Let’s Be Real About Reading
When I was growing up, I loved reading way more than I ever loved schoolwork. But I know that’s not every kid’s story.
The truth is, we’re facing a literacy crisis in America. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) the numbers are sobering :
– Only 31% of fourth-grade students scored at or above the Proficient level in reading in 2024
– 40% of fourth-graders scored below the Basic level, meaning they struggle with fundamental reading skills
– Reading scores have dropped to levels not seen since 1992 – erasing three decades of progress
– Nearly two-thirds of students (64%) are not reading proficiently at grade level
And here’s what really breaks my heart: students who read below grade level are far more likely to struggle academically and disengage from school entirely.
Why I Created These Lesson Guides
That’s exactly why I put these lesson guides together. I wanted to turn my books into learning tools that reach all students and the ones who already love to read and the ones who haven’t found the right book yet.
The best part? They’re all aligned with Common Core standards for 3rd Grade students. Research shows that personalized, engaging materials can make a real difference in helping struggling readers improve .
Need a different grade level?
No problem! Visit the Common Core website at www.corestandards.org for help creating lessons for any grade.
Choose Your Guide
I’ve created one guide for each of my books:
- – COOLIES
- – BROTHERS
- – DEAR SANTA PLEASE COME TO THE 19TH FL
To get started: Simply click on the book cover image below, and the guide will open in a new window. From there you can view it, download it, or print it.
A Tip for Teachers: I recommend using these guides (or your own lesson plans) in class before my author visit—whether it’s virtual or in person. That way, when we meet, we can spend more time connecting, answering questions, and getting kids excited about stories instead of covering the basics!
Let’s Work Together: I’d love to hear from you. Got a lesson plan that worked wonders? An idea for improving these guides? Something you’d do differently? Please share it. We’re in this together.
As researcher Peggy Carr from the National Center for Education Statistics once said, the lowest-performing students are struggling the most but that also means they have the most to gain from our best efforts.
Happy teaching and thank you for the difference you make every day.
Download Lesson Plans PDFs
BRINGING COMMON CORE STANDARDS TO LIFE THROUGH STORIES
Today, we are more connected to the world than ever before. Most states have adopted Common Core Standards to help students prepare for living and working in this global economy. These standards focus on:
- – Solving real-world problems
- – Thinking critically
- – Finding evidence in texts
- – Building deep conceptual understanding
But how do we make all of that actually fun for kids?
Meet Our Partner: With the help of Professor Tarja Geis , we’ve created Learning Enrichment Activities that teach Common Core Standards in ways that are effective, meaningful, and most of all—enjoyable for students. Professor Geis brings over 30 years of experience in Miami-Dade County Public Schools as an educator, counselor, administrator, and educational specialist. Her work has spanned gifted classes, at-risk students, and English as a Second Language (ESL) learners across all grade levels. She also co-founded Dr. Gilbert Porter Elementary School in Miami, Florida. Professor Geis brought her expertise, encouragement, and creative thinking to every page. Thanks to her, these activities have become something truly special.
How to Use These Activities 🖱️
- Click on any book cover below
- A new page will open with ready-to-use activities
- Print, download, or project for your class
We’d Love to Hear From You: Have a question? An idea that worked wonders in your classroom? A suggestion to make these activities even better? Please reach out anytime at the Contact page. Your feedback helps us grow.
A Special Thank You: We would like to extend our deepest gratitude and acknowledgment to Professor Tarja Geis for her role in creating the Learning Enrichment Activities. Her expertise, encouragement, and dedication made these projects a tremendous success. Thank you, Professor Geis!
Click below for Learning Enrichment Activities
