The Dilemma: Do you get as frustrated as I do when you send off your Reading Partners with an “Off you go!” and instead of diving right into a good book together, you overhear this: “But you chose the book last time!” “It’s my turn […]

Visualize this! It’s a Thursday afternoon. There is a buzz around school that there is a possibility of a “Cold Day” tomorrow! Below zero temps were blowing our way…  Not a Snow Day… but a “Brrrrr, it’s a bitter Cold Day”!  Teachers and students alike are […]

The Reading Mat will provide your students with a visual reminder of how to keep track of what they are reading and build stamina! This system will also encourage your students to reread and build their fluency!  Oh, yes! Begin by adhering the “My Reading […]

It’s that time of year again and as teachers we are torn between soaking up the last days of summer vacay and prepping our classrooms and resources for another school year!  Let it be a great one! To help you get your year off on […]

This Back to School Listening Library includes 24 stories with SafeShare.tv QR codes and one Retelling Story Map. You can use these during your Daily 5 centers: Listen to Reading or as whole group Read Alouds! All SafeShare.tv QR code links are safe to share with […]

Teachers have an endless to do list at the end of the school year. One of those tasks is to reorganize your classroom library. By level, By genre, In baskets, On shelves… …In the Book Hospital… If you are like me, I am always perplexed […]

These last couple weeks of school are just flying by with all the hustle and bustle of our End of Year celebrations. I am so very proud of all that my firsties have accomplished this school year. The end of the year brings such a […]

Students read nonfiction to LEARN and to become experts on one topic of study. Most importantly, they celebrate what they have learned by sharing it with others. Students love to read nonfiction text almost as much as they love to learn about ocean life. However, […]

Why not take your Word Work one step further? I have disguised Read to Self as a bit more… Word Work… and my firsties don’t seem to mind. Yours won’t either. It’s a Win-Win!  Read on! Read to Self Word Study Assignments In addition to […]

As part of our Daily 5 routine my students follow a “Must Do” and “Can Do” list.   In addition to my students’ Word Work during our Daily 5, one of their “Must Do” items is to Read to Self. During this time the children […]