Cool Teaching Stuff

I began my career as an elementary classroom teacher, primarily in grades 2-4, but for the better part of the last decade, I was a reading interventionist, teaching one-on-one and small groups of K-6 students on individualized learning plans. I've been around for some time, so I've taught reading using a wide variety of approaches and I like to think it's given me a broader perspective on literacy instruction. Like most teachers, I pull the best from every program I've used along the way, whether it's thematic teaching, whole language, phonics driven programmed instruction (ye old basal reader), analyzing running records for Reading Recovery, or using leveled books in Guided Reading groups. Although approaches vary, they have all have become part of my well-stocked teaching arsenal. Currently, I write literacy focused curriculum full-time from a quirky little beach town in North County San Diego.

I would describe my teaching style as creative, but highly targeted. I've always loved collecting vintage children's poetry and picture books, but I started writing short, skill targeted poetry because it allowed me to include all five components of reading within a very limited amount of instructional time. Poetry rocks!

Elementary literacy resource books published by Scholastic Professional Books. Phonics poems featured in the early literacy program, Sounds Make Words by Folens Publishers.

University of Colorado-Boulder (Go Buffs!)

I'm in my happy place at the beach with a kindle in one hand and a hot cup of coffee in the other. My husband and I are the parents of two incredible adult children and we became first-time grandparents in February 2021! -Lorrie L. Birchall