Context clues instruction is something that should be taught all year. Kids need lots of practice not only identifying the different types of context clues but knowing how to figure out word meanings within a…
***To listen to the audio version of this blog post, scroll to the end of the post. One of the reasons it’s difficult to take days off as a teacher is because of the time…
Let's talk about how to get kids to do real independent reading. Independent reading is an important part of the literacy block. Kids need time to read on their own so they can apply the…
It's that time of year again. Time to do some state test practice. Sound boring? Well, it can be if you just give kids test prep review packets, have them complete them and turn them…
What do the rest of the kids do while you teach reading in small groups or one-on-one? Today I'm sharing 3 activities your students can do independently. Let them choose their books. One activity for…
The schwa sound in words is one of the most common in the English language and yet it’s the trickiest to teach. The schwa sound is a weak unstressed sound that occurs in many words.…
When students are out for an extended amount of time, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to handle makeup work. Here are 3 ideas for how to deal with makeup work when kids…
Do you still use worksheets as part of your vocabulary instruction? Ditch them! Ok, I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. But really are they bringing you joy? If they are, and your students are…
What’s the #1 way to improve reading comprehension? Well, it’s super complicated and I almost don’t want to tell you for fear of scaring you off. Just kidding. It’s not complicated at all! The best…
I’ve rounded up 5 picture books you should read at the end of the school year. These are perfect to read those last days of school. I've also included some ideas for writing activities for some…