Back to School = Back to Family Literacy!
As we head into a new school year, let’s remember that literacy grows strongest when school and home work together.
Family literacy isn’t just about reading books—it’s about building language, curiosity, and a love of learning through everyday moments. 📖✨
Here are a few simple ways to weave literacy into your family’s daily life this fall:
Read Together – Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.
Talk About Your Day – Conversation builds vocabulary and connection.
Write for a Purpose – Grocery lists, thank-you notes, and family calendars all count.
Share Stories – Tell family stories or make up your own adventures.
When families read, talk, and learn together, children’s confidence and academic success grow. Let’s make this year one where literacy thrives—in every classroom and every home. ❤️
What’s your favorite family reading tradition?
I am beginning the year looking at primary documents on a 3rd grade level. Some of the items I am including are the Pledge of Allegiance, The Star Spangled Banner, and the March on Washington (Aug 28- I have a Dream speech). I focus on the "I Have a Dream" portion of the text because it is most familiar. I let the students know that there was more to the speech and as a center, I have the students analyze the inspirations that were used in the speech. I feel that these would be a great start for students to look at primary sources seeing how they are familiar.
I would like to set up a dedicated space in my classroom as a science area. What should I include?
One of our first units in our knowledge block is nursery rhymes and fables. How can I make learning about these more interactive for my students? I am planning on having them create a "knowledge notebook" where they get a copy of the nursery rhyme and can illustrate it and are able to revisit it. I am also going to use AI to have my students interview some of the nursery rhyme characters (Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, etc.) to ask them about their actions. Are there other ideas you might have that I could try?
Do you have a STEM teacher or a Makerspace in your school? What are some lessons that they share with students?
As a Kindergarten teacher, I guide my students through a calendar routine everyday that includes the date, the weather, counting how many days we have been in school and singing songs about the days of the week and the months of the year. Is there anything else that you do that has been helpful to review or introduce your students to skills that could be added in this time?
One of my favorite beginning of the year activities was discussing how we would treat each other in our classroom (and how we would treat others who enter our classroom). Unfortunately I don't have a picture of one of our anchor charts, but I found this one. With 5th graders, I had them write ideas on sticky notes and put this on the poster. How do you help establish non-negotiables in your classroom at the start of the year?
I wish I would have planned like this when I was a teacher! When I read this, I immediately thought how much this could have helped me a new teacher (or even a few years in!). Does anyone plan like this and have some feedback?
I was looking for things for some new teachers for math talk and I came across this list. Are there any you would add or change?
I came across this a few years ago, and started implementing in my classroom! My students loved it and I saw immediate engagement. When I had a homeroom, I would also put a positive attribute that students exhibited throughout the week (or weeks) on their name tag on the desk. This also engaged students! How do you build a strong community with your students through the year?
What are some of your first day “must have” lessons? How do you introduce your routines and procedures to your students?
How do you start off science in your classroom? Do you have an introductory lesson you can share?
I like to use the children's book titled, "What is Science?" as it shows children that science can be lots of things and that they are already scientists!
I had the opportunity this summer to attend several workshop sessions about AI. How do you use AI with young children? Do you have any projects you have had them complete or any examples you can share?
Do you use Science Notebooks with your students? I have used composition notebooks for years with my kindergarten students for science notebooks and have dabbled a little in using digital science notebooks. I am curious to know how you have used them and what you think is important to include in them.
I love incorporating read alouds when I'm teaching math and science. As a math interventionist I've used quite a few in the past few years, but as I step into the role as a STEM Coach, I'd like to come up with some science texts that discuss science topics that are good for Kinder through 5th grade. Any ideas are greatly appreciated!
What are your favorite play based learning activities you have used with your students?
I love introducing my kindergarten students to new technology! What are your favorite tech items to use with younger children?
