Thematic Book Club Ideas for Kids: Engaging and Educational Planning Tips

Being the amazing educator you are, you can fully appreciate the power of working with students in small groups. They provide time for targeted instruction, provide an opportunity for you to get to build strong relationships with students, all while fostering a love/appreciation for reading. But, all this only happens if you are strategic about how you plan your book clubs. Using a thematic approach to book clubs helps students connect with content on a deeper level. When exploring book club ideas for kids, selecting texts that offer diverse perspectives on the topics they’re learning about can boost engagement and strengthen comprehension skills. And yes—this works even for our youngest learners!

Molly WheatleyFebruary 15, 2025Reading Stations, Guided reading, Classroom management, TeachingComment

Tips for Adding New Students to Literacy Center Stations

New student starting TOMORROW. Cue the feelings of panic, overwhelm, and excitement. When a new student joins your class mid-year, it can feel like someone tossing a pebble into a perfectly calm pond. Because there’s just so much to do! Yes, it can feel overwhelming But here’s the thing, it’s about making sure that new students feel like they belong from the moment they walk in. With a few thoughtful strategies, you can be ready for that moment before it even happens. Pre-planning new student activities for your classroom and literacy centers helps streamline this process and ensures that everyone feels prepared and included. So, let’s talk about how to make that happen.

Molly WheatleyFebruary 8, 2025Daily 5, Reading Stations, Classroom management, Classroom expectationsComment

Black History Month Activities for Literacy Centers

Yes, February is the shortest month of the year, but it’s BURSTING with holidays! Groundhogs Day. Valentine’s Day. President’s Day. Just to name a few… These holidays bring opportunities to reignite excitement and engagement in your literacy centers! Incorporating Black History Month activities into your literacy blocks isn’t just about covering your literacy standards—it’s about celebration and reflection. It’s a chance to honor the voices, contributions, and resilience of Black individuals who have shaped our nation’s history. So, how can we make this meaningful and engaging for our students?

Molly WheatleyFebruary 1, 2025Black History Month, Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading StationsComment

Mid-Year Classroom Reset: How to Improve Your Daily 5 Centers

Let’s face it… teaching isn’t a “set it and forget it” type of job. Systems that worked beautifully in September might not hold up as your students’ needs evolve. And with so much of the year still ahead, it’s worth checking in and reflecting to ensure routines and expectations you set aren’t just surviving - but thriving. “Something needs to change…but where do I START?” It starts with REFLECTION. Reflecting on current Daily 5 expectations, systems, and routines can uncover valuable insight into what’s working and what needs addressing in your mid-year classroom reset.

Molly WheatleyJanuary 25, 2025Daily 5, Classroom management, Classroom expectations, Literacy stations, literacy, Reading StationsComment

How to Improve Reading Stamina in the New Year

A room of students actively independently reading, isn’t THAT every teacher’s dream? Just picture it - all of your students are focused and productive, and you can meet with Book Club groups uninterrupted. Giving students time to independently read - no matter the age of students - is met with mixed emotions. Some teachers love it, and for some teachers, managing it is extremely overwhelming. Improving reading stamina isn’t just about improving focus and productivity (and saving your sanity). Building and improving reading stamina is a tool to unlock deeper comprehension and build confidence in applying literacy skills they’ve learned.

Molly WheatleyJanuary 11, 2025Daily 5, Reading Stations, Literacy stationsComment

Reorganizing Your Literacy Block for Success in the New Year!

Somehow, the routines and expectations we set at the beginning of the year seem to go right out the window during December. The interruptions, changes of routine, and excitement of the upcoming days off can leave us to pick our battles as we work to ensure that the weeks leading up to the holiday break are fun for our students without causing ourselves to feel overwhelmed. Returning from the long holiday break is the perfect time to get your literacy block back on track! Learn how to revamp your literacy block to ensure that the second half of the school year is productive and stress-free!

Molly WheatleyDecember 28, 2024Daily 5, Literacy stations, literacy, Reading StationsComment

How to Make the Daily 5 Work in Your Fifth-Grade Classroom: Tips for Implementation Success

To be honest, when I switched to fifth grade, I was a bit skeptical about bringing my daily 5 practices with me. Would it be to “elementary” for my fifth-graders? Would I have their buy-in? Utilizing the Daily 5 to structure my literacy block for my fifth graders was the BEST decision I could have made for my students! With a few simple tweaks, the Daily 5 not only boosted my students' independence but also helped me cover the curriculum with ease. Want to know how I made it work? Read on to learn my secrets!

Molly WheatleyNovember 23, 2024Daily 5, Reading Stations, Fifth grade, Literacy stations, Classroom managementComment

Transform Your Fifth Grade Classroom with the Daily 5 Framework

Did you know the Daily 5 isn’t just for younger students? When I introduced the Daily 5 in fifth grade, my students loved the balance of independence and choice it gave them, which is exactly what upper elementary classrooms need. The Daily 5 in upper elementary classrooms helps cover all literacy goals while keeping students engaged, organized, and allowing me to run small groups without constant interruptions. Curious about how it works? Check out the full blog!

Molly WheatleyNovember 2, 2024Daily 5, Literacy stations, Elementary teacher, Reading Stations, Guided readingComment

5 Fun Daily 5 Activities That You’re Students Won’t Hate

Students hate not to have choices in their Daily 5 activities. Having a handful of fun activities for students to choose from helps them feel independent and engaged. Let's talk about 5 activities you can use that your students won't hate and will ask for over and over again!

Molly WheatleyJune 19, 2022Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading Stations, Elementary teacherComment

How to Make Reading Stations More Easy and Efficient

Students hate not to have choices in their Daily 5 activities. Having a handful of fun activities for students to choose from helps them feel independent and engaged. Let's talk about 5 activities you can use that your students won't hate and will ask for over and over again! Making efficient, easy reading stations can be a teacher's saving grace. Having easy, automatic routines that keep students engaged helps to build classroom management and efficiency.

Molly WheatleyJune 12, 2022Daily 5, Reading Stations, Literacy stations, TeachingComment

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