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I’m here to help you make small group instruction differentiated, effective, and fun for your students!
Latest from the blog

Simple Activities for Phonics Practice

Coming up with simple activities for phonics practice doesn’t have to be time-consuming! This easy-to-play phonics practice game is a lifesaver! Whether you’re working on a specific phonics skill or learning new sight words, this no-prep practice game is a quick and easy way to get your students engaged and

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Math Games Using Dice (10+ Activities)

Do you ever find yourself scrambling for a quick math activity but you’re low on prep and planning time? In my experience, some of the best math activities are the simplest ones! That’s why I love math games using dice! They’re easy to prep and replicate so you can quickly

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Picture Books for Narrative Writing

Writing workshop… the time teachers either love or dread. When teaching narrative writing, we want students to tell a story, much like in picture books. I have the perfect set of picture books you need to grab from your school library to use for your first or second-grade students. Keep

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Differentiated Math Activities for 1st & 2nd Grade

Differentiated Math Activities With Math Sidekick What is Math Sidekick? The Math Sidekick is your planning partner – that’s ME! Each month, members of Math Sidekick get access to differentiated math activities, centers, printables, and games! Who is it for? – Math Sidekick was made for busy first and second-grade

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The Easiest Way to Make Weekly Guided Math Lesson Plans

Getting your guided math lesson plans together each week doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how I plan an entire week of math instruction. For my classroom, there are three big things I spend my time thinking through and planning: Small group lessons Independent practice activities Math centers Guided Math

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5 Benefits of Small Group Math Instruction

It’s no secret that there are so many benefits of small group math instruction, but maybe you need a few reminders as to why you should be utilizing it over whole group instruction. Let’s talk through the 5 benefits of small group math instruction. The #1 Benefit of Small Group

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Word Work Centers: Everything You Need to Know

So many teachers find that their word work center is boring and time-consuming to set up, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Except for guided reading groups, one of the few centers that I take the time to plan and prep each week (or month) is the word

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Math Mystery

Want to try an escape room without all the stress? Try a math mystery, perfect for math enrichment! Get your first & second graders engaged in solving math challenges to earn clues and solve a mystery!