My Child Is Smart, So Why Is Reading So Hard?
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Smart kids can struggle with reading, and it’s often missed. Read what to look for on the blog this month.
What Actually Happens During Reading Time in My Classroom
For years, parents asked if their child could switch into my class. Not for math. Not for science. For reading time. I always told them the same thing. There was no trick. I just built reading time around four things, and once those four things were in place,…
Beverly Cleary and Katherine Applegate…pure magic!
Celebrating Beverly Cleary, D.E.A.R. Day, and The One and Only Family Some authors have a way of creating stories that stay with us forever. Their words linger in our minds, shaping our love for reading and storytelling. For many generations, Beverly Cleary was one of those authors—capturing the…
My first Mid-Year Newbery contender pick
Don’t you worry! You know I have more than one! I just had share my first mid-year pick as the potential Newbery Award Winner for 2025: The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly. Imagine this: it’s 1999, Y2K is looming large, and our Michael is grappling with more…
Summer Time Reads
A Summer of Sun, Sand, and Stories I recently returned from a wonderful family beach vacation on Kiawah Island, and I have to say, it was absolutely amazing. There’s nothing quite like the combination of sun, sand, and some much-needed relaxation. One of the best parts of the…
