learning during read-alouds: activating schema According to Rachel and Mary Gabriel, the “schema theory tells us that prior knowledge is essential for comprehension of new knowledge and that …Read morelearning during read-alouds: activating schema
a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO! With the end of the school year quickly approaching, we’re all getting antsy for summer. So I’ve had to be super crafty during our work …Read morea game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!
learning during read-alouds: making connections My kiddos are huge fans of popping pop beads, stringing beads, connecting nuts and bolts, and just sticking things together. Not only are these …Read morelearning during read-alouds: making connections
playing with numbers: counting, matching, spelling, and more! My Owen has been enamored with numbers from the time he was teeny. He’s got a brain for numbers, he’s got a thing number puzzles, and …Read moreplaying with numbers: counting, matching, spelling, and more!
learning during read-alouds: word consciousness We shouldn’t try to fill every second of our children’s lives with learning and lessons. Our kiddos really do need time for free play …Read morelearning during read-alouds: word consciousness
making connections with nonfiction texts (and our new turtle friend) Between the insane weather we’ve been experiencing over here (tornadoes! wind gusts! rain, rain, and more rain–and then the next …Read moremaking connections with nonfiction texts (and our new turtle friend)
wordfeud, words with friends and word-building with kids My game-guy Owen has recently fallen hard for a game I’m currently all wrapped up in–Wordfeud. It’s the same deal (I think) as …Read morewordfeud, words with friends and word-building with kids
sight word games to prepare for kindergarten: go fish! Owen has been really interested in reading lately, so I’m trying to roll with it without pushing him or having him lose interest–so games …Read moresight word games to prepare for kindergarten: go fish!
learning during read-alouds: visualizing Many of us have taken a moment now and again to encourage our children to find pictures in the sky on a cloudy day, right? No matter if it’s a …Read morelearning during read-alouds: visualizing
pow! bam! wow! print referencing and onomatopoeia I’ve said time and time again that read-alouds are an absolutely perfect time for sneaking in some learning with our kiddos, I believe there the …Read morepow! bam! wow! print referencing and onomatopoeia
the gift of reading: finding the ‘gifts’ in any book So many times as busy, rushed parents, we zip through reading books with our kids without really taking a minute to stop and chat about the gifts that …Read morethe gift of reading: finding the ‘gifts’ in any book
quick, sneaky questioning to improve reading comprehension It seems that Maddy’s leveled out a bit with her reading this year. She’s doing great with her …Read morequick, sneaky questioning to improve reading comprehension
letter and word learning: cora’s word search puzzles One more way we’re making Maddy’s homework time work for everyone is with Word Searches. You know those sheets of paper with …Read moreletter and word learning: cora’s word search puzzles
lunchbox notes: valentine’s day knock-knock jokes Yikes! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and although we’ve been busy over Our family’s still on a knock-knock joke …Read morelunchbox notes: valentine’s day knock-knock jokes
word searches for early literacy learning I’ve struggled this year with how to occupy Owen and Cora while Maddy does her homework, and what I’ve come to realize is …Read moreword searches for early literacy learning
little holiday notes and lunchbox jokes Who doesn’t need to laugh a little more during this sometimes-way-too-stressful holiday season? I surely do–and there’s nothing like …Read morelittle holiday notes and lunchbox jokes
quick trick: magnetic letters (how to use them with your kids!) Holiday time is here, and things are sure to be nutty around our house–and everyone else’s–for the …Read morequick trick: magnetic letters (how to use them with your kids!)
playing turkey feathers: matching beginning sounds Today I brought out one of my old Words Their Way favorites–Turkey Feathers. It’s a really simple game that I used with students to …Read moreplaying turkey feathers: matching beginning sounds
super-important inferring during read-alouds Read-alouds are the perfect time to sneak in a little bit of learning, whether you’re talking simple reading …Read moresuper-important inferring during read-alouds
fun fall grid games = math and literacy learning! We love grid games over here. It doesn’t matter what’s on the board, what we use to count spaces, or what we use as place holders; my …Read morefun fall grid games = math and literacy learning!