Principals are the pillars of schools. Teachers, students, parents, custodians, paraprofessionals, and the lunch staff turn to principals for guidance and expertise. With...
I am a huge fan of bookmarks because they can be a great tool for students to use during independent reading. Every June, I share a special bookmark printable with students...
In close reading, it is important to compare texts with similar purpose, point of view, or other specific aspects. The more specific the comparison being made and the greater...
Review reading comprehension strategies with my Mother's Day-inspired compare and contrast lesson. Although this compare and contrast lesson was inspired by Mother's Day, I...
Like many of you, my students will be taking the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) for the first time this spring. In my reading and literacy instruction this...
Use the 2018 Winter Olympics to engage students in a series of nonfiction reading strategy lessons! Use the lessons and printables below to teach (or review) nonfiction...
Two of my favorite books to read in December are The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg and The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth. I love to use these books not only...
If you have visited my blog before you know that I try to incorporate my students' current interests into my lesson plans. I believe students learn best and retain the...
Circle of viewpoints is a “thinking routine” protocol featured in the book, Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding and Independence for All Learners
I love to share books that get even the most reluctant reader to start reading. Outside of sharing my recommendations with colleagues, I've also dedicated numerous blog...
I make it a priority to integrate vocabulary into every aspect of my English class. I really enjoy having students use their vocabulary to discuss the text(s) we are studying...
Cross-curriculum work is an area that often receives a big push in school districts. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and it is essential to...