Graduating kindergarten and demonstrating readiness for first grade is about so much more than counting and letter recognition. Most parents aren’t paying enough attention to behavioral and social skills that are necessary for continued growth. Many first grade reading programs are beginning to focus much more on fluency and comprehension, both of which require a…

I’ve got a pretty good eye for teenage boy reading material. Ya know, the safe kind that you’re thrilled for your kid to be reading. While I haven’t taught English to middle school boys since 2006-2008, I was much more recently a youth minister to kids ages 12-18. Currently, I am currently a literacy specialist…

There’s nothing worse than seeing the worried look on your kid’s face as they get out of the car each morning, with their shoulders hunched over like they’re carrying the weight of the world. Then, each afternoon, you find another negative comment from the teacher in their folder. Your once carefree child is on the…

Calm down corners can be a great tool for your classroom and your home. If you’ve got little kids with big emotions that tend to spiral out quickly, the calm down corner can be a great way for them to learn more about their feelings, assist in processing them, and also prevent huge meltdowns. So…

Most parents want their kids to be happy and healthy. Success looks different for every kid. Not all kids will rise to the top academically, and that’s okay! Generally, kids are happiest when they are growing and learning to the best of their ability. So how can you help your child succeed in school? How…

Are you noticing a downward trend in your child’s academic performance? Do you have a sneaking suspicion that something isn’t right with your kiddo at school? It’s normal to feel nervous when your child is falling behind in school, but these steps can make a huge difference if they are taken early enough! As a…