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  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
home / reading / books

books

books: book reviews, book chats, book discussions, fun with books

BOGO books kids love: less than $10 each!

It is absolutely time to start stocking up on books that kids love because right now you can score a ton of kid-faves over on Zulily for less than $10 …
Read moreBOGO books kids love: less than $10 each!

The Trials of Apollo series: free bookmarks for superfans + a giveaway

This post is sponsored by Disney Book Group. Summer looks different for everyone this year.  Pools are closed, vacations are cancelled, and …
Read moreThe Trials of Apollo series: free bookmarks for superfans + a giveaway

backyard adventure begins with “The Never Starting Tales”

Backyard adventure begins with "The Never Starting Tales". Really, it does! "The Never Starting Tales" may sound unusual, but these tales are …
Read morebackyard adventure begins with “The Never Starting Tales”
stack of books

5 books for the middle school gamers in your life

I've found five books for the middle school gamers in your life. Have a middle schooler (or high schooler) who just can't seem to tear himself (or …
Read more5 books for the middle school gamers in your life
books your kids must read teachmama.com sq

top 5 must-read books for kids: babies through teens

Over the years, many readers and friends have asked me the about the must-read books for  kids. Every few weeks, I get asked the million dollar …
Read moretop 5 must-read books for kids: babies through teens
big fat notebook study help for middle schoolers teachmama.com

Big Fat Notebooks: study help for middle schoolers #BigFatNotebooks

I'm always on the hunt for best-fit books for my kids, so when I was sent these Big Fat Notebooks from Workman Publishing, I knew they'd be the …
Read moreBig Fat Notebooks: study help for middle schoolers #BigFatNotebooks
Multicultural Children's Book Giveaway: teachmama.com

celebrate multicultural children’s books! (BIG book bundle giveaway!)

It’s time for the 2nd Annual Multicultural Children’s Book Giveaway and KidLit TV is teaming up with Pragmatic Mom, Jump into a Book, Franticmommy, …
Read morecelebrate multicultural children’s books! (BIG book bundle giveaway!)
new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney’s Star Darlings

New book series for tweens? Yes. Worth your time? Yes. Your tween--girls, especially--will really like it? You bet. It's the Star Darlings …
Read morenew book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney’s Star Darlings
books that are good for 8-12 year olds | teachmama.com

books that are good for kids 8-12 years old, by owen mascott

  Today I am thrilled to introduce my first regular contributor. It's been a long time coming now, I know.  With me blogging for over eight …
Read morebooks that are good for kids 8-12 years old, by owen mascott
10 ways to read percy jackson | teachmama.com

10 cool ways to read the Percy Jackson series

    Friends! I’m always so thrilled to share with you fun literacy-related events and celebrations, and this summer, we’ve got a …
Read more10 cool ways to read the Percy Jackson series
a must read for raising confident kids | God Made Light | teachmama.com

a must-read for raising confident kids: ‘God Made Light’

      As parents, one of the things that we want most for our kids is that they grow to be happy, healthy, and confident …
Read morea must-read for raising confident kids: ‘God Made Light’
make a library plan teachmama.com

create a library plan: make the most of a trip to the library

Kids can be a little silly when it comes to picking out their own books at the library.  Where some can easily head right on over to the section …
Read morecreate a library plan: make the most of a trip to the library
http://www.scholastic.com/ups/campaigns/src-2014

best books for reading under the stars: scholastic summer reading challenge

      This summer, the kids and I plan on doing a whole lot of reading.  Reading at the pool, out on the porch, reading on …
Read morebest books for reading under the stars: scholastic summer reading challenge

10 must-read multicultural children’s books

      Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and we are celebrating diversity in children's literature! Woo-hoo! …
Read more10 must-read multicultural children’s books
3 cool kids 3 cool books | what we are reading now

3 cool kids, 3 cool books: what we’re reading now

    It's hard to find books that work for your kids. I totally get it. So every so often, I'm going to share 3 cool kids, 3 …
Read more3 cool kids, 3 cool books: what we’re reading now
ten apples up on top

math and writing: ten apples up on top

    The following guest post is written by Jackie Higgins, of Ready-Set-Read. Jackie is a great friend and longtime we teach …
Read moremath and writing: ten apples up on top
5 tricks for creating a rockstar book nook

how to create a cool, kid-friendly book nook

Every home should have a cozy spot reserved for reading. Call it what you want--a Book Nook, Reading Corner, Big Book Chair, whatever--but with a …
Read morehow to create a cool, kid-friendly book nook
why i do not love dr seuss

why I don’t love dr. seuss: but 3 reasons I should

Confession: I don't love Dr. Seuss. I don't, and I haven't, and I won't. So there. I said it. Only a few people know my true Dr. Seuss feelings …
Read morewhy I don’t love dr. seuss: but 3 reasons I should

how to make summer reading FUN for your kids

For many children, summer reading is not a big deal. They're readers by nature, so the task of reading ten books--or more--is a simple pleasure.  …
Read morehow to make summer reading FUN for your kids

kicking off summer reading: backyard book party

The school year is slowly winding down, and finally (finally!) we're settling into our summertime schedule--not the spring-summer overlap that has had …
Read morekicking off summer reading: backyard book party
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Hot off the presses!

I've been working CRAZY hours because I'm prepping for a launch in the next two weeks. G U L P!

I'm SUPER excited, and I know you will be too.

Read more here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#linkinbio #teachmamatake5 #bestoftheweb #take5 #coolestclubintown
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Loving my new St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 tee and eyeing about 5 others I totally want!

Remember—the more we can get our kids reading, the better! 

So find a fun and festive shirt for everyone in the fam and teach kids phrases like: 

🍀 Saint Patrick’s Day sparks JOY

☘️ Happy Go Lucky

🍀 Team Irish

☘️ Lucky Charm

🍀 Irish I was a little bit taller

☘️ Here for the shenanigans 

🍀 Lucky mama

☘️ A wee bit Irish 

and more!

Right now on Zulily you can grab tees, hoodies, dresses, pj sets, tank tops, slouchy tees, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and more starting at under $20!

Check them out: zulily.gfpv.net/rnegED

#stpatricksdaydecor #linkinbio #saintpaddysday #familyfun🍀 #irishkids #zulilypartner #raiseareader
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If you have not yet met the Buddha Board, today is your lucky day.

The Buddha Board is the ideal way to help kids find focus and to relax, and honestly every family could use one.

I would do anything some days to bring a little big of peace and calm–and zen–to our home. 

With a Buddha Board always out on a shelf, we are always just minutes away from unplugged focus and relaxation.

Have you tried one? 

Here are the deets:
https://teachmama.com/help-kids-focus-and-relax-with-the-buddha-board/

#linkinbio #buddhaboard #calmyourmind #mindfulmoments #unplugged
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Doesn’t it seem like time has become a crazy mashup of virtual-hybrid-normal-life, scattered with the *occasional* bright spot—with an overload of disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty? Like it’s hard to pinpoint what happened exactly last spring or the summer before last or even last fall?

It’s all kind of a jumbled mess?

It feels like that for me. 

But I know this for sure: spending time with these women is truly good for my soul. It’s what my heart needs. Time slows down. I can breathe. 

And it’s what I’m betting everyone needs right now—some time with good friends—sister bffs—friends like family. 

No matter what is going on in the world, these women ground me, help me feel more centered, and fill my heart with so. much. joy. 

I walked Louie this morning with what felt like lighter steps and a bigger smile on my face, and I know it’s because I spent time with beloved friends last night. 

Friends, listen to me: It’s EASY to want to hole up right now and not do much of anything—it’s dark by 5pm, it’s freezing out, it’s grey and gross outside, and we are all so tired. But one night this week or next, call a pal. 

Make plans for coffee or a meal together, and just RECONNECT with some friends. Put on a little lipstick. Dust off that bottle of perfume. Wear a big sweater over a tee shirt and leggings and put on fun earrings. It’s not that hard, but it makes a difference. 

I guarantee it will be exactly what you need and you will move forward the next few days with a brighter spirit. 

Love you, @jessicamcfadd @justicefergie and @sandie_chen so, so, SO MUCH. And love Evie too!! 

Let’s get another date on the calendar stat. 😉😍

(Of COURSE we made beautiful @eve.mcfadden pose with us last night after her dance class because we are her bloggy aunties and have known her since she was 2yo and we love her like our own.)

#wwh #bff4life #ogbloggers #sisterfriends
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Thank you @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen for meeting with Maryland @MomsDemand volunteers to discuss how we can work together to end gun violence in our communities. 

JOIN US at our next event by texting READY to 644-33 to get involved in your community!

#MDGA22 #MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere #DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange
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As a @MomsDemand volunteer, I just met virtually with my #MDGA22 legislators to work to keep our state safe from gun violence. 

I told @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen that:

- In 1999, I was teaching English at Wilde Lake HS in Columbia, MD when the Columbine HS massacre took place. I vowed then that I would do everything I could to prevent something like that from happening again. I thought: There is NO WAY this will happen when I have children in school. Laws will change. Surely we will protect our children better.

- In 2007, I had just had my 3rd child, and a month later, the VA Tech shooting took place. I watched the news in horror and thought, please, please, PLEASE let smart people make laws to prevent this from ever happening again. PLEASE. 

- In 2012, I had three kids in elementary school--K, 1st, and 3rd grade, and my husband was an admin at a different school. That same year, 20 children and 6 adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook ES. I joined @sandyhookpromise as soon as it was created. I thought: THIS will be the last one. No more senseless, preventable deaths.

- In 2022, just last week, at Magruder HS, where I once taught English and where my husband coached soccer, there was another shooting. This time with a ghost gun. Every day, I send my 3 children off to high school 10 minutes down the road from Magruder HS, and every day, I plead, pray, and beg God to keep them safe. 

They should not fear for their lives when they walk into school each day, nor should ANY child, any teacher, any administrator, or support staff. Schools should be safe places.

Today, we asked #Maryland lawmakers to prioritize legislation to prohibit the manufacture & sale of ghost guns: do-it-yourself weapons that can be downloaded or purchased online, bypassing the background check system that keeps us all safe. 

Please do the same. Join your local @momsdemand or @studentsdemand 

#UseYourVoice #DoSomething
#MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere
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Although I can’t be in Annapolis today, this Maryland @MomsDemand volunteer stands with those there in urging my legislators to protect our state from ghost guns. #MomsAreEverywhere #MDGA22 #MDpolitics

Want to get involved? 

❤️ visit momsdemandaction.org

❤️ share ANY and ALL @momsdemand @studentsdemand or @everytown posts

❤️ share any and all #MDGA22 #MDpolitics posts 

❤️ join this movement and make a difference!

#DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange #EndGunViolence
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🔥 Hot off the presses 🔥

Take 5: here's what happened to me, and here's where we're going. . .

Excited about big things happening over here in 2022. 

Things may look a little different as we release and share, but if you want to stay ‘in the know’, subscribe here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#herewego #thescoop #herearethedeets #linkinbio
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Time for your New Year’s Family Interview! 

If you haven’t done it yet, it’s OKAY. We are all feeing a little bit behind already this year. 

Be good to yourself. 

Love your people well. 

Head over and grab your *new and improved* New Year’s Family Interviews here: https://shop.teachmama.com/product/new-years-family-interview/

#newyearinterview #familyfun #easytraditions #linkinbio

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