If you’re anything like me, one great picture book can spark an entire week of reading, writing, and critical-thinking lessons. Over the years, I’ve learned to take a single read-aloud and expand it into a complete, ready-to-teach literacy pack that hits multiple standards—without feeling like “busy work.” Here’s a peek at how I do it—step byContinue reading “How I Turn a Read-Aloud into a Full Literacy Pack”
Author Archives: Got to be LIT
🎃 The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything: A Spooky-Cute October Reading Companion
If you’re searching for fun and meaningful October reading activities for your 1st–3rd graders, this Book Companion for The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams is a must-have! It’s packed with no-prep, differentiated reading and writing lessons that blend literacy, SEL, and seasonal fun. Students will love the hands-on activities—from vocabulary games and sequencing tasks toContinue reading “🎃 The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything: A Spooky-Cute October Reading Companion”
Top 5 Graphic Organizers to Boost Comprehension 🌟
Chapter books are full of exciting stories 📚, but they can also feel overwhelming for students 😅. Long passages, multiple characters, and plot twists can make it difficult for young readers to stay focused and retain information. One of the most effective ways to help students understand and actively engage with the text is through graphic organizers 📝. Graphic organizers turnContinue reading “Top 5 Graphic Organizers to Boost Comprehension 🌟”
Building Comprehension One Chapter at a Time
Chapter books can be magical 📚, but they can also be daunting for elementary students. Long texts, multiple characters, and plot twists can make it hard for young readers to stay focused or understand the story. That’s why scaffolding comprehension one chapter at a time is key 💡, especially for beginning chapter book readers. Breaking the story into manageable chunksContinue reading “Building Comprehension One Chapter at a Time”
🍁 Help Your Students “Read Between the Lines”: Teaching Inference Made Easy
Help your elementary students master inference skills with fun, fall-themed reading activities! Tips, examples, and engaging task cards to make reading comprehension exciting.
The Secret to Transform Student Behavior and Classroom Culture
You just survived your first parent conference of the year. That lesson plan? Finished ahead of schedule. That struggling student finally mastered a tricky skill? Nailed it. These are small wins—and they deserve a celebration! Focusing on big goals—tests, curriculum benchmarks, end-of-year projects—is important, but it’s the little victories that can strengthen classroom community, improve studentContinue reading “The Secret to Transform Student Behavior and Classroom Culture”
The Power of a Teacher Check-In Buddy: How to Stay Motivated and Have Fun Doing It 🎯💌
We all know teaching can be exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes downright chaotic. But what if there was a fun, simple way to stay motivated, celebrate wins, and keep up with self-care—without adding more to your to-do list? Enter the check-in buddy system. Having a buddy isn’t just about accountability—it’s about friendship, laughter, and a little friendlyContinue reading “The Power of a Teacher Check-In Buddy: How to Stay Motivated and Have Fun Doing It 🎯💌”
🍂 Fun Fall-Themed Literacy Activities for October
October is one of my favorite times in the classroom—the excitement of a new school year hasn’t worn off yet, the weather is starting to cool (at least a little), and fall just begs to be celebrated. Why not sprinkle in some seasonal fun while also building strong reading and writing skills? Here are someContinue reading “🍂 Fun Fall-Themed Literacy Activities for October”
12 Fun and Engaging Literacy Activities for Your Classroom
We all know the struggle—keeping students engaged during reading and writing can sometimes feel like an uphill climb. But here’s the good news: when learning is fun, kids actually retain more. Fun activities spark curiosity, build positive emotions, and make reading and writing stick in a way that worksheets alone never could. In other words, whenContinue reading “12 Fun and Engaging Literacy Activities for Your Classroom”
Reading Practice Hiding in Plain Sight
What Skills Are Hiding Inside Your Reading Escape Room? You know that magical teaching moment when your students are so engaged, they don’t even realize how much they’re learning? That’s the sweet spot—and it’s exactly what reading escape rooms were made for. But beyond the fun, these classroom games are packed with real, standards-aligned reading practice. InContinue reading “Reading Practice Hiding in Plain Sight”
