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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.
WAHOO! Summer vacation. The Beach. Family BBQ’s. R&R.
BUT, WAIT! NOT YET! First I need to pack up my classroom so I can find the things I need when we come back. Back to School is crazy enough without me NOT being able to find my MOST needed items! ( Where is MY stapler???)
Are YOU packing up your classroom?
What am I packing?
What is on my classroom packing list?
Here is my list:
Number One
It’s ALL about ME! What will I need the first week?
Teacher Editions and Lesson Plan Book
My Teacher Editions & Lesson Plan Book. I need them to plan for the first weeks.
Mostly Routines and Daily schedules. (Work on THIS before VACATION!)
Sticky Notes
Sticky notes inside to remind my “aging” brain…what I INTEND to do!
What MATERIALS will I need to accomplish this? What lesson to focus on those first weeks? What went well? What didn’t?
USE THOSE STICKY NOTES INSIDE YOUR TE!
You will NOT remember months from now… what you are thinking about TODAY!
Classroom Library I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with my classroom library.
I LOVE BOOKS!
I Love my kiddos to LOVE books!
I Love the organization of a classroom library.
I HATE PUTTING BOOKS AWAY!
I HATE A MESSY CLASSROOM LIBRARY.
And so…
What’s a teacher to do? REDO IT AGAIN!
So, How many times do I have to do it…
before I LOVE it?? (Again )
Here is the BEFORE…
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
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3 Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure. WOW! A lot for firsties who are learning to read AND write. We “JUMP” in! 🙂
Much easier to write about yourself, than others.
My kiddos are just beginning to understand LANGUAGE.
Sytnax…grammar…structure…????
A LOT FOR A 7 year old!
HOW? HOW? HOW? Breathe… We TALK… A LOT!
We share our ideas. We draw. We draw some more. We chart ideas. We sound out words ( the best we can ).
We share. We edit. We write more. And we FIX IT!
Is it perfect? NO!
Is it OK?
YES! Writing is a process. It takes TIME! And practice. And MORE practice!
I want my kiddos to WANT to write. Not for ME…for themselves!
The LOVE of writing is a GIFT! Give them a GIFT!
Need HELP with resources, ideas, & planning?
Here are some helpful ideas:
When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.
