Now that I have used Benchmark for a full year, I feel a LOT more confident teaching it. I know what the students are supposed to get from each unit, and I have read a lot more about the Science of Reading which allows me to implement best practices. I am currently reading The Comprehension… Continue reading Benchmark Advance Unit 1, Week 1
Author: The Blissful Teacher
New Years Resolutions
I don't know about you, but as a teacher I have never felt like my New Year starts on January 1st. I have always felt like August was the beginning of the year for me, and I would always make my resolutions around this time of year. July 4th signals the halfway mark of summer,… Continue reading New Years Resolutions
Small Group Reading
The favorite part of my day is when I get to meet with my students in small groups. It's really a time where we get to connect, and I can see their strengths shine through. It took me a lot of trial and error to find the grouping style that worked best for me and… Continue reading Small Group Reading
Changing Reading Instruction
Over winter break I read Differentiated Literacy Instruction in Grades 4 and 5: Strategies and Resources by Sharon Walpole, Michael C. McKenna, Zoi A. Philippakos, and John Z. Strong. I had seen it be recommended several times on various Science of Reading Facebook groups, so I knew it would be good, but I had no… Continue reading Changing Reading Instruction
Teaching Is Like Making Fudge…Really!
We had our yearly fudge making party tonight, and it had me thinking how much making fudge is like teaching. You might be thinking I'm crazy, but hear me out. In order to make fudge, it starts with constant stirring on the stove of the sugar mixture. You have to have it on just the… Continue reading Teaching Is Like Making Fudge…Really!
A Day in the Life
I absolutely LOVE seeing what everyone else is doing in the classroom, so I figure what better way to start my blog by letting you all know what my daily schedule is. I really enjoy my schedule overall, although it is the first year that my reading block has been split in this way. I… Continue reading A Day in the Life
The Blissful Teacher 