Amanda 1/21/26 Amanda 1/21/26

A JOYcabulary Reset: Growing Words Through Play at Home

Getting back into routines after winter break can feel overwhelming—for kids and caregivers alike. This JOYcabulary reset encourages families to slow down and grow vocabulary through play at home. From word games and shared reading to turning screen time into language-rich moments, these simple, joyful routines help children build strong word knowledge without pressure. Small moments of play can make a big impact all year long.

Linda 1/15/26 Linda 1/15/26

Your Word Is Your Wand: Reigniting Word Magic in Older Readers

As students grow older, their curiosity about words often fades—taking comprehension, clarity, and confidence with it. In this January 2026 reflection, Linda explores how precise language (“le mot juste”) can rekindle word consciousness in grades 3–8. Through a meaningful classroom moment, the Jenkins Curve, and a playful new routine featuring student “Word Wizards,” this post offers a joyful, low-pressure way to bring the magic of words back into learning—without relying on ineffective Word of the Day practices.

Linda 1/14/26 Linda 1/14/26

Winter Words of Wonder: A JOYcabulary Book Pairing for January

January’s JOYcabulary pairing celebrates winter from two angles: the pure play of a snowball fight and the quiet magic—and real science—of a snowstorm. With child-friendly definitions, accountable talk prompts, and easy extensions, these two read-alouds help students notice craft moves, collect vivid “winter words,” and build knowledge through wonder.

Linda 1/7/26 Linda 1/7/26

Ring in the New Year with Words: Reclaiming the Power of Read Alouds in 2026

A new year invites reflection, intention, and renewal—even in the middle of a busy school year. As educators and caregivers navigate the Science of Reading, it’s time to pause and ask: what might we be leaving behind? In this January Tip of the Month, Linda reminds us of the unmatched power of daily interactive read alouds to strengthen vocabulary, background knowledge, language comprehension, and joy. With just 15–20 minutes a day, we can reweave the full rope of literacy and bring warmth, meaning, and connection into the winter months.

Linda 12/15/25 Linda 12/15/25

Pacing a Longer Read Aloud or a Text Set With a Vocabulary Intermission

Bring vocabulary to life with Growing Home by Beth Ferry — a magical, humorous read-aloud that models word consciousness and the power of belonging. This Grades 3–5 lesson plan offers ready-to-use vocabulary lists, pacing guides, and discussion prompts to help students fall in love with language while exploring what it means to call a place “home.” Download the full lesson plan and discover how to turn every word into an opportunity for JOYful learning.

Linda 12/14/25 Linda 12/14/25

The Gift of Words

Jerome is looking forward to collecting words this holiday season! Words of hope, love, and joy to share with his loved ones. But as he begins his search, he discovers that inspirational words are hard to come by. In the end, Jerome finds a way to connect with his community and join together in sharing the greatest gift of all: the gift of words.

Amanda 11/24/25 Amanda 11/24/25

Secret Gratitude Givers: A Simple Family Game to Encourage Kindness and Gratitude

Bring calm and connection to your holidays with Secret Gratitude Givers — a joyful family game that teaches children to show kindness, gratitude, and appreciation. Perfect for Thanksgiving, vacations, or anytime your family needs a reset.

Amanda 11/20/25 Amanda 11/20/25

Gathering Gratitude: Teaching Thankfulness Through Story and Community

Bring gratitude and community to your classroom with these JOYcabulary lesson plans for Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora and Gather Grateful by Megan Litwin. Students explore kindness, sharing, and thankfulness through rich Tier 2 vocabulary, guided reading prompts, and creative writing extensions. These paired texts make it easy to teach gratitude and empathy while building vocabulary and comprehension in the elementary classroom—perfect for fall literacy units or Thanksgiving-themed lessons.

Linda 11/12/25 Linda 11/12/25

Lift the Level of a K-2 Lesson Plan to Grades 3-5

This post shows Grades 3-5 teachers how to elevate a K-2 vocabulary lesson by choosing more precise, descriptive words about a text rather than simply lifting words from it. A simple shift in word selection leads to stronger character analysis and more meaningful conversations.

Amanda 11/5/25 Amanda 11/5/25

Building Vocabulary at Home: Simple Strategies for Growing Word Knowledge

Vocabulary Matters! This post gives you 3 quick tips for learning new words and ways you can build vocabulary text sets at home around topics your family loves (like an upcoming trip to Boston!).

Linda 10/30/25 Linda 10/30/25

Vocabulary Notebooks: A Workbench for Word Learning

Vocabulary Notebooks are more than a list of words — they’re a playground for language. In this post, we’ll explore how students in Grades 3 and up can use these notebooks to organize, analyze, and play with words. From exploring shades of meaning to building word networks, Vocabulary Notebooks encourage curiosity, creativity, and ownership of vocabulary learning.

Linda 10/28/25 Linda 10/28/25

Building Knowledge with Topical Text Sets

Topical text sets are powerful tools for boosting comprehension and vocabulary in nonfiction reading and writing. By curating related texts around one topic, teachers can build background knowledge, increase engagement, and help students tackle complex informational texts with confidence. This post explores what topical text sets are, why they work, and how to use them effectively in your classroom.

Linda 10/26/25 Linda 10/26/25

Stir Up Some Magic With Powerful Words

Discover creative ways to celebrate words with a Halloween twist! “Magic Words” go beyond manners — they help students of all ages express empathy, describe characters, and connect with deeper themes. Try these classroom activities to turn your vocabulary lessons into something truly magical.

Amanda 10/16/25 Amanda 10/16/25

Falling for Words: 8 Interactive Lesson Plans for Autumn

Linda 10/8/25 Linda 10/8/25

Growing Home: Sparking Word JOY Through Vocabulary and Story

Bring vocabulary to life with Growing Home by Beth Ferry — a magical, humorous read-aloud that models word consciousness and the power of belonging. This Grades 3–5 lesson plan offers ready-to-use vocabulary lists, pacing guides, and discussion prompts to help students fall in love with language while exploring what it means to call a place “home.” Download the full lesson plan and discover how to turn every word into an opportunity for JOYful learning.

Linda 10/6/25 Linda 10/6/25

Banned Books Week 2025

Linda 9/21/25 Linda 9/21/25

Book Pairing: Bringing Home’s Love to School

Welcome the new school year with a focus on home and love. This post highlights three thought-provoking picture books—Home and Love by Matt de la Peña and When Love is More Than Words by Jocelyn Chung—that remind educators and families how comfort, safety, and empathy help children transition back to school. Discover ways to weave care and belonging into classroom routines and spark meaningful conversations about resilience, community, and the many forms of love.