Which one? Where is it?

It is probably just me.  BUT I have a ton of picture books that I want to use for instructional purposes but then can't find them when needed.  Normally, a month later or prior that "particular" book is spotted, but not when needed.

SO....I started putting them in the filing cabinet with the appropriate subject.  Their placement was rushed a couple years ago when I was moving rooms.  Therefore, I confess they were basically shoved in some spot in the general area of the subject to which they went.  "I'll have time during the year to deal with it." I told myself.  😂HAHAHA!!!😂
   Then the next year I moved again and this time the room was under construction until the week prior to returning. THEN as any elementary teacher know....It is not organization time....It is put stuff somewhere to survive the year time. Again, telling myself, "I'll get to it during the year." AGAIN....NOT DONE!

This summer, I am making the time to go through those filing cabinets.

YES!! I love to be organized!! 
Why? 
     I do not like the feeling that I don't know where things are or the time it takes to search.  

HERE WE GO!
Step 1. Go through files and ditch unneeded items.  






Step 2. Find the picture multitude of books scattered throughout.








Step 3.  Have a brilliant idea! I am sure others have known to do this but for me, it was a "Why didn't you think of this before?!?!" moment.
   
I don't know about you, but I hoard "leftover" labels. 

Perfect!
Just what was needed.




Step 4. Label the books for which subject and concept they will be used.


Step 5. File them with the other items for the same concept. 



VOILA! The books are tagged and ready for use.  I look forward to a spectacular year of educating young minds using the best of my resources!

How do you organize your picture books or other non-worksheet type resources? 

Kim

July is Time to Clean & Organize

Okay, I am a little CrAZy.  In July, I take a few hours a couple times a week (sometimes more when I get too involved) to work on fun for me teaching items.  My fun is not everyones fun, though.  Like part of last week, I spent my time learning all I could about Generation Z.  They are who we are teaching after all.  WOW!! Interesting....But that will be a post for a different day.

The other part of that time was spent organizing and cleaning...my classroom desk and desktop.  Well, truth be told the desktop is organized but NOT cleaned yet.  

What does this have to do with differentiation?

Differentiation is easier to accomplish if you can find what you need! So...take time now to organize all those items just sitting around.  We all have them.  

On the desktop:

   *Put everything in a folder.

   *Go through the folders and trash what you haven't used in a few years.  Okay, so as teachers we have an issue with getting rid of things.  SO...

   *Make a "Temporary Folder" that can hold the documents, PPTs, activities, etc. that you just can not part with at this minute.  Then over winter break or next summer feel better about trashing them.  

    *When going through the items in your folder mark items that you know are for scaffolding or extending learning. This will make it easy to locate needed items without opening every document to check it out.  A quick description will also be helpful. 

    *I am also cleaning out my Pinterest boards.  Hi, my name is Kim and I have an addiction to gathering ideas!!! I love collecting and sharing them.  But it is time to cut back.  So, each night I go through a couple folders or two boards.  

Angela Watson has a great blog, Cornerstone, and every once in a while she accepts people into her 40 Hour Work Week. In both of them, she is talking about organizing your day.  Sketch out what you want to accomplish and give it specific timeframes.  That includes the soak in the tub or reading on the hammock.  It simply allows you to get the rest and rejuvenation you need over the summer as well as being prepared for the start without the frantic chaos that sometimes faces us when we return. 

 Whatever you do whether it is putting items into folders or taking time to clean out the clutter, it will all help you feel a bit better when you start the new year.

KIM

Decisions, Decisions....Setting Up the Classroom

It is time! Time to take those last few hours to just sit on the porch and breath in the fresh air.  Time to get the brain transitioning to the new year.  Time to be inspired!

I had decided early in the spring to have a superheroes theme this year.  It has been fun! There are many great ideas.  See my Pinterest Board http://www.pinterest.com/kremm/addicted-to-teaching/ to see what is out there to use and inspire your creative juices!

Now for a picture walk through my room as it is right now.  Not complete at this point.  More to come soon!!!

Writing bulletin board

front left side

Missing from picture are the objective strips which are located to the far left.

Recycled overhead apron holds student sticks and brain breaks.

"Don't Forget" is the space used for reminders and notes.

"Reading Buckets" normally have student list attached to front so I can mark who needs materials from each bucket for guided reading.

Visual student materials magnets.  There are now fancy ones to buy.  These were homemade as I started using them long before the commercially made ones.  Another opportunity missed!

Lastly the behavior chart. Instead of using clothes pins, I am using magnets.  BECAUSE...I am addicted to magnets right now!

Right hand side of front white board.  In the middle it is normal work space.

Started this last year and will keep using it. 

One of the best ideas I used last year.

Each student has a numbered glass pebble with hot glued magnet. 

When students leave the room they move their pebble to where they are going (resource room, restroom, nurse, office, band....).

 The back white board: Homeworkopoly board; homework turn in file holders;

"Extras" is where I put papers for those who have been absent or loose one;

The middle spot are the stats we keep.  I plan to also keep how many days we go with everyone turning homework in.

 

 



 

"Keep Calm and Superhero On" 

Students will make their superhero symbol and they will go up here all year.

The corner says, "News Flash"

This will be our current events bulletin board.

The border is made from superhero Duck tape.  Easy and fun way to make borders.

This is the board we will use to focus on character traits. 

The cloud looking poster is a place the class can write positive things about their classmates.

Still trying to come up with a great title for this one.

It contains popsicle/craft sticks with better word choices.

THIS IS MY FAVORITE SPOT this year.

It is where my L to J and other class data graphs will reside.

 

 

 OOPS.. out of order.

 I have a whole wall that is sectioned off, so....I use it for each subject.

Vocabulary and key concepts to here for easy access throughout an unit.

"Incredible Work"

The Hulk is a Pinterest find.  As well as using clothes pins for hanging their papers.

I have had a "brag" board for a few years.  The students love having control over what they put on the board to show off. 

 

That is the start to my room.  Stay tuned, I have more to share coming soon!

Kim

Recycling the Overhead Apron

I love cleaning out the drawers and cabinets before school starts. It is my cleansing process, which prepares me for the coming year.  This year I found my old overhead apron. 

WALA! Just want I needed!!! Pockets ready to hold stuff.

Supplies for the creation of my newest organizational tool.

Glue the button magnets on the back.  I am a bit obsessed with magnets and my hot glue gun!!!

Finished product.  I have since used a white paint pen to record what would be in each pocket.

Yellow: Student name sticks - "choose" and "done"

Red: Sticks with brain breaks - sitting breaks, standing/moving breaks, "walks"

It's place in the whole picture.

 

 

 

 

LOOK AT MY FINDS!!

This summer one of the tasks on my TO DO LIST is to find games.

I have been scouting out a few garage sales and Goodwill.

Yesterday, I hit the jackpot!!

I found two Chutes and Ladders, Boggle Jr., and another Connect Four.

Connect Four - I have many ideas swimming in my head because of Penterest.

(Check out my Penterest boards , reading, word work & math, to see some of the ideas.)

Chutes and Ladders - This board has soooo many uses.  Just add any set of cards (comprehension questions, flashcards, even use worksheets as the questions).  Student picks a card, gives an answer, and checks answer. If they are correct, spin and move! That simple and FUN way to practice.

Boggle Jr. - I have two ideas. One is to give it to a Kindergarten or first grade class. 

Secondly, using just the cubes, students will roll and see how many words they can make.

 

 

Monopoly - This is a special set that I picked up just for the game pieces. 

Fun game pieces can be found on the cheap this way.

(Getting large sets of mini erasers can be used for interesting game pieces as well.  Oriental Trading offer all kinds of little trinkets in large quantities and can be found for themes or holidays.)

My plan is to have a large container filled with different items so they can choose their game pieces.

 

Think of my surprise as I walked by a bin of binders to see this 5" binder sticking out!

YES!! I am always in need of LARGE binders. 

Upon investigating the bin I found 3 of them!

They have the clear sides so I can make colorful titles. I am in teacher heaven.

 

What kinds of items are you looking for this summer?

What are you doing with them?

What SURPRISE items have you found and turned into exciting educational items?

 

Kim