Category Archives: ELA

5 Ways AI Can Go from Scary to Helpful

AI will not replace humans, but those who use AI will replace those who don’t. -Ginni Rometti The Digital Elephant in the Room I realize that AI is a bit of a hot topic, and we all have mixed feelings about it. I would like to start by addressing the so-called “digital elephant in theContinue reading “5 Ways AI Can Go from Scary to Helpful”

3 Ways to Make Phonics Fun and Manageable

Listen to the podcast episode. Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children learn how to learn. -O. Fred Donaldson I am a firm believer that children learn through play. I also whole-heartedly believe that learning is and should be fun!!! Now, does this mean that I believe children need to be “entertained”Continue reading “3 Ways to Make Phonics Fun and Manageable”

Phonics 101: How to Teach Phonics in 5 Steps

Equity in education begins with good phonics instruction in the early grades; it doesn’t end there, but it begins there. Emily Hanford I cannot stress enough the importance of phonics instruction. This should be the bread and butter of education in the primary grades. Without a solid foundation of both phonological awareness and phonics, studentsContinue reading “Phonics 101: How to Teach Phonics in 5 Steps”

Three Literacy Assessments You Need to Target the Science of Reading

The start of the school year is both exciting and chaotic…when it comes to the back to school season, there is never a shortage of skills to teach. SEL (social-emotional learning), character traits, literacy skills, and the science of reading…the list goes on and on. One task that must not be forgotten during these firstContinue reading “Three Literacy Assessments You Need to Target the Science of Reading”

The Science of Reading from Day 1: How to Include Literacy Practices into Your Back to School Plans

Listen to the podcast. Aww…back to school…the smell of sharpened pencils, the excitement of new books, the smiling faces of your new classroom family…there is something very special about the start of a brand new school year. Although I truly love back to school season (despite mourning the loss of my summer break), it canContinue reading “The Science of Reading from Day 1: How to Include Literacy Practices into Your Back to School Plans”

From Elkonin to Phonics: Bridging the Gap from Phonemic Awareness to Phonics

When it comes to early literacy, letter sounds, or phonemes, reign supreme, but what happens afterward? How do we connect the phonemic awareness we so strategically built to phonics instruction? Well, the answer to that question is Elkonin boxes, which are sometimes referred to as sound boxes. In my last post, we discussed the differencesContinue reading “From Elkonin to Phonics: Bridging the Gap from Phonemic Awareness to Phonics”

Phonemic Awareness or Phonological Awareness: What’s the Difference?

The best predictor of reading difficulty in kindergarten or first grade is the inability to segment words and syllables into constituent sound units (phonemic awareness). Lyon, G.R. (1995) As many of you know, I am a literacy mentor in addition to being a classroom teacher. As a mentor, I often coach other teachers regarding theirContinue reading “Phonemic Awareness or Phonological Awareness: What’s the Difference?”

How to Combine Phonics and Fluency into Your Halloween Literacy Centers

I love the holidays!!! Halloween is no exception. As a teacher, I find the holidays even more exciting because they allow us the opportunity to share in the excitement with our students. I usually go all out for Halloween…art projects, contests, and the biggest class party of the year. (More to come on that! LookContinue reading “How to Combine Phonics and Fluency into Your Halloween Literacy Centers”

3 Ways to Differentiate Your Science of Reading Centers

Differentiation and the Science of Reading?! This post is like my pedagogical dream!!! Over the last month, I have introduced you to the key components of the Science of Reading and shared some ideas on how to quickly and efficiently use them in your classrooms. In this post, we will incorporate the Science of ReadingContinue reading “3 Ways to Differentiate Your Science of Reading Centers”

The Science of Reading in a Real Life Classroom

In my last post, we discussed the top three things you should know about the Science of Reading. When I first learned about this topic, I asked myself what many of you may be thinking at this very moment…NOW WHAT?!!! I hear you. It’s one thing to learn about a teaching philosophy or strategy inContinue reading “The Science of Reading in a Real Life Classroom”