What We're Chalking About AUGUST: A Visual Calendar
10 Things to Do BEFORE You Set Up Your Classroom
I'm not trying to pressure anyone into decoration madness,
and is well organized and attractive.
Keep only the books that bring you and your kiddos joy!
I LOVE children's books, too, but let's face it.
It's okay.
If you haven't used those foam Easter bunnies in the last 3 years, get rid of them.
Look at each one.
If no joy comes from having them and they serve no purpose,
pass them on to someone else or donate them.
It's a good feeling!
If you don't use them, someone else can.
If Czechoslovakia is still on your globe...you get it.
Share your treasures.
Oh, it's tough! I know it is. I've done it. But the feeling is just so great!
If you haven't used it or it turns your fingers purple...you don't need it.
Recycle that paper!
Once you decide what manipulatives and supplies you are going to keep, choose how you are going to store them.
Then label your supplies.
Labeling makes supplies easier to find for students and other adults who may visit.
Space saver!
Once the clutter is removed and you are ready to set up your room,
go online and play around with a classroom set-up tool.
You can design your whole room as many times as you like.
You'll need your room measurements for this.
Now you are ready to think decor!
Let me tell you, if I can do it, you can do it?
Did you see my mess above?
It doesn't look like that anymore.
This week, I can get in my building to work and I plan to make the most of it.
Pics to come on my blog!
Happy Tuesday!!
Don't forget! We're blogging every day this month at Primary Chalkboard!
Helping students keep track of their pencils!
I don’t know about you, but kids not having the supplies they need to do their work drives me CRAZY! Crazy, I tell you. The problem is that I GIVE them everything they need. EVERYTHING and they lose it, eat it, leave it on the floor, claim, “It’s not mine!” and let their neighbor take it. So one kid has 6 pencils and another has none.
Enter Vodka.
Actually enter this brilliant idea! I flag my pencils with masking tape, write the child’s name on the pencil flag, and reward the child for keeping track of their pencils until they are all used up.
So what are you waiting for? Grab some masking tape and let’s do this. Simply wrap tape around the pencil and fold the tape back in on itself. Trim the edge for a nice clean finish. This is a great job for a parent volunteer. I have used many kinds of tape to make the flags. I have found that masking tape works best. It’s easy to work with, write on, and though it can rip, it is pretty durable! I keep about 100 at the ready all the time.
You can hand out the awards in many ways. I like to give a child an award when they use up a pencil. You can also surprise the class with a pencil check. Anyone who still has their pencil gets a responsibility award.
Behavior Management Idea
Integrating Technology Into Your Everyday Lessons
Back to School Tips and Ideas for New Teachers
5. Save your receipts for taxation purposes. You might like to use the new app; Expensify to scan your receipts. Here's a link to their website. Here's a link to their FREE app.
Classroom Management Ideas
We all know the last part of school can get a little crazy. The kids are getting anxious and so are you! Here are a few ideas for classroom management from some of our PC authors to help keep your class running smooth.
Every year around this time I change up my classroom management. The students all get a new job, and they get paid in Beach Bucks each week for doing not only their job, but classwork, homework and just being a good citizen.
Using Beach Bucks in my class the last quarter is always so helpful and the kids absolutely love it! Who doesn't love getting paid for their hard work? To find out more details Click Here for my original post.