Firstieland - First Grade Teacher Blog
Where learning feels like play.
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelOctober 21, 2026 When you’re doing small group instruction in first grade there are 3 main areas to consider: how to schedule your groups, the skills you should teach and how to structure your lessons to make the most of your time. After more than 30 years in the… Read More
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelOctober 14, 2026 On a good day, you might get 15 full minutes for each group during small group instruction. But when you’re searching for books or teaching materials, the minutes tick by while your students wait. So, if you’re planning your guided reading strategies, the first place to… Read More
Teaching grammar to 1st grade can be challenging, but with the right noun activities, learning can be fun and interactive. Nouns are one of the building blocks of language skills, and introducing them through engaging lessons, games, digital slides, and activities helps young learners grasp the concept easily. Here are some exciting ways to teach nouns in a way that… Read More
If you’re a 1st grade teacher, you know that trying to fit everything into your day can seem like an impossible task. First grade word work contains so many different skills! There are high frequency words, phonics, phonemic awareness, spelling words and grammar. The list seems endless. Take a look at how I fit all of these skills into one… Read More
Classroom library organization and management can be simple when you put a few systems into place. Let’s take a deep dive into how to effectively set up your classroom library. What is the purpose of a classroom library? Every elementary schoolroom needs a classroom library. For many kindergarten and first grade teachers, this is one of the focal points of… Read More
Bossy R activities for first grade can be fun and engaging when you add a cute story like The Bossy R Sisters! This lesson on r-controlled vowels was a hit with my first grade students and it’s sure to help your students learn all about this spelling pattern too. R-controlled vowels can be difficult for first graders. They all sound… Read More
