Why ALL Kindergarteners NEED a Writers Playshop
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
01/30/26
•29m
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Welcome back to Part Two of my S5E22 @schoolutionspodcast conversation with Katie Keier. This episode builds on the foundation from Part One, exploring Katie's unique classroom strategies. We dive into her innovative teaching techniques, including why she creates classrooms that foster belonging and student engagement through choice, materials, and the honoring of every child's story. Katie shares powerful examples of student participation and student motivation, including kindergartners who became environmental advocates and petitioned their school to go plastic-free.
Key Topics:
• Teaching with integrity vs. teaching with fidelity
• Equity in education and inclusive teaching practices
• Student engagement through play-based learning and active learning
• Culturally responsive teaching that honors family partnerships
• Professional development for teachers navigating scripted curricula
• Instructional strategies that support the whole child
• Parent communication and home-school connection
• Documentation and assessment in inclusive classrooms
• Student success through student-centered learning
• Teacher coaching and mentor teachers supporting new teachers
💫Check out Part One
Researchers & Educators Mentioned:
➡️Vivian Gussin Paley
➡️Katie Kelly (author of From Empathy to Action)
Books & Publications:
➡️Kitchen Dance by Maurie Manning (Katie's go-to picture book for modeling)
Pedagogical Approaches & Organizations:
➡️Reggio Emilia Approach
➡️The Hundred Languages in Ministories (Reggio Emilia concept)
➡️Kennedy Center's CETA (Changing Education Through the Arts) Program
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Welcome to Part 2
1:00 - Play, Equity, and Access in Writers Playshop
3:00 - Honoring Every Child's Story
5:00 - What to Watch and Listen For
7:00 - Documentation Without Losing Presence
9:00 - Navigating Required Curricula
11:00 - Fidelity vs. Integrity ⭐
13:00 - Celebrating Children's Work
15:00 - Arts Integration and the Hundred Languages
17:00 - Building Beloved Community Through Story
18:00 - Kindergartners as Environmental Advocates
21:00 - Must-Read Picture Book: Kitchen Dance
23:00 - The Bear Story (Katie's Running Journey)
25:00 - Children Are Our Hope
26:00 - Closing Reflections
🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content.
📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
Next Week: I'm sitting down with Stacey Shubitz to talk about her groundbreaking new book for families navigating IEPs, 504 plans, and disability services.
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
Standards Alone Won't Inspire Young Writers
January 28
•0m
Are standards enough to inspire real writers? In this powerful reel, Katie Keier shares why teaching writing standards in isolation isn't creating confident, motivated writers in our classrooms. Learn about the "iceberg method" - where standards are just the tip, and meaningful purpose sits beneath the surface.
The truth: Kids can learn to spell "cat" and blend sounds, but without an authentic audience, purpose, and opportunities for student participation, they'll never see themselves as real writers. This video explores how classroom structures like Writers Playshop transform low engagement into active learning by giving students meaningful reasons to write and share their work.
Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, instructional leaders, and parents looking to improve student engagement, student motivation, and student success through effective teaching strategies.
🔑 Key Topics Covered:
• Why teaching standards in isolation fails student engagement
• The iceberg approach to writing instruction
• How purpose and audience inspire students to become writers
• Creating classroom belonging through meaningful writing opportunities
• Practical instructional strategies for innovative teaching
• Building student participation and attention in class
Whether you're focused on lesson planning, teacher coaching, instructional leadership, or supporting thriving students with a pro-kid mindset and whole child approach, this video offers education transformation insights you can implement immediately.
💡 Transform your approach to writing instruction and create empowered educators who inspire teaching that drives real student success and teacher impact.
🚀📚 Watch Part One & Part Two of our @schoolutionspodcast S5E22 interview.
Chapters:
0:00 - The Standards Question
0:15 - The Iceberg Method Explained
0:35 - Teaching Standards in Isolation
0:50 - Why Purpose Matters for Young Writers
1:10 - Creating Meaningful Writing Opportunities
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
Don't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators!
#StudentEngagement #TeachingStrategies #WritingInstruction #EffectiveTeaching #StudentMotivation #ClassroomBelonging #ActiveLearning #InstructionalCoaching #TeacherSupport #EducationLeadership #InnovativeTeaching #InclusiveTeaching #ProKidMindset #WholeChild #StudentSuccess #TeacherImpact #EducationTransformation #InspiredTeaching #ThrivingStudents #EmpoweredEducators #LessonPlanning #SchoolLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #EquityInEducation #NewTeachers #MentorTeachers #SchoolImprovement #TeachingTips #WritersWorkshop
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
This February, join @schoolutionspodcast as it highlights educators and researchers advancing child support.
🎯 What You'll Learn:
• How to navigate IEPs, 504s, and disability services with confidence
• The shocking research behind foundational writing skills that transforms student success
• A neurodivergent educator's journey supporting thriving students in inclusive classrooms
• The alarming trend: NYC pediatricians diagnosing kindergartners with play-deprivation-induced anxiety and depression
• A bold 6-point proposal to save early childhood education in public schools
Featured Experts:
💫Stacey Shubitz bridges the home-school connection for families navigating special education.
💫Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts share critical research on instructional strategies for foundational writing skills.
💫Dr. Courtney Bishop reveals her path as a neurodivergent mom and educator championing equity in education.
💫Dr. Beverly Falk and Dr. Nancy Cardwell from City College expose an education crisis and present their solution to NYC leadership.
Whether you're focused on classroom belonging, student motivation, culturally responsive teaching, or education transformation, these conversations offer effective teaching strategies for the whole child. Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, and school counselors committed to inspired teaching and empowered educators.
🔔 Subscribe for education strategies that prioritize pro-kid mindset, inclusive teaching, and student participation! https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction: February's Education Revolution
0:15 Stacey Shubitz: Bridging Home & School for IEPs and 504s
0:30 Melanie Meehan & Maggie Beattie Roberts: Foundational Writing Research
0:45 Dr. Courtney Bishop: Neurodivergent Mom & Educator's Journey
1:00 Dr. Beverly Falk & Dr. Nancy Cardwell: NYC's Play Deprivation Crisis
1:30 The 6-Point Proposal to Save Early Childhood Education
1:50 Join the Conversations This February
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
👍 Like if you're ready for education transformation
💬 Comment: Which guest are you most excited to hear?
🔔 Subscribe for weekly teaching tips and instructional strategies
📱 Share Wednesday reels with your teaching team
Join me in creating thriving students through classroom belonging, student engagement, and inspired teaching. Let's make 2026 a year of teacher impact and school change!
#EducationPodcast #SpecialEducation #IEP #StudentEngagement #InclusiveTeaching #EquityInEducation #TeacherCoaching #ProfessionalDevelopment #SchoolLeadership #ParentInvolvement #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #WholeChild #EarlyChildhoodEducation #PlayBasedLearning #NeurodivergentStudents #TeachingStrategies #EducationReform #TeacherSupport #InstructionalCoaching #FamilyPartnerships #ProKidMindset #EmpoweredEducators #InspiredTeaching #EducationTransformation #ThrivingStudents #ClassroomBelonging #StudentSuccess #SchoolCulture #InstructionalLeadership #HomeSchoolConnection
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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