Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?
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! USE YOUR READ ALOUD Use this time to make some powerful book… Read More
Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Here are my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom along with a few tips to help you manage these materials. we are a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn… Read More
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. WHY USE NOVELS WITH SMALL GROUPS? My very first year of teaching, I was in… Read More
What does writing time look like in your classroom? Are your students feverishly writing page after page? That’s great! But if your students watch the clock and count down the minutes until writing is over, then it’s time to add a little fun to your writing block. Here are 10 simple ways to increase writing engagement in your classroom. … Read More
I think we can all agree that kids love to play math games. I love to build upon their love of games by incorporating game time into my math block as often as possible. Playing math games is not only fun, but these games can also provide so many benefits. Here are 5 reasons to play math games in the… Read More
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. Reading Level A student’s instructional reading level is a place to start when choosing books for your… Read More
I absolutely love wordless books now, but that hasn’t always been the case. When I first started teaching, I didn’t know how valuable they could be for readers of all ages. Thank goodness that has changed!
The Girl and the Bicycle is one of my favorites. It’s about a young girl who sees a shiny green bike in the store window. She rushes home, but finds she doesn’t have enough money in her piggy bank. She checks the couch cushions, clothes pockets, and even tries to sell her toys and lemonade. When she still doesn’t have enough money, she offers to help her neighbors with yard work. Unfortunately, they all turn her away except for one kind woman. As the seasons change, these two work side by side and develop a friendship. When the weather warms and the little girl finally has enough money to buy the bike, it’s already gone! Can you guess what happens next? The ending gets me every single time!
What are some of your favorite #wordlessbooks ? Be sure to check out my stories for my favorite books along with tips for using wordless books in the classroom.
✏️“I don’t know what to write.”
If you teach writing workshop, you’ve probably heard this more times than you can count. When your mini lessons aren’t reaching every writer, it might be time to reach for a picture book. That’s why I’m so excited that @katemessner and @marksiegel2020 have teamed up again!
How to Write a Story takes readers on a young girl’s journey from choosing an idea to sharing her finished writing piece. Kids are sure to get inspired by the colorful illustrations and create their next story. Swipe to sneak a peek inside the book.
What are some of your favorite picture books about writing? I'll share some of my favorites down below.
#howtowriteastory #writingmentortext
Just because your kids can read to themselves doesn't mean they have outgrown the read aloud. Here are some tips for read aloud. Number 5 is my favorite!😀
storiesbystorie.com
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 indepe...This morning I set my son up on the computer for his Google Meet and then slid back over to my computer to start work. After listening to his teacher cheerfully greet each and every student, she mentioned that she had a book to share. Suddenly I found myself caught up in her story. Why? Because she was reading Our Class is a Family written by my friend, Shannon.
This rhyming story wants to help each and every student feel loved, included, and safe in the classroom. It shows that a classroom family celebrates what makes each member unique, how the people love and respect one another, and that the classroom is a safe place where it’s okay to make mistakes and grow together. This book is perfect for the first few weeks of school, but can also be revisited throughout the year.
Sometimes a book comes along at the perfect time with an important message. No matter how you’re teaching right now, your class is like a family. Building relationships and community is more important than ever. Have you shared this book with your students yet?
P.S. I hope you’ll autograph my copy of #ourclassisafamily the next time I see you @lifebetweensummers 😉!
