ALEX

When first trying to describe what ALEX is to a person, one must understand what the acronym means, Alabama Learning Exchange. Now knowing this, it is easy to draw context clues as to have a somewhat understanding of what it is, apparently it has something to do with teachers and exchanging something. Given that this is true, this website is so much more than just that. ALEX is an online program where teachers, students and parents can have a knowledge of what should be taught in the classroom. In the state of Alabama there are standards which must be met in every grade and every subject. For example if you are in the fourth grade and studying language arts there are thirty-five standards that must be met, and this website breaks each standard down and gives an overview of what that standard is about and what should be met. Then the website takes it a step further, not only does it tell you the standard for the subject and grade, it then gives you lesson plans that a teacher can use in his or her own classroom. These lesson plans are also provided by the National Board of Certified Teachers, so you know that not just some everyday person can post a lesson plan without knowing what they are doing. This website in my opinion would be a life savor for a first year teacher on his or her own.
I have a class called Classroom Management and so this is not the first time i have heard about this website. As a matter of fact I used it today when in class I had an assignment to make up a lesson plan and when I made up the lesson plan I then had to find the standard on this website that it met. When I first learned about it I was very excited because I always wondered when I started teaching on my own how in the world was I going to be able to make up six or so lessons plans everyday? It was actually very overwhelming when I would actually sit down and seriously think about it, then I soon realized there are of course some sort of standards to met and how was I supposed to know I was meeting these standards? This is one of the best things I think I have learned so far in working towards my degree for Elementary Education. When I found out that certified teachers posted these lesson plans and different ideas of teaching things it is really exciting because you know someone is not posting bogus things on this website and it has been done before and it was apparently successful for this teacher. In my opinion this is going to be very handy for a new teacher and her very first year on his or her own! I know I will use often as a tool for guidance.