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”
Tag Archives: Reading Literature
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”
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”
🍂 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”
🧩 How to Run a Reading Escape Room Without Losing Your Mind
Classroom-Friendly Tips for a Smooth and Successful Experience If you’ve ever wanted to try a reading escape room but felt overwhelmed by the logistics, you’re not alone. The idea of turning your classroom into a mini mystery-solving adventure sounds amazing—but managing groups, papers, and time? That can feel like a lot. Here’s the good news:Continue reading “🧩 How to Run a Reading Escape Room Without Losing Your Mind”
