How to Teach Contractions
Contractions can be such a tricky skill for our students to learn, so let’s make it fun! When I first begin a lesson on contractions, I love to read the book I’m and Won’t, They’re and Don’t: What’s a Contraction? By Brian P. Cleary. The story introduces what a contraction is and gives so many examples of contractions. I like to use this book t... Read more 23 Sep 2018 - 1 minute read
Never Forget
Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? I will never forget the exact moment that my Dad called me into his room to give me the news. I remember that I was blow drying my hair and getting ready for middle school, just like any other day. However, 09-11-01 was not just any other day. As I stood and watched the news with my Dad, the ... Read more 11 Sep 2018 - 1 minute read
Apple Themed Activities for Toddlers
By LAURIN BRAINARD Updated July 7, 2024 I am so excited to share this amazing journey of toddler learning that I have embarked on with my son! This past week we started toddler activities in our home. My son is 2 1/2 and is the perfect age for working on pre-academic skills that will help prepare him for kindergarten and beyond. For our first u... Read more 07 Sep 2018 - 6 minute read
Learning Numbers to 120
Learning how to order numbers to 120 is often challenging for many of my students. To help my students learn to count to 120, I created number cards from 1-120 that students can use to create a life-sized 120 chart on the carpet. I love watching my students work together to create this 120 chart. It is the perfect math center since my students a... Read more 04 Sep 2018 - 1 minute read
Long Vowel Reading Activities
Teaching long vowels is one of my favorite concepts to teach in first grade! In all honesty, it can be exhausting and challenging to teach long vowels, but there are so many fun ways to teach these concepts. It is always so rewarding to see my students master their long vowels because I know how tricky this skill can be! Long vowels are easily c... Read more 24 Aug 2018 - 2 minute read