Consonant Digraphs Interested in easy, no prep ideas to improve teaching consonant digraphs? Grab these digraph activities featuring an in-depth week for each consonant digraph sound. These lessons will guide your students from introductory to mastery with each digraph sound. Small groups are a great way to teach consonant digraphs but do you find your students are not engaged or… Read More
Small Group Instruction
Why Small Group Instruction is Your Answer for Helping Struggling Readers
Struggling Readers Are you unsure how to help your struggling readers? You’ve done every trick up your sleeve and still your readers are struggling to make the connection. Reading is complex. Transferring the knowledge of spoken word to written word is challenging. It’s learning a new language, a new code. Reading is part instruction, part developmental. With direct, explicit, consistent… Read More
How to Effectively Teach Sight Words (& Make It Fun!)
How to Teach Sight Words Are you wondering how to teach sight words? You’re in the right place! Through small group instruction, you can effectively teach sight words and make it fun for kids! You’ll also find out how to weave trick word practice throughout your day, so your students are constantly practicing and memorizing their sight words. … Read More
The 5 Steps You Need to Master Classroom Management During Small Group Instruction
Classroom Management During Small Group Instruction Are you struggling with classroom management during small group instruction? Teaching is small groups is critical for student success but how the heck are you supposed to keep 15-20 children busy, independently so you can focus on the 5 students at your table? It seems impossible! I hear you. I’ve been you…. Read More
The Importance of Nonsense Words & How to Teach Them!
The Importance of Nonsense Words & How to Teach Them! Are you using nonsense words in your phonics instruction? If not, you’re missing a big piece of the puzzle to support your students reading! These silly words should be a daily part of your phonics instruction. They are an important piece of the puzzle to help students read fluently. … Read More
5 Quick and Easy Ways to Differentiate Instruction
5 Quick and Easy Ways to Differentiate Instruction Every teacher wants to be able to differentiate instruction easily and effectively. Each kid in a classroom has their own learning style, their own strengths and weaknesses, and requires their own curriculum. How can teachers possibly provide individualized, differentiated instruction to a class of 15, 20 or even 30 students? Read… Read More
You’re Not Getting the Most out of Decodable Reading Passages (But You Can!)
Decodable Reading Passages Do you remember the first time you read a book by yourself? Or have you seen a child’s face light up when they read something for the first time? You may be using decodable reading passages in your classroom, but you may not be getting the most out of these stories. Decodable readers are a wonderful… Read More
Stop Struggling to Teach Digital Small Groups
Digital small groups Are you struggling to teach PK-1 digital small groups? Read here how to keep your small group instruction focused and effective! Teaching grades 3-5? Check out online small group tips here! Leading digital small groups is a new challenge for all teachers. Engaging young learners in the classroom can be challenging enough but teaching digital small groups… Read More
The Absolute Best Activities to Teach: What Are Short Vowels
When teaching reading you may find yourself wondering: what are the short vowels? Our vowels, (a, e, i, o, and u), can be found in every English word. Vowels can occur together or separately and they make so many different sounds! Here you will learn what short vowels are when they occur in words, how to teach the short vowel… Read More
The 5 Best Strategies for Effective Small Group Instruction
Effective Small Group Instruction Effective small group instruction is a key component to student success, particularly in the early elementary years (ages 3-8). Research shows students are 66% more likely to participate in a small group setting, rather than whole group. So, why are many teachers unable to lead effective small group instruction on a daily basis? Overwhelmed with… Read More