The Teaching Firsties blog
Articles for first grade teachers
Practical, research-informed strategies and time-saving tips for standards-aligned literacy instruction.
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First Grade Time Capsule Activity That Shows Student Growth from Day One to Year-End
Looking for a first week of school activity that’s low prep and actually meaningful? These printable time capsule activities help…
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5 Strategies for Building a Classroom Community That Lasts All Year
Looking for realistic ways to build a classroom community that actually lasts? It doesn’t have to be all at once—and…
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End of Year Writing Activities for First Grade: Free Summer Writing Paper Included
End-of-year writing should be simple—but in a classroom full of distracted first graders and a teacher juggling a mile-long to-do…
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ABC Countdown For The Last Days of School: Simple and Fun Ideas for First Grade
Looking for easy ways to wrap up the school year? This blog is packed with ABC Countdown ideas, teacher tips,…
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How To Survive Field Day As A Teacher (Without Losing Your Mind)
Wondering how to survive Field Day as a teacher? This guide has everything you need to keep the chaos fun,…
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Student of the Week Ideas to Build Classroom Community in First Grade
As much as you want to build strong relationships with each of your students, there’s just not enough time in…
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End of Year Gifts for Students from Teachers – Thoughtful, Fun & Affordable Ideas
Looking for easy, meaningful end of year gifts for students? This post is packed with creative ideas—many of them free…
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Why Assessing Readers Theater Matters—and 5 Simple Strategies That Work
Assessing Readers Theater doesn’t have to mean quizzes or tests. In this post, you’ll find five practical, low-pressure ways to…
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How to Build Reading Fluency with Readers Theater in Your Classroom
Fluency is more than just reading quickly—it’s about reading with accuracy, expression, and understanding. In this post, you’ll learn how…
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Organizing Readers Theater Shows: Tips for a Confident and Successful Student Performance
A Readers Theater performance gives students a clear reason to practice fluency skills like expression, pacing, and accuracy. It also…
Free for first grade teachers
Free writing papers for every season
Seasonal writing paper for first grade, ready to print. Plus one new idea for your literacy centers each week.