moment that brought both empathy and comprehension to the forefront of learning and allowed her to make personal connections with her students. In today’s episode, we’re unpacking one of teaching’s biggest balancing acts: grading. Teachers often wonder how many grades to take, what to grade, and the type of feedback to offer. We’ll talk about balancing grading requirements with meaningful assessments, helping you reduce pressure while still providing valuable insights for your students. Our goal? To streamline your grading process so it’s not just about checking boxes but rather about fostering growth and understanding. One tip we discuss is how to use in-class grading for instant feedback—an approach that saves time and boosts student engagement. It's important to keep in mind that grades are more than just numbers in a grade book; they’re a way to communicate progress and provide feedback that supports student growth. By staying intentional about what and when we grade, we can shift our focus from merely fulfilling requirements to fostering a more meaningful learning experience. Instead of letting grading become a burdensome task, let’s remember that it’s an opportunity to guide, encourage, and celebrate each student’s journey. If you have ideas or topics you’d like us to cover in a future Dear Stellar Teacher episode, feel free to reach out—we’d love to hear from you! 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/episode225.

    21 min

  8. OCT 28

    224. The Reading League Review: Key Takeaways and Insights

    In this episode, I’m thrilled to bring you the best insights and takeaways from the incredible Reading League Conference, where a few teammates and I learned from some of the brightest minds in literacy education. If you’re unfamiliar, the Reading League is a powerful organization dedicated to helping teachers implement effective literacy practices rooted in the science of reading. I absolutely love their mission: “We believe all children deserve to learn to read, and all teachers can learn to teach them.” That vision aligns so well with what we strive for here on the podcast—empowering teachers to provide the best instruction possible. Throughout the Reading League Conference, I attended several incredible sessions, each offering valuable insights into literacy instruction and how we can better support our students. From understanding the importance of balancing word recognition with comprehension skills, to grasping how the science of reading and the science of learning intersect, I walked away with a renewed sense of purpose. One major takeaway was the reminder that while research provides clear direction, the real challenge lies in effectively implementing these best practices in a way that supports each student's unique learning journey. I also left the Reading League Conference feeling energized by the discussions around how emotions, cognitive load, and productive struggle play a role in literacy learning. It’s not just about the programs or strategies we use, but how we create environments where students are challenged yet supported, and how we recognize their progress along the way. These insights have sparked new ideas for future podcast episodes and Stellar Teacher resources, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into these topics with you all! 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/episode224.

    33 min
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4.9
out of 5
165 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Stellar Teacher Podcast! We believe teaching literacy is a skill. It takes a lot of time, practice, and effort to be good at it. This podcast will show you how to level up your literacy instruction and make a massive impact with your students, all while having a little fun! Your host, Sara Marye, is a literacy specialist passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world pass on their love of reading to their students. She has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. Sara has made it her mission to create high quality no-fluff resources and lesson ideas that are both meaningful and engaging for young readers. Each week, Sara and her guests will share their knowledge, tips, and tricks so that you can feel confident in your ability to transform your students into life-long readers. For printable and digital resources, head to stellarteacher.com. Connect with Sara on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany

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