You've probably used manipulatives (hands-on tools) to practice math skills. But, have you used them for reading, writing, or grammar practice? 

In this episode, I give you 5 hands-on tools you can use to make literacy more engaging and meaningful in your classroom or at home. Plus, one of these items you probably have in a desk drawer!

After you listen, head over to Instagram and let me know which manipulative idea was your favorite! I'm partial to #3. You can find me @inspired.to.enrich

Learn more engaging strategies and ideas or shop games and activity kits at Inspireteachgrow.com

Truth: I didn't plan to record an episode this week since I'm still on Thanksgiving break. But, I felt it was important to stay consistent and share one of my favorite ways to build vocabulary in my classroom. 

Plus- it's a BIG sales week, and I'm throwing my first every sale on my website. From Nov. 26-30, 2021, you can get $10 off any purchase of $30 or more, plus a gift with any purchase, plus free shipping to anywhere in the U.S.

And... Teachers Pay Teachers is hosting a site-wide sale from Nov. 29-30 and my whole store is 20% off!

Word of the Week:

I know vocabulary instruction is essential for reading comprehension. But, if you’re schedule is like mine, teaching multiple words in depth within a week is a challenge. So, I started pulling a Word of the Week from our weekly vocabulary list and adding a fun activity to help the word “stick” in my kids’ minds.

In addition to vocabulary, I value creativity, STEM, critical thinking and practical writing practice. So, used those topics to divide the vocabulary words into 4 categories:

Let's continue the conversation on Instagram: @inspired.to.enrich

I love finding the perfect gift for someone! However, I can sometimes get a little outside my budget. 

Can you relate?

If so, I've got 5 simple categories that will help you stick to a budget while still inspiring the perfect gift this season. 

Gifted brains are so unique. Honestly, they’re my favorite types of brains to teach because gifted brains live outside the box. Any box! But, before we jump into harmful myths about gifted kids, we need to be sure we’re all on the same page about what makes a gifted brain.

Learn more at InspireTeachGrow.com

On an Instagram poll I did a few months ago, 67% of teachers answered that their students felt bored or struggled with reading. That's more than half that aren't getting all the good stuff from reading instruction. 

So, I have 3 solutions to this problem. 

Grab the choice board mentioned in the episode here!

Join our community on Instagram!

Listen to the audio from a live workshop I had a few weeks ago all about planning enrichment in under 30 minutes! 

Grab the free workbook and let's plan together! (click here) Planning Enrichment Workbook

These are three of my favorite ways to get ideas flowing for kids and keep writing fun!

Which activity will you try this week? I’d love to continue the conversation on Instagram. You can find me @inspired.to.enrich. Shoot me a DM and let me know which idea was your favorite.

Download digital story coins here!

Enrich quite simply means “to make richer”. When you enrich something, you add to it. You make it more meaningful. You go deeper.

In terms of education, enrichment is all about how we can take students who are curious and creative and give them an outlet for their drive. We present them with new problems to solve, ideas to marinate on, feelings to unpack, opinions to pose, and more.

I’m Kayleigh Collier, an elementary teacher and advocate for gifted education. Enrichment in my classroom is about richer lessons for all students, not extra opportunities for a select few. The mission of this podcast is the same.

This journey is all about finding inspiring and creative ways to easily enrich everyday learning for your students, your kids, and yourself. So, grab your favorite mug and let’s get ready to feel inspired to enrich!