Posts by Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Independent Children
Oh the joy of teaching 3rd grade! The gap between 2nd and 3rd grade is as large as the Grand Canyon. Students walk in as babies and leave as mini-adults. The process is quite a metamorphosis (which is appropriate since we study life cycles in Science). Parents always question me when I begin assigning third…
Read Full PostHomework Battle
Teachers have been assigning homework to their students for decades. The purpose of homework is to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. It is not recommended to assign a new topic for homework only to frustrate the child. Homework should be a quick addition to the school day to keep skills sharp. Most teachers follow…
Read Full PostOpen House Week!
Teaching Blog Addict [click photo above] is hosting an Open House Week Linky Party. Today is “Meet the Teacher!” My name is Gretchen Schultek and I teach 3rd grade at an elementary school in Charlotte, North Carolina. I LOVE MY JOB! 🙂 I have taught 2nd and 5th as well, but my heart is in…
Read Full PostThe Dreaded Hallway
The hallway of a school is the busiest place for the longest period of time than anywhere else in the entire building. It would make a fantastic Science Fair project if a student observed the various behaviors that can occur during a 3 minute transition period in the hallway. In my experience, a quick trip…
Read Full PostStudents say the darndest things!
My students crack me up on a daily basis. I rarely have time to stop and write down what they say, but over time I have collected a few of their funny comments. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do (especially on a bad day!): Students had to create their own holiday.…
Read Full PostName Tags
I don’t know about you, but I dread my students wearing name tags. It’s kind of like the way I hate vegetables because I was forced to eat them. I’m sure I would like name tags had I not been forced to make the children wear them each day, and if lost recreate a new…
Read Full PostTeacher Evaluation
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…
Read Full PostFirst Impressions
The “Back to School” season is exciting! It is a fresh start full of anew- supplies, teachers, students, schools, classrooms, friends, principals, superintendents, curriculum, and first impressions. The saying is true that you only get one chance to make a first impression. But, what about impressions that are made before meeting someone- maybe from things…
Read Full PostClassroom Tour 2012-2013
Cheers to another great school year! Enjoy a tour of my classroom (a bit dark, sorry!) WELCOME TO MY SCHOOL! HALLWAY BULLETIN BOARDS Â Â THE GIVING TREE BOARD I stick this outside my door for any event where parents visit the classroom. I simply place items needed for the classroom on a post it and…
Read Full PostClassroom Walk-Throughs
Each school year is completely different. My students are different. The way I teach is different. But, this year a lot of change has happened. With new administration, I am unsure what the “must-have” items are when they come into my classroom. This “walk-through” time allows the administrative team to see what is happening in…
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