How I Finally Stopped Recreating Reading Lessons Every Year

If you’re like me, back-to-school can feel a little like Groundhog Day. 

Every year, I found myself digging through files, searching for worksheets, and trying to remember which reading strategies worked best for which students.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know what to teach — I did. 

The problem was keeping it all organized in a way that actually made teaching easier and helped students truly understand what they were reading.

So I decided to do something about it. 

I created a set of anchor charts, lesson plans, and practice tools that I could use year after year. Instead of starting from scratch each fall, I now have a system that works — and the best part? 

I don’t have to reinvent it every time.

When I need to adjust for a new class or a different student group, 

I just tweak a chart or add sticky notes to the lessons.

 It’s flexible, 

it’s practical,

 and it keeps me focused on what really matters: helping students think deeply about what they read.

The results speak for themselves.

 Students are more confident, engaged, and independent because the skills are taught in a clear, organized way that builds on what they already know.

 And I finally get to spend less time planning and more time teaching. I would copy the anchor charts and have student glue them in their Reading Journal 

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re starting from scratch every year,  check out  my anchor charts and lesson plans that I created based on our learning standards an dunit of studies in 6th grade

👉 Check it out here and see how it can transform your reading instruction.