Phonemic awareness can feel like one of those things you should be doing more of, but it’s not always clear how to do it well, or where to fit it in. With so much to cover in a day, it’s easy to make small missteps that can slow down your students’ reading progress. The good…
Are you on the hunt for the ultimate list of decodable readers? Look no further! As a reading teacher, you know that providing students with the right reading material is key to helping them progress in their literacy skills. Decodable readers are a fantastic tool to support reading development, providing students with text that emphasizes…
A Guide for Teachers to Identify and Fix Reading Mistakes in Real Time Decoding is a key skill for early readers, but mistakes are part of the learning process. Some errors are small and self-corrected, while others reveal gaps in phonics knowledge that need attention. By paying close attention to the types of errors students…
How Teaching Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words Builds Stronger Readers When we think about teaching early reading skills, phonics and decoding often take center stage. While these are essential, there’s another powerful tool that helps students become stronger readers: morphology. Morphology is the study of word structure—how words are formed using prefixes, suffixes, and root…
Teaching students to recognize tricky words that don’t follow regular phonics rules can be a challenge. When words don’t play by the rules, they need extra attention to help them stick. That’s where the heart word method comes into play, and I have found that flashcards and slides are very handy. These mapped out cards…
Creating effective reading fluency centers can be a game-changer for improving students’ reading skills. These centers provide engaging, targeted practice that builds speed, accuracy, and expression while fostering independence. From fluency grids and partner reading to timed repeated readings and fun activities like Reader’s Theater, there are countless options to support your students. Reading fluency…
Setting up effective reading groups can transform your classroom by providing targeted instruction that meets your students’ unique needs. However, getting started can feel overwhelming. This guide will walk you through each step, from assessing your students’ skills to planning engaging lessons and monitoring progress. By focusing on skill-based grouping aligned with the science of…
Are you looking for some secular winter read alouds? If so, I have you covered from picture books to novels that are about winter or take place during the winter. I’ve rounded up several of my favorite winter read alouds that you can read to your kids. Remember that read alouds provide the perfect opportunity…
The holiday season is a great time to read books that teach kids about Christmas or help them get into the holiday spirit. In my experience, students love when I read aloud chapter books with highly relatable plot lines that allow us to discuss the story and work on comprehension skills. And there are so…