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Professional Development

7 Fun Alphabet Activities for Kindergarten and 1st Grade

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 […]

Fall Read Alouds: 6 September Books You Will Love

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 […]

Easily Unlock Reading Power: 8 Science of Reading Small Group Instruction Tips

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: How to Use Them and Easy Activities to Try

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 […]

4 Practical Ways to Bring the Science of Reading Research to Your Classroom

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 […]

The Must-Have Word Work Tool for Primary Teachers {Freebie}

**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, […]

3 Ways to Differentiate Phonics Instruction to Reach All Readers

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 […]

Syntax: What It Is and Why It Matters in Literacy

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 […]

4 Vocabulary Activities to Easily Boost Students’ Reading Skills

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. […]

Reading Groups and Structured Literacy: What Do They Look Like?

We know things are changing with our small group instruction, just as they have changed with our literacy instruction. And it’s a good thing, friends! There is so much good information out there about reading groups and structured literacy. But what do we need to include in our literacy block each day? Today on the […]

From Balanced to Structured: Embracing the Power of Structured Literacy

It seems like the word Structured Literacy is everywhere. But what does it actually mean? If you’re a balanced literacy teacher and want to start making the switch, but aren’t sure how, you’re in the right place! Structured Literacy can be a powerful approach to teaching reading and writing. Here’s the thing…it is true that […]

A Teacher’s Guide to Differentiated Literacy Centers for Successful Readers

When you hear the words “differentiating literacy centers”, how do you feel? Do you start thinking about how overwhelming the idea is? Do you think of how daunting the task may seem? Or maybe you’re not really sure what that looks like in the classroom and how to get started. Literacy centers are a valuable […]

The Importance of Spelling for Kids: What Can We Learn From It?

One area lots of teachers across America have been focusing on is implementing a science-based approach to reading. But what about the importance of spelling and writing? How exactly do reading and writing and spelling all tie together? Teacher friend, if you’ve been starting to wonder about what we can gather from our students’ spelling […]

6 Books for April Read Alouds Your Students Will Love

While the month of April may not feel as packed with fun holidays as some months, there are still a lot of holidays and themes we can bring into the classroom to integrate into science and social studies. There’s spring, Earth Day, and Easter (even if it’s in the form of bunnies and chicks). One […]

Heart Words: A Science-Based Approach to High-Frequency Words With 1 Warning

Learn how to use a science-based approach to teaching high-frequency words called “heart words”. Early in my teaching career, I can remember telling parents to practice high-frequency words at home. I told them to make flashcards and practice, practice, practice. I often explained that these words had “tricky parts” in them and that some of […]

6 Easy Ways to Incorporate Activities for Blends

Have you ever had students who struggle to read words with blends or complete activities for blends? Maybe they read “bet” for best or “cab” for crab? This is very common for beginning readers! If you have students who know their letters and sounds and can blend and segment CVC words, they may be ready […]

10 Books to Teach Social Skills to Kids + a FREEBIE

No matter what grade you teach in elementary, helping students develop strong social-emotional skills is always a part of your unspoken curriculum. Helping our young students grow into confident, kind adults can be done in so many different ways. One of my favorite ways to do this is to use books to teach social skills. […]

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