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By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Nov 21, 2023 Enhancing Upper Elementary ELA: Harnessing the Power of Christmas Reading Passages The upper elementary grades often present teachers with the challenge of catering to students of varying skill levels. Keeping this diverse group engaged can be equally rewarding and demanding. As the holiday season approaches, here’s a strategy to not…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Nov 16, 2023 Time to get festive: Christmas Read Alouds for Elementary ELA The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread cheer in your elementary ELA classroom than with some heartwarming Christmas read alouds? Whether you’re looking to revisit timeless classics or explore new and enchanting tales, this curated…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Oct 3, 2023 Halloween Read Alouds for Upper Elementary Halloween is right around the corner. This makes it the perfect time to pull out some favorite Halloween read alouds to capitalize on the excitement students are already feeling about this spooky holiday. I have curated some of my very favorite Halloween read alouds…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Sept 28, 2023 How to keep students accountable during a read aloud As teachers, we know that one of the best ways to build relationships with our students is to read aloud to them. Not only does this provide opportunities to model fluency and expression, but it also allows us to share books…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Nov 30, 2023 When you think of reading aloud, you might picture a teacher in a primary school classroom reading a picture book to a group of wide-eyed kindergarteners. However, reading aloud can be beneficial for students of all ages, including middle schoolers. In fact, there are many benefits of reading aloud to…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated June 18, 2024 Indigenous read alouds are wonderful ways to acknowledge Truth and Reconciliation Day, and start the conversation about this important piece of Canada’s history. These stories are a great way to introduce and celebrate the vibrant cultures of Canada’s Indigenous people. In this post I have rounded up some…