If you’ve ever listened to a kindergartener blend sounds together and felt both proud and a little confused about what comes next, you’re not alone. Once students can hear, isolate, and blend sounds, the next big step in phonemic awareness is learning how to manipulate them, and that’s where phoneme
Blending is one of the most important early literacy skills students learn in kindergarten. Without it, they can’t smoothly move from recognizing individual sounds to reading whole words. For some kids, blending clicks quickly, but for others, it takes repeated practice and a variety of approaches before it finally sticks.
If you’ve ever sat down with a small group of students to teach phonics, you already know the struggle… every child is at a different place. Some are still working on letter recognition, others are confidently identifying beginning sounds, and a few are ready for blends and word families. Although
Small group time is one of the most powerful parts of the day in a primary classroom. It’s where you can give students more individualized instruction, target specific skills, and see their growth up close. But let’s be honest. . . it can also feel a little overwhelming when you’re
As a primary teacher, you know all too well that classroom management is a non-negotiable. Managing a classroom full of energetic little learners takes a mix of patience, creativity, and solid routines. Whether you’re a brand-new teacher or a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas, these 3 essential classroom management
Teaching self-control in the moment can feel like trying to herd kittens. But it’s also one of the most important life skills we can help our students develop. When kids learn to pause, think, and make positive choices, everything from transitions to learning time runs smoother. Today, I’m going to
Fall is one of those seasons where classroom energy is high, curiosity is everywhere, and students are suddenly fascinated by everything from pumpkins to spiders to changing leaves. It is also one of the easiest times to turn that excitement into meaningful learning with fall nonfiction read alouds. Instead of
After months of early mornings, lesson planning, grading papers, answering emails, and pouring so much of yourself into your students, summer break is finally here! While it’s tempting to jump straight into organizing your classroom or planning next year’s lessons, summer is also your chance to slow down and refill
Summer is finally here! After months of lesson planning, grading papers, and keeping little learners engaged, it’s time for a well-deserved break. While I fully believe teachers should spend plenty of time relaxing, sleeping in, and enjoying summer, I also know many of us can’t resist working on a few