Posts by Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
My First Award!
Thank you Jessica over at This is my first nomination for an award and I couldn’t be happier! Go check her out and give her a “LIKE!” When you receive this award, you must follow 3 rules: *1. Follow the person that gave you the award. *2. Link back to the person that gave you…
Read Full Post*50 Followers* Freebie!
Thank you all for supporting me at Always A Lesson!! 🙂 In honor of you, this is my very first freebie for meeting the 50 followers milestone! Do you ever feel like you need a visual to chart the growth of your students? I created a way to “see” students growth in Reading through programs such…
Read Full PostTBA Fan
Have you ever heard about the great educational blog called Teaching Blog Addict? When I first started blog stalking, this page was one of the first I came across. It was chalk full of information and I began following immediately through email, Facebook, and Pinterest. I especially enjoyed that I could search for ideas by…
Read Full PostPreparing for 3rd Grade (and beyond!)
Have you ever had that freak out moment when you realize your new group of students are not ready for what you have planned? You’re suddenly stuck and begin thinking, “Do I move forward with my lesson? Or do I back up and ease them into the concept?” Unfortunately for me, the freak out happens…
Read Full PostEncouraging Words
It is always a good idea that when things get really busy in our lives that we don’t forget to take a moment and smell the roses; especially in the classroom. Your students work hard each and every day. Sometimes a particular student shines. That’s when you need to stop the roller coaster called LIFE,…
Read Full PostReadicide
As End-of-Grade testing scores were released, I was very pleased with my class’ performance in Math. However, I was a bit bummed in Reading. I decided to reflect on what I could have done better to prepare my students-and no, not test prep wise. Our school still utilizes a reading textbook organized by theme. Our district…
Read Full PostAre you a "Teacher in Training?"
As a child did you ever say, “__(So-So)__ is a great teacher?” What made you make that statement? [fun!] As an adult did you ever say, “__(So-So)__ is a great teacher?” What made you make that statement? [communicates openly, honestly, and frequently] As a teacher did you ever say, “__(So-So)__ is a great teacher?” What…
Read Full PostMy "All-Star" Read-Alouds
As the summer begins, I am brainstorming my next year’s AMAZING classroom components! haha One thing I know without a shadow of a doubt are the read-alouds I will be using with my class. I read many books to my class, but these two are my favorite novels I weave into each school year. They…
Read Full PostMy 1st Guest Blog Post!
Come check me out! Thanks to Nicole from for offering to host me on the topic of Behavior Management! Head on over and give her a “LIKE!”
Read Full PostWrite On!
Need some ideas for those last few days of school? Writing prompts have been my best friend! I gave my students the writing prompt: “_[insert name]___ lived in a castle in a far away land.” Students chose their main character’s name and copied down this sentence. They then added one…
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