5 Signs You Should Teach Nonfiction Text Features

When you think of your classroom library, have you ever thought to check the ratio of fiction to nonfiction? Chances are pretty good that the vast majority of books in classroom libraries are predominantly fiction. However, we know that reading nonfiction helps our students scholastically. Informational texts are necessary for learning, right? Yet, are we promoting nonfiction as we should?

22 Must Reads to Include during Black History Month and Beyond

History, despite it's wrenching pain, can not be unlived, but if faced with courage need not be lived again.

~Maya Angelou

What an important message for us! As we reflect on the past errors in our history and move to the future, it is critical that we recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of all, especially the brave men and women who risked their lives to have the right to be free. Children today must hear these stories and see themselves in the books we use in our instruction

Dollar Store Hacks & How I Use Them

I had a few hours to kill the other day, and when you're a teacher, what better way to kill time is there than wandering through the Dollar Tree. Every time I visit, the wheels turn for DIY projects or for ways I can repurpose those golden gems I find. As I wandered Thursday, I did get a great collection of ideas, and I believe most Dollar Tree stores carry similar inventory. So if you have a store near you, read on for ways you can use a few of the things I found.

The Making of a Memoir

We all love coming across a touching book that just speaks to us, and this week, I grabbed one at my favorite discount bookstore, Ollie's (Good Stuff Cheap). If you haven't heard of Ollie's, then your pocketbook thanks you!  Seriously, every single time I walk in, I leave with a handful. BUT...I do use each and every one. Promise! Anyway, I want to share how I used this treasure to teach memoir writing to my students.

Parent Involvement Matters

High parent engagement can be nothing but positive, and Henderson and Berla (1994) reviewed and analyzed eighty-five studies that documented the comprehensive benefits of parent involvement in children's education. Here is a summary the benefits they noted for the children, parents, teachers, and the school. 

Ten Comprehension Strategies for Fiction and Nonfiction Texts

In today's workplace, now more than ever, employers are requiring employees to be tech savvy team players who can work well independently and with others. Communication skills are essential, and problem solving abilities are an added bonus. In order for today's students to be tomorrow's employees, we need to utilize tasks that simulate life on the job. In today's post, I'd to share with you ten comprehension strategies that can help your students on that path. 

10 Tips for Building a Strong Reading Program

Building a strong reading program isn't just a task for your school administrator. Strong reading programs start where the action is, right in your classroom! What happens (or doesn't happen) in your classroom directly leads to the reading strengths of each individual on your language arts roster. It's a huge responsibility we have, and because we know the importance of reading achievement to academic success, we must be thoughtful practitioners.

Today, I'd like to share ten important tips for reflection. If you have these practices in place, you are likely building strong readers.