Summer break is a much-needed time for relaxation, but for young readers, it can also be a time of significant learning loss. Research shows that children who don’t engage in reading during the summer can lose months of progress {a mindblowing 20%!}. As teachers, we know how crucial it is
I love that there is a book for absolutely everything in this world – books on kindness, graphic novels, adult beach reads, and on and on! I could probably start a blog just about the books that I want to share! Today’s post is a mix of books that will
One of the most powerful tools I use in my first grade classroom are visual directions! Visuals can be a game-changer, especially for our youngest learners! Using these simple picture cards has significantly reduced the amount of times I need to repeat myself but more importantly, has built in so
I am a BIG believer that all books count as “reading” Whether it’s an audiobook {love those!}, a novel, picture book, or graphic novel – it ALL counts as reading! I’m always looking for ways to make reading more exciting and accessible for my son Luke {who is currently in
Is it just me or does science feels daunting sometimes? Between gathering materials, managing prep time, and ensuring lessons align with new standards like NGSS, it’s no wonder some teachers hesitate to dive into science. Primary-grade classroom teachers already wear so many hats—adding “science whiz” to the list can feel
As educators, we know that classroom management is a delicate balance between guiding students to make the right choices and addressing behavior when it goes off track. It’s really easy to call out the naughty behavior, but in recent years, I’ve also made an effort to catching students doing the
