Category Archives: Uncategorized

Rest and Recharge: A Teacher’s Guide for the Holidays

The holiday season is magical—but for teachers, it can also be exhausting. Between lesson planning, classroom celebrations, grading, family obligations, and end-of-year to-do lists, many teachers reach winter break already running on empty. This season isn’t just about surviving—it’s about restoring. Let’s talk about realistic ways teachers can protect their health over the holidays without pressure,Continue reading “Rest and Recharge: A Teacher’s Guide for the Holidays”

Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary

Vocabulary can make or break comprehension in elementary reading. Read aloud books give plenty of opportunity to teach vocabulary, but chapter books introduce many new words at once, which can feel overwhelming for young students 😅. But with intentional strategies, you can help students learn and remember vocabulary one chapter at a time ✨. Below are practical, teacher-tested strategies,Continue reading “Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary”

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”

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”

💬 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”

✨ Making the Most of Sweet Reads + Skills Packs in Your Classroom

If you’ve downloaded your free mini pack (Missing Monarch) or purchased a full Sweet Reads + Skills unit, you might be wondering:“How do I actually use this during my busy week?”Great question! These packs were created to be flexible and practical—no fluff, just meaningful literacy work. Let’s break down a few easy ways to integrate them into yourContinue reading “✨ Making the Most of Sweet Reads + Skills Packs in Your Classroom”

Teaching: Sharing the love

I have always loved teaching. Even as a child, I “graded” comic books and my older brother’s homework! Can you imagine handing in homework with red crayon checkmarks and X’s all over it? Luckily, he forgave me, and I did become a teacher.  I have a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University inContinue reading “Teaching: Sharing the love”