Have you heard the chant “when two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking”? It is commonly used to help teach vowel teams. I remember teaching my students this refrain during reading small groups. A few of my students were struggling with words like peach, read, and pie. I don’t remember where I […]
Planning a reading small group can feel like a big task. It is incredibly important, and there are many pieces to consider, but it doesn’t have to be hard! Having a science of reading small group template at your fingertips makes everything easier! I have been there–the end of a long day, cleaning up my […]
A Kindergarten schedule is always jam-packed. I know it felt this way in first grade, too, but it was just a different level of “jam-packed” in Kindergarten. Not only are you constantly teaching them how to do school, but you also have so many core curriculum pieces to squeeze in. Among them were kindergarten reading […]
December is often a busy time not just in the classroom, but in our personal lives as well. That coupled with the holiday excitement that the students bring to school each day, it can feel overwhelming to manage everyone and everything. I found over the years that when I bring the holiday fun into the […]
There are so many different tools and resources to use in your reading small groups that help your students with their reading skills. One of my favorite tools is using reading comprehension passages with questions to help my students work on their comprehension skills. Let’s chat about reading comprehension passages with questions and how to […]
Printable needs and wants activities incorporating technology for your classroom. In today’s digital age, teaching children about needs and wants while navigating the ever-expanding world of technology has proven difficult. As educators, we know that helping our little learners understand the difference between needs and wants is a crucial life skill. Even more, with kids […]
An easy to follow guide for teaching open and closed syllables. Recently, my friend’s daughter was reading on the couch as she was prepping dinner in the kitchen. She came and asked, “Mommy, what does the word “cat er” mean?” I didn’t understand what she was asking so I asked her to repeat the word. […]
Read this post to get 7 must-try alphabet activities for kindergarten and 1st grade! I don’t think I realized how much learning occurs with the alphabet until after my third year of teaching. I don’t remember doing a lot of alphabet activities in my elementary years other than saying the alphabet. That was the knowledge […]
It’s September and school has settled in, your routines are becoming solidified, and it air starts to get cooler. I truly love to welcome September into the classroom because the pace of our day seems to find its rhythm, especially with fall read alouds. We are busy with centers as we get ready for reading […]
As a teacher, I know you’re dedicated to fostering strong reading skills in your students. As things have been shifting and changing with the science of reading small group instruction and research in mind for several years now, it can feel like we are throwing the baby out with the bathwater at times. Leveled Books? […]
Alphabet arcs…you’ve probably seen them if you are a primary teacher. But do you know how to use them? Do you know why so many people think they are a valuable tool? I remember during my first year of teaching, a had a small group set of alphabet arcs. But I really didn’t know how […]
When it comes to the science of reading research, many teachers are probably familiar with it and the gist of what it means. But what about what that looks like in your classroom? What does bringing the science of reading research to your classroom and applying it actually look like? If you have questions like […]
**Don’t forget to grab the FREE word work tool I have you in this post! When it comes to work work, how prepared do you feel? I don’t know about you, but I felt like when my students and I had everything we needed for word work time (whether it was a whole group lesson, […]
As a kindergarten, first, or second-grade teacher, the concept of getting started with science of reading literacy centers may initially seem overwhelming. This is especially true at the beginning of the year when you are still trying to establish routines and procedures for success. But I’m here to help! With a clear understanding of the […]
As dedicated teachers, we understand the importance of tailoring our teaching strategies to meet the needs of each student. When it comes to phonics lessons, finding ways to differentiate phonics instruction plays a crucial role. It helps us ensure that we are reaching all readers and they have a strong phonics foundation. Whether you’re working […]
My two-year-old son asked me in the store, “Mommy, has I this new toy?” I responded, “Can you have this new toy?” “Yes,” he said. This is a funny story that happened to me, but it happens all the time with young children. They don’t understand syntax. They don’t know all the grammar rules yet […]
Teachers play a vital role in setting a strong foundation for their academic success. One of the key areas that significantly impacts a student’s reading journey is vocabulary development. By understanding the science of reading, we can use effective vocabulary activities and strategies to enhance vocabulary instruction in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classrooms. […]
When it came to being a teacher, one area that I felt confident in was classroom management. Little did I know, this is something that would have to change constantly. There are so many different styles of classroom management strategies and areas that needed “management” that I didn’t even realize! I’m pretty sure I have […]
