On the Blog

Why Phonemic Awareness is Essential for Students Learning to Read
In our second installment on the components of reading, we’ll explore why phonemic awareness skills are so important for young

Understanding Phonological and Phonemic Awareness: Essential Skills for Early Reading
If you’ve taught primary grades (kindergarten, first, and second), you know how challenging it can be to teach reading, especially

6 Veterans Day Read-Alouds for Elementary Classrooms
Veterans Day is fast approaching, and you might be looking for ways to teach your students more about this important

Spooky, Fun, and Educational: Halloween Candy Comparison Scavenger Hunts for 3rd-5th Graders
Each year as Halloween approaches, the excitement in the classroom seems to reach incredible heights. Students are eagerly looking forward

Engaging Fire Safety Week Activities for 3rd-5th Graders: Nonfiction Scavenger Hunts for Reading Comprehension
There is no denying the demands on today’s teachers are incredibly high. With standardized testing always looming over us, it

Engaging Prefix Activities for Grades 3-5: Differentiated Color by Code Worksheets
Do you ever wish you had options for independent work that aren’t basic worksheets? Look no further than the Differentiated

Reflecting on September 11th: Honoring the Past and Teaching the Next Generation
As we approach the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11th, I still can’t wrap

Free Writing Attitude Survey: A Must-Have Tool to Understand and Engage Your Students
I’m not sure why, but once the Fourth of July hits, I feel like summer is over and I need

How To Create A Beautiful Anchor Chart To Teach Students To Identify Setting
If you’ve read my blog post about anchor charts, you know how important I think they are in the classroom.

4 St. Patrick’s Day Read Alouds for the Intermediate Classroom
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, so it’s time to plan how you’ll incorporate this holiday into your

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Best Books for Kids
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning how you’ll incorporate this holiday

Reading-Themed Valentine’s Day Bookmarks – Freebie
Can we talk about how Valentine’s Day manages to sneak up on me every single year? I’m not even sure