GottobeLIT – Got to be LIT

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 whenContinue reading “7 Fun Test Prep Activities Your Students Will Actually Enjoy”

7 Engaging Activities for National Reading Month

March is one of my favorite months in the classroom because it’s National Reading Month — a time to celebrate books, stories, and the joy of reading. For teachers in grades 2–3, it’s also a perfect opportunity to help students build reading stamina, strengthen comprehension, and fall in love with books. Over the years, I’veContinue 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 theirContinue reading “Sophie Mouse Novel Study for 2nd–3rd Grade: A Guided Reading Chapter Book Approach”

🦋 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 + SkillsContinue 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,Continue 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 theyContinue reading “Teaching Students How to Think While They Read”

Reciprocal Teaching: Helping Students Lead Meaningful Reading Discussions

Have you ever led a reading discussion where you did all the talking — while students nodded, shrugged, or waited for the “right answer”? Many students understand a text better than they can explain it. Others have ideas but don’t yet know how to participate in a discussion. Reciprocal teaching helps solve both problems by teaching students how to talk aboutContinue reading “Reciprocal Teaching: Helping Students Lead Meaningful Reading Discussions”

January Literacy Activities for 2nd and 3rd Grade: Teaching Context Clues That Stick

January is the perfect time to reset routines and strengthen core literacy skills after winter break. Students are settling back into school, and teachers are looking for meaningful, low-stress ways to reinforce essential reading strategies. One of the most effective January literacy focuses for 2nd and 3rd grade?👉 Context clues. Why Teaching Context Clues Is So ImportantContinue reading “January Literacy Activities for 2nd and 3rd Grade: Teaching Context Clues That Stick”

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”

✈️ Pack Your Bags for a New Year Adventure: Around the World New Year’s Traditions

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”