The ability to decode multisyllabic words in reading is (to me) equivalent to knowing basic multiplication and division facts. Multisyllabic words make up the foundation of many texts our students read, just like multiplication and division facts are embedded in so many grade level skills. And just like with basic math facts, our students need strategies for tackling ... Read More
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Teaching Morphology in Grades 4-5 (with Free Resources)
Confession: I used to spend a week teaching affixes (prefixes and suffixes) and then another couple of weeks teaching roots. I’d assess and we'd move on to my next language/grammar standard. Sure, I may have spiraled them through grammar review and even mentioned them implicitly if it came up in texts we were reading. But I didn’t explicitly plan for morphology ... Read More
Free Veterans Day Reading Activities
Are you looking for a way to celebrate Veterans Day in your classroom? Do you want to teach students about the significance of honoring the day and recognizing the people it celebrates? In this post, I am sharing a free set of Veterans Day reading activities that will combine reading instruction and teaching the importance of Veterans Day. About the Veterans Day ... Read More
Decoding Multisyllabic Words: Using Syllable Types (Free Posters)
There are two specific core memories I have from my teaching career when I needed syllable type instruction to help my students with decoding multisyllabic words...and I didn't know it. During my first teaching observation, I presented a student with the word "udder." He said he couldn't read it because it had two ds. I had no idea what to do to guide him. Now, I ... Read More
Free Labor Day Reading Activities
Are you looking for a way to engage your students with reading comprehension activities? An easy way to do this is to incorporate seasonal events and holidays into reading instruction or texts students are reading. This post will share with you a free set of Labor Day reading activities that you can use with your students as the holiday approaches. About the Free ... Read More
Word Work Activities for 4th and 5th Grade
Word work is an effective way to help students practice and work with words in engaging ways. But it can be difficult to find engaging and rigorous word work activities for 4th and 5th graders. Rainbow words and writing words in sentences are not the most exciting (or rigorous) ways to work with words. This post will share more details about what word work is, why it is ... Read More
Using Digital Reading Centers (with Free Centers)
In today's digital age, it is more important than ever for students to be able to read and write effectively online. One way to help students improve their digital literacy skills AND engage them in reading is through digital reading centers. This post will dive into what digital reading centers are, ways to use them in your classroom, and share a free set of centers for ... Read More
Free End of Year Activity – Graduation Reading Activity
Are your students graduating or being promoted to another school? Engage your students with this free end of year reading activity that pairs interesting graduation ceremonies and traditions with reading comprehension. In other words, keep your students engaged and reading the last week(s) of school with this free end of year activity with a graduation ... Read More
Free Earth Day Reading Activities
Are you looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day without losing precious classroom time for curriculum? I have a solution for you - a free set of Earth Day reading activities! The month of April is usually a hectic time of the school year where testing season is approaching, but there is a still a lot of content to cover. With a lot going on it is easy to overlook ... Read More
Reading Test Prep: Types of Reading Questions
Are you looking for resources to help with your reading test prep? Do you want to review the different types of reading questions your students will encounter on the test to build their confidence? This post will share a free resource for reviewing and practicing different types of reading test prep questions. This free test prep resource will help you prepare your ... Read More
Free Resources for Teaching Paired Passages
Do you want to include paired texts and paired passage practice in your reading instruction all year instead of waiting the month before state testing? This post will share free paired passages posters, graphic organizers, and a question guide (in both print and digital format) that will help you teach paired texts all year and embed them into your existing ... Read More
Free Football Activity – Reading Activity for Grades 4-5
Are you looking for football activities for your classroom before the big game? Whether you're into the game, the commercials, or the snacks, there is always something for everyone to be excited about! There is always a buzz around my classroom leading up to the big football game, so I like to add in some football-themed activities in my classroom. This post will share ... Read More
