Tales of Patty Pepper

Upper Elementary Literacy Specialist Picture Book Literacy EducatorLiteracy Systems for Grades 3–5

I help upper elementary teachers build deeper comprehension using powerful picture books. Through my A Book & A Look™ method, I show teachers how to turn mentor texts into meaningful literacy lessons that develop theme, perspective, discussion, and written response. My work focuses on helping Grades 3–5 teachers use stories to spark big thinking while maintaining a clear weekly literacy structure. You’ll find picture book companions, literacy systems, and culturally responsive read-aloud lessons designed to strengthen comprehension and classroom discussion.

I Thought End Of Year Was Survival

Reader, I have to be honest with you. There were years I made it to the last two weeks of school and had absolutely nothing planned. Not because I did not care. Because I was exhausted. I was counting down the days just like my students were and hoping nobody noticed that I had stopped trying. Sound familiar? If you are reading this on Sunday night with zero plan for Monday morning, this email is for you. Here is everything I have ready for you right now. For your literacy block this week:...

11 days ago • 1 min read

Nobody Was Coming to Save Me

Weekly Classroom Reset Week 17: True Story Hi Reader, Sunday Reset is a little different this week. I want to tell you a story. Years ago, I was a multigrade teacher. Different grades, different reading levels, different standards, all in one room. And the kids who were labeled “struggling readers” were the ones I thought about on Sunday nights. Still do, honestly. Here’s what I remember most. I had no help. No coach coming in to model a lesson. No curriculum that met those kids where they...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

A Smarter Way To Plan

Hi Reader , I just released something new for March, and I wanted you to see it first. The March Literacy Playbook is designed to help you move through seasonal themes without losing your literacy focus. This is Edition #1, so you can expect one each month. This isn’t another March packet. What makes this different is how it structures your month around skill progression. Inside the playbook, you’ll find: • A four-week literacy blueprint • Weekly anchor comprehension skills • Aligned...

3 months ago • 1 min read

New Resource: The SDAs of Black History Bulletin Board

MY NEW RESOURCE JUST DROPPED Hi Reader , I just dropped a brand-new resource that I’m really proud of, and I wanted you to be the first to know. The SDAs of Black History Bulletin Board Kit is designed to help students see Black history through real people, real leadership, and real impact within the Seventh-day Adventist faith. This isn’t just decor. What makes this different is how it connects directly to literacy. Each profile is written to support:• Background knowledge building•...

3 months ago • 1 min read

Welcome to Weekly Reset #9

Weekly Classroom Reset Week 9: Stop Piecing February Together Hi Reader, Let me ask you something honestly. Are you teaching Black History this month…or are you assembling it? Because those are two different things. Pulling a video one day. Printing something random the next. Adding a craft so it “feels” complete. That’s not structure. That’s survival. This Week’s Classroom Reset Is my Black History instruction cohesive from day to day? Strong classrooms build knowledge intentionally....

3 months ago • 1 min read

Low-prep Classroom Reset Inside

Weekly Classroom Reset Week 6: Before We Reset February Hello Reader!! January was heavy. For students. For classrooms. For teachers. If you’re tired, less patient than usual, or feeling behind even after working nonstop, that makes sense. Nothing went wrong. January asked a lot. And honestly, it asked a lot of me, too. So before we talk about strategies, let’s name this:You’re not weak for feeling worn down.You’re human. That’s why February doesn’t start with fixing.It starts with grounding....

4 months ago • 1 min read

How to Tighten Routines Without Starting Over

Weekly Classroom Reset Week 4: How to Tighten Routines Without Starting Over By now, January has fully shown its hand. The excitement of a fresh start has faded. Students are a little restless. And routines that felt solid a few weeks ago might feel shaky again. If that’s you, I want you to hear this clearly:This is normal. Mid-January isn’t the time for brand-new systems. It’s the moment to tighten what’s already there. This week’s classroom reset question: What can stay the same, even when...

4 months ago • 1 min read

I help upper elementary teachers build deeper comprehension using powerful picture books. Through my A Book & A Look™ method, I show teachers how to turn mentor texts into meaningful literacy lessons that develop theme, perspective, discussion, and written response. My work focuses on helping Grades 3–5 teachers use stories to spark big thinking while maintaining a clear weekly literacy structure. You’ll find picture book companions, literacy systems, and culturally responsive read-aloud lessons designed to strengthen comprehension and classroom discussion.