UNI Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy

06/03/2026

Eunoia is one of the shortest words in English that contains all five vowels. But beyond that, it carries a warm meaning.

06/02/2026

New Word Alert 🔔

05/27/2026

2.5 days.

That's all the time left with this sweet group of students. It went so fast for some and somewhat slow for others. We read countless books, created multiple projects, built relationships, laughed together, cried a few times together, and had so much fun along the way.

Teaching isn't for the weak. It isn't for the summers off. It's not just something you can do. Past posts have been made about the importance of both the science AND the art of teaching.

180 days were spent cultivating readers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, athletes, musicians, and most of all friendships.

180 days were spent gathered on our rug, working together at our seats, going on field trips, asking questions, for some, seeking safety.

180 days were spent helping to build and shape not just a child, but someone else's whole world.

These last few days are always filled with gratitude, happiness, some sadness, but most of all excitement for where these sweet pumpkins will go....and "oh, the places they will go."

So no matter where you are on the spectrum of emotions, take time to enjoy each moment left with your sweet students.

I know I will....complete with my last day of school read alouds.

05/15/2026

We'd love to see you! This opportunity is so much more than just learning. It is connecting with other educators, building new relationships, and having fun.

🎸 Calling all K–12 Teachers! 🎶

What if music could transform the way your students learn?

The Teach Rock Literacy Initiative from the UNI Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy is offering a FREE 2-week summer course designed to help teachers bring learning to life through music!

📅 June 15–18 & June 22–25
⏰ 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Here’s what you’ll get:
✨ Stipend for participating
🍴 Free lunch every day
🎓 Paid college credits

Discover how to make your classroom engaging, creative, and memorable by integrating music into literacy and learning. Your students will thank you! 🎤📚

📲 Interested? Scan the QR code in the graphic to learn more and apply today!

05/13/2026

The end of the year is near. Curriculum is winding down, students are starting to get more fidgety (so are teachers). We are getting ready to say our goodbyes.

In my classroom, read-alouds become a much bigger thing. We review standards with them. We learn about other people, communities, and social issues through them. We learn about different authors' writing styles. We learn more about each other.

We spend time reviewing standards through author studies. This week has been Jacqueline Woodson. Our learning activities were spent through the eyes of two characters, Clover and Annie from the book The Other Side, and various characters from the book The Day You Begin. They talked about empathy, inclusion, acceptance, kindness, all while still learning about characters, setting, problem, and solution.

Picture books can be powerful.

What are you "go-to" end-of-year read-alouds?

05/05/2026

Ah, the end of the school year. Ok, it's not quite here yet, but it's on our minds.

I'm a countdown teacher. I've been counting down for quite a while, not because I dread teaching, but because I get excited for summer, renewal, and a new year. Yep, I'm already thinking about next year. What will I change? What new things will I implement? Which new faces will I get to greet each morning?

I will, of course, enjoy my summer, filled with calm mornings where I can drink my coffee slowly, while I tinker around my house (hopefully listening to the audiobooks and podcasts on my list), but I will also be thinking about school.

Are you a countdown teacher? Why?

04/29/2026

Ever wonder what it's like to have a substitute?

Read-alouds. Read-alouds are your friend when you have a substitute. Read-alouds ease students. They help keep a calm space. Children (of all ages...yes, even high school) love read-alouds.

04/17/2026

Oh, the dandelion. It's bright, soft, and deeply loved by children. It is referred to as a "teacher's favorite flower." Children LOVE to share them with their adults.

Our students build relationships through this flower. They learn the gift of brightening someone else's day. Who doesn't love that?

I put every single dandelion in a cup of water when I am presented with them. Here's today's batch. The joy and excitement as they rush to me after recess melt my heart. They are so proud.

Following the first dandelion bouquet, we always read Dandelion by Don Freeman. A warm tale about being true to ourselves.

Dandelions may be a simple w**d, but man, are they fantastic and bring joy, just as they are.

04/15/2026

We're going on an ant hunt! It's a sign of spring, and kids are always excited to find them, but DON'T step on them! We will see why when we "spy 100 or more ants!"

Book teasers have been a great way to engage my students in literature. They talk about the books for days (sometimes weeks) before we get to read them. After reading it, often times, the book becomes a favorite for a while.

Pick a book, give a little tease, and share with us how it goes!

04/07/2026

Caution - 🔥 Hot Topic Ahead 🔥

The school library is the hub of any school. It's usually a central focal point, a one-stop shop for book fairs, a place to build upon your imagination, a place to learn about other people and places. It's become a place to become a better digital citizen. It has also, of late, become a place of controversy. The public library and the school have as well. It's a hot topic right now.

How do you, your students, and your school benefit from your school library and our public libraries?