The b and d Dilemma: A Teacher’s Guide to Letter Reversals

Have you noticed some of your students turning their letters into acrobatic champions, flipping and reversing all over the page? Well, guess what? Until about the ripe old age of 8 or 9, kids can basically be letter gymnasts, and that’s totally normal! And nope,

11 Easy-to-Set-Up Stations for the 100th Day of School

Celebrate the 100th Day of School with 11 interactive stations that combine learning, fun, and creativity! These stations are designed for students to rotate through during the day, keeping them engaged while practicing essential skills. Each station is simple to set up, aligns with early

Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping Guide

This week we will put on our Science of Reading hats, and dig into the importance of phoneme-graphing mapping in early literacy. If these terms are unfamiliar, phoneme-grapheme mapping is a game-changer for helping early readers connect sounds to symbols & this post will show

How to Identify Gaps in Phonics Using a Phonics Screener

Phonics is a big part of helping young readers become strong readers by teaching them how letters and sounds work together. A phonics screener can be a great way to spot any gaps in a child’s phonetic understanding, so you know exactly where to focus

Small Groups: Guided Reading is Out; Science of Reading is In

For a long time, guided reading, where students work in small groups on books matched to their independent reading level, was a staple in many classrooms, mine included. However, research on the Science of Reading has started to cast doubt on its effectiveness, particularly for

Rainy Day Classroom Activities for 1st & 2nd Grade

When the weather doesn’t allow for outside play, it can be a challenge to keep students entertained. Or maybe you’re a teacher looking for a change from the usual school day routine. Either way, give one of these fun rainy day classroom activities ideas a

Ready for a calmer classroom?