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Category: reading tips

Reading aloud to a classroom full of students may come naturally to some teachers, but others need more guidance. It isn't always as easy as selecting a book and beginning to read out loud, especially if you are using the book to introduce a strategy or skill. Here are several tips on how to prepare for your read aloud to maximize your time.

How to Prepare for Your Read Aloud

Reading aloud to a classroom full of students may come naturally to some teachers, but others need more guidance. It isn't always as easy as selecting a book and beginning to read out loud, especially if you are using the book to introduce a strategy or skill. Here are several tips on how to prepare for your read aloud to maximize your time.
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It can be hard to get rid of books, but it must be done. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you begin to declutter your library.

Declutter Your Classroom Library

The classroom library is an important part of your classroom. Teachers spend time, money, and energy building a place where students want to settle in and get lost in stories. But sometimes we forget that the library also needs to be decluttered. It can be hard to get rid of books, but it must be done. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you begin to declutter your library.
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Reading aloud to a child doesn't need to stop once they have outgrown your lap. There are many academic and emotional benefits that come along with reading books to your kids as they get older. Here are several reasons why you should read aloud to big kids.

Reasons to Read Aloud to Big Kids

Emilie Buchwald said, "Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." But reading aloud to a child doesn't need to stop once they have outgrown your lap. There are many academic and emotional benefits that come along with reading books to your kids as they get older. Here are several reasons why you should read aloud to big kids.
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Benefits of Nonfiction Texts in the Primary Classroom

If you've been around for awhile, you know how much I love to share picture books and chapter books with kids. There's something so exciting about getting caught up in the characters and storyline. But I also know how important it is to share nonfiction texts with students. Here are several reasons why children need nonfiction in the primary classroom.
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Read Aloud Tips

Reading aloud to children of all ages is so important. Some teachers and families don't make time for read aloud because of busy schedules, lack of books, or because their kids can already read independently. If that sounds familiar, here are some read aloud tips to make this time work in the classroom or at home.
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Are you struggling to get your reluctant readers excited about the books available to them? Are your students losing interest in reading in favor of daydreaming about warmer weather? Here are some of my favorite ways to get my students excited about books throughout the school year!

Ways to Get Your Students Excited About Books

Are you struggling to get your reluctant readers excited about the books available to them? Are your students losing interest in reading in favor of daydreaming about warmer weather? Here are some of my favorite ways to get my students excited about books throughout the school year!
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Have you thought about using novels with small groups, but aren't sure where to start? It is definitely possible to do so in the primary grades! Here's how I got started using chapter books with my second graders during my small group time.

Using Novels with Small Groups

Have you thought about using novels with small groups, but aren't sure where to start? It is definitely possible to do so in the primary grades! Here's how I got started using chapter books with my second graders during my small group time.
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Choosing Books for Reading Groups

Choosing the right book for your reading group can be overwhelming - especially when it can be a determining factor in the engagement and success of your group. Here are 10 things I take into consideration when choosing books for reading groups.
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When it’s time to teach my students to summarize, I love to use the Somebody Wanted But So Then (SWBST) strategy. Today I want to share a few tools you can use when teaching this reading strategy.

Summarizing Using the Somebody Wanted But So Then Strategy

Summarizing can be an extremely difficult skill for students. They need to be able to identify story elements: characters, setting, problem, and solution. It’s important to remember that summarizing is a higher-level skill that teachers need to model many times before expecting students to perform it independently. I love to teach my students to summarize using the Somebody Wanted But So Then strategy (also known as SWBST).
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If you want to encourage a love of reading in your classroom, you will need a wide variety of books. Finding those books is not always easy and your wallet can take a big hit! Here are ten ways you can add books to your classroom library.

10 Ways to Build Your Classroom Library

If you want to encourage a love of reading in your classroom, you will need a wide variety of books. Finding those books is not always easy and your wallet can take a big hit! Here are ten ways you can add books to your classroom library.
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Scholastic Book Order Activities

Stop! Don’t toss those Scholastic Book Orders into the recycling bin just yet! Here are several Scholastic book order activities that will keep your students engaged in learning at the same time!
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