Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Animal Crackers: Tips and Trends Tuesday: Tissue Paper Pom Poms
Animal Crackers: Tips and Trends Tuesday: Tissue Paper Pom Poms: I love these tissue paper pom poms. They are so colorful and can add fun and class to any event. I just did some for my daughter's birthda...
Sunday, August 28, 2011
September Lesson Plan Ideas
September Lesson Plan Ideas For
You
Here are some ideas to incorporate September events in your classroom:
September Is Back To School For Teachers - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 7 Labor Day - Lesson Plans
September 6 Read a Book Day - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 8 International Literacy Day - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
Events of September 11 - Teacher Printable Guide
September 17 National Constitution Week - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 22 Autumn / Fall Season Starts - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 25 Native American Day - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
Here are some ideas to incorporate September events in your classroom:
September Is Back To School For Teachers - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 7 Labor Day - Lesson Plans
September 6 Read a Book Day - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 8 International Literacy Day - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
Events of September 11 - Teacher Printable Guide
September 17 National Constitution Week - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 22 Autumn / Fall Season Starts - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
September 25 Native American Day - Worksheets, Lessons, Guide
About Weekly Teacher
TipsThis
newsletter is brought to you by teach-nology.com
More September Ideas
and Activities at: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/
Friday, August 26, 2011
Attention Signals & Quiet Signals
Attention Signals and Quiet Signals
Try, "Give Me
5" and put up your hand and use each
finger:
Eyes are looking
Ears are listening
Lips are closed
Hands are still
Feet are quiet
Eyes are looking
Ears are listening
Lips are closed
Hands are still
Feet are quiet
Our school also does a "Give me Five"
program that is campus wide K - 2. We have a large poster of a hand. Each finger
starting with pinky: eyes on speaker, mouth quiet, body still, ears listening,
hands free. Anytime an adult holds up their hand and says "give me five" the
children stop and look at them.
When I want my kids to put everything
down and look at me, I chant "Hands on top" while putting my hands on my head.
They respond "Everybody STOP" while putting their hands on their heads.
I also like "Hocus, Pocus, Everybody Focus".
Looks like -Sounds like-Modeling at the
beginning of the year. They brainstorm and model what good listening looks like,
then what it sounds like and what does a good line, look like? sound like? and
they do this for every situation.
I pick 2 kids and tell them that when
they hear me say "Shush" their job is to say "ssssshhhhhhh" loud enough for
everyone to know to get quiet.
When lining up and walking down the
hallway, I say: "Single File with a Smile." When in class
I'll clap twice and they will clap twice.
Students will play Copycat. It is up to
you to create a fun, new way to get the students attention. I use clapping a
pattern or I say "Hands on head, eyes on me, 1,2,3, and they repeat to get
attention for directions.
Change up your signals, and use various
ones. Use some of the good old fashioned teacher's bell, a music box, saying "One
Two Three, Eyes On Me" (They answer "One Two, Eyes on You!")
Chants work for the seasons:
One Jack o lantern
Two Jack o lantern
Three Jack o lantern
Boo! It's Halloween!
One Turkey
Two Turkey
Three Turkey
Happy Thanksgiving!
Chants work for the seasons:
One Jack o lantern
Two Jack o lantern
Three Jack o lantern
Boo! It's Halloween!
One Turkey
Two Turkey
Three Turkey
Happy Thanksgiving!
If you're listening clap your
hands...(clap, clap)
If you're listening touch your nose...(touch your nose)
If you're listening touch your head...(touch your head)
If you're listening touch your chin...(touch your chin).
If you're listening touch your nose...(touch your nose)
If you're listening touch your head...(touch your head)
If you're listening touch your chin...(touch your chin).
Repeat it to get
everyone's attention & use different variations.
Clean Up Song-Everyone joins in
to sing!
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Time to clean up where you are
Put your work back in its place
With a smile upon your face
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Time to clean up where you are.
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Time to clean up where you are
Put your work back in its place
With a smile upon your face
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Time to clean up where you are.
Instead
of writing "bad" kids on the board, I write "good" kids on the
board.
Read more at: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/
Calendar Activities-Morning Meetings
Calendar Activities
Signal the
Beginning of Morning Meeting
After simple housekeeping and general
morning work activities, chose a signal to let students know that it is time to
gather for morning meeting. You could play a song such as "Oh, What a Beautiful
Morning" and let the children know that by the time the song is done everyone
should be sitting in the circle ready to begin. Choose a special song to use as
a signal that its meeting time or sing one!
Everybody have a seat,
have a seat, have a seat
Everybody have a seat
on the floor
Not on the ceiling, not
on the door
Everybody have a seat
on the floor
Review Morning
Meeting Procedures
We begin everyday by gathering on the floor
in a circle. We review our morning meeting procedures.
1. Pretzel Feet and listening
hands
2. Eyes Watching
3. Ears listening
Sometimes we review the procedures by
singing:
Eyes are watching, Ears
are listening
Body quiet, you should
really try it
Listening well,
Listening well.
Start the Day With a Song
We always sing good morning and seasonal
songs.
Read more at the source:
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
First Day Checklist
First Day Checklist Source:
1. Have 3 copies
of your class roster with the child's home phone number listed. Keep one on
your desk, one on the wall for emergency drills, and one in your take home bag
(I keep mine in a monthly planner in my bag) for
reference.
2. Have a name tag for each student to wear for the first 3-5 days that includes
* His/her Complete Name
*Address
*Bus number (or walker, car rider)
*School name and phone number
*Your name
(I laminate my students tags hole punch them and string them as necklaces with a note ***(laminated) on the back of each one that tells parents to send the tag back to school every day for the first week until we have established our dismissal routine.) ***Tip--Use Avery Address labels and your printer to quickly print up 20+ copies of the return tag request. Then you can easily peel them off and stick them on the back of your name tags before laminating them! I use these same tags for field trips except I use the shipping labels) E-mail me (below) if you need more info.!
3. Have your first week planned, and ALL materials prepared~~but always over plan! I never get to half of what I had planned the first week of school due to first week changes and interruptions, but I feel better knowing I am ready and over prepared if necessary! I suggest keeping a monthly planner and an ongoing "to do list", "to buy list", and "materials to prepare list." This keeps me on track and it's also a helpful resource when I have parents who want to volunteer or help out in some way. 4. Have a copy of your lesson plans on your desk and one in your take home bag (in case the first gets lost in the shuffle of madness the first few days!) I staple a copy to my monthly planner so I will always have one for reference if I need it.)
5. Have a signed form from each parent regarding HOW their child is to go home from school. I have parents fill out a special form that tells me how their child is to go to and from school, and how their child is to go home in case of an early release day due to bad weather. I keep the original copy of this with my sub folder in the office, and make an extra copy that stays in my desk until the last day of school.
2. Have a name tag for each student to wear for the first 3-5 days that includes
* His/her Complete Name
*Address
*Bus number (or walker, car rider)
*School name and phone number
*Your name
(I laminate my students tags hole punch them and string them as necklaces with a note ***(laminated) on the back of each one that tells parents to send the tag back to school every day for the first week until we have established our dismissal routine.) ***Tip--Use Avery Address labels and your printer to quickly print up 20+ copies of the return tag request. Then you can easily peel them off and stick them on the back of your name tags before laminating them! I use these same tags for field trips except I use the shipping labels) E-mail me (below) if you need more info.!
3. Have your first week planned, and ALL materials prepared~~but always over plan! I never get to half of what I had planned the first week of school due to first week changes and interruptions, but I feel better knowing I am ready and over prepared if necessary! I suggest keeping a monthly planner and an ongoing "to do list", "to buy list", and "materials to prepare list." This keeps me on track and it's also a helpful resource when I have parents who want to volunteer or help out in some way. 4. Have a copy of your lesson plans on your desk and one in your take home bag (in case the first gets lost in the shuffle of madness the first few days!) I staple a copy to my monthly planner so I will always have one for reference if I need it.)
5. Have a signed form from each parent regarding HOW their child is to go home from school. I have parents fill out a special form that tells me how their child is to go to and from school, and how their child is to go home in case of an early release day due to bad weather. I keep the original copy of this with my sub folder in the office, and make an extra copy that stays in my desk until the last day of school.
6. Have 1 sharpened pencil ready for each student on their desk. This saves you the headache of everyone wanting to visit the pencil sharpener first thing on the first day and it's also a nice little gift for kids to find on their desk the first day!
7. Have stations prepared as to where you want the children to put their supplies. Decide what you want and don't want to have the kids have at their desks! Ex. "Girls, bring all tissues to the round table." Bring all paint shirts to the yellow basket. Bring all markers to the square table, etc. This keeps you organized while trying to gather student supplies. Have 2-3 volunteers to help you check items for student names, with permanent markers in hand to quickly write names if needed. If parents bring their children, which they almost all do on the first day of Kindergarten ~have them double check their child's name on all supplies before leaving and have permanent markers on the table available for the parents. To make a long story short ~have a place in mind to put all of these new supplies! :o) 8. After all supplies are put away I show the kids where their backpacks and coats will go. Have all individual desks, cubbies, hooks and spaces labeled, ready and waiting for the children and their supplies. 9. Be prepared for 'new' students not on your roster due to late enrollment. Have blank name and desk tags, and cubby tags ready for them and prepare extra materials "just in case!" You want these children to feel just as welcome as those who enrolled early.
10. Remember--That the first days, weeks and months of kindergarten (or any grade!) are ALWAYS the hardest for the kids and teachers!
Remember~~ your class WILL establish a routine and things will begin to flow. It just takes time! After several years of teaching, I still have to remind myself of this through the months of September and October!
What Children Need from A to Z
What Children Need from A to Z
Boundaries
Compassion
Devotion
Encouragement
Fun
Goals
Honesty
Inspiration
Justice
Kindness
Laughter
Modeling
Nurturing
Opportunities
Praise
Quality Time
Respect
Support
Trust
Unconditional Love
Values
WisdomeXcitement
You
Zest
ABC's of Teaching
The ABC's of
Teaching
A is for the abundance of questioning and
yearning
B is for both inward and outward beauty
C is for creative learning
D is for doing until it's right
E is for the effort put into preparing each night
F is for watching how far we can go
G is for seeing us blossom and grow
H is for reaching for that star so high
I is for the imagination, the courage to try
J is for joy in touching a child's life in a meaningful way
K is for kindness you bring children each day
L is for the love of teaching we see
M is for the "me" you're helping me to be
N is for never being too busy to pray
O is for overcoming our desire to stray
P is for positives you bring to each
Q is for the quintessential way to teach
R is for your willingness to give us a reason
S is for teaching us to appreciate each season
T is for touching those that sit before you
U is for understanding our fear of all that is new
V is for the vitality you show each day
W is for every wonderment you bring our way
X is for the extra special teacher you see
Y is for our yearning sense to be
Z is for the big "Yahoo!" heard from our very own zoo.
-Author Unknown
B is for both inward and outward beauty
C is for creative learning
D is for doing until it's right
E is for the effort put into preparing each night
F is for watching how far we can go
G is for seeing us blossom and grow
H is for reaching for that star so high
I is for the imagination, the courage to try
J is for joy in touching a child's life in a meaningful way
K is for kindness you bring children each day
L is for the love of teaching we see
M is for the "me" you're helping me to be
N is for never being too busy to pray
O is for overcoming our desire to stray
P is for positives you bring to each
Q is for the quintessential way to teach
R is for your willingness to give us a reason
S is for teaching us to appreciate each season
T is for touching those that sit before you
U is for understanding our fear of all that is new
V is for the vitality you show each day
W is for every wonderment you bring our way
X is for the extra special teacher you see
Y is for our yearning sense to be
Z is for the big "Yahoo!" heard from our very own zoo.
-Author Unknown
Sites for Teachers
Websites for
Educators
Discovery School's
Puzzlemaker
Create and print customized word search, crossword and math puzzles using your word lists
Create and print customized word search, crossword and math puzzles using your word lists
Education
World
The Educator's Best Friend
The Educator's Best Friend
More Teacher Resources
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Good Morning Song-Wish
Good Morning Song
Good morning to the bus.
Good morning to the school.
Good morning to the pencils and the pens.
Good morning to the teacher.
Good morning to the kids.
Good morning to learning with my friends.
Good morning to the school.
Good morning to the pencils and the pens.
Good morning to the teacher.
Good morning to the kids.
Good morning to learning with my friends.
More Back to School Ideas:
Sunday, August 21, 2011
New Teacher Ideas, Help, Strategies
Ideas and help for new teachers, those teaching something new, and their mentors
We offer you four basic strategies to get you started:
1. Find and listen to a mentor
Every study of successful beginning (or career- shifting) teachers has shown that having a mentor is often the difference between frustrated isolation and reasonable success. If your district provides a mentor, don’t be afraid to find out how best to reach him/her after hours and on panicky Sunday nights. The listen to what he/she has to say, even if you do not agree with it. Experience is a wise teacher.
If this “official” mentor does not prove willing to help you with questions big and small, take a friendly teaching peer out to dinner after school (teachers love free food) and take along your list of questions. If dinner schedules don’t work, consider meeting very early for breakfast once a month. The early morning slot limits your time, so you will need to use it wisely. Don’t forget to write him/her a thank you note, old-fashioned though it sounds. Teachers rarely receive a thank you. Be sure to tell him/her which ideas that he/she offered were a success. This shows that you were listening and value the input.
2. Use professional organizations to help
TeachersFirst maintains a current list of professional organizations. Bite the bullet and pay the membership fees. It will help you keep and enjoy your new job as you learn and make contacts outside your day-today circles. You can ask questions without concern that they might reflect poorly on you and bring new ideas back to your school, gaining the respect of your colleagues.
3. Plan a terrific first day
The first day matters 180 times more than the rest. Plan first day activities where you can be comfortable, organized, and under control. Teachersfirst has some first day ideas, as do many of the new teacher resources. You should have the plans memorized so you seem to know exactly what will come next, even when you are only hoping! This is the day to be an academy-award winning actor playing the role of an experienced teacher. What you pretend to be you will become, in your students eyes.
4. Use the many resources available to you
TeachersFirst offers these additional, reviewed resources for first year teachers, student teachers, and teachers shifting into new roles. Student teachers should start from these Ten Tips for Student Teachers offered by en experienced teacher-mentor.
Source to see more ideas: http://www.teachersfirst.com/newbie.cfm
Saturday, August 20, 2011
My School Promise Poem
My School Promise
Each day I'll do my best
And I won't do any less.
And I won't do any less.
My work will always please me,
And I won't accept a mess.
My writing will be neat.
And I will not be happy,
Till my papers are complete.
I’ll always do my homework,
And try my best on every test.
I won’t forget my promise,
To do my very best!
Author Unknown
The ABC's of a Successful Year For Parents
| ||||
| ||||
The ABC's of a Successful School Year
The ABC's of a Successful School Year
Attend
school regularly.
Be prepared for class.
Communicate your needs in a respectful manner.
Develop a positive attitude.
Eat a good breakfast each morning.
Focus on your goals.
Give yourself a pat on the back regularly.
Help yourself before seeking assistance.
Imagine what you'd like to be as an adult.
Join in on all class activities and discussions.
Keep on task.
Learn as much as you can.
Make the most of every situation.
Note your progress.
Optimize your talents.
Put forth your best effort.
Quickly resolve conflicts.
Run your race with the intention of winning.
Study! Study! Study!
Trust yourself and try new things.
Use your time wisely.
Voice your opinions.
Watch out for distractions.
"X"-amine your work carefully.
You are capable of great things.
Zoom in on your strengths!
Be prepared for class.
Communicate your needs in a respectful manner.
Develop a positive attitude.
Eat a good breakfast each morning.
Focus on your goals.
Give yourself a pat on the back regularly.
Help yourself before seeking assistance.
Imagine what you'd like to be as an adult.
Join in on all class activities and discussions.
Keep on task.
Learn as much as you can.
Make the most of every situation.
Note your progress.
Optimize your talents.
Put forth your best effort.
Quickly resolve conflicts.
Run your race with the intention of winning.
Study! Study! Study!
Trust yourself and try new things.
Use your time wisely.
Voice your opinions.
Watch out for distractions.
"X"-amine your work carefully.
You are capable of great things.
Zoom in on your strengths!
Author
Unknown
Children Learn What They Live
Children Learn What
They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Why God Made Teachers
Why God Made TeachersBy Kevin William Huff
When God created teachers,
He gave us special friends
To help us understand His world
And truly comprehend
The beauty and the wonder
Of everything we see,
And become a better person
With each discovery.
He gave us special friends
To help us understand His world
And truly comprehend
The beauty and the wonder
Of everything we see,
And become a better person
With each discovery.
When God created teachers,
He gave us special guides
To show us ways in which to grow
So we can all decide
How to live and how to do
What's right instead of wrong,
To lead us so that we can lead
And learn how to be strong.
He gave us special guides
To show us ways in which to grow
So we can all decide
How to live and how to do
What's right instead of wrong,
To lead us so that we can lead
And learn how to be strong.
Why God created teachers,
In His wisdom and His grace,
Was to help us learn to make our world
A better, wiser place.
In His wisdom and His grace,
Was to help us learn to make our world
A better, wiser place.
Before School Starts-To Do List
Top 10 Must Do Items Before School Starts
1. Lesson Plans
Overplan! Overplan! Overplan! You can never go wrong when you have too many activities planned. It is so much easier to NOT DO an activity than it is to think of one on the spot!
2. Vary your Activities
Alternate a fun activity with a rules/procedures or other teacher activity. For example: introductions-name game-go over rules & personal expectations-teaming activity/game-class procedures-skits
3. Make Day of the Week Folders
Use manila folders and label each one in a different color with the day of the week. You could use colored manila folders. Laminate. Place lesson plans & materials for each day in folders.
4. Have Substitute Folder Ready
Include: procedures & detailed daily schedule, math practice sheet, journal topics, grade level team members' names & room numbers. Place this in the day of the week folder and add to it throughout the year.
5. Posters of Rules & Consequences
Laminate and hang where students can easily see them.
6. Poster with Daily Schedule written out
Laminate and hang where students can easily see it.
7. Get Important Student Forms
Office referral, Discipline, Counselor referral, other.
8. Organize files in filing cabinet
If you don't do this before school starts, you'll be swamped and never have time to do it.
9. Know what students are going to do with supplies
Have a procedure ready when they walk in the door-Keep? Stack in the corner? Take up?
10. Welcome notes for students
Write out the same note for every student and do not write student names on these. This will
Overplan! Overplan! Overplan! You can never go wrong when you have too many activities planned. It is so much easier to NOT DO an activity than it is to think of one on the spot!
2. Vary your Activities
Alternate a fun activity with a rules/procedures or other teacher activity. For example: introductions-name game-go over rules & personal expectations-teaming activity/game-class procedures-skits
3. Make Day of the Week Folders
Use manila folders and label each one in a different color with the day of the week. You could use colored manila folders. Laminate. Place lesson plans & materials for each day in folders.
4. Have Substitute Folder Ready
Include: procedures & detailed daily schedule, math practice sheet, journal topics, grade level team members' names & room numbers. Place this in the day of the week folder and add to it throughout the year.
5. Posters of Rules & Consequences
Laminate and hang where students can easily see them.
6. Poster with Daily Schedule written out
Laminate and hang where students can easily see it.
7. Get Important Student Forms
Office referral, Discipline, Counselor referral, other.
8. Organize files in filing cabinet
If you don't do this before school starts, you'll be swamped and never have time to do it.
9. Know what students are going to do with supplies
Have a procedure ready when they walk in the door-Keep? Stack in the corner? Take up?
10. Welcome notes for students
Write out the same note for every student and do not write student names on these. This will
save you time and trouble! You may want
to include a pencil or piece of candy on the note.
Middle school teachers - type
out the note with a cute font and copy on colored paper.
Twas the Night Before School Started
Twas the Night Before School Started
Author: unknown
Twas
the night before school started
when all through the town
the parents were cheering
it was a riotous sound.
By eight the kids were washed
and tucked into bed
when memories of homework
filled them with dread.
New pencils, new folders, new notebooks too,
new teachers, new friends, the anxiety grew.
The parents just giggled when they heard of this fright
and shouted upstairs-GO TO BED-IT'S A SCHOOL NIGHT!
when all through the town
the parents were cheering
it was a riotous sound.
By eight the kids were washed
and tucked into bed
when memories of homework
filled them with dread.
New pencils, new folders, new notebooks too,
new teachers, new friends, the anxiety grew.
The parents just giggled when they heard of this fright
and shouted upstairs-GO TO BED-IT'S A SCHOOL NIGHT!
Friday, August 19, 2011
30 Ideas for Teaching Writing
These ideas originated as full-length articles in NWP publications (a link to the full article accompanies each idea below).
Table of Contents: 30 Ideas for Teaching Writing
- Use the shared events of students' lives to inspire writing.
- Establish an email dialogue between students from different schools who are reading the same book.
- Use writing to improve relations among students.
- Help student writers draw rich chunks of writing from endless sprawl.
- Work with words relevant to students' lives to help them build vocabulary.
- Help students analyze text by asking them to imagine dialogue between authors.
- Spotlight language and use group brainstorming to help students create poetry.
- Ask students to reflect on and write about their writing.
- Ease into writing workshops by presenting yourself as a model.
- Get students to focus on their writing by holding off on grading.
- Use casual talk about students' lives to generate writing.
- Give students a chance to write to an audience for real purpose.
- Practice and play with revision techniques.
- Pair students with adult reading/writing buddies.
- Teach "tension" to move students beyond fluency.
- Encourage descriptive writing by focusing on the sounds of words.
- Require written response to peers' writing.
- Make writing reflection tangible.
- Make grammar instruction dynamic.
- Ask students to experiment with sentence length.
- Help students ask questions about their writing.
- Challenge students to find active verbs.
- Require students to make a persuasive written argument in support of a final grade.
- Ground writing in social issues important to students.
- Encourage the "framing device" as an aid to cohesion in writing.
- Use real world examples to reinforce writing conventions.
- Think like a football coach.
- Allow classroom writing to take a page from yearbook writing.
- Use home language on the road to Standard English.
- Introduce multi-genre writing in the context of community service.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Back to School First Day Checklist
By: http://www.kinderkorner.com/chklist.html
1. Is your room ready?
You should have up a few things on bulletin boards, but save lots of space for student work to be added the first day or two, to personalize the room.
2. Do you have nametags for the students and for their desks?
Be sure to have extras, because some kids on your list probably won't show up, and you'll get new students enrolling for the first week or two.
3. Do you have soft music to play in the background?
4. Do you have a sign-in sheet for the parents who come with their children the first day, where they can leave you personal notes if they don't have time to talk?
5. Do you have a paper for parents to indicate how their child gets home from school?
This is *very* important, because the first week is very hectic and you have to be sure kids go where they're supposed to go. Few things in life are as scary as "losing" someone's child, especially before you've even matched faces to all the names.
6. Do you have some games, puzzles, books and magazines, math manipulatives, etc., out and ready for the students to use as they arrive in class?
You'll need these ready so that you're free to talk with parents and handle paperwork.
7. Do you have a Beary Good Work folder made up for each child?
This folder will have coloring pages, games, mazes, blank writing paper, and other fun learning activities to use during quiet times the first week or two of school. Mine is about 20 pages long, run on the ditto machine to save my copies for later in the year. Make 5 extra folders, and don't put names on any of them until a child begins using them.
8. Do you have stickers, Skittles or M&M's, or some other form of reward to give out several times each day for the first week or two?
Reinforcing good behavior is extremely important. Decide what your reward system will be and be generous with it while getting classroom routines established.
9. Do you have a project or two for your students to complete and take home the first day?
10. Have you selected what stories and poems you will read? Do you have follow up activities ready to go?
11. Do you have a packet of materials to send home about yourself, your rules and expectations, and your classroom routine and schedule? I'll be adding my first day packet to the website sometime soon.
12. Do you have the following items tucked in a drawer or cabinet?
* aspirin
* deodorant, toothbrush and paste, cologne, hand lotion, cosmetics, etc.
* anti-bacterial soap for washing your own hands
* baby wipes for washing little hands (I don't let kids use my sink)
* room freshener spray
* a good supply of bottled water ... it's important to keep your throat from drying
out from all the talking you do, which can cause laryngitis
13. Do you have the following items on your desk?
* a picture of your family or pets
* a daily inspirational calendar of some sort
* notepaper, pens, and pencils
* hall passes, if your school uses them
* referral forms, if your school uses them
* a jar of colored markers
* your reward/candy/sticker jar
14. Are the following items on student desks/tables?
* Beary Good Work folder
* Nametags
* pencils, crayons, eraser, etc. -- I usually buy a pencil box or basket to hold
these items so they stay together. Empty videotape boxes work well, too.
15. Are your desk, work tables, and counters straightened up and presentable?
This is the hardest part of teaching for me. I keep two large photocopy paper boxes under my desk (I never have time to sit there anyhow), and I use them to stash things out of sight when we're expecting important guests or a substitute.
16. Do you have at least THREE copies of your class list? Keep one on a clipboard near the door, to take outside during Fire Drills, unless your school has a different procedure.
17. Have you organized a warm and welcoming library area/reading corner?
18. Do you have a paper where parents can sign up to help in the room or by doing work for you at home (stapling and collating papers, etc.)?
Here are a few more things to think about before the first day of school.
By: http://www.kinderkorner.com/chklist.html
1. Is your room ready?
You should have up a few things on bulletin boards, but save lots of space for student work to be added the first day or two, to personalize the room.
2. Do you have nametags for the students and for their desks?
Be sure to have extras, because some kids on your list probably won't show up, and you'll get new students enrolling for the first week or two.
3. Do you have soft music to play in the background?
4. Do you have a sign-in sheet for the parents who come with their children the first day, where they can leave you personal notes if they don't have time to talk?
5. Do you have a paper for parents to indicate how their child gets home from school?
This is *very* important, because the first week is very hectic and you have to be sure kids go where they're supposed to go. Few things in life are as scary as "losing" someone's child, especially before you've even matched faces to all the names.
6. Do you have some games, puzzles, books and magazines, math manipulatives, etc., out and ready for the students to use as they arrive in class?
You'll need these ready so that you're free to talk with parents and handle paperwork.
7. Do you have a Beary Good Work folder made up for each child?
This folder will have coloring pages, games, mazes, blank writing paper, and other fun learning activities to use during quiet times the first week or two of school. Mine is about 20 pages long, run on the ditto machine to save my copies for later in the year. Make 5 extra folders, and don't put names on any of them until a child begins using them.
8. Do you have stickers, Skittles or M&M's, or some other form of reward to give out several times each day for the first week or two?
Reinforcing good behavior is extremely important. Decide what your reward system will be and be generous with it while getting classroom routines established.
9. Do you have a project or two for your students to complete and take home the first day?
10. Have you selected what stories and poems you will read? Do you have follow up activities ready to go?
11. Do you have a packet of materials to send home about yourself, your rules and expectations, and your classroom routine and schedule? I'll be adding my first day packet to the website sometime soon.
12. Do you have the following items tucked in a drawer or cabinet?
* aspirin
* deodorant, toothbrush and paste, cologne, hand lotion, cosmetics, etc.
* anti-bacterial soap for washing your own hands
* baby wipes for washing little hands (I don't let kids use my sink)
* room freshener spray
* a good supply of bottled water ... it's important to keep your throat from drying
out from all the talking you do, which can cause laryngitis
13. Do you have the following items on your desk?
* a picture of your family or pets
* a daily inspirational calendar of some sort
* notepaper, pens, and pencils
* hall passes, if your school uses them
* referral forms, if your school uses them
* a jar of colored markers
* your reward/candy/sticker jar
14. Are the following items on student desks/tables?
* Beary Good Work folder
* Nametags
* pencils, crayons, eraser, etc. -- I usually buy a pencil box or basket to hold
these items so they stay together. Empty videotape boxes work well, too.
15. Are your desk, work tables, and counters straightened up and presentable?
This is the hardest part of teaching for me. I keep two large photocopy paper boxes under my desk (I never have time to sit there anyhow), and I use them to stash things out of sight when we're expecting important guests or a substitute.
16. Do you have at least THREE copies of your class list? Keep one on a clipboard near the door, to take outside during Fire Drills, unless your school has a different procedure.
17. Have you organized a warm and welcoming library area/reading corner?
18. Do you have a paper where parents can sign up to help in the room or by doing work for you at home (stapling and collating papers, etc.)?
Here are a few more things to think about before the first day of school.
See Source for more ideas and info at:1. How and where do your students spend their time before school? If they come directly to the classroom, what activities/procedures will you use until the bell rings and it's time for class to begin?
2. What will you use as your signal to get the children's attention? Flashing the lights, ringing a bell, singing a song, raising your hand and expecting them to do the same, etc.?
3. How will you choose a student helper the first day of school, to do things like lead the flag salute, take the attendance and lunch count folders to the office, help pass out papers, etc.?
4. Where will your students line up after recess and lunch? Will you have one line or two? Alphabetical order or whoever gets there first? (ABC order really cuts down on pushing in line).
5. What is your policy about excusing children to go to the restroom during instructional time? (5 and 6 year olds *all* need to go to the bathroom as soon as you let the first child leave, so be sure you've decided how to handle this :)
6. How often will you send homework and when will it be due? What is your procedure going to be for collecting and recording homework?
7. What activities have you chosen for the first week of school, when teachers are often busy with tons of paperwork and are frequently interrupted by the arrival of new students, parents, and notes/phone calls from the office?
8. What type of behavior reinforcement/positive discipline plan are you going to use? You will probably need a pocket chart to keep track of color changes if you are going to use that type of system (I use a calendar pocket chart with 4 colors of apples).
9. What other class rules and procedures are you going to have? Be sure to have them in writing before the first day of school, and spend time the first day explaining them to your students. Realistically, you'll have to go over class rules and procedures every day for at least a week, to help your students learn your expectations.
10. What type of letter will you send home with students the first day of school? Your letter should introduce you, tell them a bit about you and your goals for the year, and explain your rules, procedures, and behavior management plan.
11. What will you do about students who consistently don't complete their work?
12. What are your policies for allowing children out of their seat during worktime? Will most of your work be assigned seatwork, or will your students spend most of their time out of their seats, doing individual and group learning activities?
13. What is your plan for making sure that students who are absent are able to catch up their work? (I have the person next to them get a yellow "We Missed You" folder and put on the absent child's desk at the beginning of the day, so that any and all work papers can be put in the folder until the child returns to school).
14. Do you have cubbies or mailboxes for your students?
15. Where do you want your students to keep their jackets, backpacks, and lunchboxes? (In my room, jackets and backpacks are kept on their chairs, which greatly reduces the spread of lice. I use the area beneath the coat hooks as a work area for centers and independent work).
16. What will your rule be about interrupting you when you are working with a student or a group? (In my room, students may only interrupt me for B Emergencies ... blood, bathroom, and barf :)
17. If a parent shows up unexpectedly and wants to conference with you during classtime, what will you do? (I usually ask them to have a seat and let them know when I will be able to talk to them. I also ask them if they'd like a job to do while they wait, and give them a tub of papers to collate and staple, or something similiar. I *always* have work ready for helpers to do).
18. What are your procedures for fire drills, etc.? Be sure to go over these the first morning, and take your students on a walking tour of the campus, showing them where they meet and line up during a fire drill, if they aren't with you when the bell goes off. "
Saturday, August 13, 2011
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