The first month of kindergarten can feel overwhelming. Between teaching classroom routines, helping students adjust to school, and building relationships, it can be difficult to decide which academic skills deserve the most attention. The truth is, you don’t have to teach everything at once. When you focus on the foundational
If you’ve ever taught digraphs, you’ve probably seen this happen. One day, your students confidently tell you that sh says /sh/ or ch says /ch/. But the very next day, they’re reading ship as “sip” or forgetting that two letters can work together to make one sound. The truth is,
Have you wondered how to help your students move from sounding out words letter by letter to actually reading them? Today, we’re demystifying blending! This is arguably one of the hardest skills to master in early literacy. But don’t worry, friends, I’ve got a few tricks and some brand new
You know that moment when one of your little learners confidently tells you that “cat” rhymes with “dog”? Yep, me too. . . Rhyming looks simple on the surface, but for young learners, it can be surprisingly tricky to hear and hold onto those ending sounds. The good news is
Have you ever hit the last few weeks of kindergarten and thought, “Wait… have we covered everything they actually need for first grade?” You’re juggling field trips, testing, behavior, and kids who suddenly have all the summer energy. It’s a lot. The good news is you don’t need to review
Ahhh… spring in the primary classroom. The sunshine is calling, the energy is HIGH, and suddenly your students can’t seem to sit still for more than five minutes. Sound familiar? We have ALL been there! But what if, instead of fighting all that energy, you used it to your advantage?
Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to fit in the meaningful phonemic awareness practice your kids need? Between morning routines, reading groups, and transitions, it can feel impossible to squeeze in the consistent practice daily. That’s where my favorite phonemic awareness practice transition
Have you ever noticed how some students can read a word like block with ease, while others stumble over ship or chop? That’s the tricky world of blends and digraphs. Knowing which to teach first and how to practice them can make all the difference in your students’ phonics success.
When students master CVC words, it feels like a victory, but it also brings one of the trickiest decisions you might face in early reading instruction. Maybe this has been you: your students are reading CVC words like cat, dog, and map. They easily blend and segment multiple sounds. You’re
You’ve been working hard on phonological awareness skills like rhyming, blending, segmenting, and more. Your kids are getting it. Yes! But then comes the big question: when, and how, do we move into phonics? If you’ve ever paused mid-lesson and wondered this, you’re not alone. This transition can feel big