Reach for Reading Activities and Resources for 3rd Grade

Reach for Reading Activities and Resources for 3rd Grade

Many school districts have recently adopted a brand new English Language Arts curriculum created by National Geographic called “Reach for Reading”.  Once a new curriculum has been adopted, it can be a HUGE challenge sifting through all of the materials received, and it takes quite a while for teachers to sort through all of these materials. read more

Second Grade Reading and ELA Common Core Literacy Standards

Second Grade Reading and ELA Common Core Literacy Standards

There are so many ELA standards to teach in second grade! Within your reading and writing ELA block, it’s hard to know where to start. If you are using a reading program such as Journeys, Wonders, Reading Street, Storytown, or Open Court, standards are referenced and are sprinkled throughout your TE. But how do you know if you are hitting all of the standards that your students need to learn? This was the impetus for the creation of our new product line. read more

ELA Time! Have fun with Past Tense Irregular Verbs and other Parts of Speech!

ELA Time! Have fun with Past Tense Irregular Verbs and other Parts of Speech!

The chrome cart is sitting in the back of your room and ….. collecting dust. It’s time to teach past tense irregular verbs.  What to do? Start by using your devices in your ELA or Literacy block to teach some literacy skills such as parts of speech! We use technology throughout the day, because if students are engaged in learning their critical skills and having fun, it is much easier for your to pull small groups and work with students who need you. Students are less likely to “go sideways” and be off task if they are doing something that they love…. And they LOVE using technology. read more

Let’s Research St. Patrick’s Day!

Let’s Research St. Patrick’s Day!

Students LOVE St. Patrick’s Day…. but do they know much about this holiday? Whether I was teaching second grade or sixth, my students loved to do research on any topic. Whether it was going to the library and checking out books, or doing some web research, students crave learning new things. read more

Teaching Collective Nouns (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.1.A) Without Tears!

Teaching Collective Nouns (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.1.A) Without Tears!

Are you new to second grade? Do you look at your Common Core standards and wonder how in the world you are going to teach them, and have students REALLY learn them? I’ve been there! When I accepted a teaching job to teach second grade after having taught fifth and sixth grades for years, I had to quickly become acquainted with these standards. How can you make teaching “Collective Nouns” fun? read more