🎙️Preventing the Summer Slide

📚 Summer is a time for fun and relaxation — but it’s also important to keep those young minds active! In today’s episode, we’ll explore simple, effective ways to prevent the "summer slide" and keep kids learning all summer long. ✨ Whether you're a teacher, a homeschooling parent, or just looking for easy activities to boost skills at home, you’ll find fresh ideas, printable resources, and motivating tips you can start using right away.

👓 Need stylish, affordable glasses that fit your active summer lifestyle? Check out my favorite customizable frames from Pair Eyewear here ➡️http://rwrd.io/pbjadb1?c.

🎯 In this episode:

• Fun learning routines that won’t feel like "school" 🏖️
• Reading and math activities to keep skills sharp 📖➕
• How to set up simple rewards to keep kids motivated 🎉
• Printable ideas you can grab today 🖨️

☀️ Let’s make this the summer where kids have fun and grow their brains! 🎧

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Get Ready for First Grade

Get Ready for Second Grade

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🎧 Small Groups vs. Whole Group Instruction: What’s Best for Elementary Students? 📌

In today’s episode of The Education Connection, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about debates in elementary education: Should we teach in small groups or stick to whole group instruction?

With the rise of the Science of Reading and a shift away from traditional Guided Reading, many educators are wondering what’s truly best for students—especially when it comes to equity, engagement, and effectiveness.

We’ll explore the pros and cons of both approaches, unpack why the conversation has become so controversial, and discuss why many teachers are finding success with a blended model.

Plus, I’ll share a quick update on my newest adventure—my classroom resource store at firstgradeloves.com, where you can find tools designed to support both whole group and small group instruction!

Whether you’re feeling confident, conflicted, or just curious, this episode is here to support and inspire you on your teaching journey.

I would love to know how you feel? Do you prefer small group or whole group instruction?

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Anxiety is showing up more and more in our classrooms—but what does it actually look like, and how can teachers respond in ways that truly help?

In this episode of The Education Connection, I’m diving into what anxiety can look like in students (hint: it’s not always what you think) and sharing three practical, realistic strategies you can start using right away to support anxious learners. No therapy degree required—just heart, awareness, and a few easy tools that fit into your day.

Whether you’ve got a student who shuts down, acts out, or quietly struggles under the radar, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and classroom-ready ideas. 💛

✨ This episode is brought to you in collaboration with the Education Podcast Network—a community of educators supporting educators.

🔗 PLUS: I’m offering an exclusive 50% off a brand new resource, only on my webstore. Listen until the end to learn more!

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FirstGradeLoves.com Click on 'Shop' to find Get Ready for First Grade 50% Off for a limited time.

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🎉 Big News! 🎉 I have two exciting updates to share with you!

🛍️ 1. My New Store is LIVE! I'm thrilled to announce that the FirstGradeLoves.com store is officially open! If you’re looking for fun, engaging, and easy-to-use resources for your first graders, I’ve got you covered. ✂️📚✏️

✅ Digital downloads

✅ Classroom-tested materials

✅ Designed with love for busy teachers like you!

Check it out here ➡️ FirstGradeLoves.com

🎧 2. I'm Now Part of the Education Podcast Network! I'm honored to be a member of the Education Podcast Network — a community of educators who share inspiring and practical content to support fellow teachers. 🌟

✅ More amazing connections

✅ Even better content

✅ Same heart for helping teachers!

Thank you so much for your continued support — and as always, thank you for all the love you pour into your classroom every single day! ❤️

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✅ Helping Kids Master Sight Words—The Fun Way! 🎉

📖 Sight words are the foundation of strong reading skills, but memorizing them doesn’t have to be boring! In this episode, I’m sharing fun, hands-on activities to help kids recognize sight words quickly and confidently.

🎯 From hopscotch games to flashlight word hunts, these strategies keep learning engaging and interactive! 🏡 Perfect for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and tutors looking for simple, low-prep activities! 🔗 Want more ideas? Check out my latest blog post for even more sight word fun!

🎧 Plus, exciting news! I’ve joined the Education Podcast Network! Next time you tune in, listen for my new bumper—I'm thrilled to be part of this amazing group! 🚀

📕Blog Post Sight Words: 10 Fun and Effective Sight Word Activities to Boost Your Child's Reading Skills

😁Find the Sight Word Scavenger Hunt Bundle Here! -> Sight Word Scavenger Hunt Bundle 50% OFF

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First grade is a big step, and making sure your child is academically ready can set them up for success!

🎉In this episode, we’ll focus on key reading and math skills that every first grader needs, including:

✔️phonics,

✔️fluency,

✔️comprehension,

✔️vocabulary,

✔️number sense,

✔️addition, subtraction, and patterns.

I’ll share simple, no-prep activities that parents and teachers can use right away to build these foundational skills. Plus, we’re celebrating a milestone—this is my 30th episode! Tune in for expert guidance, practical tips, and encouragement as you support your little learner’s journey. Don’t forget to leave a 5-star review if you find this episode helpful!

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Is your child ready for kindergarten? This Academic Kindergarten Readiness Checklist will help you track essential skills to ensure a smooth transition into school. Designed for parents and teachers, this checklist focuses on foundational learning areas every kindergartener should practice before starting school.

✅ Recognizes Basic Shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, etc.)

✅ Identifies Letters & Sounds (uppercase & lowercase recognition, letter sounds)

✅ Writes Their Name (first name in print with correct letter formation)

✅ Counts to 10 & Recognizes Numbers (understanding and identifying numbers 1-10)

✅ Holds a Pencil Correctly (using a tripod grip for writing and drawing)

✅ Uses Scissors Safely (cuts along lines, practices opening and closing scissors properly)

Use this checklist to guide fun learning activities and build your child's confidence for a successful kindergarten year! 🚀📚

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In this episode, we explore the growing concern of screen time and its impact on early childhood reading development. Research shows that excessive screen exposure can affect attention span, reduce time spent on interactive reading, and even alter brain development in young children. We break down how screen time influences comprehension, and a child’s ability to focus on books.

Key points include:

📱 How screen time affects brain development and literacy skills

📖 The importance of interactive reading and human connection for comprehension

📚 Practical tips for balancing screen time with book time

🧠 Strategies to help parents and educators encourage a love for reading in a digital world

Join us as we discuss the research, share real-life experiences, and provide actionable steps to support early literacy while navigating technology in today’s world.

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Want to give your child the best start for the next school year? The secret is simple—daily reading! Whether you're a parent wondering how to encourage your child to read more or a teacher looking for ways to build a strong reading routine at home and in the classroom, this episode of The Education Connection has you covered!

Join Robin Wilson as she shares practical tips for parents and teachers on how to make reading a daily habit. Learn why just 20 minutes of reading a day can expose kids to nearly 2 million words per year, boost comprehension skills, improve vocabulary, and set them up for success in all subjects—not just reading!

📚 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ How to create a simple, stress-free daily reading routine

✔️ The best strategies for getting reluctant readers excited about books

✔️ How parents can make reading fun at home (even with busy schedules!)

✔️ Why teachers should partner with families to build lifelong readers

✔️ How audiobooks, read-alouds, and choice-based reading boost engagement

If you want to help your child or students walk into the next grade with confidence, strong reading skills, and a love for books, this episode is for you!

🎧 Subscribe to The Education Connection for weekly episodes on reading strategies, early literacy, and simple ways to help kids succeed in school.

✨ Resources Mentioned:

🔗 Find reading activities & resources in Robin Wilson’s TPT store: Robin Wilson First Grade Love

👉 Listen now and start building a strong reading habit today!

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Is your child ready for second grade? In this podcast, veteran first-grade teacher Robin Wilson breaks down the essential second-grade skills checklist, helping you understand exactly what a second grader needs to know. From reading comprehension and math fluency to writing skills and social development, I cover everything to ensure a smooth transition from first to second grade. Whether you're a parent looking for simple ways to support learning at home or a teacher preparing students for success, this podcast will equip you with practical strategies, engaging activities, and expert insights to make second grade a confident step forward.

🎧 Tune in weekly for actionable tips on how to get ready for second grade and set your child up for a year of success!

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