Create Your Balance with Literacy

Kara M. Rickman
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Welcome, K-2 Teachers! My name is Kara Rickman, and I'm a 25-year first-grade teacher with a passion for helping fellow colleagues develop their craft in teaching cross-curricular.  If you want to take your classroom to the next level for your students, check out my podcast episodes! I will share all about how to easily teach cross-curricular and help your students make better connections! You will learn how to use the gradual release of responsibility using the "I DO, WE DO, YOU DO" cross-curricular approach with reading, math, science, writing, and social studies! 

  1. 2d ago

    The First Day of Writer's Workshop

    Want to know how I teach the first day of Writer's Workshop to my first graders? Get on my WAITLIST for my Back to School Bootcamp happening from July 13-17, where we will be making your back-to-school interactive notebook with the first lesson of reading, writing, math, and science! My first day lesson plans are absolutely FREE!!! Can't wait for you to join me!  YouTube Videos Mentioned:  Rosie's Walk Mini-Lesson  How I Make My Interactive Anchor Charts How Do I Set Up My Writing Folder How I Teach Focus Poetry What Does Writing Time Look and Sound Like?  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box! Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    22 min

  2. 5d ago

    The First Day of Reader's Workshop

    Want to know how I teach the first day of Reader's Workshop to my first graders? Get on my WAITLIST for my Back to School Bootcamp happening from July 13-17 where we will be making your back-to-school interactive notebook with the first lesson of reading, writing, math, and science! My first day lesson plans are absolutely FREE!!! Can't wait for you to join me!  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box! Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    21 min

  3. Jun 2

    Dramatic Play Kitchen Center for First Grade

    More Than Pretend: How My Dramatic Play Kitchen Center Builds Readers, Writers, Creators, and Problem Solvers.... but it's not all puppets and a theater! When many people think of a dramatic play kitchen center, they picture children pretending to cook meals, serve food, and play house. While those experiences are valuable, our Dramatic Play Kitchen Center goes far beyond simple pretend play. It is a carefully designed learning environment where students build, write, create, collaborate, and develop essential academic skills—all while having fun. I will share with you my kitchen center month by month and all the bells and whistles that I add to make it engaging and purposeful at the same time!  Click the Show Notes to see pictures of my kitchen centers!  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box! Are you new to Kinder, 1st, or 2nd grade? You’re in luck!  I'm giving a Back-to-School Bootcamp in July where you can earn up to 9 PD hours and watch the online training whenever you want! The Waitlist is open now!  Check it out here to sign up to get an email with more info! When you sign up, you will get my Back to School Checklist for FREE to streamline your classroom into a well-oiled machine and one you can be proud of!  Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    26 min

  4. May 24

    Let's Survive the First 10 Days of School Together!

    Attention teachers! Are you new to Kinder, 1st, or 2nd grade? You’re in luck!  I'm giving a Back-to-School Bootcamp in July where you can earn up to 9 PD hours and watch the online training whenever you want! The Waitlist is open now!  Check it out here to sign up to get an email with more info! When you sign up, you will get my Back to School Checklist for FREE to streamline your classroom into a well-oiled machine and one you can be proud of!   This resource includes Checklists for: Classroom Organization/Set Up  Reader’s Workshop  Writer’s Workshop  Math Workshop  Science  Social Studies  Behavior Management  Meet the Teacher & Parent Night  Teacher Wishlist Literacy Centers  In the bootcamp, you will get my first day of lesson plans absolutely FREE for reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and phonics!  Check the Show Notes for Pictures of my Bootcamp!  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box! Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    21 min

  5. Apr 27

    Cross-Curricular Fun for May

    Listen to my FREE webinar from my Facebook Group, all about Cross- Curricular Fun for May.  Some topics I shared are: Mother's Day, Oceans/Sea Life, Rocks/Fossils, Fairy Tales, Financial Literacy, and End-of-Year activities for first grade.  Want to see pictures of my resources? Check out my YT Video of this webinar!  Do you want to sign up on my WAITLIST for my Back to School Bootcamp in July? I'll send you an email as the time gets closer!  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box! Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    56 min

  6. Apr 20

    Fairy Tale Writing Unit

    Join me as I break down how I teach my Fairy Tale Writing Unit to my firsties! If you're interested in checking out my Fairy Tale Writing Unit, click HERE! It includes lesson plans with suggested mentor texts, sequencing foldables, writing craftivities, anchor charts, and writing templates all in a fairy tale theme! Do you want to sign up on my WAITLIST for my Back to School Bootcamp in July? I'll send you an email as the time gets closer!  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box!  Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    34 min

  7. Mar 30

    Cross-Curricular Fun for April

    This was the free webinar I gave in my Facebook Group for K-2 teachers. I shared all of my engaging and fun activities for April in Reading, Writing, Math, Poetry, Science, and Social Studies! And, I gave away free resources!  Some topics I share are: Patricia Polacco Easter Rainforests Endangered Animals Insects Plants Life Cycles and much more!  Do you want to sign up on my WAITLIST for my Back to School Bootcamp in July? I'll send you an email as the time gets closer!  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box!  Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    49 min

  8. Mar 9

    Cross-Curricular Fun for March

    This was the free webinar I gave in my Facebook Group for K-2 teachers. I shared all of my engaging and fun activities for March in Reading, Writing, Math, Poetry, Science, and Social Studies! Some topics I share are: St. Patrick's Day Texas Animal Research Texas Symbols Dr. Seuss  Reader's Theater Procedural Writing  and much more!  Do you want FREE LESSON plans for Spring???  Click HERE to sign up for my email list!  Connect with me:  TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership with Subscription Box!  Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

About

Welcome, K-2 Teachers! My name is Kara Rickman, and I'm a 25-year first-grade teacher with a passion for helping fellow colleagues develop their craft in teaching cross-curricular.  If you want to take your classroom to the next level for your students, check out my podcast episodes! I will share all about how to easily teach cross-curricular and help your students make better connections! You will learn how to use the gradual release of responsibility using the "I DO, WE DO, YOU DO" cross-curricular approach with reading, math, science, writing, and social studies! 

Information

  • Creator
    Kara M. Rickman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Create Your Balance with Literacy
  • Show Website
    Create Your Balance with Literacy