Understanding syllable types makes reading and writing so much easier. Closed syllables are typically the first type of syllables children learn because it is the most common type of syllable. Here is how I introduce closed syllables in my first grade classroom. What Do Students Need to Know Before You Introduce Closed Syllables? If you’d like a complete breakdown of…
Sight words are words that you just have to memorize because they don’t “follow the rules”, right? Actually, wrong! Many of us, including myself, have taught this for years. In fact, I was taught this as a student. However, this is just not true. The good thing is that the truth is this: sight words actually CAN be sounded out.…
Math manipulatives are handy tools to help make math concepts concrete for your students. But, when is it time to give up the math manipulatives? When must students know how to solve problems without concrete support? The answer might just surprise you. Here’s when your students should stop using math manipulatives along with reasons why math manipulatives are helpful. Why…
How can we help our students who are beginning readers? If you have students who are struggling with letter sounds, segmenting sounds in a word, decoding CVC words, or who are struggling with sight words, here are 5 of my favorite intervention activities to help students with these skills. First Sound Fluency Practice View this post on Instagram A post…
Reluctant readers, or simply students who don’t show much interest in reading, need support to help them be successful in school. As students, and then adults, they will need to read to make it in the world. In addition, it’s our job as teachers to help coax our students to read, and hopefully even show them the joys of reading…