Counting money can be a challenge for some learners. Show them how with a hundred chart! (This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no cost to you.) If you have learners who struggle with counting money, you'll love today's hands-on math center! Here's what you'll need: real coins (quarters, nickels, dimes, pennies) a hundred chart (get one in the free ... Read More
Write the room activity for short o words
We hope you can use this free "write the room" activity for short o words! A couple of weeks ago, I shared a write the room activity for short a words. It was a hit with my kindergartner, so I plan to make them for all the short vowels. Write the Room is a pretty simple activity that doesn't require a ton of prep. Simply print the recording sheets for your students. Then cut out and tape the cards to various places ... Read More
4 Steps to forming guided reading groups
Would you like to get started with guided reading, but you're unsure how to form your guided reading groups? Follow this four-step method! So far in our guided reading series we've covered three things: 1 - The ten reasons K-2 learners need guided reading 2 - Understanding the guided reading levels 3 - Where to find books for guided reading We've laid the foundation. Now it's time to get started! But first ... ... Read More
Easy Valentine crafts for preschoolers
You'll love how easy it is to prepare and do these Valentine crafts for preschoolers! My Three (almost four!) is always asking to do arts and crafts with me. But with a busy family and a toddler who often wants to join us, I need simple. That's why I put together this collection of easy Valentine's Day crafts. Check out what these talented bloggers have been up to! 1 - I love this simple mosaic heart ... Read More
25 phonemic awareness games
Your young learners will love this set of simple board games that build phonemic awareness! Phonemic awareness. What does it mean, anyway? It's a scary-sounding phrase, but it's really not that complicated. It has to do with hearing and manipulating sounds in words. While some phonemic awareness activities may be used alongside letters, most of them don't. If you ask a child to tell you the beginning sound ... Read More
Short e worksheets
Looking for a set of short e worksheets? Try these! Today I'm sharing a set of short e worksheets. Now that my kindergartner is starting to read more fluently, these are a great review for him. I got our supplies ready before having my Five sit down with me. I asked him which worksheet he'd like to do first. He loves to draw, so this was his first choice. And as always - this one. It's the shortest. ;) Another ... Read More
Where to find books for guided reading
Are you on the hunt for guided reading groups? Here's where to find them! Are you on the hunt for guided reading books? You may be a teacher in one of those wonderful schools that has an entire book room. When you need books for guided reading, you simply check the shelves, find the appropriate level, and browse the titles to find a set of books that will work for your learners. Is this ... Read More
Four-in-a-row games for short e words
These games are perfect for helping young learners read short e words! Here are our short e four-in-a-row games! If you've seen our other four-in-a-row games, you know that each one comes with a game for each word family. To play, take turns reading a word and covering or dotting with a Do-a-dot marker. The first to get four in a row, wins! Each word family game comes in a second version - this one with blends and ... Read More
10 tips for helping kids remember what they read
It's one of the hardest things to navigate as a reading teacher. What do you do when kids can't remember what they read? Especially if they're reading a book you're not familiar with? These tips will help! It's one of my least favorite experiences as a classroom teacher ... trying to get answers from a student about the chapter book s/he read - only to get blank stares or a terribly confusing ... Read More
Easy prep winter crafts for kids in preschool
Looking for simple, low-prep winter arts and crafts for preschoolers? I've got ten of them! This post contains affiliate links. I don't know what winter is like where you live, but here in the Midwest I'd prefer to hibernate for a few months. If I were young and single again (and no, I don't want to back in time, despite the prospect of a (much) thinner waistline), I'd cozy up with a good book and some hot ... Read More