It’s the fourth week of school, and you’re still wondering when to start teaching blending. Not because you don’t want to start, but because half your class can’t reliably name all 26 letters yet, and somewhere along the way you picked up the idea that decoding waits until the alphabet
One of the hallmarks of my teaching approach is my dedication to classroom centers and small group activities. These structured environments are important in promoting student engagement and individualized learning. My enthusiasm for center routines has become well-known at my school, often prompting fellow teachers to visit my classroom to
I graduated from college and prepared myself to storm the gates of the teaching world. Once the door to my classroom closed behind me, I faced a classroom filled with diverse learners, each with unique learning needs. I had a few struggling readers, and that number has grown exponentially over
Uncover the keys to engaging learning centers! Transform your classroom with variety, choices, and clarity. Enhance student engagement today!
Small group is where the magic happens! There are so many moving pieces that getting started doesn’t always seem magical. With valuable tips and an in-depth look at smart small group techniques, we can provide our students with effective personalized instruction. Read on to learn how veteran educators create an
If you’ve ever felt a bit overwhelmed by all the different terms and ideas related to teaching reading, you’re definitely not alone. Today, we will explore two important terms: phonemes and graphemes. Reading can sometimes be tricky, and words like “phoneme” and “grapheme” might seem similar at first, but they
It is essential for educators to understand the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics when teaching children how to read. They often appear similar on the surface, but in actuality, they are two different skills that work together to create proficient readers. Phonemic awareness focuses on identifying individual sounds within
Students are at your small group table for small group instruction, but what should you do first? Read on or press play, and I’ll share with you what the first minutes of small group instruction look like in my classroom. This post contains affiliate links. You can take a peek
The simple view of reading has been a big part of the science of reading that is sweeping across educational circles. But what is it exactly, and how can we use it to inform our instruction? It’s no secret that reading problems in students have grown exponentially in recent years.
The term “science of reading” has been thrown out there a lot, but I’m not sure that I have found a clear, concise definition for it that didn’t sound like it was written by a scientist. Have you ever wondered what exactly IS the science of reading? Today I want
Learn how to create positive literacy experiences right from the start!
