by Jaymie Genovese | Oct 14, 2025 | back to school, Social Studies
Are you constantly searching for engaging social studies activities for 1st grade? First graders want to do something with their learning! I’ve always loved the motto: “Busy hands are happy hands!” If you’re looking for meaningful, hands-on ways to teach 1st grade...
by Jaymie Genovese | Jun 21, 2023 | back to school, centers, Phonics
CVC word activities are the perfect way to jumpstart your first-grader’s reading skills! These 3-letter words with a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern and a short vowel sound are essential for early reading success. Today, I’m sharing 8 hands-on games and...
by Jaymie Genovese | Dec 12, 2022 | back to school, reading, writing
What is a reading response journal? A reading response journal is a reading comprehension strategy used to help readers reflect on and write about their thoughts and feelings about books. Typically, the responses are kept in a spiral or composition notebook. The...
by Jaymie Genovese | Aug 11, 2022 | back to school, Phonics
Why Use Phonics Reading Passages? We know that students need explicit instruction in the essential components of reading including phonics, phonological awareness, comprehension, fluency and vocabulary. Phonics reading passages are a great way to teach phonics,...
by Jaymie Genovese | Jul 21, 2021 | back to school, classroom management
We’ve all been there. Despite our best efforts at differentiation, some of our students complete their work very quickly! Now they are standing by our side and asking “What can I do next?” As you begin thinking about back to school,...
by Jaymie Genovese | Jul 6, 2016 | back to school, classroom management
Two Back-To-School Activities to Get to Know Your Students Back-to-School is such a fun time in first grade! Today, I’m sharing two back-to-school activities that are perfect to use with your first graders the first week of school! Find Someone Who Find Someone...
