Supporting All Learners with Wit & Wisdom

Vocabulary Instruction with Melissa and Lori

Tina sits down with 2nd-grade teacher Kristy Owens and Melissa and Lori from the popular Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast. Together, they dig into how BPS teachers can trust the process of vocabulary instruction in a knowledge-building curriculum like Wit & Wisdom—and share practical, high-impact tips for strengthening vocabulary instruction across classrooms. Melissa and Lori also share some helpful resources.  * The Literacy 50 [https://www.amazon.com/Literacy-50-Handbook-Teachers-Real-World/dp/1546121862/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TLKdwyJYi5aQPh1_KNGnGHY32I3Ds9pmh3G_VXhU1hAZGvDh1BIXuQ2B0j0_SO87ZOjE2N-CBlq7yAEaRneSc7_QxyiRZUxeSYzAiBZde3FojckIBX39mm0hcGfXW9eVnQcSIserk_BoVNP57rElE5xx-myRnhBJFQ9EkXG2jQyJ42IEbsNaHbbyIbVqb2az-iyLtT0_POwafBR1IbuuY4vUyPQBqTUKYXAXGjGDICc.ySLHk75FdOVMQJko6mpXYEnMNoQWHlDMi8ywoRtoHh8&qid=1763043938&sr=8-1] includes a full chapter on vocabulary. Plus ready-to-use tools such as the Vocabulary Planner, Five-Step Routine, and Knowledge and Vocabulary Log—perfect for teacher teams to study together * Vocabulary Listening Guide [https://3454910.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3454910/Literacy%20Podcast%20Assets/Listening%20Guides/Podcast%20Listening%20Guide_VOCABULARY%20(2).pdf] * Blog Post [https://literacypodcast.com/blog/the-best-books-to-boost-vocabulary]: The Best Books to Teach Vocabulary [https://literacypodcast.com/blog/the-best-books-to-boost-vocabulary]

All About Explicit Instruction

Tina visits with Centennial Elementary principal Jessica Nichols, teachers Stephanie Theim, Lacey Plfeger, Eliza Bullock and instructional coach Rhonda Goetz.  Centennial staff was able to attend the Explit Instruction training with Dr. Anita Archer in Fargo ND back in March.  The team shares what they learned, what they have implemented immediately, and what improvements they are seeing in student engagement and learning already.

Schoolwide Systems Approach to Wit & Wisdom

Tina meets with the Silver Ranch Elementary team to discuss their implementation of the Wit & Wisdom resource and the overall adoption of the ELA curriculum. Participating in the discussion are Principal Sarah Jordan, Instructional Coach Elsie Sheldon, 2nd Grade Teacher Kylie Scholand, 4th Grade Teacher Lacey Mettler, and Library Media Specialist Lynae Palczewski. They reflect on their instructional approach this year, the progress they’ve seen in students, and their plans for support as they prepare for year two. This is a true testament to teamwork!

Wit & Wisdom and the Science of Reading

Tina visits with Kari Schneider from Great Minds (Wit & Wisdom).  Kari discusses how the Language Comprehension strands of Scarborough's Reading Rope align with the Wit & Wisdom resource.  Kari has also shared additional resources from Great Minds on each Language Comprehension Strand.  Science of Reading:https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/the-science-of-reading-and-high-quality-ela-materials?state=show-all [https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/the-science-of-reading-and-high-quality-ela-materials?state=show-all] Background Knowledge: https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-background-knowledge?state=show-all [https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-background-knowledge?state=show-all] Vocabulary:https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-vocabulary?state=show-all [https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-vocabulary?state=show-all] Language Structures:https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-language-structures?state=show-all [https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-language-structures?state=show-all] ·Verbal Reasoning:https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-verbal-reasoning?state=show-all [https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-verbal-reasoning?state=show-all] Literacy Knowledge:https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-literacy-knowledge?state=show-all [https://greatminds.org/english/blog/witwisdom/examining-scarboroughs-rope-literacy-knowledge?state=show-all]

Supporting All Learners with Wit & Wisdom

Tina visits with Bismarck Special Education teacher Heidi Halderman.  Heidi shares her experiences with providing modifications and accommodations to her students as they engage in the Wit & Wisdom curriculum.