Igniting Critical and Creative Thinking

Reading and ELA

Reading and ELA Skills are the foundation of much of our instruction, but they don’t have to be boring! In this section, I share strategies to incorporate thinking skills into your ELA instruction along with ways to help your students cultivate a love of reading.

Kamala Harris Biography and Activities

This biography unit on Kamala Harris includes a biography and 11 reader response activities. These activities engage students in critical thinking while learning about the life of the first female vice-president of the United States and first vice president of African-American or South Asian-American descent.

Latest Reading and ELA Posts

Use these fun and engaging activities as you build on vocabulary development in your primary classroom.

5 Fun Ways To Boost Vocabulary Development In The Primary Grades

Broad vocabulary skills are essential for overall success in a variety of topics within English Language Arts. There are plenty of ways to teach basic

Take advantage of unused learning time by creating challenging and fun early finisher activities for your students.

3 Great Early Finisher Activities Besides Reading A Book

“I’m done! Now what?” These are dreaded words every teacher has heard more than a time or two! Creating lessons that will serve a diverse

Adding rigor to your phonics instruction is easy with these helpful tips and tricks you and your students will love.

4 Ways To Easily Add Rigor to Your Phonics Instruction

Phonics is a keystone component of the primary classroom. So much of the daily rhythm in the classroom revolves around strengthening phonics skills and continuing

Teach students how to work through struggle and frustration to get the most out of learning.

4 Ways to Harness the Power of Productive Struggle

Have you ever thought about the fact that the skills that are the hardest for you to learn are often the ones you remember best?

Use these 10 fun and creative ways to use a word wall in your classroom to keep your students engaged and excited to practice targeted words.

Creative Ways to Use Word Walls in Your Classroom

Word walls are collections of words that are displayed in classrooms. They are designed to be interactive tools that students can reference during reading and

A camping themed classroom is a great way to engage your students and set the tone for an amazing school year.

5 Fun Ideas for Creating for a Camping Themed Classroom

Does your classroom have a theme? Having a themed classroom is fun for the students and a great way to build community. Choosing a theme

Help your students learn fun and exciting synonyms for the word said with these engaging activities they will love.

Teaching Synonyms for Said: A Said is Dead Alternative

Sometimes teaching dialogue in writing can feel like you’re banging your head against a wall. You’ve done all the things. You’ve modeled good examples, practiced,

Providing choice in the classroom to your students in the classroom means happier and more engaged students all around.

Choice in the Classroom: Captivating or Chaos

Tired of receiving the same 25 projects or reading the same 25 stories every time an assignment is turned in? You’ve masterfully crafted the prompt,

Your students will love celebrating all of the fun holidays in May with these engaging activities they will love.

Fun & Creative Activities for May

May is such a busy time in the classroom. I sometimes refer to it as May Madness because of all of the extra activities and

These engaging spring activities include everything you need for spring time learning your students will love.

The Ultimate List of Engaging Spring Activities for Teachers

Looking to bring a little spring into your classroom? This list of my favorite spring activities will have your students engaging in meaningful reading, writing,

Use these three creative ways to teach poetry to get your students excited and engaged in reading and writing poetry.

3 Creative Ways for Teaching Poetry

Did you know April is National Poetry Month? So, if you haven’t tackled teaching poetry in your classroom yet, this is a perfect time! Here

Favorite Reading and ELA Resources