Nervous about going back to school through a computer screen? Are you scared because you don't know what to expect when you meet your students online for the first time? Same! In this blog post I'll share some tips and advice to help you navigate this unique school year. WHAT PROGRAMS AND SUPPLIES DO I USE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING? For student work, we use Google Classroom because it's super easy to assign work to each student. It's also easy for students to navigate. I tried to use other programs last year, but Google Classroom was by far the ... Read More

Writing about reading is one of the best ways to blend the two subjects together. In my opinion, writing should be a huge part of your reading block. There are many ways to get started with reading responses that can be implemented as early as today. Remembering that they only work if you model what the expectation is for each activity and you stay consistent. So, keep reading to learn how three different types of reading responses have worked with my students! STICKY NOTES One way to encourage writing about reading is to give them sticky ... Read More

We know that right now everyone is trying to find resources to send home to students due to school closures across the country. No matter what side of the argument you're on (either for homework or against it), the reality is that many of us are required to send something home. Therefore, I've collaborated with several bilingual sellers to come up with a list of free resources in Spanish made specifically for bilingual/dual language educators.   Below are just a few of the many FREE RESOURCES available to you on TPT. Some were ... Read More

What is Imposter Syndrome (IS)? It's when a person feels inadequate even though they are experiencing some form of success. It's constantly doubting themselves, being unable to recognize their own accomplishments, and feeling like someone is going to recognize that they're an "imposter." I learned recently that 70 percent of the US population has experienced Imposter Syndrome at some point. Some people never even realize they have it. I know this because that's what was happening to me. I SUFFER(ED) FROM IMPOSTER SYNDROME I've been in ... Read More

I remember when guided reading first came out many, many years ago! Then suddenly people stopped talking about it. I'm extremely happy to see that it's trending again because I'm a firm believer in it. Guided reading can mean many things to different people. For me, guided reading is a small group lesson that requires multiple copies of the same book. Students read the book in front of you, and afterwards you teach a strategy based on your observations. Guided reading reinforces comprehension and fluency. It's also a great idea to start every ... Read More