I create reading comprehension resources for upper elementary teachers (Grades 3 - 5). My goal is to save them time while helping them create engaging reading lessons.
A little help for the last week before break ❄️
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This week is a balancing act. Kids want fun, you want calm, and everyone just wants to make it to break with smiles still intact. Here are three simple ideas that bring a little structure and joy to the last days of the semester without adding more to your workload. 1. Have a Cozy Reading DayInvite students to bring one item from home that makes them feel cozy. This could be a small pillow, a stuffed animal, or a blanket. Then give them time to curl up with a book for thirty to forty-five minutes. Let them spread out around the room and choose comfortable spots. If you want to add a little extra ambiance, project a fireplace video from YouTube and turn the sound up just a bit. Even your hesitant readers will get excited to dive into their books because the room feels different and cozy in the best way. 2. Add Some Structure to Your Class PartyInstead of letting the party energy take over, build in a little structure. It helps the room stay calm and makes the time more enjoyable for everyone. This can be something like...
These feel festive but still give students something purposeful to focus on. 3. Two-Minute Snowball PassThis one is simple, silly, and always a hit. It can be played during the party, as a fun morning meeting activity, or a time-filler in those awkward gaps between lunch and the Christmas program. I would, however, be careful to give extremely clear expectations for this if your class has been particularly wild. Give each student a scrap piece of paper and ask them to answer a quick prompt, such as: They should write one quick sentence, crumple the paper into a “snowball,” and, on your signal, toss it gently to the center of the room. Everyone then picks up a new snowball, reads it aloud, and adds a short comment or follow-up thought. It feels like play, but it still includes reading, writing, and listening skills. It also takes almost no prep and can be done in just a few minutes. No matter how you choose to wrap up the semester, I hope these ideas help your room feel a little calmer and give you pockets of fun without adding to your load. Wishing you a smooth last week before break,
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Cultivating Critical Readers
I create reading comprehension resources for upper elementary teachers (Grades 3 - 5). My goal is to save them time while helping them create engaging reading lessons.
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....
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,...
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...