Olivia Wahl
26 January 2026
Part One of my S5E22 @schoolutionspodcast conversation, Katie Keier shares how her Writers Playshop is changing kindergarten writing through play. Learn about effective teaching strategies and how to create a dynamic classroom environment where children thrive. In this episode, 33-year veteran teacher Katie Keier shares how a five-year-old revolutionized her entire approach to teaching writing. Discover why she refuses to spell words for children, how materials serve as story catalysts, and why black pens matter more than you think. Researchers & Educators: ➡️Katie Wood Ray ➡️Donald Graves ➡️Lucy Calkins ➡️Nancy Atwell ➡️Matt Glover ➡️Loris Malaguzzi ➡️Vivian Gussin Paley ➡️Susan Harris MacKay and teachers at OPAL School ➡️Carl Anderson Books & Publications: ➡️Catching Readers Before They Fall ➡️Catching Readers Blog ➡️Writers Playshop: Joyful Play in Kindergarten Pedagogical Approaches: ➡️Reggio Emilia Approach ➡️The Hundred Languages in Ministories (Reggio Emilia concept) ➡️OPAL School Story Workshops CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction: Welcome to Solutions Teaching Strategies 1:00 - Katie's Background & the Birth of Writer's Play Shop 3:00 - Meet Katie Keier: 33 Years of Teaching Excellence 4:00 - Research Foundations: Standing on Giants' Shoulders 6:00 - From Writers Workshop to Writers Playshop 7:00 - Stories Live Everywhere: First Day of Kindergarten 9:00 - Materials as Story Catalysts: Invitations to Create 11:00 - Structure & Time: How Writer's Play Shop Works Daily 13:00 - The Teacher's Role: Curious Audience & Support 14:00 - Joy & Infinite Possibilities in Kindergarten 15:00 - Why Katie Never Spells Words for Children 17:00 - Ownership & Agency: Children Reading Their Own Work 18:00 - Representational Drawing & Multilingual Learners 19:00 - Lightning Round: Misconceptions About Kindergarten Writers 20:00 - Essential Materials: Black Pens, Blank Books, Loose Parts 21:00 - Meeting Standards Through Meaningful Writing 23:00 - Building Confidence: From Kindergarten to High School 24:00 - Closing & Preview of Part Two 🎧 New episodes every Monday & Friday with bite-sized Wednesday reel bonus content. 📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com 🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl 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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