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Four Practical Principles for Enhancing Vocabulary Instruction

Four Practical Principles for Enhancing Vocabulary Instruction

Drawing on instructional materials, classroom images, and observational data from research, the authors illustrate these principles: establishing efficient, rich routines for introducing target word meanings; providing review activities that promote deep processing of word meanings; responding directly to student confusion; and fostering universal participation in and accountability for vocabulary instruction.

Female tutor working on-on-one with an elementary student on reading

Four Steps to Finding an Excellent Tutor for Your Child

Whether your child is lost in a haze of elementary grammar rules, sinking fast in a jumble of Newton’s laws in middle school, or lost in the details of an AP biology class, you need help quickly, before your child falls way behind the class and never recovers. So, what exactly can you do….now?
Parent with elementary child talking to teacher at school

Four Steps to Selecting a School for Your Child

How do you pick the best school for your child? The following sections have questions for you to consider as you go through the process of choosing a school for your child. Remember, you are looking for a school that will make the educational experience for your child and you as rewarding as possible
A Fresh Look at Your Home Library

A Fresh Look at Your Home Library

Having interesting things to read at home is a great way to keep kids motivated. Below are a few questions to ask yourself about your home library. Some simple changes on your part can help you create an amazing home library, and help your child develop an early love of reading!

Parent with elementary child talking to teacher at school

Getting Parents Involved in Schools

Research shows that parent involvement can improve students’ behavior, attendance, and achievement. But how can schools foster high-quality, successful parent involvement? The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement offers some research-based advice and resources to help.
Getting Ready for School: Transition Tips for Students with Autism

Getting Ready for School: Transition Tips for Students with Autism

For many learners with autism, transitions are the toughest part of schooling. These four strategies are designed to prepare the learner with autism for a new school or a new schooling experience and can be used days or months before the student arrives as well as throughout the school year.

Get Ready for Summer! Ideas for Teachers to Share with Families

Get Ready for Summer! Ideas for Teachers to Share with Families

Reading Rockets has packed a “virtual beach bag” of activities for teachers to help families get ready for summer and to launch students to fun, enriching summertime experiences. Educators will find materials to download and distribute as well as ideas and resources to offer to students and parents to help ensure summer learning gain rather than loss.

preschool teacher with two kids working on colors and shapes

Give Your Child a Head Start

Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income families. The Head Start program is operated by local non-profit organizations in almost every county in the country.
preschooler with picture book

Goals for First Grade: Early Reading and Writing

Children go through phases of reading development from preschool through third grade — from exploration of books to independent reading. In first grade, children begin to read simple stories and can write about a topic that is meaningful to them. Find out what parents and teachers can do to support first grade literacy skills.
Young girl in striped short reading a book next to a cat

Goals for Kindergarten: Experimental Reading and Writing

Children go through phases of reading development from preschool through third grade — from exploration of books to independent reading. In kindergarten, children develop basic concepts of print and begin to engage in and experiment with reading and writing. Find out what parents and teachers can do to support kindergarten literacy skills.

preschooler with picture book

Goals for Preschool: Awareness and Exploration

Children go through phases of reading development from preschool through third grade — from exploration of books to independent reading. In preschool, children explore their environment and build the foundations for learning to read and write. Find out what parents and teachers can do to support preschool literacy skills.
young red-headed boy outside writing in a notebook

Goals for Second Grade: Transitional Reading and Writing

Children go through phases of reading development from preschool through third grade — from exploration of books to independent reading. In second grade, children begin to read more fluently and write various text forms using simple and more complex sentences. Find out what parents and teachers can do to support second grade literacy skills.
Elementary student in class thinking pensively about the lesson

Goals for Third Grade: Independent and Productive Reading and Writing

Children go through phases of reading development from preschool through third grade — from exploration of books to independent reading. In third grade, children continue to extend and refine their reading and writing to suit varying purposes and audiences. Find out what parents and teachers can do to support third grade literacy skills.
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Preschoolers and Sleep

Good Night, Sleep Tight: Preschoolers and Sleep

It’s important to remember that a lack of sleep can greatly impact your preschooler’s behavior and ability to have a good day at preschool. Try this little experiment with your child to make sure they understand and maintain an appropriate sleep schedule.

Got a Newspaper? You’ve Got Learning!

Got a Newspaper? You’ve Got Learning!

Just a few pages from your newspaper can be turned into lots of early learning activities. Here you’ll find “letters and words” activities for the youngest, plus fun writing prompts and tips on how to read and analyze the news for older kids.

Graphic Novels for Kids: Classroom Ideas, Booklists, and More

Graphic Novels for Kids: Classroom Ideas, Booklists, and More

Graphic novels for elementary and middle grade children have become enormously popular and widely accepted by parents, teachers, and librarians. In this resource section, learn more about this highly visual form of storytelling and how it can be used in the classroom, meet some writers and illustrators of graphic novels, and browse the “best of” booklists.

Graphic Novels for Young Kids

Graphic Novels for Young Kids

Similar to comic books, graphic novels weave rich, lively visuals with a limited amount of text to drive the narrative. They can be especially appealing to young readers who are reluctant to pick up a more traditional book. Graphic novels are a great way to help struggling readers strengthen vocabulary, build reading confidence and stamina, and develop a deeper appreciation of storytelling.

Graphic Organizers to Help Kids With Writing

Graphic Organizers to Help Kids With Writing

Discover four graphic organizers that can help kids organize their ideas in a very visual way. They also help break a writing project into smaller, more manageable steps. Graphic organizers are especially helpful for children with dysgraphia, executive functioning issues, and other issues that can cause trouble with writing.

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