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Keep Phonics Skills Fresh During Summer
Because we don’t want all that hard work to fade away! Let’s be real – summer is amazing. Long days, no alarms, sticky popsicles, and barefoot backyard adventures. But if you’re a kindergarten teacher or parent of a soon-to-be first grader (or like me, you’re both this year!), you probably know that the summer slide…
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5 Easy Things to Prep Now for August
If you’re like me, you are on the home stretch to summer! 4 more days… but who’s counting? As you are packing up your classroom and daydreaming of sunshine and iced coffee, I know it’s super tempting to shove everything into your cabinets and turn off your teacher brain. But, as someone who has left…
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The Best Read Alouds for October
October has so many fun topics. I always find my month of October jam packed with fun themes like spiders, bats, pumpkins, and of course Halloween! There is no shortage of wonderful read alouds that cover all these fun themes. Read below to see some of my favorites for kindergartners! How to Catch a Monster…
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Apple Literacy Resources for Kindergarten
If you’re teaching your apple unit in your classroom, I have some wonderful resources you won’t want to miss! Read on to see some of my favorite apple literacy resources and how I use them in my own kindergarten classroom! Apple Beginning Sound Centers This apple themed center is perfect for the beginning of the…
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The Best September Read Alouds for Kindergarten
September brings so many exciting topics in kindergarten – apples, colorful leaves, back-to-school, and of course fall! There are so many amazing read alouds for these topics and today I am sharing some of my favorites! Books About Apples Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship by Edward Hemingway This book is the perfect read aloud…
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Teaching Phonics in Small Groups Made Simple!
Teaching phonics skills in small groups in kindergarten sounds overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Small group instruction allows for tailored teaching, immediate feedback, and active participation. In today’s post I guide you through setting up phonics groups, how to structure your time, and activities that will keep your kinders engaged in the beginning…
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Why My Classroom is NOT Pinterest Perfect
When I was setting up my first classroom, I consulted Pinterest – a lot. I was so excited to have one of the gorgeous, perfectly organized classroom that filled my feed. I quickly realized that these creative, color-coordinated pictures provided great inspiration, but also created some unrealistic expectations. Here’s why my classroom isn’t Pinterest perfect—and…
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The Best Books for the Beginning of Kindergarten
Back to school is just around the corner! Fresh school supplies, new clothes, and the anticipation of what kindergarten will be like… The beginning of kindergarten can be an exciting time for kids, but it can also be overwhelming. (This goes for parents too!) These are some of my favorite books to help kids adjust…
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3 Things You Can Do Now Before Back to School
Okay, I am the first one to admit I am not one of those teachers who spends all summer thinking about school. In fact, I’m usually the first teacher in my building to start counting down to summer. I LOVE any sort of extended break and since I’m not getting paid to do school work over the…
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Letter of the Day Made Easy
I love teaching phonics and with the curriculum my district uses, we do a letter of the day. I was constantly searching and creating resources for my students to make it fun and enjoyable. Of course this got frustrating and took up way more time than needed, so I created a one stop shop for…
