learning during read-alouds: print referencing Some days, it takes every ounce of energy in my being to keep my tired eyes open during the time I’m reading books with …Read morelearning during read-alouds: print referencing
magazine hunt: reading and rockin’ it This New For Us Friday I’m sharing a new-for-Cora activity and a new-for-us event: the fab, super-fun magazine hunt and Highlight’s State …Read moremagazine hunt: reading and rockin’ it
window writing: spelling word and letter practice Who knew that window writing would be so much fun? Maddy has been window-writing for the last few weeks to study her spelling words, and Cora has …Read morewindow writing: spelling word and letter practice
national book festival and gala: what I learned My most favorite night of the year was last Friday night: The National Book Festival Gala. The National Book Festival is in its 11th year, and this …Read morenational book festival and gala: what I learned
mom’s homeroom: ideas, advice, videos, crazy-cool blogs I am over the moon to share some exciting news: I’ve been working with MSN and Frosted Mini-Wheats for the last few months, writing as a …Read moremom’s homeroom: ideas, advice, videos, crazy-cool blogs
quick trick: have a. . . placemat party! Every. Single. Day. We’re rocking a Placemat Party over here. At breakfast. At lunch. And at dinners at the kitchen table (because the …Read morequick trick: have a. . . placemat party!
learning during read-alouds: oral language development Sometimes, simple is better. Sometimes, more choices make us more confused. If Maddy, Owen, and Cora were shown an amazing pallet of face paints …Read morelearning during read-alouds: oral language development
new for us friday: newmark learning early reading resources (and FOUR giveaways!) Nearly every parent I know wants to do what he or she can to support early learning for their children. We all want to see our kids grow to enjoy …Read morenew for us friday: newmark learning early reading resources (and FOUR giveaways!)
homemade back-to-school lunchbox notes I have been on a major cleaning kick lately, trying to get our family (and home) ready for the new school year. I want to begin on the right foot so …Read morehomemade back-to-school lunchbox notes
back-to-school shopping with three crazy-cool kids After our crazy-successful Smart Summer Challenge, I needed a little week-long offline vay-cay to say the least! Our Smart Summer Challenge was a …Read moreback-to-school shopping with three crazy-cool kids
a fish out of water: games to practice sight words Owen and I had to play a few extra games of Go Fish! this week to celebrate the Water Fun we’ve got on our calendar for the Smart Summer …Read morea fish out of water: games to practice sight words
learning during read-alouds: making connections and questioning (with siblings!) We have been putting in a lot of pool time lately, but we’ve also been spending a boatload of time indoors–staying …Read morelearning during read-alouds: making connections and questioning (with siblings!)
breakfast time reading: cereal boxes and more It all started with Gorilla Munch, and it ended with a ton of reading about adopting gorillas, thanks to a box of cereal and three curious …Read morebreakfast time reading: cereal boxes and more
getting ready for kindergarten: summertime prep We’re almost exactly at the mid-summer point, and before we know it, the new school year will be upon us. What can families do this …Read moregetting ready for kindergarten: summertime prep
a word a day: getting the family involved Maddy, Owen, and Cora have loved the Word a Day we’ve been doing for the past two weeks–more than I anticipated and much to my …Read morea word a day: getting the family involved
learning during lunch with muffin tin meals We took it easy today, after a late night filled with a lot of sushi-eating and a slow and rainy morning. So after swim, dive, and mini-team, we …Read morelearning during lunch with muffin tin meals
questioning and connecting during read-alouds I’m not going to lie–some summer days, I really think that if it weren’t for the 15 minutes of Adult Swim, my …Read morequestioning and connecting during read-alouds
word a day: creating word conscious, word happy kids Our very first day of the Smart Summer Challenge found us lazying around at home because Owen returned from swim and dive feeling really under the …Read moreword a day: creating word conscious, word happy kids
learning during read-alouds: 5 things never to say to emerging readers Sometimes it’s very easy for teachers and parents to feel impatient with emerging readers. It’s hard to listen to kids sound out every …Read morelearning during read-alouds: 5 things never to say to emerging readers
using the weather forecast for sneaky math learning We are huge weather fans over here. Looking at the day’s forecast has become a regular part of our morning ever since the kids were really …Read moreusing the weather forecast for sneaky math learning