Archive for June 2013

Classroom Rugs

6/29/2013

This is a super short post but I had to share this with all of the chevron-obsessed teachers out there! I was in Lowes grabbing some things for my mini bathroom makeover and I saw this rug:

Here is a better picture of the color:

It was between $20-$30. They also had a green one at my store.

So if you're looking for a cute chevron rug, try Lowes!

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I'm going to be honest and say that I have no idea how google reader going away will affect me but since I don't want to miss out on any of your wonderful blogs, I joined Blog Lovin'. It was super easy and took about 30 seconds (seriously). It even imported all of the blogs I follow for me. When you have a Blog Lovin' account, click the link below to make sure you are following me!

I'm working on a few freebies so stay tuned :)

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Lining Up & Lesson Plans

6/24/2013

This is my first official Monday of summer!! I am so excited to have time to link up with Tara's Monday Made it again!

My class had no trouble lining up last year UNTIL we got a new student who just.couldn't.do.it. Everytime we lined up, he had an issue. Someone got in front of him or he got in front of someone else or someone isn't lining up fast enough. It drove me nuts! I decided to have my kids line up in number order next year. They will always be between the same two people and the line leader will rotate:

The Line Leader arrow is glued on a clothes pin and gets clipped to whoever is the line leader that week.
{Click the picture to get this for your room}
Okay onto the lesson plans...
I changed my lesson plan template a lot last year because I wasn't sure how I wanted to run my room. With multi-grade levels, I wasn't sure if I would be able to teach science/social studies whole group or if I'd have to do everything in small groups. Next year, I'm adding a 3rd grade level! This is the plan format I came up with (I just slightly edited the file from Ladybugs Teacher Files):

I'll have to make some changes to fit with all 3 grade levels and the schedule (I don't have the master schedule yet) but it's a start! If you like this format, grab it for free in my store! I have a few more freebies in the works so follow my blog so you don't miss any!

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Ten Pin LInky: Classroom Management

6/23/2013

I'm linking up with Ashley again for her 10 pin linky! This weeks topic is Classroom management. Without further ado, here are my top 10 classroom managment pins (in random order, click the pictures to be taken to the source):

1. I really like this reflection page for kids who go to the cool down spot. It uses a lot of pictures which is great for all kids who are upset (the less words the better). It also doesn't have writing lines so it's easier to use with my 1st graders and 3rd graders. AND it would be an easy way to let parents know their child needed the cool down spot. I guess there is a lot I like about this!

2. The Hall of Fame for the clipchart is a great idea! It's easy to implement and it gives kids something to work for. This is also free! Go check it out :)

3. I am definitely going to make a compliment jar like this for next year!

4. Lining up was an issue this year in my room becuase of one child. To make things easier for me and the class, I am having them line up in number order every.single.time. In order to make this fair, I will rotate the number that starts. For example, the second week of school the class will get in line starting with #2 and #1 will be the last in line. The following week #3 will be the line leader and so on. I made this little clip chart for it that includes posters for lining up.

5. I started using Smart Beads last year when I only had 2 students participating. I will definitely being using them again!

6. To move away from the prize box, I bought the Best Behavior Catelog:

7. Next year, I will have 6 students with autism. That's a lot of individual schedules to set up! I plan on making schedule pages like this for each child. When something changes, I'll cross it out and write the change. The aides can set up the visual schedule using this.

8. I know you have all seen this...This challenge will be introduced DAY 1!

9. I'm terrible at keeping up with newletters and when you add in 3 different grade levels, forget it. It's never going to happen. Instead, I'm going to have my students write a letter to their parents every Friday telling them what they learned.

10. Finally, I love this substitute binder.

I'm a little late with this so you can be too! Go over and join Ashley's party!

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School's Out!

6/21/2013

Today was my offical last day! The kids left before lunch on Wednesday and the rest of the week was spent moving into my new room. Moving cabinets, desks, bookshelves, and all our materials downstairs was exhausting! If the pool was warm enough, that's where I'd be right now but our weather has been oddly cold this year so instead, I'm thinking of ideas for next year.

Teaching 3 full curriculums (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) is a lot to take on but I'm excited to find creative ways to do it! I was thinking about my centers when I saw this post tonight at Primary Possibilities. Those ladies created amazing playdough centers! My students LOVE playdough. It's good for their fine motor skills and it's great for kids with sensory issues (I will have 6 students with autism next year and they all have sensory needs). Playdough centers seem like a great way to work on a lot of skills while keeping kids interested. Take a look at some of these centers:

Short Vowels:

Word problems:

Time:

Place Value:

I can't wait to use these next year! Head over to Primary Possibilities to check them out & enter their giveaway :)

Happy first day of Summer!!

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Classroom Decor Linky!!

6/16/2013

I'm linking up with Ashley from Just Reed for the Ten Pin Linky! This week is all about Classroom Decor.

Click the picture to join in!

Here are my top 10 classroom decor pins in no particular order:

1. Tire Seats for a reading area {so cute!} This would go great with the Schoolgirl Style road trip theme.

2. This Quote to keep on my desk {Free Printable}

3. I'm really loving the new Schoolgirl Style theme...I'm seriously considering it for next year.

4. This word wall!

5. A classroom timeline is a great idea! I need to remember to do this next year.

6. These are made from vinyl table clothes so they are super easy to clean. The kids LOVE the pillows but they tend to have accidents which is NOT good with fabric! This might be a good compromise.

7. This bookshelf/small group area is adorable! It looks so peaceful and organized. I'm considering going to a binder system for my units...not sure yet.

8. I love this desk! My current desk is awful and I can barely open the drawers.

(Link is broken...sorry!)

9. I like the added Bulletin Board space here and hooks for the headphones.

10. These are the cutest crate seats ever! I love the gray with the brighter dots.

I'm all over the place when it comes to picking a theme for next year. Have you chosen yours yet?

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1...2...3...

6/14/2013

So I mentioned previously that I would have new grade levels next year and I FINALLY know what they are! I will teach 1st, 2nd, and 3rd next year!! I'm SO excited! and nervous because tha'ts 3 grade levels....3. If you have any advice on teaching 3 grade levels, please leave a comment :)

This has been a CRAZY week. On Wednesday, my second graders had a musical and they did SO.AWESOME. Everyone remembered their lines :)

Today, we started with a Flag Day assembly complete with a Marine and band. Then we had our class party. We planned on doing outdoor water games but the weather has been cool and rainy so we quickly threw together the Hollywood themed party from Sarah Cooley.