Education resources for parents and teachers
Kids can find their own writing topics! Here's how. Here are some ways to help kids find their own writing topics. As always, model first before you ask your students to try a new strategy. Then practice the new strategy together before you ask them to do it on their own! Have each student create an expert list. Show them how to make a list of things that they know a lot about and could write something about. They ... Read More
Today I'm sharing a set of free multiplication bingo games - perfect for practicing those tricky facts! Our oldest just began fourth grade and is required to practice her multiplication flash cards five times a week. After a week, she already knew her facts. But we're still asked to practice them. I don't know about you, but doing flash cards with a child who already knows her facts - every night - makes me crazy. ... Read More
Today I'm sharing a set of games that will help your child master shape identification. I'll be honest with you - my Four often asks for activities, but he doesn't always like what I create. In fact, he's kind of a tough audience But this was a game he loved - and he even asked to play it as soon as we'd finished. So I'm confident that you'll find someone who likes it, too! To play, simply print a board game of ... Read More
This week I'm sharing a collection of letter H activities for 2-year-olds. I'm teaching my two-year-old the letters of the alphabet in a fun Letter of the Week format. We spend about 10-20 minutes daily. Take a peek at our week! I like this craft because there's a lot for the child to do. I printed a block letter H (get yours here) on construction paper and cut it out. Then I prepared the pieces and helped my Two ... Read More
Improve reading comprehension with this free Ruby Bridges worksheet pack! This is a reading passage designed for children in grades 2-4. The content will also be appropriate for older, struggling learners. In the download you'll find a reading comprehension passage and two sets of questions. Before my Nine (a new fourth grader) read the passage, I asked what she knew about Ruby Bridges. She shared a short sentence ... Read More
Looking for a simple, low-prep activity to help your child learn beginning sounds? Here you go! Today I'm sharing a set of low-prep printables that will help your child or students master beginning sounds. Each sort asks your child to sort pictures into 2, 3, or 4 groups based on their beginning sounds. Simply cut out the headers and the pictures. Glue or place each header at the top of a column, and ... Read More
We had so much fun with these letter M activities for 2-year-olds! We're doing Letter of the Week with my Two, and she's really enjoying these hands-on activities - plus, she's starting to learn her letters! To introduce the letter M, I printed the letter and picture cards you can download for free at the end of this post. I attached a metal paper clip to each one and gave my Two a magnet wand (from this fun magnet ... Read More
Here are my top tips for teaching writing that every writing teacher should know. 1. Students need a consistent routine. Writing is complex, but the Writing Workshop itself is built on a solid structure that never changes. It is the routine of mini-lessons, independent writing, and sharing time that makes the workshop run smoothly. Begin each workshop with a 5-10 minute mini-lesson. Reserve most of the ... Read More
Close reading is one of those big buzz words in literacy education. But what is close reading, anyway? This post will tell you exactly what it is, plus how to teach it! Have you heard the term close reading? If you're not sure what it means, you're in good company. Maybe this definition will help: "The primary objective of close reading is to afford students with the opportunity to assimilate new ... Read More
Today I'm sharing a fun freebie that will help your child see shapes in everyday objects. My four-year-old was in a sour mood this morning. I suspect it's because it was the first day of school for his older siblings, and he had to adjust to three fewer playmates and a quieter house. Normally he asks for "projects," but when I told him I had some activities for him this morning he was adamantly against it. "NO. I ... Read More
