Liz Janusz

Life Lately

Well…..I’m still around and haven’t completely fallen off the face of the earth. We’ve just been absorbing everything this town has to offer and putting down some deep roots! Today’s the first day of the last quarter of the school year. I had every intention of being more “available” and connected through my blog thisContinue reading “Life Lately”

20 years

I’m back! After this past year and all of the changes that came with it, I decided to take the summer off from everything, just take time to decompress, and get in the right mindset for the 3rd school year of teaching during a pandemic… Anyways, I’m feeling much more centered and refreshed, so it’sContinue reading “20 years”

1 Year Anniversary!

One year ago we were under a stay-at-home order, and it had been months since I was in my school working with teachers. I was exhausted from having no break from my kids and bored with no school to go into. Blogging had always been at the back of mind; I’ve followed so many incredibleContinue reading “1 Year Anniversary!”

Life Lately

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a life update with you all, and even now that I’m finally sitting down to write this, so much has happened, that I’m not even sure where to begin…but here we go! Big news first….we finally closed on our forever house at the end of April and haveContinue reading “Life Lately”

Tackling Long Words Part-by-Part

My son is finishing up his first year in public school. We started the year in Illinois with an incredible kindergarten teacher that ensured all the students had a fun and safe transition into their school career, all while navigating remote learning. Then, in the middle of the year, we moved to New Mexico whereContinue reading “Tackling Long Words Part-by-Part”

Tiny Steps to Incorporate Science of Reading

If you’ve been teaching in a balanced literacy approach for a while, then the idea of switching to Science of Reading strategies may be overwhelming….enough so to stop you from even trying! Don’t feel like you need to do a complete overhaul of everything you’ve been doing in order to make some change! Yes, itContinue reading “Tiny Steps to Incorporate Science of Reading”

Supporting Our Upper Level Readers

So often we’re so focused on those sweet students in our class that struggle. They take up so much of our minds and hearts. We think about them at night, on the weekends, during our own kids’ soccer practices…constantly. We think about what else we can do for them to help them become successful. WeContinue reading “Supporting Our Upper Level Readers”

Amazon Finds for Middle School

As you all know, Amazon is how I survive as a parent, especially now that I’ve moved to a town where there’s only one store to shop at. Daughter starting dance class…leotard and tights will be here in three days! Son finally joined soccer…shinguards and cleats are on their way! The same is true asContinue reading “Amazon Finds for Middle School”

Decodable Readers Round-Up!

I used to avoid decodable books at all costs. I felt that they were boring, predictable, and would turn off kids from wanting to read for fun. I turned to leveled readers whenever I had the chance. They pictures were typically richer, and the story had an plot to hold students’ interests. I remember planningContinue reading “Decodable Readers Round-Up!”

Are you in a Reading Slump??

Reading slumps are totally real. I’ve experienced it firsthand; I do really well for a period of time, consuming book after book. I bring stacks home from school and devour them while watching tv with my kids. Then, on the flipside, life gets too busy sometimes and I can’t even imagine having the time toContinue reading “Are you in a Reading Slump??”