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
Test Prep Ideas and Products
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 feelings, my students will have to take a high-stakes
100th Day of School
Having only taught upper elementary, I've never done anything for the 100th day of school. It all just seemed a little too young to me.
I always start feeling the pressure of our state testing after Christmas, so I don't like giving up class time for anything other that
Planning for January
It's always hard to believe that the end of December marks the halfway point of the school year. Looking back at all students have learned and accomplished over a few months is astonishing. It's sometimes hard to see the gains students have made day-to-day, so it's nice to stop
Advice For New Teachers
I believe that teaching has to be one of the most rewarding yet challenging professions, but I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Here is my best advice for new (and experienced) teachers.
Don't get too caught up in decorating and making everything look perfect. Yes,
Vocabulary and Standards Posters
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
Bucket Fillers
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
Vista Print in the Classroom
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
Let The Journey Begin
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
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