Fluency isn’t just for big kids! When we think of fluency, we often picture older students reading smoothly and expressively. But fluency starts much earlier than that. Even our youngest learners can develop fluency skills that will set them up…
This interactive approach not only makes learning fun but also reinforces the skill of finding the known in the unknown. By regularly practicing with these cards, students become more proficient at decoding words on their own, fostering greater independence. Find…
I was in kindergarten 1972-1973. I recently came across the Kindergarten Summer Letter my mom was given in the summer of 1973. I loved kindergarten...Mrs. Nelson was my teacher and I distinctly remember big fat paintbrushes, tempera paint and easels.…
Fix-Up Monitoring can be tricky for kindergartners and you may be thinking why should I do it at all. BUT, if we introduce the ideas of fix-up monitoring to students early, they will be able to apply the skills independently.…
We have come to Step 6 in Phonological Awareness, and I think it's the biggest. I have decided to break it into 3 parts. This post will talk about Segmenting and Blending and next week's post is about Adding, Deleting,…
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I originally posted this in 2010 and then again in 2018. Since that time, I have tried to be true to my reading heart and really listened to the research on the Science of Reading and how using…
Old books are so intriguing to me. Recently, my dad gave me two books. Old books ~ Treasures from the Past He found them in some boxes in the attic. They were books given to him and his younger…
The best classroom library can be in your room. Allowing students time for independent reading with self-selected book choice is essential in all classrooms today. I have had classroom libraries set up in many ways over the years and I…
Let's face it, reading is hard. There are barriers each reader faces that can impede comprehension. (One of my biggest pet peeves is parents and teachers who say, "He can read anything you want, he just can comprehend it.") So…
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is such a classic. If you asked 100 kindergarten teachers what books are on their Back to School list, I'm betting 99 would include this amazing book. I have used it for years because…
Paint Chip on Speed Dial! What is it about paint chips? I am just drawn to them in the store like an ant to a picnic. I have posted about paint chips on my blog before, this is the link…
Names are a great place to start. Creating a love of reading can begin with student names. Student names can be as unique as each student. Connecting literacy activities with names can make a lasting impression on students. Beginning the…
