Spring is one of my favorite times to refresh our reading block with engaging picture books that naturally spark discussion, creativity, and deeper thinking. The right read-aloud can do so much more than fill time—it can build comprehension, vocabulary, inferencing, writing skills, and even science connections in a way that feels fun and memorable forContinueContinue reading “5 Spring Picture Books for Meaningful Reading Lessons”
Author Archives: Got to be LIT
10 No-Prep Reading Activities for After Testing (Grades 2–3)
State testing puts so much pressure on our students to focus for long periods of time and do well. They’ve worked hard—and they deserve a break. (Does anyone else hear the McDonald’s jingle in your head?) But the school calendar doesn’t exactly allow for a vacation right before summer break. My solution? Give them activitiesContinueContinue reading “10 No-Prep Reading Activities for After Testing (Grades 2–3)”
📚 Vocabulary That Actually Sticks (Without Changing Your Word List)
Working with my students (and my own kids) on vocabulary got me thinking, Why aren’t these words sticking? They could tell me the definition (most of the time), but a day or two later… it was gone. And if I asked them to use the word in a sentence, that was even harder. Sound familiar? The problemContinueContinue reading “📚 Vocabulary That Actually Sticks (Without Changing Your Word List)”
7 Fun Test Prep Activities Your Students Will Actually Enjoy
When learning is engaging, students remember more.And during test prep, that matters more than ever. The good news?👉 You don’t have to choose between fun and skill-focused review. With the right activities, students can stay engaged and strengthen the exact reading skills they need. 🎯 1. Turn Test Prep Into a Mystery Students naturally lean in whenContinueContinue reading “7 Fun Test Prep Activities Your Students Will Actually Enjoy”
7 Engaging Activities for National Reading Month
Looking for simple ways to celebrate National Reading Month without adding more prep to your day? These engaging activities will help your students build a love for reading while keeping things fun and manageable. March is one of my favorite months in the classroom because it’s National Reading Month — a time to celebrate books,ContinueContinue reading “7 Engaging Activities for National Reading Month”
Sophie Mouse Novel Study for 2nd–3rd Grade: A Guided Reading Chapter Book Approach
If you’re looking for a Sophie Mouse novel study that gently pulls students into real reading work—without overwhelming them—Sophie Mouse is a perfect fit for a 2nd grade chapter book or early 3rd grade guided reading unit. Sweet, thoughtful, and rich with teachable moments, these stories are ideal for 2nd and 3rd grade readers who are ready to grow theirContinueContinue reading “Sophie Mouse Novel Study for 2nd–3rd Grade: A Guided Reading Chapter Book Approach”
📚 Time Crunch for Grammar?
Struggling to Fit Grammar In? Try This Simple Strategy. Let’s be honest—grammar instruction often gets squeezed to the sidelines.With reading groups, testing prep, and just getting through the day, where does irregular verb practice even fit in? If that’s you, I have good news:You can teach grammar without overhauling your schedule, and it doesn’t have to be boring.ContinueContinue reading “📚 Time Crunch for Grammar?”
🦋 Spring Reading That Soars: A Butterfly-Themed Literacy Pack Your Students Will Love
As the school year winds down and summer begins to bloom, many classrooms take on a lighter, more curious tone—and The Missing Monarch is the perfect story to ride those summer vibes. Whether you’re wrapping up the year, planning a summer school unit, or just looking for engaging content to finish strong, this butterfly-themed Sweet Reads + SkillsContinueContinue reading “🦋 Spring Reading That Soars: A Butterfly-Themed Literacy Pack Your Students Will Love”
Why Bundling Reading + Skills Makes Teaching So Much Easier
If you’ve ever found yourself hopping from one resource to another—trying to make one reading passage fit with unrelated vocabulary practice and a random grammar worksheet—you’re not alone. It’s exhausting. It’s inconsistent. And it’s not how we want to teach. That’s why I created the Sweet Reads + Skills Packs to work as bundled, connected units—where reading comprehension, vocabulary,ContinueContinue reading “Why Bundling Reading + Skills Makes Teaching So Much Easier”
Teaching Students How to Think While They Read
Have you ever asked a comprehension question and watched students flip frantically back through the book, hoping the answer will jump out at them? Many young readers believe comprehension is about finding answers, not thinking through the text. They read the words, but their minds aren’t actively engaged. When this happens, comprehension feels hard—not because students can’tunderstand, but because theyContinueContinue reading “Teaching Students How to Think While They Read”
