Every April, the literary world comes alive with rhythm and rhyme as we celebrate National Poetry Month. For elementary school teachers, this month is an opportunity to practice early literacy skills and foster a love for poetry and language. Curious how to teach poetry to early elementary students? Use this
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodivergent condition that affects communication, behavior, and learning. Psychologists use the term spectrum disorder because symptoms and support needs vary depending on the child. Although clinically defined as a disorder, having autism does not mean something is wrong or “needs to be fixed” with
Holidays, religious celebrations, and cultural festivities all come into play for students and teachers during the early winter months at school. November and December are a memorable and fun time of year for many students—with plenty of winter school and classroom activities in the time leading up to the school
Math and reading are often seen as separate subjects with little crossover between the two—which couldn’t be further from the truth. Practicing math skills can contribute to a student’s literacy development. Likewise, a literacy curriculum can help PreK and early elementary students develop the reading comprehension skills they need to
When putting together lesson plans for the upcoming school year, it can be tempting to dive into reading and math curriculum from day one. There’s always so much to get through, and time seems in short supply. However, it’s worth making time for fun student back-to-school activities in your elementary
Children benefit from two types of stories in their lives. They need “mirror” stories that reflect their own experiences, which lead to a sense of belonging in their classroom and communities. They also need “window” stories that let them peek into lives and experiences that may be different from their
In this week of Waterford’s Fundamentals of the Science of Reading article series, let’s explore phonics and decoding! Learn about research-based phonics instruction—with five free downloadable resources to share with teachers in your school! What Role Does Phonics Play in Reading Development? Neuroscience research tells us that the brain does
What do monitoring screen time usage, practicing internet safety, and preventing cyberbullying have in common? These topics all fall under the umbrella of digital citizenship. Digital Citizenship Week is an annual event held by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media. This year, it will be held from October 17 to
When we think of modern-day heroes to teach about in class, it’s often people who made a difference when they were well into their adult years. But young people can—and often do—make a serious impact on the world. Teaching your students about young heroes can remind them that they have
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates a second day of independence in the United States—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln. First celebrated in Texas, this holiday has been a tradition in African American communities for over 150 years as a time to gather, celebrate,
