Blog Posts

Linda 1/15/26 Linda 1/15/26

Your Word Is Your Wand: Reigniting Word Magic in Older Readers

As students grow older, their curiosity about words often fades—taking comprehension, clarity, and confidence with it. In this January 2026 reflection, Linda explores how precise language (“le mot juste”) can rekindle word consciousness in grades 3–8. Through a meaningful classroom moment, the Jenkins Curve, and a playful new routine featuring student “Word Wizards,” this post offers a joyful, low-pressure way to bring the magic of words back into learning—without relying on ineffective Word of the Day practices.

Linda 12/15/25 Linda 12/15/25

Pacing a Longer Read Aloud or a Text Set With a Vocabulary Intermission

Bring vocabulary to life with Growing Home by Beth Ferry — a magical, humorous read-aloud that models word consciousness and the power of belonging. This Grades 3–5 lesson plan offers ready-to-use vocabulary lists, pacing guides, and discussion prompts to help students fall in love with language while exploring what it means to call a place “home.” Download the full lesson plan and discover how to turn every word into an opportunity for JOYful learning.

Linda 10/30/25 Linda 10/30/25

Vocabulary Notebooks: A Workbench for Word Learning

Vocabulary Notebooks are more than a list of words — they’re a playground for language. In this post, we’ll explore how students in Grades 3 and up can use these notebooks to organize, analyze, and play with words. From exploring shades of meaning to building word networks, Vocabulary Notebooks encourage curiosity, creativity, and ownership of vocabulary learning.