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News & Information September 2025 |
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International Literacy Day (ILD), observed annually on September 8, was established by UNESCO in 1967 to remind the world that literacy is both a human right and a foundation for dignity. Click above to check out the new 2025 Toolkit from ILA where you will find ideas to do with your students not only this month, but any time. You will also find a calendar of ideas for every age, even up to age 18! |
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Teaching students to read and building a culture of reading within your school is THE most important work that you can do. Read "Building a Culture of Literacy" found at ILA's literacyworldwide.org to find out more on building a reading culture within your community. |
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What do you expect your students to do and to learn? Have you ever had a parent tell you their child can't do this or that because they have ADHD or a certain learning disability? Expectations matter. In this article from mumsatthetable.com, you will see how the Pygmalion effect can benefit your child or your students and how you can apply it positively. Click on the above graphic to access this article.
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Tight Transitions Matter The beginning of the year is a perfect time to practice getting transition times quick and seamless. Without quick transitions, precious educational time can be drastically reduced. If you are teaching in small groups and you only switch two times and it takes five minutes for each transition, that is 10 minutes a day or 50 minutes a week! Now, take that times the number of weeks you're in school, and over the year, that time is significant. No doubt, it will take practice in the beginning, but the rewards will be worth it. Watch Lindsay Kemeny transition her class from carpet to desks. Can you get your transitions this seamless? |
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Strategic Reading Partners When having your students read with a partner, think about being more strategic than picking popsicle sticks. Here's how:
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Rank students:
Create a list of your students and rank them from highest reading ability to lowest based on assessment scores or teacher observation.
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Divide the list:
Split the ranked list in half, creating one list of students with higher reading abilities and one list of students with lower abilities.
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Pair top with top:
Pair the top student from the "higher ability" list with the top student from the "lower ability" list, then the second from each list, and so on.
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Adjust as needed:
Sensitive to the individual needs of students, especially those with learning or emotional challenges, adjust the pairings as necessary to provide the most effective support.
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Mark Your Calendars - Free Vision Exams
According to the Health Policy Institute of the American Optometric Association (2021), “The science of reading begins with vision.” When young children struggle to develop early reading fundamentals, schools and families should consider the underlying cause of a binocular vision disorder (BVD). Regular screening and comprehensive eye exams are first steps in addressing BVD, which is often easily treatable. The Nebraska Department of Education’s NebraskaREADS initiative partners with the Nebraska Optometric Association and the Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision to provide information and resources (in English and Spanish) to educators and families. The partnership also brings regional vision clinics to Nebraska through the VSP® Eyes of Hope Program. Please contact marissa.payzant@nebraska.gov if your school would like to be considered for 2026 clinics.
Vision Care Resources – Nebraska Department of Education |
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Instructional Coaches this one is for you! |
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Click on the book cover to learn more. |
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How to get every student to read. |
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