5 Mini-Lessons to Teach Procedural Writing
Teaching procedural writing is such a fun writing genre to teach. Kids come in contact with procedural texts all the time, they just may not…
Why is Reading Aloud Important?
There is something so special about reading with students, hearing their excitement, listening to their questions, and having discussions. Reading aloud provides a connection between…
A Guide to Meaningful Reading Conferences
Reading conferences are one the best parts of reading workshop. I know it may not always feel that way; you may feel unsure of how…
A Flicker of Hope: Activities of Hope & Resilience
“A Flicker of Hope” is a beautiful book about a little candle whose flame is not as bright as it once was. The story is…
Close Reading: Giving Students a Purpose for Repeated Reading
For teachers, close reading can sometimes feel intimidating. With limited time, how can students complete meaningful readings AND respond? To students, close reading can seem…
April Activities & Ideas for Upper Elementary
There are so many fun activities to do during the month of April! The weather is (hopefully) getting warmer and you’re able to get outside,…
Close Reading Strategies: How to Help Students Take a Closer …
Having students tackle challenging texts can feel like an overwhelming task, but close reading is the perfect way to get students to dive into texts…
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do: Discussing a Growth Mindset
“The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do” by Ashely Spires is a very accurate depiction of what kids go through when they are confronted with something that…
5 Must-Have Anchor Charts to Teach Personal Narratives
Teaching personal narratives is always fun. Kids love to tell stories and putting their stories to paper is exciting, but it can also be challenging.…