Blog Posts

Linda 9/17/26 Linda 9/17/26

The Trouble with Heroes: WORD JOY: Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11th

A Note from Linda

There are SO many reasons I love this book: different structures, opportunities to do some deep thinking, poetic forms, spot-on snarky inner dialogue, gut-wrenching one minute and laugh-out-loud the next… and vocabulary. But it is Finn who wins you over. You root for him on every page as he goes on a journey of grief, growth, and life.

Messner touches on big issues - grief, anger, family, gender, PTSD, alcoholism - but with a gentle touch that makes this book perfect for 5th to 8th graders … even adults. Authentic, but not morose. It brims with the hope and healing that comes after tragedy, both personal and global.

Linda 4/8/26 Linda 4/8/26

Word Joy: The Hidden Key to Understanding Test Questions

Spring testing season is here—and while students may understand reading skills like theme or structure, many struggle with the vocabulary used in test questions themselves. Words like convey, contribute, and reveal can become hidden barriers to success. In this Word Joy post, we explore how strengthening academic vocabulary helps students better understand what questions are asking, leading to stronger, more accurate responses on ELA assessments.

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 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.

Linda 10/8/25 Linda 10/8/25

Growing Home: Sparking Word JOY Through Vocabulary and Story

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 7/7/25 Linda 7/7/25

Vocabulary Connections

Linda 6/30/25 Linda 6/30/25

Introducing Word JOY! Part 2: Using Animated Shorts

Linda 6/5/25 Linda 6/5/25

Grow a Garden of Words

Linda 3/3/25 Linda 3/3/25

Introducing Word JOY! Part 1: Content and Resources for Intermediate Readers Grades 3-6