You are there! You have finally trained your little learners well in literacy centers, you have gathered the best decodable readers, you know where your kids stand with their phonics skills, and you are *almost* ready to sit down at the small group table. Except one thing–how do you begin the precious time together? Every […]
My friend recently shared this story with me, and I couldn’t help but share it as we discuss background knowledge on the blog! “I was recently reading a book and asked me a question about the word operation. The book was talking about a student who needed to solve a math problem at school and […]
When it comes to creating a classroom where all readers thrive, your reading small group time is one of the most powerful tools in your day. It’s the perfect opportunity to deliver explicit, targeted instruction based on your students’ needs. But if managing this block feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Between prepping materials, keeping the […]
Teaching phonics rules can sometimes feel like a tricky puzzle—especially when letters like G have more than one sound–hard g soft g. As teachers, we know that helping our students become strong, confident readers means having solid phonics instruction. But what about when we, ourselves, didn’t have a strong phonics foundation? Making sense of those […]
As elementary teachers, we know how hard our students work all year long to grow as readers. We celebrate their progress and feel proud of how far they’ve come. But then summer hits—and we’ve all seen how easily that progress can slide if students aren’t regularly engaging with engaging summer reading activities. Here’s the good […]
The end of the school year can feel like a roller coaster—fun, wild, and just a little chaotic. Excitement is high, schedules get weird, and students are feeling all the feelings. That’s why having solid end of year classroom management strategies in place is key to finishing strong without losing your sanity. Today the team and I are […]
As the school year winds down, energy starts to shift. The kids are excited for summer, testing is over, and the calendar is full of countdowns and celebrations. So why not channel that excitement into something educational AND fun, like with Reading Camp activities? Enter: Reading Camp Day—a special, themed day in your classroom filled with cozy […]
The end of the school year is such a special time in the classroom. Your students have grown SO much—academically, socially, emotionally—and now it’s time to start wrapping up your time together in a fun and meaningful way.One of the best ways to do that? With great end of year read alouds! These favorite end of […]
Now that the dust has settled on those new reading curriculums, many teachers are starting to notice something. There are still reading gaps. After all the challenges of teaching through Covid—and now with a shiny new curriculum in many of your hands—it’s clear that some of our students still need more support. Even with great […]
If you’re anything like me, you know that teaching real-life skills is just as important as teaching sight words and subtraction. And one of the best life skills we can give our students? Financial literacy! Yes—even our little learners can start to understand saving, spending, earning, and making smart choices with money. Let’s work to create a […]
Assessing reading comprehension in kindergarten through second grade is crucial for understanding student progress and guiding instruction. By using a mix of informal and formal assessments, teachers can gather valuable insights into students’ understanding while keeping the process engaging and stress-free. In this post, we’ll explore different types of reading comprehension assessments and how to use them […]
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your read aloud collection with engaging books that inspire curiosity and deepen comprehension. By pairing quality spring read alouds with targeted reading strategies during your, you can create meaningful read aloud lessons that strengthen your students’ literacy skills. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite books perfect for […]
Earth Day is just around the corner! There are so many great books for Earth Day read alouds in your classroom that teach students the importance of taking care of our earth. Let’s look at some read alouds you can read in your classroom this April to celebrate Earth Day! Why Should I Use Read […]
Teaching young writers can be a challenge, especially when they’re just beginning to put their ideas on paper. Using mentor texts for writing is a wonderful way to support their growth. A mentor text is simply a book that models a specific writing strategy, structure, or writing convention that students can learn from and apply to their own writing. […]
Informational writing for first grade classrooms doesn’t have to be boring lists of facts or robotic sentences. Instead, it can be hands-on, creative, and full of discovery! When we give our young, growing writers purpose and excitement, they become instantly engaged. Kids love to share what they know! Here are three powerful ways to incorporate informational writing for first grade, second grade, or even […]
Mornings in a 1st grade classroom can feel like herding cats. Kids come in sleepy-eyed, backpacks half-zipped, and bursting with energy (or still waking up). So, how do you settle them in, set the tone for the day with a smooth and calm morning, AND sneak in meaningful learning? This is where daily grammar practice […]
Shared reading and science of reading– do these terms go together? Let’s dig in! Shared Reading may be a new phrase to you if you are a new teacher within the last five years. But some of us know exactly what that phrase means. It may even bring back fond memories of reading with our […]
World Read Aloud Day is right around the corner and read aloud day activities are a must! This is a day we celebrate reading, specifically, reading aloud to kids! This year is the 15th anniversary, so let’s “blow it up” big!! What is better than a day full of engaging reading activities? My 6 year […]
