How do kids become better readers?

How do kids become better readers?

They read.

How do kids develop a love of literacy?

They read.

How do kids develop their vocabulary?

They read.

How do kids develop their imagination?

They read.

How do kids learn to value books and stories?

They read.

How do kids develop their focus and concentration?

They read. (Anything! Picture books, baby books, chapter books, etc.)

How do kids learn the difference between real and make believe?

They read.

How do kids further their language development?

They read.

Read to your kids every day. (We read 5 books minimum after each meal, and 5 books minimum before nap or bed. That's just read alouds.) Let them explore books. You might have to get comfortable with some books getting ripped or "loved" beyond repair. Sometimes that happens. Encourage them to read to each other, even if it is reading the pictures or retelling the story if they are not yet ready to read the words. Read every day, as much as you can. That's my Ted Talk. :)

The Blanket Lady

Hi everyone!

Currently, I am on maternity leave with my sweet little Braxton. We're living it up in quarantine, staying safe together in the house! Anyway, the excitement in our lives is typically deliveries and mail. Woohoo!

So, today I received a GORGEOUS baby blanket for Braxton from his godparents. It is so beautiful. I have the same one for Violet in pink. It is from The Blanket Lady. If you are looking for a wonderful gift for a new baby, look no further. This is perfect for our monthly photos, in addition to just being a lovely blanket to wrap our little boy in!

Anyway, not a teaching post so much as a sharing post because I simply cannot get over how pretty this is!

Allow me to reintroduce myself...

Hi everyone!

I have taken a little break from blogging. Now I am back! I actually have been pretty darn busy these past few years. I had a baby who is now two years old, Violet. Then I had another baby in July 2020, Braxton. Life is a whirlwind, but I wanted to get back to blogging - It's fun and it helps me connect with other teachers and moms. 

Speaking of which, my teaching life has changed, too! I am still working at the same school, but I am now an instructional coach. I work with grades 2-6 on a daily basis, helping transform their teaching. It is SO different from being a general education classroom teacher, but really rewarding, too. Before I felt like I made a huge positive impact on my class of 20 students. Now I feel like my impact can extend even further through the teachers I work with. So, less kiddos are running up to hug me, but these days I'm okay with that. I don't know if it is my forever job, but I love working with teachers, creating curriculum, and being part of the decision-making process for how our school runs. But I will never be administration. Noway. Not me. 

A peek into our lives recently:

Welcome back!

Summer is over...for most of us!

Hi everyone!

Just an update from my life. Yes, it is time to go back to school, but I am taking child rearing leave during September and October this year. I had my second child, a son named Braxton Wilder, in July. He was 10 days late, so we didn't start off on the best foot. (Just kidding, but being 41 weeks pregnant was not cool in summer!) Anyway, I worked my butt off this summer, more than I ever have in my life, even after having Braxton, just so I could take a little extra time with him this fall. With a pandemic, I felt that it would be nice to let my school work out the kinks of scheduling and cleaning before I came back...plus I just needed more baby snuggles!

So, here I am, home with a toddler (Violet Harper is 2 and the best, most independent, smartest kid I've ever met) and a newborn. I'll also try to get back to blogging. But for now, some baby pictures to leave you with all the feels:

Make Ahead Egg Cups for a Healthy Keto Breakfast!

Good morning!

Since having a baby, I do every kind of meal prep that will save time! Plus, my husband and I are on the keto diet, so I need to meal prep minus carbs and sweets!

These delicious looking egg cups (I made cheddar, spinach and cheese, and buffalo chicken) took about 7 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook in muffin tins. I sprayed each tin with Pam like crazy and those little morsels of yumminess popped right out! Next, I froze them in ziplock baggies. Now I can just pop one in the microwave for a few minutes and have a healthy, delicious breakfast on the go!

If I can do it, anyone can! :)

Click here for the recipe!