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.
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!
Classroom Postcards
Students love to receive notes from their teacher! In our digital world, a handwritten or personalized note can add that special touch and let students know how much you care. Classroom postcards are a quick and easy way to jot a personal note to your students, communicate with families about an upcoming school event, let families know when school supplies are getting low, and more! Here are several ways you can use postcards in the classroom.
Children’s Books About Inventions
Do you have students in your classroom who love to build, tinker, and create? You may have a future inventor or engineer on your hands! Here are some of my favorite children’s books about inventions to help encourage those creative minds! These books are also a great addition to your STEM/STEAM book collection.
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.
8 Ways to Increase Writing Engagement
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 8 simple ways to increase writing engagement in your classroom.
Chapter Book Read Alouds for the Primary Classroom
Choosing the right chapter book read aloud can make all the difference when it comes to captivating your young readers. Here are some of my favorite chapter book read alouds for the primary classroom.
Kindness Books for Kids
As teachers, we want our students to be kind to others. Books can help us send the message that kindness is important and something we value. Through these books, we can show students how to see the good in others, how to be there for other people, how to help others feel included, how to be kind even when it is hard, and how spreading kindness can come back around. These are some of my favorite kindness books for kids.
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.
Wordless Picture Books for Kids
Wordless picture books are not just for your non-readers. In fact, they can sometimes be more difficult because they require a reader to dig deeper and use higher level thinking skills. Wordless picture books allow opportunities to observe, ask questions, make inferences, draw conclusions, and more! Here are some of my favorite wordless picture books for kids.
Books for Teaching Students to Compare and Contrast
Are you getting ready to teach your students to compare and contrast? It’s very important to have the right materials on hand. Here are some of my favorite books to use when teaching students to compare and contrast.
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!