Have you taught irony before? No? Stay tuned!Gregory, the Terrible Eater, by Mitchell Sharmat, is a classroom classic if there ever was one. It’s a funny book full of irony, which isn’t a topic that many of us discuss in elementary school. But

#66 Super Sloth

Mar 29th, 2021 17m 12s

Even a sloth can save the day...eventually.Super Sloth, by Robert Starling, is such a fun, clever book it will make you laugh out loud. In it we’re introduced to Sloth who desperately wants to become a superhero, however unrealistic that may b

#65 Arthur's Eyes

Mar 15th, 2021 15m 8s

Why is cause and effect so confusing? It doesn’t have to be!Arthur’s Eyes, by Marc Brown, is a serious classroom classic hailing from 1979. In it, we’re introduced to Arthur for the first time, and his compromised vision that ends up causing l

#64 Going Up!

Mar 1st, 2021 24m 9s

We’re talking how to introduce new genres - specifically invitations!Going Up!, by Sherry J. Lee, illustrated by Charlene Chua, has a predictable structure that hides some fun surprises. We’ll accompany Sophie and her dad to a birthday party a

#63 A Chair for My Mother

Feb 15th, 2021 19m 56s

We’re ‘remembering when’ with flashbacks!A Chair for My Mother, by Vera B. Williams, offers us a touching tale that draws students right in. In today’s episode we’ll learn how the family’s tragedy turns to triumph in its own sweet way, and we

#62 The Book With No Pictures

Feb 1st, 2021 18m 37s

Appearances can be delightful in this book!The Book With No Pictures, by B.J. Novak, will get kids gigging right off the bat. This highly interactive book engages kids in a dialogue between text and reader - and all without pictures! In today’

#61 Miss Nelson is Missing

Jan 18th, 2021 15m 33s

We’re exploring voice in today’s episode!Miss Nelson is Missing, by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall, combines humor and mystery in a delightful way. This story fits our theme for Season 6: “Classroom Classics”. It’s a time-honored

#60 M is for Melanin

Jan 4th, 2021 9m 37s

Boost your students’ pride in their own identities with today’s text!M is for Melanin, by Tiffany Rose, is the first alphabet book we’ve featured on LitCentric Radio. But this isn’t any ordinary ABC text. This book sends a clear message to all

#59 Counting On Katherine

Dec 21st, 2020 26m

There’s nothing like a text set to deepen comprehension!Counting On Katherine, by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, is the inspiring story of Katherine Johnson, the celebrated NASA mathematician. We’ll use several texts today to sup

#58 Last Stop On Market Street

Dec 7th, 2020 18m 42s

Have you ever explored character values? We’re diving in today!Last Stop On Market Street, by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson, has become a classroom classic, even though it’s only been around for a short time. In it, de la

#57 Peter's Chair

Nov 23rd, 2020 22m 55s

Plot development is where it’s at in today’s episode!Peter’s Chair, by Ezra Jack Keats, is a classic text that all students should read. Peter is a young boy who has just become a big brother and he’s learning how to handle change in his own w

#56 The Word Collector

Nov 9th, 2020 31m 28s

Today we’re exploring excellent, wonderful, marvelous synonyms!The Word Collector, by Peter H. Reynolds, introduces readers to Jerome - a boy who loves words so much that he collects them. We’ll piggyback on this admiration by having some word

#55 Parker Looks Up

Oct 26th, 2020 15m 39s

Today we’re expanding vocabulary with descriptions!Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment, by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, illustrated by Brittany Jackson, is the recount of a family outing that went viral. When preschooler Parker Curry s

#54 Boy Oh Boy

Oct 12th, 2020 21m 55s

We’re setting the pace in today’s episode!Boy Oh Boy, by Cliff Leek, illustrated by Bene Rohlmann, is a collection of 30 inspiring biographies about diverse, fascinating men. In today’s lesson we’ll teach students how to analyze pacing in a pi

#53 Hair Love

Sep 28th, 2020 13m 30s

There’s a lot of love, and differences, in today’s episode!Hair Love, by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison, is a story about a family’s enduring love and devotion, as told through real life challenges. We’ll compare the book to

#52 Gaston

Sep 14th, 2020 12m 1s

Learn some reasons why authors use repetition in today’s episode!Gaston, by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson, is the most adorable book of the decade! It’s cute, it’s smart, it’s delightful. And it’ll teach students a thing o

#51 The Doctor With An Eye for Eyes

Aug 31st, 2020 17m 20s

Who? What? We’re asking questions today!The Doctor With An Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath, by Julia Finely Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley, is a unique hybrid genre of biography and poetry. In this text readers learn all abou

#50 The Proudest Blue

Aug 17th, 2020 21m 15s

Let’s all try to personify!The Proudest Blue, by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly, is a story of bravery and dignity told through the eyes of a admiring younger sister. Learn how a single sentence using personification

#49 Saturday

Aug 3rd, 2020 17m 25s

Building character and resilience to start the school year!Saturday, by Oge Mora, shares the special bond of a mother and daughter as they enjoy their favorite day. But can they bounce back from the setbacks they face? Find out how Ava and her

Trailer

Welcome Back

Jul 29th, 2020 3m 56s

I’m so excited to be starting Season 5 here at LitCentric Radio! We’ll be dropping new episodes every other Monday starting on August 3, 2020. Don’t forget to follow LitCentric on social media and become a LitCentric Insider by joining the emai

#48 Just Like Rube Goldberg

May 18th, 2020 21m 36s

Persuade and explain Rube Goldberg style!Just Like Rube Goldberg, by Sarah Aronson, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, shares so many interesting facts about this incredible artist. Did you know he survived the great San Francisco earthquake of

#47 Bread and Jam for Frances

May 11th, 2020 30m 12s

Making predictions with a classic!Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban, checks all the boxes for an adorable read aloud that students can totally relate to. You’ll fall in love with Frances the singing badg

#46 Just In Case You Want to Fly

May 4th, 2020 22m 54s

Let’s write a class book together!Just in Case You Want to Fly, by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson, takes ordinary things you and I might dismiss and elevates their importance, giving them a new life. We can use a similar app

#45 The Invisible Boy

Apr 27th, 2020 29m 45s

A lesson we all need right about now…The Invisible Boy, by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton, shines a light on experiences we’ve all had feeling invisible, and demonstrates how small acts of kindness pay off in big, big ways. We’ll

#44 Gentle Giant Octopus

Apr 21st, 2020 40m 22s

Think narrative nonfiction is too tricky to teach young writers? Nah!Gentle Giant Octopus, by Karen Wallace, illustrated by Mike Bostock, is a beautiful example of narrative nonfiction that switches seamlessly between the two genres. A stunnin