Freedom Train

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As a teacher, I try to maximize a learning experience by tying together multiple pieces in efforts to create a more comprehensive picture. One of the ways I recently did this was by signing up to attend a play based on a book, called “Freedom Train.” The book level is above my third graders’ reading…

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My Best Principal

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Have you heard of ASCD? [“ASCD is a membership organization that develops programs, products, and services essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead.”] I receive their magazine “Educational Leadership” monthly. At the end of the magazine, there is a section called, “Tell Me About A Time…” where readers (just like us!) can write…

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Note-Taking

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I am making a radical statement today: Taking notes is a lost art, but a life skill (at least in elementary school). It is important for numerous reasons and I am full of conviction to teach this strategy correctly to my kiddos. In order to learn new information a person has to gather it together…

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Ode to my 100th Post

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Hip Hip Hooray!!  This is my 100th post since the conception of “Always A lesson” blog. I am so happy I have arrived at this milestone. I have learned a lot about blogging and teaching through this reflective hobby of mine. I can only hope my readers have benefited as well! In honor of my…

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Password Storage

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I have had the hardest time remembering my passwords to access all my educational resources. My administration team gave us the best present last year- a mini file folder for passwords! On an index card, I write the program name and the password. (Disclaimer: This is not for personal use. These programs and passwords are…

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Book Club

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One of our most recent literacy objectives was to have students meet independently in a group to read the same book and have an enriching discussion. I broke up my students into 5 groups that would meet once a week with a book on their independent reading level (determined by running records).  I brought students…

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Long-Range Planning

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The latest fad in my school district is providing teachers with a “Quarterly Planning” day. Substitutes take over the classroom for the day while the team of teachers meet together in a central location and plan for the quarter. The belief is that by allowing teachers time to plan effective lessons, students will become more…

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No Planning Week

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Are you productive when your team comes together for planning or all-staff professional development meeting? For me, I generally am productive. However, there are particular times in a teacher’s schedule when everything comes to a close and you about lose your mind trying to tie all the loose ends together. This generally happens at the…

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*200 Followers* Freebie!

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Today I am celebrating 200 followers!! Wahoo!! Thank you to all my loyal readers. I started this blog last year to record my experiences and reflect on how I could become a better teacher. Networking with teacher  bloggers has allowed me an outlet to vent with people who “get it” as well as borrow stellar…

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Teacher of the Month

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Wednesday, January 9th was one of those days where it was the best and the worst day rolled into one. I went from the lowest low to the highest high. Let me start at the beginning… I left teaching in a Title-One school after 5 years because I was ready for a change. I was…

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