9 Fun Games to Teach Long Vowel Sounds
I have a really awesome list of 9 fun games to teach long vowel sounds. At least that's what my kids indicate when they beg me to play them. Learning…
How to Teach Students to Summarize the Right Way
It is very common for middle school students to have difficulty summarizing what they have read or heard. They are just getting their feet wet with writing. So concepts that…
When Should a Child Be Able to Read in Their Head?
Although I have not taught younger elementary school classes, I did teach all eight of my children to read. And generally speaking, although everybody learns at their own pace, most…
Does Listening to Music Help Students Focus?
There is a never-ending question in schools and homes with school-age children everywhere: does listening to music help students focus? Years ago, when my younger kids were doing their homework,…
How to Write CLEAR Test Instructions (With 6 Examples)
Without writing clear instructions on a test, students cannot do their absolute best on that test, regardless of how much they have studied and mastered the material. But different people…
How Long Does It Take to Set up a Classroom?
After working in many different kinds of classrooms over the years, I have spent anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks setting up my classroom. Sometimes it…
Encouragement for Those Who Will be Homeschooling Through Covid-19
The thought of homeschooling through Covid-19 can be so daunting for many parents. This is especially true if they have had no experience with homeschooling. But in so many ways,…
Does Chewing Gum Help Students Focus?
Several studies have emerged that propose the idea that chewing gum helps students focus. And while there are certainly tons of benefits to chewing gum, there can also be some…
Step by Step: How to Teach Imagery in Literature
The ability to teach imagery in literature is incredibly important. It could be the difference between the reader being riveted to your writing or being bored and turning away. But…
My 10 Golden Rules for Teaching Tone in Literature
Understanding tone in literature is critical to fully understanding and enjoying what you are reading. But because it is not a "tangible" aspect of literature, it is a very hard…