Empire State Educate

Classroom Ideas

Practical classroom ideas for structured literacy teachers – management tips, centers, small-group strategies, and seasonal activities.

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Easy Thanksgiving ELA Activities for Small Groups & Centers

Find Thanksgiving ELA activities for reading comprehension, syllable division, phonics, and grammar. Perfect for no prep small groups!
Decodable reading passage with phonics and writing activities for reading lessons

How to Plan Five Reading Lessons with One Decodable Text

Learn how to turn one decodable text into five days of reading lessons. Teach phonics, fluency, and comprehension. Plus get free decodables!
Elementary reading and phonics worksheets and activities for Halloween

7 Easy Halloween Literacy Activities to Make ELA Fun

Explore Halloween literacy activities that make phonics and reading comprehension easy yet engaging during spooky season.
Fall literacy worksheets with pumpkins, squirrels, and apples.

5 Easy Fall Structured Literacy Activities for a Cozy Classroom

These fall structured literacy activities are engaging, easy to use, and no prep! Find resources for grades 2-5 and reading intervention.
A binder with a four day lesson plan for structured literacy small groups and teacher notes.

How to Plan Structured Literacy Small Group Lessons | Planning Template

Learn the easy 4-step method to planning structured literacy small group lessons. Look at a real lesson planning template example.
Photo of a classroom reading corner with a round table and chairs for small group instruction, a bookshelf with labeled bins for each reading group with names attached by Velcro for easy switching, and a rolling cart holding small group materials and manipulatives.

How to Set Up Structured Literacy Small Groups

Learn how to use data to create structured literacy small groups and build a schedule. Get a free decoding assessment for grouping students.
Handwriting practice page titled "Fall leaves" with two sentences for students to read, trace, and copy as a literacy center activity.

How to Manage Literacy Centers & Small Groups in 2nd Grade

Set up your second grade literacy centers and small groups for success! Find classroom management tips and easy activity ideas.
Printable worksheets for summer school ELA including a grammar coloring page, decodable reading passage, and missing syllable spelling worksheet.

Easy Summer Structured Literacy Activities for Summer School ELA

Teaching summer school ELA? Discover easy structured literacy activities for 2nd-5th grade. Get my tips for making summer school a breeze.
A computer screen is shown with a digital word building tool. The text reads "My Top Five Websites for FREE Structured Literacy Resources."

The Best Websites for FREE Structured Literacy Resources

Discover the best websites for free structured literacy resources including games, printables, and lesson planning tools.
Printable Valentine's Day ELA Activities including decodable reading passages, grammar worksheets, and reading comprehension

Valentine’s Day ELA Activities for your Structured Literacy Classroom

Discover Valentine's Day ELA activities for your structured literacy classroom. Find my favorite resources and read alouds inside.
Decodable reading passage titled "Squid Facts" with multiple choice questions used for literacy centers

Why Decodable Passages are for Upper Elementary Students, too

Discover engaging decodable passages for older students. Learn how and when to use decodable texts with upper elementary students.
Materials are shown to be used for a reading lesson for students who are struggling with reading.

Simple Five-Step Routine to Help Students Struggling with Reading

Learn a simple five-step lesson routine using decodable text to help students who are struggling with reading. Includes free resources.

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