Phonological awareness is one of the best researched topics in reading. So is there anything new? After all this time, there are still some insights released by researchers about phonological awareness. For example, a while back a study was released that showed a link between the size of a child’s...

I’m as strong of a supporter of the Common Core standards as you’ll find. Our country needs education to be more competitive so that students who are in school now will have opportunities within this global economy to live a lifestyle at least as good as their parents. I refuse to give up on hoping that the American Dream is possible...

Looking for a way to make this year your most productive and fulfilling yet? Here are our top 10 tips for educators: 1) Resolve to Review: Set the stage for success. Activate prior knowledge, make connections to previous learning, and provide a platform for practice. 2) Resolve to Model: Make instruction explicit when teaching a new skill...

Ready to up-level your skill set? Here are 10 ideas for your professional development: 1) Follow the Leaders: Seek out the blogs written by experts in the field, addressing topics of interest to you. If these leaders are on Twitter, become a follower! 2) Join a Community: Take advantage of Learning Networks that extend beyond the walls...

It's winter break - and you deserve a little personal and professional development time. Here are 10 ways to make your break productive: 1) Be Introspective:Reflect on what has been successful thus far, what you might want to try a little differently, .2) Be Innovative: Experiment with...

There is nothing more fulfilling than sharing the love of reading with your students. Here are 10 tips: 1) Make Connections: Make connections between reading, learning and children’s daily lives. Share something that connects to an area of interest, or a hobby they may have. Help children see that reading and learning is everywhere.

Do you find it's a challenge keeping kids engaged? Here are our Top 10 tips: 1) Stay Focused on the Objective or Goal: Intervention instruction that is differentiated by skill is pinpointed and focused. 2) Share the Objective or Goal with Your Students Tell them “this is what we are learning today…!” 3) Keep it moving with Hands On Minds...

It's that time of year: Back to School. We've put together our top 10 tips to help you educators: 1) Maximize the Impact of Grade-Level Data Meetings: Grade-level meetings provide a time for collaboration for data-driven decision making. Direct the conversation to examining data and focusing on students and their skill needs. Ask your team to determine if the organizational structure...

Ready to make the most out of your conference experience? Here are 10 tips to help: 1) Make it personal: Envision what it means individually to you and your students. 2) Be Strategic: Determine what you want to take away from the conference. 3) Get Administrator Support: Focus on future implications.