Why ALL Kindergarteners NEED a Writers Playshop

Welcome back to Part Two of my S5E22 Schoolutions 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 teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.