"Readers are plentiful, thinkers are rare." - Henry G. Strauss.

Manipulatives are physical objects that are used as teaching tools to engage children in hands-on learning. This blog article discusses the importance of using manipulatives when reading and shares hands-on reading activities parents can do with their children today.

The foundational philosophy of Reading House activities is the use of "literary experiences." Literary experiences are instructional reading moments, games, routines, or lessons that occur within the context of everyday life. Sometimes these activities are planned and sometimes they aren't. The defining aspect of literary experiences, though, is that they happen naturally throughout the course of a learner's day.

When teaching a large class, it is imperative to keep your students' attention on the learning task. As soon as one child starts to lose interest or fool around, the domino effect will happen. As other children withdraw their attention, the main thrust of your lesson has lost its power. Try implementing some of the following techniques into your teaching routines. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the results.