Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

Your Literacy Block: Part 4Fluency is more than reading fast — it's the bridge between word recognition and comprehension. In this episode of the Your Literacy Block series, Emily breaks down what reading fluency really means, why upper elementary students still need explicit fluency instruction, and three simple, research-backed activities you can start using this week.You'll learn:the 3 components of fluency: accuracy, automaticity, and prosodyHow fluency connects to Scarborough's Reading RopeWhy upper elementary teachers often overlook fluency instruction3 quick fluency activities: repeated reading (with the "One Glow, One Grow" partner routine), echo reading, and silly voicesMark your calendars! The Stellar Teacher Collective Kickoff is coming up — a live virtual training just for our Collective members. Join us July 5th - 10th as we explore the *new* Collective website and plan and prep for the school year. This is your chance to learn live, ask questions in real time, and connect with fellow upper elementary teachers in the community.Not a Collective member yet? stellarteacher.com/joinCatch up on the series:Part 1 (Comprehension)Part 2 (Word Study with Kori),Part 3 (Phonics & Phonemic Awareness).

Your Literacy Block: Part 3If you've ever wondered whether phonemic awareness and phonics still matter in upper elementary, this episode is for you!While these foundational skills are often associated with primary grades, many students in third, fourth, and fifth grade continue to struggle because of gaps in their word recognition skills. In this episode, we're unpacking the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics, why both are essential for reading success, and how teachers can provide targeted support without overhauling their entire literacy block.In this episode, we'll discuss:The difference between phonemic awareness and phonicsWhy foundational reading skills still matter in grades 3–5How gaps in word recognition impact fluency and comprehensionScarborough’s Reading Rope and the role of word recognitionPractical phonemic awareness activities for upper elementary studentsEffective phonics routines and instructional strategiesWays to provide targeted support without adding more to your plateResources Mentioned:⭐The Stellar Literacy Collective: stellarteacher.com/slc

Sign up for our FREE test prep email series: stellarteacher.com/testprep! Get 3 free lessons straight to your inbox.If you’ve ever reached April and wondered why some students still seem to struggle with reading, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, we explore a reality many teachers experience during the final months of the school year: student progress in literacy isn’t always smooth or predictable.As academic expectations increase in the spring, gaps in decoding, fluency, and foundational reading skills often become more visible. Passages get longer, questions become more complex, and students are expected to apply multiple literacy skills at once.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy literacy growth often feels messy and unpredictableHow increased reading demands expose hidden skill gapsThe role of decoding and fluency in reading successWhy targeted instruction is more effective than wide reviewHow to identify the biggest barrier to student progressP.S. The Stellar Literacy Collective is currently closed for enrollment. But not for long! Join our email list to be the first to know when doors reopen in June 2026. We’ll send updates, early access details, and helpful resources straight to your inbox.stellarteacher.com/newsletter

What do calm classrooms actually look like? Contrary to what many people think, calm classrooms aren’t always silent or perfectly still. Instead, they are spaces where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Emily is joined by Stellar Teacher team member Tami to explore what calm classrooms truly have in common. Drawing on her years of experience teaching elementary students in both Department of Defense schools and public schools, Tami shares practical insights into how teachers can create a classroom environment that feels peaceful, organized, and productive.Together, Emily and Tami discuss the foundational elements that help build calm classrooms, including confident leadership, intentional classroom environments, predictable routines, and strong connections with students. They also share simple strategies teachers can use to reduce chaos and create more consistency throughout the school day.Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @thestellarteachercompanyLooking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

As much as we prepare students with practice passages and strategy review, many performance struggles happen before students even answer a question.When test anxiety sets in, students may skim or skip directions entirely, misread what’s being asked, or overlook key details like “not,” “compare,” or “from least to greatest.” In this episode, Sara and Emily discuss why this happens and how teachers can intentionally build direction-reading habits long before test day. They share practical tips and insights to make test season less stressful for both teachers and students.Key Takeaways: Importance of reading test directions carefully (and activity ideas for practice)Strategies to teach students to interpret instructionsBuilding student confidence and reducing anxiety during testsResources Connected to this Episode: Free Test Prep Email Series at www.stellarteacher.com/testprepTest Taking Strategies Bundle on TPTStay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @thestellarteachercompanyLooking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

SummaryIn this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, host Sara Marye discusses the challenges and strategies for teachers dealing with mandated curriculums. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing gaps in the curriculum, enhancing instruction with supplemental resources, focusing on effective teaching methods, and using assessment data to justify changes. The episode provides practical tips for teachers to navigate the constraints of mandated curriculums while still meeting the diverse needs of their students.TakeawaysEvery class has unique needs that may not be met by a standard curriculum.Identifying gaps in the curriculum can provide opportunities for creative teaching.Enhancing instruction with supplemental resources can improve student engagement.Focusing on the 'how' of teaching can be more impactful than the 'what'.Teachers can control how students process their learning even within a rigid curriculum.Using assessment data can help justify changes to the curriculum.It's important to advocate for what works best for students.Teachers should feel empowered to supplement their mandated curriculum.Professional judgment is key in navigating curriculum requirements.Resources:Join The Stellar Literacy CollectiveGet the Stellar Intervention ToolkitSign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems SeriesSign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email seriesIf you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, Sara is joined by a member of the Stellar Teacher Team and they discuss the importance of trusting professional judgment in teaching. They share personal experiences and challenges faced in the classroom, emphasizing the need for teachers to have confidence in their decisions and to advocate for their students' needs. The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, questioning, and sharing experiences among educators to foster a supportive teaching environment.Takeaways:Teachers are allowed to trust their professional judgment.It's common for teachers to feel hesitant to voice their opinions.Every classroom is unique, and teachers know their students best.Teachers should feel empowered to modify curriculum as needed.Sharing both successes and failures can build trust among colleagues.Asking questions can be a safe way to provide pushback.Confidence in teaching comes from taking action and making decisions.Teachers should remind themselves that they are experts in their field.Resources:Join The Stellar Literacy CollectiveGet the Stellar Intervention ToolkitSign up for my Private Podcast: Confident Writer Systems SeriesSign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email seriesIf you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, I’m sharing why I’ve moved away from setting traditional New Year’s resolutions and what has actually helped me create meaningful, sustainable change. Over the years, I realized that rigid goals built around doing more or being more often led to frustration and burnout. What made the biggest difference for me wasn’t changing my habits first, but changing how I think and talk to myself. That’s when I started choosing a word of the year as a way to anchor my mindset.This year, my word is abundance. Instead of constantly telling myself I don’t have enough time, energy, or capacity, I’m intentionally shifting toward believing that I do. That small mindset change has already helped me feel calmer, less reactive, and more present in my work and my life. Abundance isn’t about doing more or being busier. It’s about viewing my circumstances differently so I can make better, more intentional choices throughout the day.I also invited the Stellar Teacher team to share their words for the year and the mindset shifts they’re hoping to create. Words like active, downshift, enough, restore, ease, and unoffendable reflect a shared desire to work and live with more clarity, sustainability, and self-trust. As you head into this year, I invite you to choose one word that grounds you, supports you, and reminds you how you want to feel both in and out of the classroom.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/episode288.