Spring Cleaning

Yet again, WOW! Time flies, does it not?! This whole time change still has me thrown off. While we have more daylight I feel like I get less and less done. I suppose part of it is that I want to be outside in the nice weather instead of doing school work. I've built up to walking 7 miles a day and I LOVE going farther each time. The walks give me time to make long lists of "to-do's" in my head. Somehow the things on that list rarely get done but I suppose it is great to lay them all out. One thing that I keep thinking about and forgetting to do is blog. I have come up with so many things that I want to remember for the future. Most of the stuff has to do with organization. I have been trying very hard to be more organized, in turn that makes me more efficient, which is never a bad thing. Here's my list of classroom things to remember for next year:

1. Planning Binder:
I cannot even begin to tell you how many lesson plan layout's I have been through in order to find just the right thing for me. I have tried numerous great plans that I have found online and created a dozen templates myself. It did not help at all that halfway through the year our daily schedule changed in the afternoon. I went from teaching 2 45 minute science classes to an A-B schedule with 90 minute classes. At first the "extra" time sounded great. Then I realized how much of an adjustment this would be for both my students and myself. Being that I only saw them every other day due to the rotation they really had to learn to study on their own, this is huge for 5th graders. I also had to learn how to effectively use the 90 minutes. You would think it's simple, just squeeze two lessons together, but it isn't. Anywho, we are adjusting and it is getting better as time goes on. Here's my binder which has really helped. I just love it.

My pretty tabs! Eek. I love the simple numbers and that there is no card to keep sliding out of its place. Each tab is pretty self explanatory. It's set up so that pretty much anyone could come in and find the information that they need. This has been especially helpful when I have a sub. I have tabs for the following things: 1. Our schedule, including encore rotations, bathroom breaks, class/locker switches, early release times, late day schedule and a calender with important school events/meetings. 2. School information has a map of the school, school policy book, and other important school information. 3. Student info includes my class roster, birthday lists, who can participate in classroom guidance/family life/other extra things as well as the parent contact sheet. 4 & 5 contain everything I need to know for our SOL's which are convenient to be able to flip to when planning. It also contains my pacing guide for each and other subject related resources. 6 is my favorite which I'll post another picture of:

 Each month has its own tab. Within the tabbed sections is the corresponding monthly calender for long term/goal planning and event reminders. Yes, I know, I have two places for events. Repetitive but it works for me and it's easier for me to see when long term planning/pacing. After that are my lesson plans by day. Most days do not need much detail, just the basic SOL's, goals for the day, etc. At the end of each week, sometimes day, I jot down notes about lessons for next time. Since I teach AB days for science this really helps for the next day. I also use the notes section on my plans to jot down upcoming meetings, phone calls that need to be made and other important information. Here lately I have used this part as a place to jot down student behaviors. I keep a clipboard but it's also nice to have a place for more detailed information.

The last two tabs are for my two grade books. One set for my homeroom and on set for Mrs. Janneys. While I use PowerSchool online I frequenlty print out grade sheets just in case something would happen.

2. The next thing I want to remember is my crate. This is not such a great view but you get the idea. Each day has a hanging folder. In the hanging folder is a vanilla folder which I use to separate math work and science work for each day. Inside the folder I put unfinished work that we need to do that day. I also have a section for multiplication chart grids. It's an easy resource for students to pull from and they can choose to make a multiplication chart in their down time, you'll see where this comes in when I get to my back board. Then I have tabs for make-up work, extra papers, papers to return, behavior forms, and the pink folder holds extra lined paper. Students can pull from this as it is needed. It's bright and easy to spot from anywhere in the room. Inevitably students pull out the folder and leave it lay somewhere. Finally, I gave up with the lecture "put it back in its place" and changed to my bright pink folder. Most of my students get after each other for leaving it out now that it is so easy to spot. Basically I love my crate. It helps keep my front counter organized and it is always within my reach. It does take time to put everything in the correct spot but I try to do this at the beginning of the week, or the Friday before and convince myself that it is way easier to take the 10 minutes that it takes then verses scrambling for papers later which means in that minute all you know what breaks loose!

 A view of my front counter. Blue crate, pencils and other necessities and my newest idea: seat belts. They are the red strips hanging up. I was having a huge problem with several of my students up wondering around when they shouldn't be so in a moment of desperation seat belts were born. Basically when someone is having trouble staying in their seat they get a "seat belt". The paper just lays across their lap and serves as a reminder to stay in your seat. They are laminated so they slide off pretty easily. This works for us because it is a constant reminder to stay seated. I have only ever had to use them twice in the past 3 weeks. I leave them hanging up front as a reminder and all it takes is for me to say "do you need a seat belt?" for someone to have a seat and stay put. Perhaps it isn't the best technique but it works for us.

3. SMART COOKIES! You know how it goes, students get done and they think they can talk and distract others. This makes it hard when I am trying to work in small group with other students. Because of this I created folders. The original folders were kept in a crate and had work for students to complete and their math madness workbooks. They were to grab those when they finished. Well, let's just say that didn't always work so well. Because they had a million different options right in front of them at all times I found that students were working on those instead of following along in class. We still have the folders but they are saved for times when we have more than 5 extra minutes, like after a quiz when students are waiting for others to finish. I decided I needed something easier to track thus the back board was born. It's pretty much a bulletin board covered in folders with plastic sheet protectors on the front. The sheet protectors serve 2 purposes. 1. It shows students what the folder contains without them needing to pull anything out. 2. Once flipped up the other side contains the answers. This is a blessing for those who attempt the sudoku puzzles and need help every step of the way. I do not mind helping but they are supposed to chose things on their level so that I can work with my small group. I have a variety of skill levels and different looking worksheets. I have math puzzles, word problems, detective math problems as well as other things. It's a great place to put worksheets that we ran out of time for and other review work. Students can also choose to make a multiplication chart or grab math madness (if time allows). They have plenty of options so usually they are excited to choose something. Because of my air conditioner I couldn't go much higher with the folders. I would have had liked to add a few more but it just wasn't possible. I still need to make an "I'm all through, what can I do?" sign but here's what it looks like.

I suppose that will do for now. I have some more things that I will add later. I am already planning my room for next year. I CANNOT wait to clean out some junk and paint my walls. They are looking pretty nasty. I'm also hoping to get tables instead of my cumbersome desks. On a side note, if I do get these next year and complain please kick me and say "this is what you wanted". Our desks make it really hard to do anything but rows. BORING. Also, my smartboard wasn't centered so the rows have to be all wonky. I suppose I can deal with it all because i love having MY own classroom. Somedays it does still feel weird to be on the other side of the desk! Year 1 is flying by!