Fun and Practical Ideas for Primary Classrooms
Back-to-school season is here! There’s something so exciting about setting up the classroom, meeting a new group of students, and planning all of the fun learning that’s ahead. But, the first few weeks can also feel overwhelming. Between teaching routines, building classroom community, assessing students, and planning engaging lessons, there’s a lot to fit into a short amount of time…. Read More
Independent Reading, or Read to Self as a lot of people call it, is the first literacy station my students learn and it’s one of the most important routines I teach during the first weeks of school. Just like any classroom routine, it takes practice, structure, and time to reflect and improve. I run a modified version of literacy stations… Read More
Back to school can be stressful, but it is also a very exciting time of the year! There is so much energy as students meet new friends, explore the classroom, and begin building the routines that will carry us through the year. While we definitely spend a lot of time teaching and practicing procedures and expectations (you can read about… Read More
Teaching students to ask and answer questions is the first reading comprehension skill I introduce each year. I love teaching young readers to stay engaged with a text and think about what they are reading. This standard helps us build the foundation for the other standards we tackle throughout the year. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I… Read More
Summer learning does not have to mean boring worksheets or long packets! Whether you are teaching summer school, running a summer camp, or just looking for fun educational ideas, keeping learning engaging is the key. The best summer activities feel more like games and challenges while still helping students practice important reading, writing, fluency, and math skills. Here are some… Read More
The last few weeks of school are always a mix of excitement, interruptions, schedule changes, and emotions, while teachers are still trying to assess and finish up their end of the year standards! If you’re looking for simple, engaging activities that still feel purposeful, here are a few of my favorite go-to end-of-the-year ideas! 🚌 School ABCs This is a… Read More
Fluency practice is one of those things we know our students need, but keeping it fun and engaging all year long can be a challenge. If it feels repetitive or tedious, students can lose interest quickly. The good news? With just a few simple routines and activities, you can build strong, confident readers and keep your classroom excited about reading…. Read More
If your literacy block starts to feel a little… chaotic 😵💫… this time of year, you are definitely not alone! Spring is a fun time in the classroom, but it can also be a tiring time. Students are excited, they argue like siblings after a whole school year together, and teachers are juggling testing, end-of-year tasks, and everything in between…. Read More
Movement can be a powerful tool for keeping young learners engaged while learning important literacy skills. When students are up, talking, and interacting with their classmates, they are often more focused and excited to participate. ✅ Here are some of our favorite ways we MOVE in 1st grade! 1. Stand Up, Sit Down Simple and quick, just like it sounds!… Read More
Strong phonics instruction is one of the most important parts of helping young readers become confident and successful. If you’re looking for phonics activities for kindergarten and first grade, simple routines that reinforce letter sounds, blending, and word building can make a big difference. These easy phonics activities for K–1 classrooms are perfect for literacy centers, small group instruction, or… Read More
