Blog, Fluency & Comprehension, Picture Books

Reading Inventory and Interest Survey

We've all met that one child that "hates reading". We've begged and Accelerated-Reader-Points-bribed and prize-bin-coaxed that child to no avail. Have you ever stepped back and wondered why this child has yet to fall in love with reading books for pleasure? Could it be that we haven't tapped into what makes their little minds crave the text… Continue reading Reading Inventory and Interest Survey

Author's Purpose, Blog, Close Reading, Picture Books

Diverse Picture Books

Every year or so there is an introduction of a new buzz word among educators. A few from the past few years have been empathy and diversity. The thing with "buzz words" is that they tend to come and go. What does not need to happen with these particular words in our classroom is the latter; they don't need to go.… Continue reading Diverse Picture Books

Blog, Close Reading, Key Details, Picture Books

Asking and Answering Questions

I am so excited to share with you one of my favorite books to teach Asking & Answering Questions with 3rd-5th graders. I love using all Chris Van Allsburg books in my classroom. They spark interest, intrigue and most of all, cultivate rich, deep discussion and questions. With that being said, pretty much any one of his books would be great for teaching students to talk back… Continue reading Asking and Answering Questions

Author's Perspective, Author's Purpose, Blog, Central Idea, Close Reading, Fluency & Comprehension, Inferences, Key Details, Picture Books, Text Analysis, Text Features, Text Structure

Close Reading

The first topic of conversation is close reading.  Close reading is a "hot topic" across the education spectrum and can sometimes be used as a "buzz word" instead of an actual strategy. Let's just jump right in. Close reading is reading with intention and purpose. It's a relationship between the reader, the text and the author as the reader gets to know the text.  It is looking… Continue reading Close Reading