Create Your Balance with Literacy
Welcome, K-2 Teachers! My name is Kara Rickman, and I'm a 25-year first-grade teacher with a passion for helping fellow colleagues develop their craft in teaching cross-curricular. If you want to take your classroom to the next level for your students, check out my podcast episodes! I will share all about how to easily teach cross-curricular and help your students make better connections! You will learn how to use the gradual release of responsibility using the "I DO, WE DO, YOU DO" cross-curricular approach with reading, math, science, writing, and social studies!
Episodes
106 episodes
Registration is NOW OPEN for my BTS Bootcamp!
Attention teachers! Are you new to Kinder, 1st, or 2nd grade? You’re in luck! I'm giving a Back-to-School Bootcamp in July where you can earn up to 9 PD hours and watch the online training whenever you want! Registration is NOW OPEN fo...
The First Day of Writer's Workshop
Want to know how I teach the first day of Writer's Workshop to my first graders? Get on my WAITLIST for my Back to School Bootcamp happening from July 13-17, where we will be mak...
The First Day of Reader's Workshop
Want to know how I teach the first day of Reader's Workshop to my first graders? Get on my WAITLIST for my Back to School Bootcamp happening from July 13-17 where we will be maki...
Dramatic Play Kitchen Center for First Grade
More Than Pretend: How My Dramatic Play Kitchen Center Builds Readers, Writers, Creators, and Problem Solvers.... but it's not all puppets and a theater!When many people think of a dramatic play kitchen center, they picture chi...
Let's Survive the First 10 Days of School Together!
Attention teachers! Are you new to Kinder, 1st, or 2nd grade? You’re in luck! I'm giving a Back-to-School Bootcamp in July where you can earn up to 9 PD hours and watch the online training whenever you want! The
Cross-Curricular Fun for May
Listen to my FREE webinar from my Facebook Group, all about Cross- Curricular Fun for May. Some topics I shared are:Mother's Day, Oceans/Sea Life, Rocks/Fossils, Fairy...
Fairy Tale Writing Unit
Join me as I break down how I teach my Fairy Tale Writing Unit to my firsties! If you're interested in checking out my Fairy Tale Writing Unit, click
Cross-Curricular Fun for April
This was the free webinar I gave in my Facebook Group for K-2 teachers. I shared all of my engaging and fun activities for April in Reading, Writing, Math, Poetry, Science, and Soc...
Cross-Curricular Fun for March
This was the free webinar I gave in my Facebook Group for K-2 teachers. I shared all of my engaging and fun activities for March in Reading, Writing, Math, Poetry, Science, and Soc...
120th Day the Texas Way!
Is your 120th Day coming up soon? If it is, check out this episode all about my team's 120th Day stations for our firsties! They are fun and easy to implement!
Cross-Curricular Fun for February
In this free webinar from my Facebook Group: Create Your Balance with Literacy, I share activities, topics, and engaging fun for February. Topics I share are: Groundhog...
Literacy Center Reboot: Day 5
Today's episode, I answer the burning questions from teachers who attended my Literacy Center Reboot. Questions include: Do you have a list of theme unit displays?When do you start introducing your centers one at a time?<...
Literacy Center Reboot: Day 4
Join me today as I unpack these literacy centers in my first-grade classroom: Technology, Listening, Finger Puppets, Drama, Theme, Games, and Science! I share how I manage, maintain, if I switch them out, and how I introduce t...
Literacy Center Reboot: Day 3
Join me today as I unpack these literacy centers in my first-grade classroom: Read/Write the Room, Math, Felt Board, Calendar, Author Study, Word Work, and Kitchen!!! I share how I manage, maintain, if I switch them out, and how I i...
Literacy Center Reboot: Day 2
Join me today as I unpack these literacy centers in my first-grade classroom: Library, Poetry, Big Books, Geography, Art, and Writing!!! I share how I manage, maintain, if I switch them out, and how I introduce them to my students.<...
Literacy Center Reboot: Day 1
Join me on day 1 of my Literacy Center Reboot as I unpack my Behavior Management strategies to start streamlining your literacy centers into a well-oiled machine! You can still register for my Literacy Center Reboot
2 More Days to Reboot Your Centers!
Ready to Fall Back in Love with Your Literacy Centers? ✨Cart is OPEN now until Sunday, Dec. 28th! Snag if for only $10.00!When...
Special Literacy Center Reboot Offer!
✨ Ready to Fall Back in Love with Your Literacy Centers? ✨Hey teacher friends! 👋 If you’ve ever felt like your literacy centers are more chaos than calm, this is for YOU!I’m giving a Literacy Center Reboo...
Cross Curricular Fun for November
Join me in my Cross-Curricular Fun for November Webinar from my Facebook Group! Some topics I share include: Voting and Elections, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Turkey...
Math Workshop Magic- How to Start Your Math Stations
You can start your math stations any time you want! In this episode from my Facebook Group, I walk you through the steps to starting your math workshop using classroom procedures, time management, what stations to use and what activities you ca...
Cross-Curricular Fun for October!
Join me in my Cross-Curricular Fun for October Webinar from my Facebook Group! Some topics I share are: Pumpkins, Owls, Bats, Spiders, Charlotte's Web, Halloween, and much mor...
Writer's Workshop vs. Writing Prompts: My POV
As a teacher, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this: when students are given the freedom to write their own stories, their own genres, and their own ideas, their writing blossoms in ways no daily prompt could ever capture.I use...
Blending the Science of Reading with Guided Reading: My POV
Join me in this episode as I share how I use the Science of Reading blended with Guided Reading to ensure that ALL of my students are getting the reading instruction they need during my reading groups! Check out the
Cross-Curricular Connections for September
This is the webinar I gave in my Facebook Group all about Cross-Curricular Connections for September! It includes topics such as: Apples, Johnny Appleseed, Properties, Making 10, C...
9 Meet The Teacher Tips and Tricks
Meet the Teacher Night can be a nerve-wracking experience. But with careful preparation, planning, and experience, it becomes easier each year. Here are some things that you need to consider before you start planning for that special night. ...