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.
Struggling to fit in vocabulary? Try this.
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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.pdf Keep the practice meaningful.Once you’ve introduced the words, students need chances to revisit and use them throughout the week. A vocabulary station is perfect for this because the only thing you have to swap out is the word list. Here are a few easy ways to keep practice engaging:
✨ Want it all ready to go? My Vocabulary Games & Activities for Any List includes 13 activities you can use with any set of words. They're all extremely low-prep and require no upkeep throughout the year. (The best kind of station, if you ask me. 😉) Why it mattersExplicit vocabulary instruction and meaningful practice help students build a stronger foundation for comprehension, critical thinking, and confident communication. Making it a regular part of your day pays off in a big way. Here’s to a week filled with word learning and lightbulb moments!
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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.
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 Day Invite 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...
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,...