Reading is one of my favorite things to teach, but it can be challenging! In this section, you’ll find tips and resources for key reading comprehension strategies, how to implement effective reading centers, and lots of mentor text ideas to enhance your reading instruction.
Latest Reading Posts from the Blog
A Weekly Vocabulary Lesson Plan to BOOST Skilled Reading and Comprehension
A Weekly Vocabulary Lesson Plan to BOOST Skilled Reading and Comprehension Here’s what you can expect to learn from this article: The current state of
How to Make the Most of Reading Assessments
Does your school or district require you to do reading assessments a certain number of times per year? I’ve heard of teachers who are required
What are Strategy Groups in Reading and How Best to Use Them
In the world of teaching reading, there are certain staples that have been around forever, that teachers pretty universally agree are valuable and worthwhile. Guided
How Using Question Stems Changed the Way I Teach Reading
Each school year, it seems like more and more gets added to my school day, but the time I have to teach stays the same.
How to Support Your Reading Block with Resources from The Teacher Next Door
If you’re a loyal follower of The Teacher Next Door, you probably already know that we have a library of over 600 teaching resources to
How to Plan, Teach, and Extend Elementary Small Group Reading Lessons
Teaching small group lessons is essential in upper elementary! We know that within every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom, you’ll find a wide range
Why Reading Centers Are More Important Than Ever in the Upper Elementary Classroom
With the ever-changing landscape of the upper elementary in-person (and virtual) classroom over the past few years, reading centers are more important than ever! After
Effective Alternatives to Round Robin Reading to Promote Oral Reading Fluency
For better or worse, there are certain things in the world of education that seem to stick around no matter what. An apple for the
How to Make Reading Lesson Plans EASIER with a Free Pacing Guide
Life without a Reading Pacing Guide was hectic. Lesson planning for reading took me so much longer than any other subject. You might be thinking that
The Complete Guide to POWERFUL Reading Conferences in Upper Elementary
Reading Conferences are an excellent way to build literary-based relationships with your students. No matter where students are on their learning journey, you can meet
How to Promote a Love of Poetry in Upper Elementary
It seems like every reading curriculum I’ve used over the years never has enough “meat” to the poetry unit. Some curriculums didn’t even include poetry
Graphic Organizers: 5 Simple Tips That Can Improve Student Learning
There’s a reason why graphic organizers are popular from elementary school through college! These simple but powerful sheets of paper allow students to actively participate
