For Teachers

Syllable awareness is a foundational early literacy skill that directly relates to a child’s later ability to decode words and build reading fluency. Think of syllable recognition as a way to learn the sound structure of words so they can one day read new words quickly, even if they don’t know what they mean. Once fluent in reading, older readers use more advanced skills, like using context clues, to learn even more sophisticated words. As you can see, syllable awareness is just one of the first critical steps in the long journey towards reading like an adult!

By the end of first grade, students should be able to determine an unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers. As students begin understanding addition as part plus part equals total and subtraction as total minus part equals part, they can begin to see patterns emerge in the relationships between numbers in equations. While an explicit naming of inverse operations does not occur until later grades, students begin to see that using a subtraction fact to determine the missing number in an addition problem (and vice versa) is an effective problem-solving strategy.

Operational Properties are used in mathematical fields to describe fundamental rules for operations such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Understanding that we can generalize the way that numbers and operations “behave” empowers students to see patterns and apply what they know to unfamiliar problems.

There are three major addition properties: the Commutative Property, the Identity Property, and the Associative Property.

This spring, we have curated a selection of six excellent books that teach kids about ecological awareness. They make great reading for a whole family and will help you foster your child’s love and appreciation for nature. All the stories are age-appropriate for readers in preschool and elementary grades and can be read both at home and in classroom!

Learning about all the ways the sun supports life is an important part of the elementary science curriculum. It’s also an exciting topic of hands-on experiments for kids. Let’s perform some extraordinary science experiments that demonstrate the power of the sun!

Many girls grow up watching princesses. They are supposed to teach girls to be prim and proper, to be demure, and to be attentive to other people’s needs. Society tells girls they can be anything, and at the same time quietly pressures them to be pleasing and accommodating. While making sure girls grow up to be nice and polite, we might be accidentally eroding their bravery.

If we want to change this pattern, we need to rethink how we support girls every day.

Being an educator that has taught lower and upper grades math subjects, it was very noticeable that place value is one of the most important math concepts students need to understand. It supports future skills like addition, subtraction, and understanding larger numbers. First grade is when place value is learned as a foundational skill. At this age, many children can count well, but place value teaches them that numbers are made of groups, not just counted one by one.

During the 3rd grade, reading instruction reaches a critical juncture in which students use their acquired reading skills as a tool for learning across all subject areas. In a recent article, we talked about how children strengthen their skills during the 1st grade and begin making that transition in grade 2. This becomes even more important in the 3rd grade as they are expected to begin developing text analysis skills.

If you’re wondering about what you can do to help boost your 3rd grader’s reading comprehension to enhance their learning, join us as we explore some of the most critical aspects to focus on to help foster those important skills.

Second grade is a critical year for young readers; by the end of first grade, reading acquisition is well underway, and students must make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. In other words, children must be fluent enough to move beyond merely decoding words so they may read and learn information across all subject areas.

So, what can parents and teachers do to boost their second graders’ comprehension skills? Focus on the following specific strategies to build and foster strong reading comprehension throughout grade two.

When the kids are home from school and the snow is falling outside, there’s just something magical about curling up on the couch with a good book. And what better way to share the cozy, wintertime vibes than by reading winter-themed books with your children? This holiday season, make precious new memories with your kids by stocking up on Christmas, New Year, and wintertime children’s titles that are perfect for ages 3-7. And when reading doesn’t have to end for the night, turn on the TV to watch your child’s favorite tales come to life on the screen. 

In this article, our author Lori Toney shares some titles that have become favorites in her family’s household over the years. So, warm up the hot cocoa and keep reading to discover the best books to add to your family’s bookshelf: