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The Productive Teacher
I help teachers and parents build knowledgeable, skilled readers based on research findings within the Science of Reading.
Explore the Parts of Literacy
Decoding Words
phonological awareness, phonics, syllables, orthographic mapping,
Vocabulary
morphology (Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes), word meanings and relationships, connotation, academic vocabulary
Grammar
parts of speech, sentence structure, syntax, punctuation, usage
Writing
sentence construction, paragraphs, organization, composition, written expression
Background Knowledge
science, history, geography, culture
Elementary Math
Explore Topics
Elementary Science
Middle School Science
Elementary Social Studies
U.S. History
World History
Elementary Culture
About Me
Hi, I’m Cate, a teacher, literacy researcher, writer, and mom of four. I have taught elementary and middle school since 2012 and am currently a Ph.D. student in Literacy, Language, and Culture at Texas Woman’s University.
As the mother of two children with dyslexia, I am passionate about making learning to read accessible to as many children as possible by empowering teachers and parents with knowledge and practical resources grounded in literacy research.
You can reach me anytime at Cate@TheProductiveTeacher.org!
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The Productive Teacher
Explore my Teachers Pay Teachers store, where more than 8,600 teacher reviews have earned The Productive Teacher a 4.9 out of 5 rating. With 700+ resources and more than 3,000 followers, you'll find practical, engaging materials designed to help students build knowledge and strengthen their reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and more.
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What Were the Causes of the American Revolution?
Today, the United States is one of the greatest powers of the world, but less than three hundred years ago, it wasn’t even a country. Instead, there were thirteen colonies loyal to the king of Great Britain. Then, many, but not all, citizens of the colonies decided they wanted to be their own independent country. The American Revolution was fought, and the rest is history. What caused the colonies to declare their independence? The answer is… a lot of things. Causes of the Am
3 min read
Battle of Fort Sumter
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Battle of Fort Sumter in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and
2 min read
The Thirteenth Amendment
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the thirteenth amendment in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and y
2 min read
The Assassination of Lincoln
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the assassination of Lincoln in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself a
4 min read
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the surrender at Appomattox Court House in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for
2 min read
Sherman's March to the Sea
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about Sherman's March to the Sea in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and
3 min read
Sherman Takes Atlanta
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about when Sherman takes Atlanta in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and
2 min read
The Fall of Richmond
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Fall of Richmond in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and your
3 min read
The Siege of Petersburg
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Siege of Petersburg in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and yo
2 min read
The Second Battle of Cold Harbor
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Second Battle of Cold Harbor in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourse
2 min read
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for
2 min read
Grant and Sherman
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about Grant and Sherman in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and your stu
3 min read
The Gettysburg Address
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Gettysburg Address in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and you
2 min read
The Battle of Gettysburg
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Battle of Gettysburg in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and y
3 min read
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Battle of Chancellorsville in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself
2 min read
The Siege of Vicksburg
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Siege of Vicksburg in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and you
2 min read
The Battle of Fredericksburg
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Battle of Fredericksburg in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself a
2 min read
The Battle of Antietam
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Battle of Antietam in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and you
3 min read
The First Battle of Bull Run
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the First Battle of Bull Run in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself a
2 min read
The Seven Days' Battles
Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War. If you are a student, you can read about the Seven Days' Battles in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you. If you are a teacher, you can use this website as a resource for yourself and yo
2 min read
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