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Celebrate National Train Day, May 8, 2010!
Who can resist the magic of a train? Saturday, May 8, 2010, is the third annual National Train Day. This is a day to celebrate America’s love of trains. There will be free nationwide events happening...
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Simple Machines on Big Universe
Bellwether publishers will quickly become a favorite of 2nd and 3rd graders studying simple machines. These Level 4 Blastoff Readers contain full color images, labeled diagrams, captions, bold...
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What is December 7th?
December 7th is a day that stands out in US History. Do you know why? Do your students know? On Big Universe Learning, I found World War II by Lisa Zamosky and Wendy Conklin. This book is one of the...
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Book Review: Wolf Pack of the Winisk River by Paul Brown
Wolf Pack of the Winisk River written by Paul Brown illustrated by Robert Kakegamic Lobster Press, 2009 audience: upper elementary and Middle Grade AR Book Level: 6.8 This is a novel in verse that...
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Ready Reference – Having all the answers at hand
This is an updated version of a post I wrote for the PBS Parents blog Booklights as part of my “Bookworm Basics” series. The original article appeared in July 2010. Although geared toward parents,...
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Informational Flip Books
Flip books are fun to make and to read. This past week my students made great flip books to help illustrate their understanding of informational text features. We focused on what to look for as we...
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Rourke Encyclopedias and Informational Texts
After my last post where I explained how my students created flip books to illustrate the various text and graphic features of informational texts, I was excited to see that Rourke Educational Media is...
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Teaching Kids: Letting books send the message
As a Mom, I feel like the most over-used word in my vocabulary is “No” — followed closely by “Don’t.” I get tired of hearing myself say them, so I can imagine how weary my daughter is of listening to...
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Reading Essentials Part 1: Reading Aloud
Reading aloud is something children never outgrow. The benefits extend far beyond the classroom, and it can be a vital part of a child’s literary development. Let’s investigate some ways to use this...
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Using Reading Minutes to Motivate Readers
Most classrooms assign nightly or weekly reading minutes. But what happens after the minutes are recorded and turned in to the teacher? Here is an easy, fun, and creative way to get students...
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The Interactive Read-Aloud: Keys to Successful Reading at Home and In The...
One of my favorite activities in the classroom is the interactive read-aloud. Every page is an opportunity to engage the students and help them build reading strategies through creative and fun...
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Reading Essentials Part 2: Providing a Variety of Books
From toddlers to teens, all children will benefit from a bookshelf that offers an interesting variety of books. It is important to allow kids to choose their own books, and there are several ways we...
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Understanding Dyslexia and Its Many Challenges
Dyslexia is a word we hear often in connection with reading difficulties and special education. Children with dyslexia face challenges that can be frustrating not only for the student, but for...
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Reading, Writing, and Fun With Nonfiction
With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards comes a long overdue excitement over the non-fiction genre. This category has always been a favorite of mine, and I’m thrilled to see so...
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Science…Science…Science
Science…Science…Science Starting Kids Early Brings Success in Science Teaching kids science at an early age is a tool that can help students to succeed in high school and college science courses at...
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Reading Comprehension: Teaching Vocabulary
Why Is Teaching Vocabulary Important? Vocabulary is a critical component of reading comprehension. In order for students to make sense of the text, they need to understand the meaning of the words...
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Comprehension Strategies: Students Monitor Their Own Understanding
Self-Monitoring There are many techniques we can teach students to help improve their reading comprehension. As they acquire more tools for understanding the texts, they can begin to monitor...
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Keeping Busy Families Healthy and Fit During The Holiday Season
Tips To Keep Families Healthy, Fit and Happy During The Holiday Season Families can get moving! The holiday season is an excellent time to start a family exercise routine. Children enjoy seeing...
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Informational Text Reading Strategies: Previewing A Text
Informational Texts Informational texts provide unique opportunities for students to learn important reading strategies. These strategies can help them understand and use the information effectively,...
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E-Books to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Luck of the Irish to ya; it’s St. Patrick’s Day! Today is the day to wear green, pick a shamrock, and find a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow. Students are bound to be excited about this fun holiday,...
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