Let’s be honest. Teaching phonics can sometimes feel like deja vu. You’re saying the same sounds, doing the same word sorts, and praying your students actually remember that “igh” says the long I sound. But here’s the thing: phonics instruction doesn’t have to feel repetitive or complicated. When you use
Finding good word work activities for 1st through 3rd grade can feel like hunting for that ever elusive glue stick cap. You know it’s somewhere… but where? You want your students to build strong phonics and grammar skills, but traditional worksheets can get stale fast. And if you’re differentiating for
If your students look at blue, fruit, food, and new and get overwhelmed… you’re in the right place! The long u sound is one of those sneaky sounds that can be spelled SO many different ways! Between u_e, ue, ui, oo, and oo there’s enough variation to confuse even our
Transform your classroom sound wall from simple décor into a powerful literacy tool. Discover 10 practical tips, teacher strategies, and ready-to-use resources that make sound walls work for reading, spelling, and writing.
Ever handed out a spelling test, called out the word match, and half the class writes, “mach?” Yeah… you’re not alone. TCH words trip up even strong readers and writers in elementary. Without explicit instruction, students keep guessing. And guessing wrong. The good news? TCH words actually follow a predictable
In all seriousness, you can post a list of rules and expectations on day one, go over them with your most enthusiastic teacher voice, and still find yourself repeating “please sit down” twelve times before lunch. The truth? Most rules in a classroom don’t fail because they’re wrong. They fail
Are your students needing a bit of encouragement? These positive affirmations may be just what you need. Simply print and laminate them for long term classroom use.
