Check out our shop for courses, books and resources! Dismiss
Check out our shop for courses, books and resources! Dismiss
Every September, I have dreams of being an organized family. By the middle of winter, all my dreams and ideals about how my kids will come in, greet me warmly, and gently place their bags on hooks by the door are gone. Sometimes there are math papers between the couch cushions. Both children want to…
Introduction As a parent, understanding if your child meets grade-level writing standards can be challenging. The work your child brings home, paired with grades and feedback, offers a limited view. How do you know if your child’s writing homework aligns with Common Core writing standards? The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) provide clear, consistent guidelines…
Strategies to Improve Your Child’s Reading Skills As a parent, it’s concerning to see your child guessing words when reading. You might wonder, “Is this normal? How can I help?” Understanding what good readers do can offer valuable insights and strategies to support your child’s reading development. Reading is a fundamental skill that impacts all…
Sight words are a fundamental part of learning to read. These are words that appear frequently in text and often don’t follow common phonetic patterns, making them difficult to sound out. Instead, children are encouraged to recognize these words by sight. But how can you make learning sight words engaging and effective for your child?…
As a parent or teacher, you’ve likely encountered the frustration of a student who continually loses their student planner. The student planner is a crucial tool for keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and extracurricular activities. When a child misplaces it frequently, it can lead to missed assignments, forgotten tasks, and increased stress. Here are some…
As a parent, the anticipation of your child starting kindergarten can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. One common concern many parents have is about the kindergarten screening process. What if my child doesn’t do well? Can she fail her kindergarten screening? Let’s explore what kindergarten screening is, what it evaluates, and how you can best…
Spelling tests are a waste of time and do not make kids better spellers. Teachers give weekly spelling tests for a lot of reasons, but they are not the best use of a child’s word study time. They might talk about teaching study habits or they might like the routine of lessons that simplify their…
Do They Count as Real Reading? When I started teaching in the classroom – in what we’ll call the Early 21st Century – one of my sixth graders was obsessed with the Babymouse books. I tried and tried to steer her to other parts of the library, but every week she ended up with Babymouse….
Keeping track of schoolwork, assignments, and important papers can be challenging for any student, especially for those with dyslexia or ADHD. A color-coded binder system can simplify organization, making it easier for your child to find and manage their school materials. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of a color-coded binder system and provide…
In today’s digital age, writing skills are more crucial than ever. Google Docs has emerged as a powerful tool for helping students, especially those struggling with writing. This blog will explore how Google Docs can support your child’s writing development, making the learning process more efficient and engaging. My Experience with Google Docs Initially, many…