Writing routines belong in your literacy block, and Emily will tell you how! Listen below:
Writing routines are often the literacy block component that gets pushed aside.
When many upper elementary teachers think about writing instruction, they think about essays, state testing, and lengthy writing projects. But writing can be so much more than that.
In this episode of our Your Literacy Block series, we’re discussing why writing routines deserve a place in every literacy block—and how writing can be used to strengthen reading comprehension without requiring a separate writing block.
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that writing and reading are deeply connected. When students use writing routines to write about what they read, they revisit important ideas, organize their thinking, explain their understanding, and engage more deeply with the text.
We also discuss why sentence-level writing routines is so important. Many students are expected to write strong paragraphs long before they have mastered writing strong sentences. Since sentences are the foundation of all writing, helping students learn how to expand, combine, and strengthen sentences can have a significant impact on both their writing and reading comprehension.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why writing routines should be integrated throughout your literacy block
- How writing supports reading comprehension
- The importance of sentence-level writing instruction in upper elementary
- Why students need frequent opportunities to write about what they read
- How small writing opportunities throughout the day can add up over time
The goal isn’t to add another subject to your day. Instead, it’s about finding simple opportunities to use writing routines as tools for thinking, learning, and deepening comprehension.
If you’re looking for practical ways to incorporate writing into your literacy block, this episode will give you several easy-to-implement ideas that can help students become stronger readers, writers, and thinkers.
Resources to Support A Research-Backed Word Study Routine in Your Classroom:
- Join The Stellar Literacy Collective – If you are looking for ready to use writing routines, look no further. When you join the Collective, you get access to over 500 resources that are built with research, teachers, AND students in mind. Find your fluency routines plus comprehension support, writing lessons, intervention for upper elementary and so much more!
- If you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Related Episodes and Blog Posts:
- Episode 222, The Write Stuff: How Writing Can Enhance Reading Success
- Episode 182, What We Need to Understand About Reading Comprehension (And 8 Instructional Strategies)
- Blog Post: The Ultimate Framework for Teaching Comprehension Effectively
Connect with me:
- Join my newsletter
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- Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
- Facebook: The Stellar Teacher Company
The Stellar Literacy Collective (SLC) is a membership designed for upper elementary teachers who want strong, effective literacy instruction… without spending hours planning every week.
Inside SLC, you’ll find ready-to-use, research-aligned lessons for reading, writing, and word study that work together to create a research-backed framework. From whole group comprehension lessons and vocabulary routines to small group supports and writing instruction, everything is built around consistent systems that support real classroom implementation.
If you’re tired of piecing lessons together or feeling like every week requires a brand-new strategy, SLC offers structure and clarity. It helps you simplify your literacy block, teach with intention, and create meaningful growth for your students!
Click HERE to learn more!
When you are looking for writing routines for your upper elementary students, The Stellar Teacher Podcast is here to support you. Each episode is designed to empower upper elementary teachers to simplify lesson planning, strengthen classroom routines, and build confident, capable readers without burnout. Every episode is full of teacher tips! Teaching doesn’t have to feel overwhelming to be effective. With practical strategies, honest conversations, and systems that work in real classrooms, you can protect your energy while still delivering meaningful instruction. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode filled with encouragement and actionable ideas to support your literacy block all year long.
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