Emergent reading lessons have an ebb and flow. There is a 20-minute time limit and lots to get done. So...the ebb and flow can feel like being in the middle of a hurricane. However, you can't make it seemed hurried...it…
Like I stated in the previous sound chart post, I love my sound chart. I believe this chart can be used in sort venter for more of the school year...it just depends how you use it. Abandoning the sound chart…
I have always used the Fountas and Pinnell Sound Chart in my classroom in a variety of ways. I enlarged the sound chart twice for for a classroom display and cut the squares as headers for my word wall words. …
Teaching students to summarize can be daunting...unless you take it back to early literacy. Early readers and writers can do so much more than we think...if we support them. One of the units our K-2 teachers must teach whole group…
Poem of the Week...a powerhouse of lessons. This seemingly small part of the day, can have a big impact...IF you know how to use it. Before talking to about how to use the poems there are a few ground rules…
1 to 1 match is probably one of the most important tasks a new reader can achieve. Making the connection between voice and print will help them move forward in independence and comprehension. As much as this skill seems to…
The teachers in our school district are tasked with teaching Main Idea and Supporting Details to our K-2 population. Here are a few ideas for teaching main idea, but also for independent practice AFTER you have taught Main Idea. So,…
Punctuation is important. It's important for clarity, understanding, and fluency. It effects voice and comprehension. It changes a situation with intonation and inflection. I was reminded of this when I was eating my favorite donuts. Donuts? The best…
Introductions are very important. Every good guided reading lesson starts with a great introduction. Unfortunately, it can be easily overlooked and taken for granted. I actually observed a teacher hand out books and say, "Look at the pictures quickly, so…
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…
I love a good anchor chart. Back in the day…I would fill my classroom walls before the students even arrived with beautiful purchased charts for colors, months, numbers, character traits, reading strategies and marvel at the “pretty.” Then the students…
Summary - Somebody Teaching students to summarize can provide another option for solidifying their reading comprehension. This strategy can be used in all primary classrooms. Too often students think summarizing is retelling. Retelling has more details, whereas, summarizing keeps it…