Targeted and balanced literacy instruction for children and adults. Teacher, reading interventionist, and tutor. Anti-bullying advocate.
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12/12/2025
This is the ugly truth. Many homeschooler parents just find this to be a ln easy way to stay home.
An audit of Florida's school voucher program has turned up a disturbing problem. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/florida-audit-shows-lack-of-accountability-on-funds-paid-for-school-vouchers/
09/12/2025
So much instruction time is taken away!
⏳ How many minutes will your K-12 student spend on testing this year in Manatee?
The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is administered as a progress monitoring assessment three times per year. Many students will begin FAST Testing for PM1 this week.
The Uniform Statewide Assessment Calendar for 2025-26 shows estimates of average time for administering state-required and district-required assessments by grade level. Compared to last year:
🕚 Approximate total testing time stays the same for students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12.
🕚 Approximate total testing time increases for students in grades K (150 minutes), 1 (27.5), 2 (22.5), 9 (20), and 10 (154).
🕚 Approximate total testing time decreases for no students this year.
🕚 Students in grades 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 each will spend more than 1000 minutes testing this year, with 5th graders having the most at 1350 minutes (or 22.5 hours of instructional time), followed by 10th graders at 1334 minutes, then 7th and 8th grade at 1320 minutes (22 hours).
🕚 Twelfth graders will spend the least time on testing of K-12 with 120 minutes.
🕚 The biggest increases are for 10th grade (154 minutes) and K (150 minutes).
☀️ To see the full 12-page Uniform Statewide Assessment Calendar for 2025-26, visit:
https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5192/SDMC/5430104/K12UniformAssessmentCalendar.pdf
☀️ To learn more about FAST testing, visit: https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/
08/01/2024
The new school year is about to kick off soon. Please check my links below for more information:
Amazon Classroom Wish List
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1RYCUVIVJIBYO?ref_=wl_share
Scholastic Campaign - $ Donations
https://shop.scholastic.com/viewCampaign?campaignId=40a51fb8-9b58-4558-a5e7-9925b078328f
Scholastic Book Wish List
https://shop.scholastic.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-sso-us-Site/default/Wishlist-ViewWishlistDetails?ID=e666a474d37ad7051db4afee92
Make my wish list come true Help me grow my library by shopping my Scholastic wish list.
12/21/2023
Your Florida Business Tax Liability can be turned into a Scholarship Opportunity!
Florida Tax Credit - Step Up For Students Disclaimer: A copy of the official registration (CH-14609) and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free 1 (800) 435-7352 or on their website www.fdacs.gov. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by state. Step Up....
12/14/2023
The easiest FREE X-MAS ACTIVITY to increase literacy skills at home or school.
The Kiddo Friendly Any Time Version:
https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a31998110/charades-ideas-topics/
The complete list - Christmas theme:
https://www.getcharadesideas.com/resources/charades-ideas-for-christmas-the-complete-list-118-words-phrases/
12/12/2023
This is the cutest POSSUM ever, and this nifty organizer is embedded in the latest research and is FREE. Thanks IOWA RRC. The link: https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/sites/irrc.education.uiowa.edu/files/2023-10/POSSUM%20Graphic%20Organizer.pdf?
12/07/2023
To Effectively Support English Learners, Build Teachers' Skills, Experts Say Read more.
12/04/2023
Trends come and go but the Scarborough Reading Rope remains a strong visual to explain literacy. Deeper Dive >>>LINK: https://youtu.be/_I8pzySr2bI?si=mpd3rOtaGHSsPglT
05/18/2025