Welcome to the Let’s Talk, Teacher to Teacher podcast. My name is Dr. Gina Pepin - and I am so happy to meet you. I am a mom, teacher, professor, supervisor for teacher candidates, a reading specialist and a whole lot more! I am the 2023-2024 Region 1 Michigan Teacher of the Year and State Finalist - and also served in this role as part of the very first group of Regional Teachers/State Finalists of the Year in 2018-2019. But what I want you to know the most about me is… I have a great passi ...
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We chat with some of our nation's very best teachers to hear what they’re most passionate about. Gain insights, hear anecdotes, and learn alongside expert teachers. Hosted by Beth Schmidt, founder of Uppercase, an app for teachers to get answers from experts.
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Send us a text What happens when students have the freedom to browse and interact with a wide variety of texts—no matter the level, genre, or format? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the transformative power of book exploration in the classroom. From recipe cards and sports trading cards to comic books, graphic novels, and beyond, discover …
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Vision Series: Vertical and Horizontal Reading and Writing Spaces – OT Strategies
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5:27Send us a text How can your classroom design help students develop both strong literacy skills and healthy motor development? Join Dr. Pepin in this eye-opening episode as she explores the power of vertical and horizontal reading and writing spaces—and how simple occupational therapy (OT) strategies can boost student engagement, fine motor skills, …
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Learning to Read Should Not Just Be Taught – It Should Be Experienced and Celebrated!
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7:20Send us a text Welcome to Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher with Dr. Gina Pepin! In this inspiring episode, “Learning to Read Should Not Just Be Taught – It Should Be Experienced and Celebrated!”, Dr. Gina Pepin invites educators to see reading instruction in a whole new light. Instead of simply teaching reading as a set of mechanical skills, Dr. Pepin…
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Vision Series: Why Do Young Learners Often Transpose—or Flip—Letters When They’re Learning to Read and Write?
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2:53Send us a text Why do young learners flip or reverse letters when they start reading and writing? In this bite-sized episode Dr. Gina Pepin sheds light on one of the most common concerns in early literacy—letter transpositions! Discover why these mix-ups happen, when they're simply a normal part of development, and how to patiently support students…
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Vision Series: - Functional Vision, Visual Efficiency, and Their Impact on Reading
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4:46Send us a text Did you know that 20/20 eyesight isn’t enough for reading success? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the critical difference between being able to see the page and truly being able to read it. You’ll learn about functional vision (how well eyes track and coordinate as you read) and visual efficiency (how smoothly your eyes and…
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Vision Series - Not Just 20/20: When Seeing Isn’t Reading
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2:28Send us a text Can a student have perfect eyesight and still struggle to read? Absolutely! In this eye-opening episode of “Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher,” Dr. Gina Pepin unpacks the difference between simply seeing letters and truly reading them. Explore why strong visual perception skills—like tracking, spacing, and visual-motor integration—are ju…
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Positive Childhood Experiences Can Squash ACEs
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5:57Send us a text How can we as educators help students not only overcome adversity but truly flourish? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the powerful impact of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and how shifting our focus from challenges to strengths can transform classroom culture and student development. You’ll learn the key difference be…
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Vision Series - From Cat to Catastrophe: Why Varying Orthographic Patterns Matters
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3:55Send us a text Why does a student who can read “cat” get stuck on “catastrophe”? In this lively and practical episode of "Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher," Dr. Gina Pepin breaks down why varying orthographic patterns during literacy intervention is a game-changer for young readers. Instead of getting stuck in an endless loop of CVC words, students de…
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The Truth Be Told: "You Don’t Even Have Your Own Classroom?"
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4:49Send us a text Ever had a student ask, “You don’t even have your own classroom?” For reading specialists, interventionists, and instructional coaches, that innocent question can hold more weight than you’d think. In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the joys, challenges, and unique identity of educators whose work happens everywhere—but rarely be…
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The Truth Be Told: When Your Hair Looks Like a Goat
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4:59Send us a text Have you ever wondered what your students really think when they see you walk into the classroom—especially on one of those “bad hair” days? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a lighthearted yet meaningful story about the day a student said her hair looked like a goat, launching a candid conversation about the powerful role perce…
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Reading in Focus: Vision Strategies - Eyes on the Prize: Fun Strategies for Visual Tracking and Convergence
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5:08Send us a text In Eyes on the Prize: Fun Strategies for Visual Tracking and Convergence, you’ll pick up easy, classroom-friendly tips to help students whose eyes have a mind of their own—pencil push-ups, line trackers, flashlight games, and more. Discover why these “eye workouts” can help unleash reading fluency (and maybe leave you with a new appr…
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The Truth Be Told: "Bilingual? Nope, Bi-Cursive!”
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5:24Send us a text Dr. Gina Pepin returns with another classroom story guaranteed to make you smile! If you think being bilingual is impressive, wait till you meet Michael—he reads and writes only in cursive, thanks to Dad’s legacy. In this episode, you’ll laugh and reflect on how our students’ experiences with literacy can be as diverse—and curly—as t…
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Send us a text Step into a world where literacy meets play and imagination leads the way. In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a simple but powerful routine—an Imagination Walk—that builds vocabulary, sparks creative thinking, and nurtures joyful expression without ever leaving the classroom. Through guided storytelling, students learn to listen,…
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Send us a text What happens when stories step off the page and come to life—literally? In this episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the powerful connection between movement, memory, and meaning through a simple but transformative idea: dancing a story. Discover how teachers can use creative movement to deepen comprehens…
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Send us a text When is a pumpkin more than a pumpkin? In this moving episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares an unforgettable moment when a student in a simple classroom activity reveals how pumpkins have become a symbol of hope—and reunion—for his family. What starts as a cheerful show-and-tell quickly turns profound as Malik explains that pumpkins remind …
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Flashlight Friday – A Fun, Interactive Classroom Activity
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6:33Send us a text Shine a light on learning—literally! In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the magic of Flashlight Friday, a simple but powerful way to boost student engagement and joy in the classroom. From word hunts and storytime to review games and focus activities, discover how a single flashlight can transform Fridays into an adventure studen…
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Reading in Focus: A Vision Series - Sand, Songs, and Silly Puppets: Multisensory Reading for Vision Challenges
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4:01Send us a text Glitter in your hair, rice on your sweater, and a puppet demanding snacks? Welcome to the world of multisensory reading! In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares fun, practical strategies—like sand tracing, rhythm reading, and puppet storytelling—that help students with vision challenges connect to literacy through touch, sound, moveme…
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When Parents Say, "They Just Memorized the Book"
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3:29Send us a text Ever hear, “He’s not really reading—he just memorized it”? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin reframes memorization as an essential step in early literacy. From print awareness to story structure and fluency, those “memorized” books aren’t fake reading—they’re the spark that builds confident, joyful readers. Check out more resources at …
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Truth Be Told: “In Order?" – When a Simple Task Isn’t So Simple
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3:34Send us a text What happens when a child pauses before writing the alphabet and asks, “In order?” In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores how a simple question reveals the hidden pressures students feel, the unspoken rules they try to follow, and the importance of creating safe spaces where mistakes are part of learning. Check out more resources a…
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Reading in Focus: A Vision Series - Eye Spy… a Struggling Reader
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5:49Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin invites teachers to become reading detectives as we explore the mysteries behind students whose eyes seem to have a mind of their own. From skipped lines to jumbled letters, these signs often point to visual processing and tracking challenges—not laziness. Learn how to observe, gather clues, and implem…
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Respecting Every Learner — Finding Balance with Pronouns and Policies
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5:05Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores how teachers can create inclusive classrooms by using neutral, professional language and respecting students. Learn practical strategies for balancing policies, honoring identities, and building a learning community where every student feels seen, safe, and valued. Check out more at www.ginape…
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The Sound of Story: Bringing Tempo and Dynamics to Read-Alouds
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5:27Send us a text Ever thought of your read-alouds as musical performances? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores how tempo and dynamics—from slow and reflective Largo to fast and joyful Allegro—can transform the way children experience stories. Learn how matching your voice to the mood of a text engages students’ whole bodies, hearts, and brains, …
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Reading in Focus: A Vision Series - Not All Reading Struggles Are Dyslexia
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6:09Send us a text New Series: Reading in Focus: A Vision Series Not All Reading Struggles Are Dyslexia Description: In this kickoff episode of Reading in Focus: A Vision Series on Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shines a light on an often-overlooked cause of reading difficulties—visual processing challenges. We tend to jump straight to p…
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Send us a text In this episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin invites you to rethink how we approach data-driven intervention. Too often, data becomes a spotlight on what students can’t do—overshadowing the many things they can do. Join Dr. Gina as she explores how shifting to a strengths-first mindset can transform your intervent…
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Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin takes us to the small-group reading table, where one second grader’s honest declaration—“It’s clear as mud”—becomes the heart of a bigger lesson about teaching and learning. With humor and heart, Dr. Pepin reflects on why confusion is not failure, but a powerful step toward growth. She reminds us that …
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Send us a text In this heartwarming and humorous episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the story of a second grader who proudly announced, “I have three dads!” after seeing a picture of their speech and language pathologist’s very tall family. What started as giggles about height turned into a powerful reminder of the dive…
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Story Stones: Sparking Literacy Through Play
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4:39Send us a text In this short and inspiring episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin introduces Story Stones — a playful, hands-on tool that makes storytelling and literacy come alive. Discover what story stones are, how to make them (without fuss or expensive supplies), and creative ways to use them for building language, narrative …
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The Truth Be Told: Calm Is Contagious: Powered by Hutch’s Paw-sitive Energy
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4:28Send us a text In this laugh-out-loud (and tear-a-little) episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the unforgettable tale of Hutch—a golden doodle turned honorary assistant principal—and the surprisingly profound lessons he teaches about emotional regulation, trauma-informed practice, and the power of a well-timed head tilt. Join Gina as she reflects on a hi…
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Send us a text Tune in as Gina reflects on the importance of honoring students’ everyday lives, celebrating unexpected “aha” moments, and letting the real world into our classrooms. It’s a funny, feel-good story with a side of educational wisdom—and maybe a craving for nacho fries. Because sometimes, the key to a student’s learning journey starts w…
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The Truth Be Told: Do Birds Live In Your Hair?
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5:25Send us a text In this heartwarming episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin reflects on the unexpected, yet powerful, moments that remind us of the importance of curiosity and understanding in the classroom. Dr. Pepin shares a story from her experience with a student named Lucas, who asked, “Do birds live in your hair?” Instead of …
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The Truth Be Told: These Books Are Loved... And This Is What Love Does to Books.
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4:15Send us a text In today’s episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the beauty in the worn and weathered books that live in our classrooms. From frayed covers to chocolate milk stains, these books tell a story of love, devotion, and connection. Celebrate the books that have been reread, retold, and reimagined by the students…
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The Truth Be Told: “I Thought You Were Dead” — Understanding the Impact of Our Absences on Students
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6:02Send us a text In this deeply moving episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin dives into the impact our absences and disruptions in routine can have on students—particularly those who have experienced trauma. Through a poignant story from her own classroom, Dr. Pepin reflects on a moment when a student, Tommy, expressed his fear of …
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The Truth Be Told Series: “My Bookshelf Is Full of Mail” — The Role of Books at Home
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7:22Send us a text In this touching episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a real-life story from her classroom that shines a light on the literacy challenges many students face at home. When a young student casually reveals that his bookshelf holds mail instead of books, it sparks a deeper conversation about access, equity, an…
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The Truth Be Told: “Fast Isn’t Fluent: When Testing Culture Caught Our Morning Announcers”
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6:41Send us a text What happens when benchmark testing sneaks its way into morning announcements? In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a story of two second-grade announcers who mistook fluency for speed—and flew through the morning news like it was a ORF sprint. Join Dr. Pepin as she reflects o…
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Send us a text From glitter coughs to giggle chains, some things just spread fast in a classroom—but not all contagions are bad. In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores what really catches on in our schools: stress, joy, kindness, curiosity—and everything in between. With real stories, gentle reminders, and a dose of emotion…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Color-Coded Word Cards
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1:50Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Voice Jar Cards
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3:59Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Recipe Cards
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3:00Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Travel Labels
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2:02Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Sports Cards
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2:05Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: RAN Cards
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2:19Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Sight Word Cards
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1:55Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Sequence Cards
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1:35Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Picture Cards
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1:54Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Beginning Sound Cards
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1:32Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Die/Dice
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1:27Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: CVC Cards
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2:08Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Ride and Read Bags - How to Videos: Early Language Cards
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2:35Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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Send us a text Watch the Vlog post at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-19-1 Ride and Read bags provide opportunities to create meaningful experiences for interactive shared language and literacy experiences anywhere you go! The Ride and Read Program provides families with engaging texts, activity cards, and storytelling props in a convenient travel…
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