If your student is a beginning or struggling spelling, one of the most important things you can do is teach him how to segment words. Knowing how to segment opens up a whole world of literacy. In fact, it’s surprising that this important spelling skill isn’t taught more widely, especially given how easy it is to teach.

Black history is filled with stories of courage, strength, and determination. The picture books below provide the perfect way to explore these important stories with your children.

When your child is a struggling learner, it can be scary.

My son struggled with reading and spelling, so I know firsthand what that fear feels like.

You feel responsible for making sure your child grows up being able to read and spell proficiently, because you know that your child’s future options will be limited without those essential skills.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we have a sweet rhyming activity for your kids! And it’s designed for all ages, because rhyming continues to be an important part of phonological awareness even as students move on to more advanced reading.

Let’s get started!

Mitten Weather Has Arrived!

When winter arrives and the snow starts to pile up, it’s time to break out the hats, scarves, and mittens!

But not ALL mittens are for wearing. These mittens are for eating!

So what do cows have to do with phonograms? Actually…nothing! But the cows in this silly phonogram game will make reviewing phonograms like S, CH, and AY a ton of fun for your child. But whatever you do, try not to moo!

The fun-loving polar bears in these books may enjoy playing out in the cold and snow, but their stories will warm your heart!

Read the synopses of a few of my favorite polar bear picture books below, then grab your mittens and stocking cap and head to your local library with our free downloadable library list.

‘Tis the season for cozy sweaters and fuzzy slippers!

If the wind is howling and it’s a little chilly in your house today, we have an ABC Snack recipe that is sure to get you all warm and “toasty.” (Yes, that pun was intended!)

Our Polar Bear Toast recipe is easy to make, but is wholesome and hearty enough to be part of your little one’s lunch or breakfast on a blustery day.

Children have such a diversity of needs—especially when it comes to spelling. If you are wondering when is the best time to start teaching spelling to your child, this post is for you! And since there are no “one size fits all” answers to this question, we’ll explore a wide variety of situations. Let’s dig in!

Does your child have gaps in reading and spelling?

Hundreds of thousands of children struggle to learn to read and spell. They spend hour after tiring hour being fed information, only to eventually be tagged as “unable to read” or labeled with a learning disability that keeps them from being able to spell.

Would you like to help your child avoid some of the most common errors in written English? Today we’re talking about the misuse of contractions, especially when it comes to words like it’s vs. its and you’re vs. your.

You’ve probably seen these mistakes; maybe they’ve even made you cringe.

Ahh…winter! There’s just so much to love—the stillness of the night after a blanket of snow has covered the ground; the crunch of snow underfoot; and curling up in front of a crackling fire with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a wonderful picture book for winter! And speaking of books, the books below will bring warmth to even the chilliest winter day!