Tapping pencils, fiddling with the stuff in their desks, and constant picking at name tags. Hate the sounds of this little classroom symphony? Let's give those busy little hands something meaningful to do. That’s where the Reading Interactive Notebook comes in. These notebooks transform restless energy into hands-on learning. Students stay engaged while building lasting skills, and you save valuable time planning lessons that check all the boxes: standards-aligned, engaging, and rigorous....
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
The first thing I do when I'm deciding between books is look up the reviews and ratings on Goodreads. They give me a quick peek into what people loved, what they hated, and—without spoilers—whether it’s the kind of book I’ll enjoy. That’s why I think it’s so important to teach our students how to write real book reviews. One-pagers and poster-style book reports look nice, but they don’t translate into anything our kids will use as lifelong readers. Don't get me wrong, they have their place,...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Vocabulary and language comprehension play a huge role in the reading process. If students don’t understand the words on the page, comprehension breaks down. That’s why daily vocabulary instruction is so important. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Earlier this summer, I shared a simple vocabulary routine you can use with any word. In case you missed it (or can’t remember where you saved it), I’m attaching it again here: 👉 Easy Vocabulary Routine.pdfThis step-by-step...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
Setting up stations doesn’t have to mean hours of prep and constant upkeep. The trick is to choose activities that stay fresh for students without needing you to change them out all the time. Think: simple, consistent routines that run themselves while you focus on teaching. Here are some easy, low-maintenance ideas you can use in your stations this year: 📘 Vocabulary Station Use activities and games that work with any word list. Students get meaningful practice, and you don’t have to...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
The first few minutes of the school day can feel a little... hectic. Between collecting homework, checking folders, managing supplies, and getting students settled, there’s a lot going on. And there's zero time to waste. That’s why having a meaningful, easy-to-follow morning routine makes all the difference. Once you’ve taught your procedures for entering the room, turning in homework, etc., the next step is filling that time between the bell and the actual start of class with something that...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read
I wish I could say I'm not the type to get nervous about meeting parents and guardians, but I 100% am. No matter how many back-to-school seasons I've gone through. I've gotten better at hiding it, but I still get butterflies. What I've found to be helpful is having the appearance of being extremely organized. Sure, it's nice if the room is completely set up, but that's not actually necessary to make a great impression. What is necessary is having systems in place for supplies, parent...
about 1 year ago • 1 min read