One of the most exciting moments in young writers’ development is when they begin to give their characters a voice. Literally! Adding dialogue to their writing brings stories to life and helps students deepen their understanding of character, story structure,…
Daily journals can be an essential piece of writing practice is for young learners in kindergarten and first grade. Writing journals provide a structured yet flexible way to reinforce foundational skills while encouraging creativity. However, the key to journals is…
5 Star Writing is an easy way to help students gain accountability and independence for their writing. Teaching young writers to take ownership of their work can feel like a challenge, but with the 5 Star Writing Rubric, students gain…
28 days in February doesn't seem like a lot of time to learn about special people in Black History, but Charles Smith, Jr's book does a great job! Check out these great people throughout the 28 days.
Grumpy. Grouchy. Cranky. Irritable. Crabby. You name it…we’ve all felt it. Most adults have ways of managing our emotions, but children haven’t figured it out yet. Emotions often run wild and unchecked. As adults, guiding children through the maze of…
Writing with small moments is a powerful lesson about narratives. One powerful approach to enhance narrative writing skills is by teaching students to focus on "the seed, not the watermelon." This concept involves taking a big topic and narrowing it…
As educators, we are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage our young learners and make their educational experiences both meaningful and enjoyable. One powerful way to achieve this is by integrating reading and history into our curriculum. Today, we'll explore…
Writing Lessons are too often planned at the last minute (or not at all) and contain a willy-nilly sequence of lessons. This doesn’t have to be the case. Taking the time to craft lessons for maximum benefit isn’t hard. It…
Positional words are used in reading, math, and science. Teaching these to kindergarten students is a crucial aspect of early education, laying the foundation for their understanding of spatial relationships.
Hibernating Animals are fascinating to most people, but especially Kindergartners. As winter approaches and the days grow colder, many animals embark on a remarkable journey into hibernation. In this blog post, we will explore what hibernation is, why animals do…
Veterans Day must be more than a day off school. As kindergarten and first-grade teachers, we have the unique privilege of shaping young minds and instilling values that will stay with our students for a lifetime. Let's explore the importance…
B and D Reversals. See what I did in the in title? It's no Big Deal. It is not uncommon for young learners to struggle with letter reversals, particularly with letters like 'b' and 'd.' Let’s explore why these reversals…