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Teaching Tips & Resources

Beyond the Busy Work: How I Make Literacy Centers Work in My 1st Grade Classroom (and align to the Science of Reading)

Beyond the Busy Work: How I Make Literacy Centers Work in My 1st Grade Classroom (and align to the Science of Reading)

Beyond the Busy Work: How I Make Literacy Centers Work in My 1st Grade Classroom (and align to the Science of Reading)

Valerie McBride-Taft

4 days ago13 min read

How I Structure a 15-Minute Science of Reading Small Group Block (That Actually Works)

How I Structure a 15-Minute Science of Reading Small Group Block (That Actually Works)

How I Structure a 15-Minute Science of Reading Small Group Block (That Actually Works)

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jan 119 min read

Is Selling on TPT Worth It? 5 Critical Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Is Selling on TPT Worth It? 5 Critical Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Is Selling on TPT Worth It? 5 Critical Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jan 317 min read

Complete Guide to Morning Meetings

Complete Guide to Morning Meetings

The Complete Guide to Morning Meetings in 1st Grade

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jul 24, 20259 min read

50+ Essential Classroom Routines and Procedures to Plan Now for a Smooth School Year

50+ Essential Classroom Routines and Procedures to Plan Now for a Smooth School Year

50+ Essential Classroom Routines and Procedures to Plan Now for a Smooth School Year

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jul 11, 202511 min read

10 Proven Classroom Management Strategies that Will Make Teaching 1st Grade Easier

10 Proven Classroom Management Strategies that Will Make Teaching 1st Grade Easier

10 Proven Classroom Management Strategies that Will Make Teaching 1st Grade Easier

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jul 3, 202513 min read

apple on a stack of books in front of a chalk board with blog title

apple on a stack of books in front of a chalk board with blog title

Returning to Teaching: Why I Left the Classroom, and Why I Decided to Go Back

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jun 8, 202510 min read

Prepare for your teacher interview

Prepare for your teacher interview

How to Prepare for Your Teacher Interview and Land Your Dream Teaching Job

Valerie McBride-Taft

Mar 30, 20259 min read

Why is Math Fact Fluency Important? And 10 Fact Fluency Math Activities to try in Your Classroom Today (That Are Not Timed Tests)!

Why is Math Fact Fluency Important? And 10 Fact Fluency Math Activities to try in Your Classroom Today (That Are Not Timed Tests)!

Why is Math Fact Fluency Important? And 10 Fact Fluency Math Activities to try in Your Classroom Today (That Are Not Timed Tests)!

Valerie McBride-Taft

Mar 24, 20259 min read

How to Start Selling on TPT: A Guide to Success on Teachers Pay Teachers

How to Start Selling on TPT: A Guide to Success on Teachers Pay Teachers

How to Start Selling on TPT: A Guide to Success on Teachers Pay Teachers

Valerie McBride-Taft

Mar 16, 20258 min read

10 Beast Phonics Activities for 1st Grade Kids Reading Books

10 Beast Phonics Activities for 1st Grade Kids Reading Books

10 Best Phonics Activities for 1st Grade

Valerie McBride-Taft

Mar 9, 20256 min read

10 Phonemic Awareness Activities

10 Phonemic Awareness Activities

10 Phonemic Awareness Activities Every Teacher Should be Using in Their Classroom

Valerie McBride-Taft

Oct 27, 20248 min read

What Teachers Should Know about the Science of Reading

What Teachers Should Know about the Science of Reading

What Teachers Should Know about the Science of Reading

Valerie McBride-Taft

Oct 20, 202411 min read

7 Phonics Tools to Make Teaching Phonics Fun!

7 Phonics Tools to Make Teaching Phonics Fun!

7 Phonics Tools to Make Teaching Phonics Fun!

Valerie McBride-Taft

Dec 14, 20238 min read

The Science of Reading: What is Structured Literacy?

The Science of Reading: What is Structured Literacy?

The Science of Reading: What is Structured Literacy?

Valerie McBride-Taft

Feb 20, 20232 min read

Unpacking The Science of Reading: Memory Words

Unpacking The Science of Reading: Memory Words

Unpacking The Science of Reading: Memory Words

Valerie McBride-Taft

Feb 4, 20233 min read

14 Books to Read Aloud for Valentine's Day

14 Books to Read Aloud for Valentine's Day

14 Books to Read Aloud for Valentine's Day

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jan 29, 20234 min read

Why I Prioritize Read Alouds in My Classroom... (And Why You Should Too)!

Why I Prioritize Read Alouds in My Classroom... (And Why You Should Too)!

Why I Prioritize Read Alouds in My Classroom... (And Why You Should Too)!

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jan 29, 20233 min read

Intervention vs. Accommodation: What's the Difference?

Intervention vs. Accommodation: What's the Difference?

Intervention vs. Accommodation: What's the Difference?

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jan 25, 20232 min read

Science of Reading: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

Science of Reading: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

Science of Reading: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

Valerie McBride-Taft

Jan 18, 20234 min read

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