I’m often asked about the best books for teachers, especially for reading or guided reading. So it is time for my annual Teacher Book Stack where I show you what I’m currently reading for the classroom. You can check out my other Best Books for Teachers here and here. There’s also a freebie towards the end of our post for… View Post
We all know about the summer slide! What we need are easy ideas to promote summer reading with our students. We’ve got several ideas for you that are fun and there is even a freebie! Some students will just naturally read during the summer, but others will need a little encouragement to get them going. As teachers, and parents, we… View Post
There is just something about spring and planting that gets everyone excited! I think kids are just naturally inquisitive about plants. Being able to watch the changes take place from seeds to full grown plants is fun for everyone! We’ve got lots of plant life cycle activities for you! A great way to start out your plant life cycle unit… View Post
Classroom libraries, just like school libraries to the school, are the heart of your classroom! But we know it takes time and some money to build an extensive library that meets the needs of your students. Here are some easy and low cost ways to help you as you build the library in your classroom! PTA/PTO Your local PTA/PTO can… View Post
Family Literacy Night can be a fun and successful event at your school! It takes some preplanning and some work, but it is worth it for your students and families. We’ve got some secrets for you to help you make it successful! FOOD The number one thing that helps make the night successful and draws in the biggest crowd is… View Post
Blends and digraphs are a crucial step forward for young readers. It requires them to put two or more letters together and make a new sound or to smoothly blend the sounds together. We need easy, but yet effective activities to scaffold readers in this skill. One of the first ways to begin is to help students hear the sounds…. View Post
To level books or not to level books? That seems to be the question lately. Lots of debates occur over this topic leveling books, especially on Twitter. I do have leveled books in my classroom and in my school but they are books for guided reading. There is a place for leveled books and that would be for your guided… View Post