Let Pete the Cat inspire students to keep going as writers. 

Have you ever noticed how many words have a th, ch, sh, or wh? Children need to know what happens to these letter sounds when they stand side by side.

This simple lesson will help our youngest learners elevate their level of writing by adding details.

Try this fun party game that is really just a cleverly disguised math activity.

Print the Ready Reference Guide and Parent Pipeline for this skill here. 

Print the Ready Reference Guide and Parent Pipeline for this skill here.

Print the Ready Reference Guide and Parent Pipeline for this skill here. 

Print the Ready Reference Guide and Parent Pipeline for this skill here. 

What does a classroom really look like when all of the components of Prepared Classroom are up and running?

Watch Rhonda Check for Understanding in Kindergarten.

Watch this short video of a kindergarten student sharing his story. 

This video is an example of brain research playing out in in a Kindergarten classroom and how important it is to keep lessons limited to a length that matches student attention. 

Trish Prentice meets with one of her kindergarten students in this conference.

Even our youngest students can evaluate their performance after a round of Daily 5. In this video, Tessa has her kindergarten students reflect on their independence based on a 4-point rating system.

Watch and listen as Rhonda helps Christopher narrow down a topic. 

Here is a simple way to raise engagement and quickly assess the status of the class during group instruction.

This simple conversation after a read-aloud will help anchor strategy instruction.

Regardless of the grade we teach, we always have students who need to work on fluency. This lesson is simple and effective whether done whole group, small group, or during a one-on-one conference.

Watch and learn how to play this strategy game that is great for kindergarten students to master!

Ruby had a cold. Ruby doesn't feel like reading. Ruby doesn't feel like conferring. What's a teacher to do?

Let's step into Trish Prentice's room for a moment and eavesdrop as she introduces How Rocket Learned to Read to her kindergarten students.

Karen Roberts is a master at scaffolding for her young learners. Here is how she supports young writers as they write informational stories.

This is proof that a conference can be focused, intentional, and brief! 

This lesson will help everyone learn to handle books with respect, and know what to do if they find a damaged book. 

Danielle French works closely with her students, which enables her to discern what they do well and what she can layer on to help them elaborate their work. 

Danielle demonstrates drawing out cues young and easily-distracted students.

Are you having a hard time finding books that are written at a lower level, but of high interest. Here are some favorites.

Watch how to play the math game, Plus of Minus, which is a great game for beginning numbers sense, addition, and substraction skills.

Getting hands into the books of little ones is one of the most important things we can do. 

Trish Prentice records her reflections on teaching Daily 5 during the first weeks of school, and lets us in on the adventure.  

This math activity provides practice in telling time and writing time in hours and half hours using analog and digital clocks.