by Lori Wolfe, Monthly Columnist Summer is almost here! Parents and students always look forward to summer. Many times parents ask us for ideas of things they can do at home with their children to keep them learning. I like to send home a list of things to do during the summer that will keep
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  Ah, the end of the year is upon us! It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the start of the year and now it’s time to wrap everything up. Find out how some of our Really Good Teachers get ready, celebrate with their classes, and pack up for the summer. Remember, to
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Looking for a great read aloud for your class?  We asked our Facebook friends what they are currently reading and compiled a list of their answers for you.  The grade level the book is being read to, if mentioned in the original comment on Facebook, is included in parentheses after the author’s name.

Looking for some great professional development books to dive into this summer?  Check out 20 of the must-have education/teaching books below.  Is your favorite not listed?  Leave a comment below and let us know which ones you would recommend!   The First Days of School by Harry and Rosemary Wong   Literacy Work Stations by
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by Barbara Gruener, Monthly Columnist Happy Summer! The Summer My Father Was Ten by Pat Brisson is one of my favorite summer sizzlers because it crosses cultures and generations to tell the story of foolishness, forgiveness, and friendship. As a father and his daughter plant their annual garden, he flashes back to a mistake he
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Idea by Cara Grebner, a 6th Grade Teacher, in Lincoln University, PA. To encourage students to read over the summer, I help them begin to plan a summer book club. Whether students choose a title from a required book list, or they agree on a title of their own choosing, I recommend helping students set
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Idea by Amanda, a Kindergarten Teacher, from Alliance, OH. Our local library has a great summer reading program. When children complete the required reading list, they have the opportunity to post their name on a poster. During the summer months, I visit the library weekly, check out the poster and send students who completed the
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Idea by Maja Terre, a Kindergarten Teacher, in Terre Haute, IN. This year we are hosting a summer used-book exchange. We are asking all of the kindergarten students to bring in three gently used books that they will then be able to exchange for three “new” books. The exchange will allow each child to have
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Idea by Mary, a 3rd Grade Teacher, from Minooka, IL. To prepare my students to progress to the next grade, I provide them with a sample of learning activities they will experience in the upcoming year. For example, I read some literature, share math problems, and begin exploring a few science activities the children can
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Idea by Marcella, a 2nd Grade Teacher, from Richmond, CA. Each spring, I choose a popular book series to introduce to my children. In the past, I have chosen books from The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Children of the Red King series and The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives series. I read aloud two or
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