I wanted to share all of the UFLI aligned resources I have created for FREE! If you teacher early elementary reading and are using this in your classroom I have created T2 and T3 interventions as well as centers - word sorts, fluency pyramids etc. Check it out at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-9

A quality assessment tool is one that accurately measures what it is intended to measure, provides consistent results, and is fair to all students regardless of their background. The key elements that contribute to the quality of an assessment tool are validity, reliability, and the minimization of bias. How do you ensure the tools you are using to assess your students meets all of these requirements?

Family Engagement

How do you modify your teaching when you have a significant number of students out with illness? For example, today half my Kindergarten students are out sick today, and I am reviewing some ideas with the students who are here while introducing a few new things that I can review as students slowly return. How do you handle situations like this when one or more students are absent?

I just wanted to ask if your school or district offers stem or coding classes to students in grades K-2? My district does not so I decided to host an after school class for my students about coding. They really enjoyed it and learned critical thinking skills. I have written a op-ed about it. Here is the link: https://thetimesweekly.com/2025/08/introducing-young-students-to-coding-develops-critical-thinking-and-problem-solving-skills/

Digital literacy tools can play a significant role in supporting literacy development across grade levels by providing personalized and engaging experiences for students.
In what ways do you think this is beneficial?

Math that mooves you.

One concept that has come up in our math curriculum is the idea of inclusive and exclusive definitions. For example, our curriculum states that a trapezoid is a 2D quadrilateral with AT LEAST one pair of parallel sides. This inclusive definition would make a square to be classified as a trapezoid. What other concepts have you come across that might cause some anxiety for parents who have said, “That is not how I was taught?”

What materials do you have in your classroom for your students to play with? We end our day with Discovery time (free play) and I am always looking for new items to add, the more open-ended, the better!

This week our local United Way is sponsoring a Family Academy night as part of their/our School Readiness plan.
Fall 2025 – "Supporting School Readiness at Home"
There will be about 5 stations for families to learn and take home 'tools' for their at home 'toolboxes'.
Events like these not only foster school readiness skills in young children but also strengthen the school-family partnership that is so important for student success.

How do you support families in your community?

What are some ways you help students to calm their bodies throughout the day?

For example, sometimes we stop and take a few minutes to breathe deeply in quiet pose and reset for the next task.

During my dissertation work, I used a age appropriate mock crime scene to help my kinder students investigate some fairy tale crimes (Who stole the Little Red Hen’s loaf of bread), and am looking for other immersive experiences outside of mock crime scenes and escape rooms. Any other suggestions?

As I was reading an educational article recently, I saw this idea, and I loved it! I will definitely implement it at the start of next year:

Have students write down (or tell you if they are little ones) what they want to hear on hard days. Collect those notes and hand them back out to students when you feel like they need to be reminded.

What are some ways you help students persevere on hard days?

I'm having a lot of anxiety about starting the school year! What are some tactical things I should do over the summer to feel more prepared, and what can I deprioritize?

What end of the year activities does your school do?
My school likes to do ABC countdowns and field day.

What are ways that you have found that engage all or most of your students?

Does your school or district plan an open house prior to the first day of school, on the night of the first day of school, or sometime afterwards?

What are some of your favorite sites or stores to purchase classroom ready supplies and materials?

I'd happily talk with these folks.

AI may be scary at first. Actually, it is a very useful tool in the classroom. I have used AI to write poems about topics so students will have information to read across genres. A HUGE win this year has been communication. I have a student who does not speak English. I have used AI to translate worksheets, compose emails, and create activities for the student. It has been a tremendous resource in helping this student in the classroom. It cuts down on time with using a pocket translator. I can explain the directions with the translator as the student is reading in their language. It also has helped with a "side by side" analysis of words and word structures.