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Category Archives: Classroom Organization
Classroom Organization. Everything from Teacher Organization, Classroom Design, labels, flexible seating, and organizing student materials. Here is where we find help in the “daily” activities of the classroom. Tips and Tricks help the classroom run efficiently and effectively.
This is the entry into a world where ALL students are flowers in the classroom garden. Each is unique, colorful, and needs it’s own nurturing to THRIVE! How to create a classroom environment where each student with different needs and abilities will blossom. When we create our classroom bouquet, we have grown a RAINBOW from the seeds we have planted.
Beautiful Garden of Mixed Flowers
One time per week, I will post a TIP, a TRICK, and/or a HACK to help YOU, the teacher, nurture our students into thriving blossoms of learning! My hope is that through support, trials & tribulations, and time-saving tips, YOU may grow YOUR RAINBOW!
RAINBOW of flowers. From: How to grow a rainbow in your classroom. 1stgradefireworks
For some this may the first time they have ever been given the WHOLE responsibility of a JOB!
(Think HELICOPTER PARENTS).
For some, it is a responsibility they take on JOYFULLY!
For others, they embrace the position, but NOT the RESPONSIBILITY!
Practice..practice…practice.
And so, to help nurture the independence of each of my little “seedlings”,
I CHOOSE DAILY Helpers. I know, some classrooms have weekly helpers, some permanent helpers, but for ME? I choose them daily. In my class of 24, each student SHOULD be each of our helpers by the end of the month. I say SHOULD. I make no promises. We are in a continuous state of growing!
WHAT HELPERS DO I NEED?
If you go to pinterest there are thousands of samples of
Helper ( JOB ) Cards are a way for students to take RESPONSIBILITY
AND
HELP THE TEACHER! 🙂
Here is HOW I USE THEM!
Each morning our bell rings at 8:20 AM.
We are working at 8:21.
My students put HW folders in the basket,
backpacks & jackets on the shelves,
and get ready for chromebooks.
(Don’t be tardy…you will miss computer time)
While they are “waiting patiently”..Ie: staring through my back, grinning quietly, hoping I call their name…
I take name cards ( nothing FANCY…3 X 5 cards with THEIR NAME ON IT 🙂 )
and
change the helpers in a small pocket chart at the front of my room.
I know..BAD PICTURE…I swear the POCKET CHART is right there! 🙂
My pocket chart came from the $1 section at Target. Nothing FANCY!
MY JOBS are:
Line Leader
Door Holder
Messenger
Clean Up Crew (2 students)
Ball Handlers ( 2 for recess)
Tech Teachers ( 4 students )
They change daily.
They biggest change I have made is..
YOU MUST BE
“ON TIME AND IN YOUR SEAT” – To be a HELPER!
WOW…no more tardies!
EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A HELPER!
AND after JANUARY… They can choose their job!
(I wait until January because I want to make sure they ALL know EXACTLY what the job is, and may have had a chance to be that “special” helper once before. I want them to see it in action, before they have CHOICE!)
Allow the little ones to be a PART of the classroom!
They LOVE IT!
I hope YOU check out the blogs and pins online to find the HELPERS that fit YOUR classroom and YOUR style! If you need a SPECIAL order HELPERS CARDS SET, email me. I do special orders, too!
1stgradefireworks@gmail.com
Whatever JOBS you choose…let them take RESPONSIBILITY! Don’t do it for them!
NO HELICOPTER TEACHERS! Even when YOUR OCD kicks in!
WHAT???? AGAIN???? NO!!!!!!! So, How many times do I have to do it..before I LIKE it??
Here is the BEFORE…
Classroom Library- before or after?
So, why? Oh, why?
Why mess with a GOOD thing? ( Can you hear the shame in my voice?) BECAUSE. Because I know what wonderful books are in the tubs.
BUT … the kids DON’T! They know their favorites. They go to the same tub over & over. I LOVE THAT.BUT… How do you know… there might be a BOOK you would LOVE BETTER!
They don’t search. They just go to what they know.
SO…I am expanding their KNOWLEDGE BASE!
I have decided to TAKE AWAY THE TUBS!
WHAT???? I know…you with OCD will HATE ME! WHY?
Because..it’s not MY library…it’s OURS!
I am going to dump EVERY book in a pile in the middle of our carpet area.
AND WE WILL SORT!
Common core says NONFICTION is a PRIORITY!
My kids don’t even know WHAT Nonfiction books we have!
Back to School is coming soon. I am NOT ready! I love summer vacation.
BUT…I do need to start getting ready.
HOW? WHAT? WHEN?
My vacation brain won’t wrap around the thought of setting up my classroom!
WHAT do I need?
Help is on the way!
Here are 10 teacher items YOU need TODAY!
Like it? Pin it!
1. Flair Pens. You NEED at least 24. The MORE the Merrier! |
2. Astrobright Paper – You will print EVERYTHING in colored paper! |
3. Book Boxes- Where will your kids put all of their independent reading books? |
4. storage drawers- Where to keep all of YOUR stuff? |
5. pencil sharpener – THE BEST! |
6. labels – After you get all of your ‘goodies” unpacked…LABEL everything so YOU can find them later! |
7. Growth Mindset Posters – Helping kids and adults create a positive mindset. |
8. Writing Centers – Every classroom needs a place for writing. |
9. Teacher Planner – YOU KNOW YOU NEED THIS!!! |
10. Balanced Literacy Resource – MY personal FAVORITE! Helps me remember what I need to do! |
It’s time to start the thinking. Begin the planning. Open my teacher Bag.
Check out my BACK to School Pinterest Board! Pin If you LIKE!
First I need to jump in the pool again!
Maybe I’ll start tomorrow!
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