Literacy with Laura Leigh

5 Back-to-School Reading Activities That Make Students Cheer

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The beginning of the school year is filled with assessments and teaching classroom procedures. Why not add some back-to-school reading activities that your kids will love? Bonus: You’ll gain a lot of insight into what your students already know and what they need to learn. Make sure you read to the bottom of this post because The […]

How to Boost Letter Naming Fluency for Beginning Readers

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“Research supports not only that letter naming must be accurate, but it must also be fast.” (Neuhaus & Swank, 2002). Enter letter naming fluency into the picture.   You’ve probably administered a DIBELS assessment at some point in your teaching career. Students are required to name as many upper and lowercase letters in one minute.   But […]

5 Ways to Maximize Your ABC Book Read Aloud Time

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What does ABC book read aloud time look like in your classroom? As a new reading specialist, my students begged for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom daily!  I had the book memorized. However, each time a letter climbed up the tree, I wondered if they were increasing their letter recognition knowledge?  Ever had a similar thought?   […]

Letter Recognition Assessment: Start Here. Do Not Pass Go.

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It’s the beginning of the year.  And you’re on the 17th of 23 letter recognition assessment you need to administer.  Your eyes are starting to glaze over, and your classroom is erupting into chaos.   Johnny knows the letter D.  Check.   But wait!  Did you know that you should be assessing more than just […]

7 Simple + Fun Activities that Improve Letter Recognition in 5 Minutes

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Have 5 minutes to fill in your classroom?  These 7 quick, fun letter recognition activities are perfect for your transition times. The letter recognition activities: provide essential review keep student’s attention  offer additional letter exposure for your struggling readers   It’s important to include these in your daily routine because: “some children may need only […]

3 Creative Ways to Use the Alphabet Song to Teach Letter Recognition

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Do you remember learning the ABCs? Learning the letters of the alphabet often begins with singing the alphabet song. Can you hear the off-key refrain, “L-M-N-O-P,” sung by tiny voices right now? I bet you even sang those letters as you read!   Many students enter kindergarten knowing how to sing the ABC song since […]

3 Alphabet Arc Activities that Boost Letter Recognition (Fast)

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I had just been hired as a reading specialist. New state, new city, new school.  Entering my spacious new classroom, I found the filing cabinets crammed full and the closets overflowing with materials left behind by the teacher who had just retired.  I sighed, picking up the first thing on the table in front of […]