Before I had children, I knew exactly what type of parent I would be. I knew without a doubt that I would NEVER be one of those weepy parents when their children started school for the first time. Well, kids have a way of making you eat your words. My daughter is starting PreK this […]
No prep end of year ideas and activities are essential for teachers. During the end of the year, teachers are swamped with DIBELS, DRA, portfolios, inventory lists, etc. so we want as many easy prep activities as possible! In this end of the year resource, there are 15 activities that are truly different from the
As summer break quickly {but not quickly enough} approaches, I’ve wanted to find engaging and creative ways to enrich and review our reading and writing standards. I also wanted to squeeze in a few fun, but easy, art projects, because we’ve worked hard all year and deserve a little fun! I decided to create a
Summer Literacy Activities Read More »
High-stake testing evokes a passionate response in almost all teachers. While I have strong feelings about testing, I recognize that standardized tests are going to be part of my life for the immediate future. Regardless of my thoughts, my students will have to take a high-stakes test this spring, and my value as a teacher
Elementary Testing Prep Resources Read More »
Having only taught upper elementary, I’d never worried about 100th day activities. It all just seemed a little too young to me. I start feeling the pressure of our state testing after Christmas, so I don’t like giving up class time for anything other that what’s essential to teach. However, every year the 100th day
100th Day Activities & Ideas Read More »
I know that many teachers, myself included, are required to post standards or daily objectives. I like to post my standards, as well as essential questions, and vocabulary together to create a focus wall of classroom instruction. I’ve recently added all of my focus wall materials to my TpT store as a 3rd Grade Focus Wall
Vocabulary and Standards Posters Read More »
I wanted to share a little more about bucket fillers. The concept of being a bucket filler is based on the metaphor that we all carry around an invisible bucket that contains our feelings. When we have a full bucket we feel good, and when our bucket is empty we feel sad. We all have
Every summer I go a little crazy with Vista Print orders, and I tell myself that I am not going to order anything new next year. Of course, I keep ordering again and again. I’m still waiting on a big sale, but my shopping cart is loaded full of goodies. I thought I’d share some
Vista Print in the Classroom Read More »
Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Ashleigh Swinford. Education is certainly a journey. Eight years ago today, I began my own journey as an educator. In those years, I have seen and experienced more changes in education than I ever imagined. Each year I feel like a brand-new teacher-full of enthusiasm and
Let The Journey Begin Read More »
