Kick off January with a classroom “takeoff” your students will never forget! New Year’s Around the World invites learners to explore 11 countries and discover the fun, surprising, and meaningful traditions people use to welcome a brand-new year. From jumping over seven waves in Brazil to wearing polka dots for good luck in the Philippines, this resourceContinue reading “✈️ Pack Your Bags for a New Year Adventure: Around the World New Year’s Traditions”
Category Archives: HOLIDAYS AND SEASONAL
How I Turn a Read-Aloud into a Full Literacy Pack
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”
🎃 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 🌟”
🍂 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”
📚 Back-to-School: 5 Fresh Ideas to Energize Your Elementary Classroom
Intro: There’s nothing quite like the first week of school—the fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the hum of nervous excitement (from both kids and teachers!). But let’s be honest: that first week sets the tone for everything that follows. If you’re ready to go beyond rules and routines and spark something special from Day 1, I’ve gotContinue reading “📚 Back-to-School: 5 Fresh Ideas to Energize Your Elementary Classroom”
Back-to-School Classroom Activities to Build Critical Thinking and Community
The start of a new school year is buzzing with excitement — and maybe a little nervousness, too! It’s the perfect time to set the stage for a year filled with learning, laughter, and lots of “aha!” moments. One of the best ways to do that? Building a classroom community where students feel safe, connected,Continue reading “Back-to-School Classroom Activities to Build Critical Thinking and Community”
📚 Why Reading Escape Rooms Work in the Elementary Classroom
If your students groan when it’s time for another reading worksheet, it might be time to shake things up—without sacrificing learning. Enter: the Reading Escape Room. These literacy-based adventures are popping up in classrooms everywhere, and for good reason. Reading escape rooms combine engagement, standards-based instruction, and critical thinking in a format that students beg to repeat. So, what makesContinue reading “📚 Why Reading Escape Rooms Work in the Elementary Classroom”
🎒 Kick Off the School Year with the Brown Bag Biography: A Unique Student Intro Activity
The first week of school is more than setting up routines and reviewing rules—it’s about building a classroom community where students feel safe, seen, and celebrated. One of my favorite ways to do that? The Brown Bag Biography, or the All About Me Bag. This low-prep, high-impact activity helps students introduce themselves in a way that’s fun, creative,Continue reading “🎒 Kick Off the School Year with the Brown Bag Biography: A Unique Student Intro Activity”
💬 Real Teachers, Real Classrooms: How Sweet Reads + Skills Are Making a Difference
When I first created Sweet Reads + Skills, my dream was simple:To give busy teachers meaningful, easy-to-use reading packs that students would actually enjoy. Now that more classrooms are trying them out, I’ve started hearing from educators who are seeing the results—and I couldn’t be more excited to share some of their stories with you. 🌟Continue reading “💬 Real Teachers, Real Classrooms: How Sweet Reads + Skills Are Making a Difference”
