Clik here to view.
Setting Up a Scoring Toolkit for Student Writing
Instruction begins when you, the teacher, learn from the learner; put yourself in his place so that you may understand . . . what he learns and the way he understands it. ~Soren Kierkegaard I just love...
View ArticleClik here to view.
2016 Classroom Reveal!!
I still have some things to finish up, but my classroom is mostly ready for a new school year! I am making the dive into flexible seating. I don't have a lot of options at the moment, but I have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Flexible Seating - The REAL Scoop!
I took the leap and implemented flexible seating in my classroom this year! Here are the things that I LOVE and the things I DON'T LOVE about it.....LOVE Students have the opportunity to make...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Guided Reading Made Simple
You meticulously plan and prep for reading, writing, math, spelling, science, social studies and language lessons....am I right? But when it comes time for small group guided reading lessons, you fly...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Daily Five Reading Rotations
Math Workshop Rotations have been a huge success in my classroom for the past two years. I love that I have time to work with the whole group on new math concepts, but my rotations have also given me...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Common Core Writing - In Hand!!
Whether you're a fan of the common core or not, it has definitely defined three different text types and how we need to teach our students to structure their writing pieces. The common core outlined...
View ArticleClik here to view.
FIVE THINGS You Should Do in Your Classroom - EVERY DAY!
How do you spend your minutes each day? As teachers, our time seems so very limited. There is never enough time to accomplish everything that needs to get done. Each teacher, each day, makes...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Teaching Personal Narrative Writing - Step By Step!
Happy summer everyone! I am excited to share a new Personal Narrative Writing Unit that I have created that you are absolutely going to LOVE! I wanted to create a comprehensive unit that was common...
View ArticleClik here to view.
{Frustrating} Student Writing Problems and How to Solve Them - A Blog Series
I LOVE teaching writing...it is really my favorite subject to teach (as many of my readers already know)! However, it isn't always peaches and cream, is it? Sometimes writer's workshop can be the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
HELP! They Just Won't Write!
There is probably no problem more frustrating to a teacher than a student that seemingly refuses to write! We try helping them to get started, spoon-feed them ideas, assign them a writing partner to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Land that plane! When students write TOO much {and a FREEBIE}
If you have been following this series...I have to start with an apology. I got off track big time. I started a new role in my school district, and I have been learning the ropes. I have been a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Writing Time is NOT Over! How to Increase Writing Stamina During Writer's...
"I'm done!" During the early weeks of Writer's Workshop, these cringe-worthy words echo through my classroom. "Really?" you think to yourself. "We're only about five minutes into our workshop!"...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Guided Reading or Strategy Groups? - What to Know!
There is a lot of discussion in my school district around small group instruction. We keep hearing that best practice includes "a variety of grouping strategies". As a teacher, I would sometimes...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Author's Craft: Leads, Endings and Details...OH MY!
Do you sometimes tell your students that they need a better start to their story or opinion letter, or that they need an ending with more pizzazz? Do you tell them to add more details when they hand...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ten Essential Practices in Early and Elementary Literacy - A New Blog Series
MICHIGAN'S (AND MY OWN) HOLY SH**T MOMENT I have been a teacher in Michigan since 1992. Over the past several years, to my chagrin, reading achievement in our state (according the NAEP test) has...
View ArticleClik here to view.
I AM A READER!! Creating Self-Efficacy in Young Readers
They show up in our classrooms every new school year. You know the ones....they drag their feet to their reading spot, stopping to chat with four or five friends. When they finally make it to their...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Relentless Book Matching
Essential Practice #1: Deliberate, research-informed efforts to foster literacy motivation and engagement within and across lessons. Do your students LOVE reading? Do they beg to keep reading when...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Let' them talk!! Collaboration in Reading and Writing
Welcome back! Today I want continue the discussion of Essential Practice 1: Essential Practice #1: Deliberate, research-informed efforts to foster literacy motivation and engagement within and across...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Reading Assessment at Your Fingertips!
This post addresses TWO of the Essential Practices for Early Literacy: Practice 3: Small Group Reading Instruction and Practice 9: Ongoing Observation and Assessment. These practices were created...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Phonics Instruction Simplified - PLUS A FREEBIE!!
The phonics debate is in full-swing. I think they are calling it "the science of reading" now, and the idea of "balanced literacy" is taking a beating. I taught first grade for 17 years using what I...
View Article
