Phonesthemes are like the secret ingredients in a recipe that make words taste just right. They're recurring sound patterns that carry a particular meaning or feeling. For example, think about the words "glitter," "glow," and "gleam." They all start with "gl-" and give off a shiny, sparkly vibe. Cool, right? 🌟
Read MoreA unit of study that we always teach at the beginning of the school year is from the book Strategies that Work by Stephanie Harvey.
Read MoreThinking of switching grade levels? This honest breakdown of teaching kindergarten through 7th grade covers the real pros and cons—from crayon chaos to middle school meltdowns—plus a quick guide to every grade K–12. Find the teaching fit that matches your strengths.
Read MoreA poem is a small but powerful thing. It is the history of the human heart. It has the power to reach inside of you, to ignite something in you, and to change you in ways you never imagined. There is a feeling of connection when we read a poem that articulates our deepest feelings. Poems can inspire us to write our own journeys, to find our own voices.
Read MoreIn the ever-evolving landscape of education, one constant remains: a robust vocabulary is foundational to reading comprehension and overall academic success. For teachers across all grade levels, incorporating daily vocabulary instruction is pivotal. This post explores effective strategies for teaching vocabulary daily, drawing insights from the research of Isabel Beck and emphasizing the importance of repeated exposure to Tier 2 words.
Read MoreDirected drawings are fun for any age. Seriously.
I know that directed drawings are geared towards preschool and kindergartners to teach following directions and pay close attention to details while also improving fine motor skills, but they can be super engaging for any age group when it focuses on who we are subconsciously. Who doesn’t love a hidden window into the subconscious?
Read MoreWant to raise your CAASPP scores without boring test prep? I boost scores 5–12 points every year using four high-impact, no-fluff strategies: daily reading, weekly articles, purposeful writing, and quick vocab/syntax routines. Here's exactly how I do it—and the resources that make it work.
Read MoreThe Common Core informational reading standards for middle school are arguably some of the most important reading standards to focus on in a school year. Here are the nine informational standards in a nutshell:
Read MoreWe recently had a blog post titled, “How to Ask Better Questions and Foster Student Independence” based on the book, We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management by Laurie Barron and Patti Kinney. If you have not checked it out yet, please do so before diving into this blog post. It is all about the teacher-centered approach to asking questions.
Read MoreWhen it comes to the Common Core Standards, one of the areas we find that the most growth is needed is in the speaking and listening strand. One strategy that we have introduced into our curriculum over the past few years to help build those skills is adding podcasts into our classroom instruction. There are many benefits to adding podcasts into your classroom instruction. If you’ve ever wondered about how podcasts could benefit your instruction, read on dear TTD followers, we have got some ideas for you!
Read MoreIn the real world of education in America, teachers often find themselves faced with the challenge of managing extreme behavior in students. A recent article on ASCD's Educational Leadership platform provides valuable insights and strategies to help educators navigate these situations with finesse and empathy.
Read MoreAre you tired of spending hours scouring the internet for the perfect online lesson materials? Do you find yourself drowning in a sea of endless resources, unsure of which ones are actually credible and effective?
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