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| Issue 71 | August 2026 |
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Whether this is your very first year with The Superkids Reading Program or you're a seasoned pro dusting off your favorite character posters, we're so glad you're here. A new school year means a fresh start… and a whole lot of possibility!
If you're new to The Superkids Bulletin, here's what to expect: once a month, we'll land in your inbox with classroom-tested teaching ideas, wisdom from our Superkids coaches, free downloadable resources, and the occasional behind-the-scenes peek at the program you love. Think of us as your monthly dose of support and inspiration.
Speaking of fresh starts, you may have already noticed our new look! We've updated The Superkids Bulletin this year with a fresh look inspired by the new edition of Superkids. We're also introducing a new recurring feature, The Inside Scoop, where we pull back the curtain on some of the updates to the new edition (scroll down for this month's feature about the new cast of Superkids).
Most of all, as you start off the school year, we want you to know: you've got this, and you've got us! Superkids has a vibrant, supportive community of educators ready to help you make the most of this year. If you haven’t already, be sure to follow Superkids on Facebook to connect with us and your fellow Superkids teachers.
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Whether you’re preparing to teach Superkids for the first time or have years of experience under your belt, here are some of the resources that will help you start this school year strong.
🔍 Browse the Welcome Page.
A “Welcome” page is available for both the © 2017 and © 2026 editions of the program. No matter which program you’re using, you’ll find digital resources to help you get to know the program, recorded implementation training videos, a few freebies, information for families and caregivers, and more!
Superkids © 2026 Welcome Page
Superkids © 2017 Welcome Page
📖 Get to know your Program Guide.
Your Program Guide is your roadmap for The Superkids Reading Program. It includes information on the program’s structure, pace, and components, as well as the scope and sequence for your grade level. You can find the Program Guide in your Teacher Materials box for the first half of the school year, as well as digitally on MyZBPortal.com.
💻 Bookmark your Teacher Portal.
Speaking of MyZBPortal.com, now’s a great time to add it to your bookmarks bar! Your Teacher Portal is your home base for reporting tools, planning tools, digital versions of program components, and digital-only resources. Get your account set up before the first week so it’s ready when you are. Unsure where to begin? Visit the Zaner-Bloser Technical Support page for tutorials, quick start guides, rostering information, and answers to frequently asked questions.
⭐️ Don’t forget the freebies!
Our Superkids Bulletin Archive has a growing library of free, printable resources, including games, independent activities, posters, and more. One great freebie to grab for the beginning of the year is our Self-Portrait Template—having students draw and describe themselves is a great way to get to know them at the beginning of the school year!
Finally, if you know a new Superkids teacher who hasn’t yet signed up for The Superkids Bulletin, please share the link below.
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The early weeks set the tone for your whole school year. To keep on track, here are a few habits to lean on as you get rolling:
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Trust the sequence.
The Superkids scope and sequence is carefully built so skills stack in the right order. Resist the urge to jump ahead or rearrange—each lesson lays the groundwork for the next.
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Protect your daily instructional time.
Reading time has a way of getting squeezed. Guard it like the priority it is; the consistency you build now pays off all year long!
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Let your Teacher’s Guide set the pace.
The recommended pacing isn't a race to finish or a reason to rush—it's a tested rhythm. Follow it, and you'll cover what matters without the scramble.
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Resist the “make-up” trap.
When a day gets away from you, it's tempting to skip practice to catch up—but the practice is the learning. Make sure to work through all parts of each daily lesson.
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Great pacing starts with the Daily Warm-Ups.
The Daily Warm-Ups (known as Daily Routines in the © 2017 edition) set the momentum for the day. Make sure to treat them as they’re meant to be—small opportunities for practice and informal assessment. Avoid the temptation to spend too much time on them, but don’t skip them either! We'll dig into exactly how to make them work for you in next month's issue, so stay tuned!
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A well-set-up classroom makes your day simpler and gives students a joyful learning space. Here are some tips to get your space Superkids-ready!
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Make a grand entrance.
Kindergarten teacher Amanda Tessier kicks off the year by creating a Superkids "reveal" board that introduces each character to her class—a playful way to build excitement each week before the lessons begin!
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Store unit materials together.
Save yourself the mid-year scramble by storing each unit's materials as a set—one bin or folder per unit—so everything you need is in one place when you need it.
Use our free organization labels for extra Superkids flair—scroll down to the Freebie section to download yours! 👇
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Give every student a home base.
Individual student storage boxes keep readers, workbooks, and supplies organized and within reach—and make transitions smoother for young learners.
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Set up a special reading spot.
Some Superkids teachers create inviting spaces for reading instruction and reinforcement activities. A cozy reading spot can make students feel right at home while they practice new skills.
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Get fabulously focused.
Superkids teachers often use program materials to create and update focus walls in their classrooms, keeping literacy goals front and center. Depending on your grade level and edition, here are some resources you might include:
• Alphabet Cards
• Sound-Spelling Cards
• Memory Word Cards
• Big Topic Cards
• Words to Know Cards
• Printable Spelling List
Bonus Tip: Add these Six Syllable Type Cards when a syllable type is a part of your weekly focus!
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There’s a lot to love about the updated Superkids characters! You’ll notice characters with more authentic names, interests, and backgrounds, along with some new faces. These updates were designed so all children can connect to the Superkids, see themselves reflected in the stories, and feel right at home in the Superkids’ world. When kids can connect what they read to their own lives, they’re more engaged and ready to learn!
👀 A Fresh Look (and Smarter Start)
The Superkids also have a bright, updated look that is now consistent from kindergarten through second grade. The artwork is more modern and appealing to young learners, while still keeping the charm that teachers and students love. Behind the scenes, the order of character introductions and some character names have been carefully adjusted to match the updated, research-based scope and sequence. More continuous sounds are introduced earlier in kindergarten, allowing the youngest learners to blend and decode words more easily. You’ll also notice certain letters taught sooner—these letters were intentionally chosen because they allow children to read and spell common words earlier, building confidence from the start.
🌎 A World with Support
You’ll see more supporting characters, too. In the new stories, teachers, parents, and caregivers help guide the Superkids on their adventures. These adults provide supervision when the Superkids are out exploring and model positive, real-world interactions. When a parent, grandparent, other relative, or caregiver appears in a story, they represent just one example of the many caring adults in that Superkid's life. This helps reflect the range of support systems children experience and the many people who care for them every day.
📔 To learn more about the new Superkids and their interests, check out the Meet the Superkids Digital Scrapbook!
If you're wondering how to explain some of these changes to students who may already be familiar with the © 2017 edition cast of characters, feel free to check out our Character Revision Resource.
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Looking for a fun activity to help students get to know the new cast of Superkids and their interests at the beginning of the year? We’ve partnered with our colleagues at Highlights to create a free, printable Superkids Hidden Pictures puzzle! Can you and your students find all the Superkids’ favorite items in their clubhouse? Download the puzzle now and find out!
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To help you turn all that back-to-school inspiration into action, download these free fillable Organization Labels! Fill them out digitally, print them on sticker paper and trim them or on plain paper and add double-sided tape to the back, place them, and watch your classroom come together.
Grab the set for your edition:
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Have an idea for this newsletter?
We’d love to share your tips, activities, and
inspiration with other Superkids teachers!
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