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”
Tag Archives: reading activities comprehension
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”
✈️ 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”
Effective Guided Reading Strategies for Elementary Students
Chapter books are full of adventure, imagination, and plot twists—but for many elementary students, longer texts can feel overwhelming 😬. Guided reading strategies provide a framework that helps students navigate complex texts with confidence, while also supporting comprehension, vocabulary growth, and critical thinking. Below are teacher-tested strategies, complete with classroom examples, step-by-step instructions, common challenges, differentiation tips, andContinue reading “Effective Guided Reading Strategies for Elementary Students”
Boost Student Engagement with Interactive Bookmarks
Reading chapter books can sometimes feel overwhelming for students 📚. They might lose track of characters, events, or vocabulary. That’s where interactive bookmarks come in—they turn reading into an active, hands-on learning experience ✨, helping students stay engaged, scaffold comprehension, and reinforce vocabulary. In Sophie Mouse and The Emerald Berries, interactive bookmarks are designed to support chapter-by-chapter engagement, and you can easilyContinue reading “Boost Student Engagement with Interactive Bookmarks”
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”
