No power or Internet!
How would you plan a lesson for a standard about identifying the differences in the perspectives of characters? Do you have any good texts to help me teach that topic?
How do you get organized for when you return to your classroom after summer break?
For example, I have a notebook where I make a list all summer so I know what needs to be tackled. What do you do to organize yourself?
🎥 Family Book Trailer Challenge
What it is: Families work together to create a short video trailer for a favorite children’s book.
How to use: Share through Seesaw, Padlet, or Wakelet. Adds media literacy + excitement.
Our families utilized this as an extension after Reading Month in March.
How do you encourage students and their families to continue to celebrate reading - even after Reading Mont has ended?
When setting up and cleaning out spaces in your classroom, how do you decide what stays and what goes?
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How do you incorporate grammar instruction into your reading lessons without it feeling disconnected from the rest of the curriculum?
To seamlessly incorporate grammar instruction into reading lessons, we use the texts our students are already exploring as a foundation. We begin by highlighting grammatical concepts directly within the context of the stories or passages they read, making grammar a natural extension of the material. For instance, during read-alouds or text discussions, we point out specific grammar features like sentence structure, punctuation, or word choice, and explain their impact on meaning. We then simply follow this up with related writing activities where students apply the grammar rules in their own sentences about the text, ensuring that grammar is taught as a tool for enhancing both understanding and expression. Embedding it into routine enables true application.
How do you welcome new students to your classroom when they arrive 2-6 months after the school year has started?
Does your school do a step up day for the student to meet their teachers for the following year? We are doing it and I am having my students to create a book using an app called Book Creator to tell the first graders what they will be learning in 2nd grade. These digital books will be shared in small groups.
Have you ever created a Holiday Book Advent Calendar as a family literacy incentive or initiative? (ie. Wrap 24 books and open one each day leading up to the holidays.)
Field trips are a great experience for students to get out of the classroom and see the real world in action. When I am planning field trips, I refer to my standards and make sure the field trip reinforces what we are studying. I have used field trips as a pre event or past event. Both have their benefits. I normally have an activity that the students must accomplish so that it is not a "get out of school" trip. With that, I have "field trip" backpack that I have a folder of the important information, first aid kit, and other essentials that will help the trip run smoothly. I provide a bin for the students to place their lunches so there are no temptations to snack on the bus. In the bin I have a large trash bag. This is to make sure that we are clean and neat. I remind the students to make the lunch area nicer than when when we arrived.
When planning a field trip, make sure that you know which students have medical needs. This will also help with choosing a chaperone if needed. Be aware of special accommodations needed to allow all students to participate. Remember, have fun. Selfies with students are cherished memories.
Did you know that there are FREE early literacy interactive apps available to caregivers, teachers, and families at www.ginapepin.com?
What techniques do you use to help students retain and use new vocabulary in their speaking and writing?
Answer; Many school district utilize a word of the day approach for this. They tailor daily or weekly activities that focus on opportunities for application of these specific words. Our school uses the Leader in Me curriculum for SEL and it is integrated into daily routines. There is a designated - and universal - list of age appropriate words for each unit. These words are shared through daily announcements, board messages, classroom discussions and even in some assemblies. Our school Speech and Language Pathologist posts a fun word puzzle each week and she also utilizes Word Genius and Word Daily - as this is sent to her email each day/time.
Michigan uses IRIPs - Individual Reading Improvement Plans for students where data shows they are in need of a specific plan. These plans can look different across the state and the retention aspect of this law has now been removed.
Does your state require specific reading plans and processes to be in place? What does that look like in your district?
