10 Things to Do BEFORE You Set Up Your Classroom
Hey, there, friends! It's Laura from Peace, Love, and First Grade!
If it's summer vacation for you, enjoy!
If not, live each day to the fullest and smile because it happened!
I'm here today to talk about getting your classroom ready for a makeover.
Now, this is NOT my classroom reveal.
That will come as I have time to get in my room.
I'm excited to share that with you on my blog later this month!
Today is all about getting ready to set up your room!
Let me preface this by saying,
I'm not trying to pressure anyone into decoration madness,
I'm not trying to pressure anyone into decoration madness,
but I do believe a happy classroom is one that functions efficiently,
and is well organized and attractive.
and is well organized and attractive.
This summer I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
Marie is a proponent of getting your house in order and keeping it in order.
She suggests keeping only the items in your home that bring you joy and letting go of the rest.
I think we can apply the same principle to the classroom.
Keep what sparks joy in you and let go of the rest.
ARE YOU READY TO SEE MY MESS?
Here you go!
Want more?
The good news is...it doesn't look that this anymore!
So, are you ready to get your classroom in order?
Great! But remember-this is not a one day job.
I like to think of it as ten days.
Already started school?
Take one task a week for the first ten weeks.
Day 1) Clean out your children's literature.
Keep only the books that bring you and your kiddos joy!
Keep only the books that bring you and your kiddos joy!
I know.
I LOVE children's books, too, but let's face it.
I LOVE children's books, too, but let's face it.
It's okay to let go of a book.
DON'T THROW IT OUT.
Pass it on to someone who will find joy in it.
You'll be amazed at how much room this gives you AND you'll know what you have when you need something.
Day 2) Clean out your Math manipulatives!
You don't need 6 bins of pattern blocks or 48 Judy clocks.
Keep what you need and pass the rest on to someone else.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Day 3) Clean out your art supplies.
If you haven't used those foam Easter bunnies in the last 3 years, get rid of them.
If you haven't used those foam Easter bunnies in the last 3 years, get rid of them.
Pass on the joy to someone else! No hoarding!
Day 4) Clean out your office supplies.
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!
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!
Day 5) Clean out board games, puzzles, and other activities.
If you don't use them, someone else can.
If Czechoslovakia is still on your globe...you get it.
Share your treasures.
If you don't use them, someone else can.
If Czechoslovakia is still on your globe...you get it.
Share your treasures.
Day 6) Do I dare say it...Clean out your paper.
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!
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!
Day 7) Decide how you will store supplies.
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.
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.
NOW-
The next two may not be popular, but I'm going with them.
Day 8) Get rid of your filing cabinet OR scale down to a smaller one.
The more room you have for stuff, the more stuff you'll acquire.
If there's no where to put the stuff, you won't be as likely to hold onto it.
Day 9) Get rid of your teacher desk OR scale down to a smaller one.
You can do it! I did and I had a lot of stuff in mine, too.
I never sat there (not even after school), and it took up a great deal of space.
Now, that space is used by my first graders, and I don't miss my desk one bit!
I use an over-the-door shoe organizer for my office supplies.
Space saver!
Space saver!
Day 10) Plan your classroom design.
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.
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.
Here are a few good ones:
This is the one I use.
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!
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!
Back to School IPAD Apps
Hi everyone!
Its Latoya over at Flying into First Grade !!!
I am here to share with you some apps that could be useful for the beginning of the year but also throughout the year.
I had the honor of attending a SEE math conference for 2 weeks this summer. They gave us so many resources and manipulatives. The best gift was the free IPAD I received during the training. We learned aboiut many apps that can be used in the classroom. You will find my favorite 4 apps that I learned below!!!
Here is a quick example I found on youtube!
Here is a quick example I made!!!
Here is an example that I created in the training.
Here is just a quick example I did last night.
Now Im off to go pack up my classroom so I can move!!!!
Getting the Most Out of Professional Development
You hear it announced at the beginning of the school day and you dread it ALL. DAY. LONG! Or, you are happily enjoying your summer break and you get an email or text that makes your heart drop... PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSION- attendance "optional", but not really, if you know what I mean.
Yup, we have all been there before. I will admit that in my 15 years of being in the world of education, I have sat through some pretty crumby professional development sessions/classes where I felt I knew more about the topic being presented than the presenter. I was grouchy and didn't want to listen or hear what was being discussed!
On the flip-side of that, I too, have sat through many AMAZING sessions of professional development where I left inspired, invigorated, and ready to get the proverbial party started!
I have spent the past couple of weeks reflecting on this topic. I am now an administrator who will be giving these professional development opportunities to my staff. What made some sessions so amazing, and others so lame?
I realized it was ME! It dawned on me that I played a HUGE role in the value I got out of those professional development sessions. I also realized that there were some key components to getting the most out of each and every session- regardless of the topic, the presenter, or the time of day!
So, read on, dear PD'er! I am excited to share a few of these tips with you!
No I am not just saying this because I am a new principal. I have been a negative Ned most of my life. I tend to be very pessimistic about many things. However, I found that when I had a positive attitude, even if I had to "pretend" I was glad about the PD session, that I was more attentive and willing to listen to what was being shared. I tried to smile more in the session and remind myself that something in this presentation WILL make me a better teacher!
Also, be sure to avoid or shut down negative talk about professional development. A simple, "Really? I am looking forward to our meeting today!" is usually enough to get the negative Nellys and Neds to zip it!
I learned the value of this from my second principal- Jane Friel. She was a ROCK STAR at modeling for us as teachers things to do and try in our classrooms during PD sessions and Faculty meetings. Each year we would get a new composition notebook that had our name, grade, and year on it. Sometimes were "required" to take notes or reflect on the the learning of the meeting, but mostly it was a place to write down key ideas and take-away points from articles/presentations that were part of the on-going PD at that school. I still have all THREE of the ones I received while working in her school. Even better, I still flip through them from time to time and find the learning still relevant to me today!
I found that when I listened with the foreknowledge of wanting to write down the key ideas, I was able to focus and truly listen. It made a HUGE difference in my learning and understanding.
I have found that when I sit down, whether it is later that day or the next, with a colleague that also attended (or even one that didn't) and discuss key points, that I am able to better retain the information, get new insights from the person I am sharing with, and have a more positive experience overall. In fact, knowing that I will be sharing with someone else, makes me take better notes and ponder about ideas.
However, note that sitting next to your besties and talking off-topic the whole time will NOT be a helpful activity. Side-conversation is distracting to others around you and a real downer for the person presenting. To top it all off, it makes you look unprofessional as well- something we ALL want to avoid!
If no one wants to listen to you when it is all said and done, then write a Facebook post, blog post, share your ideas on Instagram, or even do a quick Periscope video- someone out there will listen and respond! I know I would!
GET REAL MR. HUGHES....
So, I want to make it clear that I understand that some professional development will just suck eggs. That's all there is to it! Sometimes the required topics are annoying- or "just another thing" we have to do. But, if we refer to Tip #1, we will find that regardless of the topic- something useful, positive, and constructive can truly come from ANY training, in-service, or session you are required to attend.
And, if the offering is optional- make it a point to go. Knowing you are there because you CAN be and not because you HAVE to be, will also make a huge difference in your attitude and learning.
Now that I have shared my TOP 3 TIPS for GETTING THE MOST OUT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT with you- it's YOUR turn! I would love to hear what tips you have to offer about how to get the most out of professional development! Leave your thoughts in the comment section below! I can't wait to hear from you! SCORE!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful WEEK! WAHOO!
YOU ROCK-
John, Created by MrHughes
Join me on my journey with one or all of these sites:
Periscope (@createdbymrhughes)
Don't miss the other AWESOME posts from this month.
Click on the picture to learn and read more! WAHOO!
Getting To Know Your Students
Hi everyone,
Valerie here from All Students Can SHINE! I'm only a few weeks into my summer break and I'm already planning my first week back! Today, I'm here to share some ideas for getting to know your students on that very busy first week of school. Starting over with a brand new group can be quite overwhelming because we don't know much about our students yet and that makes everything a little tricky. I have a few tips for you that I hope will help!
On the very first day of school, I like to ask my students lots of questions. Kids LOVE to talk about themselves so I use this to my advantage. Those little learners can come to you very nervous and shy but you can turn that around really quickly by asking them to chat about themselves.
We usually go around the room, giving everyone a chance to share a small personal fact. I use this wheel and give each student a chance to spin it. It gets kids moving (which can be very helpful for those little guys who don't like sitting for too long) and makes it fun because we get a different question every time a student spins!
We also fill out an "all about me" page. This is an easy way to assess my students' coloring and printing skills, which will help me quickly get to know them as learners in my classroom.
Finally, we play a scavenger hunt game. Students walk around the classroom to chat with their new friends and to fill out their "find a friend" page.
By the end of the day, everyone has had the opportunity to share a few things about themselves and learn about their new peers. It's a great way to break the ice and start the new school year on the right foot. It isn't stressful and helps everyone feel welcome!
Don't forget to grab yourself a FREEBIE before you go.
(You will need to download the preview file to get it)
If you are looking for more tips for the first week of school,
check out my post at All Students Can SHINE.
You can also check out more posts from our fabulous authors here at the Primary Chalkboard.
check out my post at All Students Can SHINE.
You can also check out more posts from our fabulous authors here at the Primary Chalkboard.
We have loads of tips and tricks for K-6!
I hope some of these tips will help you and I wish you a great first day of school,
Valerie
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.
First Days of School Ideas & a * FREEBIE *
Hi friends! It's Vicky here from Teaching and Much Moore! I'm so excited to share some fun back to school ideas with you. I know, I know don't say it right?!?
But whether we are ready or not here it comes! So, I thought I would take some of the pain away. Here are some ideas/do's and dont's for you:
It's always fun to have a photo op/backdrop or sign on the first day and capture a picture. Even if you don't make a memory book for your kids it's great to put on a magnet for the parents for back to school night or have on the desks for back to school night.
Making sure the newer kids have buddies is a BIG one for me. I was never the new kids but can imagine how overwhelming it might be. Giving them a buddy to hang out with at recess can easily be forgotten but it's very important. Also the school tour is another big one especially for those new kids. It really eases any anxiety they might have.
Things WON'T go perfect I can tell you that! Someone will show up that wasn't on your list that was added at the last minute, someone might be will be crying if you teach the lower grades. There's a lot going on the first day - just roll with it, be flexible for those things and from the start be consistent with your expectations. Don't forget to SMILE!!!!
Thanks for sticking with me on the do's and don'ts now: if you teach the little guys I have a great freebie for you!
I hope you got some new ideas and enjoy the freebie! Happy first day to all of you whether it's coming up or not until September! xox
Vicky
Behavior Management Idea
Hi Friends… Anna here from Simply Skilled in Second! I wanted to share with you my classroom management procedures that I have set in place within my 2nd grade classroom. A few years ago, I felt that my classroom management techniques were a bit antiquated and I wanted to spice things up a little bit within my classroom and I am 100% sure I figured it out!
I don't know about you, but I love shopping around the dollar store and the $5 or Less stores around the neighboring towns...so I figured...If I enjoyed that so much maybe my students would to.
In came....
The DiGilio Dollar Store!
I purchased a small pocketchart and got right to work. This is what my pocketchart looks like...
I downloaded an image of a dollar bill and added my face to the center of it! The kids think they are GOLD! It is so funny!
Each of the clear pockets has one of my student's name on it. Every Monday, my students start their week with $3.00. If they make good choices and work hard throughout the week, they will get their payday on Friday. I also hand out DiGilio Dollars for doing something nice for a friend, when I hear a nice comment made to another child, and I pick Mystery Walkers in the hallway. If my Mystery Walkers walk through the hallway nicely without talking, they also get a DiGilio Dollar! About every 6 weeks, the DiGilio Dollar Store opens its doors! My little kiddos get to go shopping in our store. I have fun pencils, cool sharpeners and erasers, bookmarks, extra recess time, computer time, lunch with the teacher {that's me..this is probably the most popular choice}...well let me just show you....this is my DiGilio Dollar Store Choice Board. I buy all of my fun little prizes at the Dollar Store ;) My kiddos LOVE when my store is open for business!
I started this behavior management plan a few years ago and I have seen a VAST improvement in the overall behavior in my classroom. I love my new plan and I am sure you will too if you give it a try!
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