Author Archives: Rita K.

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About Rita K.

Educator and Certified Reading specialist

Audible Books for Summer Travel

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Rita K.

As the biggest holiday of the summer arrives, I’m sure many of you are traveling with the kids in tow. That’s great, but we all know that multiple children packed into the family car is not always the fun we … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading Strategies: Part 5 – Fluency Fun for More Than One

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Rita K.

How well I remember searching for ways to keep the kids entertained and happy during those long summer days. No parent wants to see their child lounging around watching TV or playing video games for long periods of time. On … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading Strategies Series: Part 4 A Musical Way to Boost Fluency

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Rita K.

As promised in my last post, here is another way to boost your child’s fluency. Years ago I attended a workshop presented by renowned author and educational consultant, Ralph Fletcher. After reviewing the components of fluency (accuracy, expression and reading … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading Strategies Series: Part 3 Fun Ways to Boost Fluency

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Rita K.

Simply because a child can read the words accurately, does not mean they are a fluent reader. Ever try to pour cottage cheese into a cup? It moves slowly, it sticks, it requires you to push it along. Conversely, pouring … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading Strategies: Part 2 Embrace the Power of Picture Books

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Rita K.

Summertime and the reading is easy” or can be if you establish a read-aloud routine. A vacation from after-school activities and homework offers the gift of time. Lazy days on the beach, family evenings in the backyard, later bedtimes and … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading Strategies Series #1: Independent Reading Plan

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Rita K.

Well, it finally feels like summer. Of course it the helps that as I write, I’m sitting by the bay enjoying a lovely respite from the cold, damp month of May we experienced. Many children have ended the school year, … Continue reading →

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Knowledge is Power

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Rita K.

Sorry for the gap in blog posts, but Spring literally blew in and with it a flurry of activities and commitments that left little time in my schedule. As baseball games, recitals, honor awards and graduations for our grandkids subside … Continue reading →

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Developing Fluency Through Poetry

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Rita K.

As a reading specialist, I saw my share of students who struggled with fluency. It wasn’t until I attended a workshop lead by Ralph Fletcher, (renowned author and educational consultant) that I realized reading poetry aloud, along with singing, were … Continue reading →

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Celebrating National Poetry Month

Posted on April 5, 2025 by Rita K.

April can be a fickle, disappointing month. We hope for sunshine and get rain, we long for warmth and still feel the chill. On the other hand, a glimpse of daffodils blowing in the breeze, the sound of birds chirping … Continue reading →

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PCQC – A Powerful Test-Taking Strategy

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Rita K.

For many years I worked with struggling readers. Like most students across the country, my students worried about the standardized test they would have to take before the school year ended. Early on, I created a series of simple steps … Continue reading →

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