June 27, 2011
Word A Day: Creating Word Conscious, Word Happy Kids
Our very first day of the Smart Summer Challenge found us lazying around at home because Owen returned from swim
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June 26, 2011
learning during read-alouds: 5 things never to say to emerging readers
Sometimes it’s very easy for teachers and parents to feel impatient with emerging readers. It’s hard to listen to
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June 14, 2011
Getting Ready For Kindergarten: Short E Picture – Word Sort
One of the best activities for practicing early word learning is the picture-word sort. Nothing takes the pressure off of
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June 12, 2011
Using The Weather Forecast For Sneaky Math Learning
We are huge weather fans over here. Looking at the day’s forecast has become a regular part of our
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June 08, 2011
Quick Trick: How To Use Recyclables With Kids – Get Fun, Crafty, Creative
With summer right around the corner and kids home a lot more than usual, many of us need to keep
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June 01, 2011
Learning During Read-Alouds: Activating Schema
According to Rachel and Mary Gabriel, the “schema theory tells us that prior knowledge is essential for comprehension of
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May 26, 2011
A Game For Practicing Spelling, Sight Words, Or Letters: WORDO!
With the end of the school year quickly approaching, we’re all getting antsy for summer. So I’ve had to be
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May 15, 2011
Learning During Read-Alouds: Making Connections
My kiddos are huge fans of popping pop beads, stringing beads, connecting nuts and bolts, and just sticking things together.
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May 06, 2011
How To Teach Kids To Tie Their Shoes
how to teach kids to tie their shoes | teachmama.com
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May 03, 2011
Learning During Read-alouds: Word Consciousness
By sharing our love of words and talking about new and exciting words, we are teaching our children to become Word Conscious. Word Consciousness is an integral component of language development and one of the early predictors of success in reading comprehension.
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April 13, 2011
Bumblebee Birthday Ideas: Bumblebee Wands, Pens, Games
We’ve been very busy over here lately, as this week I helped organize and run our elementary school’s Kindergarten
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April 11, 2011
Learning During Read-Alouds: Visualizing
Many of us have taken a moment now and again to encourage our children to find pictures in the sky
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March 28, 2011
Pow! Bam! Wow! Print Referencing And Onomatopoeia
I’ve said time and time again that read-alouds are an absolutely perfect time for sneaking in some learning with our
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March 23, 2011
Quick Trick: Fast-Finger Challenges With Play-Doh
Like so many families, we love Play-Doh over here. And whether it’s the real-deal, packed-in-yellow-containers-Play-Doh or happy homemade-on-the-stovetop-playdough, it doesn’t
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February 17, 2011
Quick, Sneaky Questioning To Improve Reading Comprehension
It seems that Maddy’s leveled out a bit with her reading this year. She’s doing great with her spelling, she’s
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February 02, 2011
Lunchbox Notes: Valentine’s Day Knock-Knock Jokes
Yikes! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and although we’ve been busy over Our family’s still on a knock-knock
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January 26, 2011
Getting Kids To Write: Write Around The Room
Finding interesting and meaningful activities for Owen and Cora during Maddy’s homework time has kept me busy lately, but I’ve
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January 12, 2011
How To Have Some Fun With Leftover Candy Canes
Each year, we end up with tons of leftover candy canes after the holidays. This year, I vowed I
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January 10, 2011
Remembering The Importance Of Pretend Play
remembering the importance of pretend play | teachmama.com | research-based post all about why kids need time to PLAY | imagination and learning
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December 28, 2010
Mastering Math Facts With Mini Flash Cards
Simple addition math fact flash cards should have been made, used, and memorized months ago, but they weren’t, we
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