Never too early to start planning...for next school year :)

It's taken me a year, but I finally found the book bin labels that I think suit my needs the best.  Thank you to Super Teacher Tactics.  The easy part was printing and laminating.  Now to start sorting all of my books.  So far I have brought home most of my books to work on during summer break, but the more I look around my room at summer school the more I realize I have books in every corner, on every shelf, and in every drawer and bin!  It's going to be a job, but well worth it when I get done.

Departmentalizing this summer has been super!  I love switching kids and working on two major subject areas.  After working for hours on our schedule for next year (and realizing that we need to add 2 hours to the school day to get every subject in with time for recess, lunch, and specials) it is finally done and I am happy about our grouping.  Hope my partner is :)  We have also really liked linking all of our groups and core subjects to one common theme.  Next on the agenda is finalizing a calendar with themes for the year that tie in common core.

I have also made my wish list on Amazon...$400.00--not as bad as I thought it would be.

I am off to plan a layout for next year...custodians want a map to put furniture back after the floor is done.  Don't they know it takes me months to create that?!?!?!

Summer School's a Blast!

Well, the first three days of summer school have passed.  Now 17 more to go.  We tried our departmentalization and grouping of kids and it has been great!  We divided our 15 kiddos into 3 groups (using a certified para for group 3) and each are teaching a different subject.  I thought I was going to really struggle giving up Math and Science, but I think I have done pretty good.  Reading, Writing, and Social Studies will fall on my shoulders.  Sure beats planning for 5 subjects and differentiating each one.  Now I only focus on 3 subjects, which are easily intertwined, and my groups are more evenly distributed.

Grouping of Kiddos
This is where you have to be flexible.  We service students ranging from K-5th grade.  Even if they are in a certain grade doesn't mean they are performing at that grade level.  It's hard to ask them to do something when they haven't mastered the skills needed to do it.  (And asking high fliers to "wait" for others to finish tasks easily completed by them even when completing differentiated work covering the same skill)  We have had to move students around and regroup them during the first three days, but they have been troupers and I think we have finalized our groups.  Group 1 is mainly K-2, Group 2 is mainly 2-4, and Group 3 is mainly 3-5.  Each group has no more than 6 kiddos in it.  Very manageable.  Beats K-2 with 8 kiddos and 3-5 with 7 kiddos and a whole range of abilities.  For students struggling with behavioral challenges I think this is a fantastic way to meet their individual needs.

Scheduling and Rotating
At first I thought it was going to hard to have them rotating from one classroom to the next, but I think the definite break in each subject and movement has helped them.  They see a beginning and end to each subject and movement breaks are just what they need.  I have only heard positive comments from them about moving classrooms.  Summer school schedule is a little easier to manage because lunch is more flexible and we don't have to accommodate specials classes.  Hopefully we can make the regular school year just as smooth.

Just on a side note...I got this fantastic idea from a very dear friend from another district who uses this in her alternative setting. :)

So much to do...so little time...

We have made it to the last week of school.  Where did all the time go?  This year has flown by.  For me, I think partly because of how much the dynamics of my class has changed over the last year.  At the beginning of the year I had one 1st grader and four 3rd graders.  Now I have five Kindergartners, one first grader, and one second grader.  That makes the year fly by when you are constantly changing academic gears.
Some probably question how much I change my room over the course of the year, especially since I preach about consistency, organization, structure, and routine.  BUT that generally is the thought when you start and end with the same group of students each year.  However, you have to be flexible in knowing that if you are in a transient building different sets of students have different needs.  What works for one class may not work for another.  Our basic structure and routine has stayed consistent through the year, but some of the environment has changed a little.

Things that should stay the same:

• Routine for lining up
• Raising your hand to talk
• General classroom expectation
• Hallway expectations
• Classroom/Lunchroom manners (this is a biggie for my little guys--and yes I am talking burping and farting)
• Entering the cafeteria and getting our trays
• Location of classroom meetings/mini-lessons
• Classroom Theme (mine was Cooking Up a Great Year)

Things that may need to change:

• Line order
• Seating arrangements
• Location of supplies and materials (our writing center was a big hit when we changed to the lower grades--needed more space and materials)
• Workshop partners
• Location of centers
• Seating options (especially for ADHD kiddos) during classroom meetings/mini-lessons
• I have carpet squares, bucket seats with bumpy seats on top of some and cushions of top of others, and a long wood bench--choice is always good
• Classroom colors (I stuck with Cooking theme, but toned the red down with blue towards the end to see if that helped with talking and noise levels in the room---and I think it did)  
• I did a lot of research on classroom colors and think I will stick with the pale blue, green, and pale yellows from now on.  Thought I wanted to try something bold, but I really did know better :)

With all of this in mind--I am so excited that we have 20 days of extended school year (summer school) to catch up on some of the skills I feel we need more work on.  And to top it off, I get to focus on Reading/Writing only this summer!  Yippee!!  

Planning Ahead

As the end of the year is fast approaching, can't help but to think about next year.

• Theme for next year:  Country Western 
• Classroom arrangement:  Just how it is now (It took me nine months to find a layout that works well for all students)
• Departmentalization:  I am going to teach Reading, Writing, and Social Studies to both classes and my partner is teaching Math and Science (I have 3 months to minimize anxiety of letting go "control" over math, but I can do it!)
• De-cluttering a few more areas of the room (giving away items to new teachers or packing it in storage until I think I need it or find someone who does)
• Pinterest Projects (too numerous to mention one by one, but will definitely post pics as projects are completed)

School wide changes are being made too!  I am super excited about the possibilities we are going to have to make significant changes to all students grades K-5.  We are meeting this week to discuss the possibility of grouping students based on performance, small group instruction, and other individual needs that can be met by Title 1 reading intervention and Special Education support in the classroom instead of pulling out.  I personally think students are pulled out too much and creates a bigger gap than if they didn't receive intervention services.  Can't wait to see how are meeting goes and who is on board with change--we have a chance to make some monumental changes with full support of the principal and district!

Here are some pictures of my favorite projects, organization, management, and centers from this year!

Self Inking Stamps from Vista Print

Behavior Bingo
Names are randomly placed on board.  At the end of each lesson a name is drawn and if that person followed classroom expectations they placed a mark on the board.  5 in row wins a Lego Party, Paint Party, or Free Prize of Classroom Store

Small group table with bucket seats.  The kiddos love bucket seats and I now have a total of 9 in my room.

I purchased this off of Craigslist and it was missing the legs.  I used storage bins for the legs and now have extra storage for small group lessons and projects.

Writing Center
The kiddos absolutely love this part of the classroom.  Imaginations run wild!!

Teacher Desk
I finally got rid of my metal desk and replaced it with a small table to work one on one with students when needed.
It also gives me plenty of room to work when completing paperwork while working on the computer.

Student Desk Area
We now have a blue team and red team.  Part of my country western color theme for next year.

Red Team

Bench with storage underneath.  The students love this alternative seating during mini lessons.

What a fabulous year!  Cannot wait for next year!

(was) STRESSED OUT

With less than 30 days left in school, I have 3 new students.  In a self-contained classroom for students with behavior challenges, that is huge.  So I found myself complaining this week instead of living up to one of my posts from earlier in the week.

I love this quote because we don't always get to choose our students, nor should we.  I rather look at it like "Wow, I am so lucky that I was chosen to be your teacher!".  Now I have to make the most of this short opportunity we have left in this school year.  Luckily we get an additional 20 days of extended school year (summer school).

So I refocused (that means I de-cluttered some more in my classroom because that helps me feel better) and made some new Pinterest projects for our classroom.  I am ready to start the week refreshed and energized.  Just hope the kiddos are feeling it too!!

Back to the Basics

With only two months left in school, I have finally found a reward system that my kiddos are responding to.  It is rather basic and probably overlooked a majority of the time.  I simple stamp book.  At first we called it a sticker book, but my kiddos are quite sneaky with those stickers (they would remove stickers that were traded in and put them on a new page).  But I one upped them and switched to stamps!  We started by having students pick their two favorite colors.  I then cut the paper in 4 inch squares and stapled them together to make a book.  They put their first names on the front and added a picture if they wanted.

Front cover of book

Stamps from Vista Print...self inking
and better than a stamp pad.  I only
have three so far, but ready to order more.

Inside pages

Each time they complete a desired task they would receive a stamp.  The first task we worked on as a group was cleaning up centers in a timely manner.  I encouraged team work because it was all or nothing.  I would set the timer for 2 minutes and if they had all 3 centers cleaned up they all would get a  stamp.  Then we got it down to 1 minute and 30 seconds.  Now I use it various times throughout the day if we are struggling during transition.  After 5 stamps they get to go to the prize pouches.

An over the door shoe organizer works great for small treasures.

Inside the pouches are pencils, erasers, small bouncy balls, fruit punch drinks, stress balls, sugar free root beer candies, mints, classroom coupons, and other small items.  This has been a simple, easy reward system.  The most chosen items are pencils, mints, and root beer candies.

The other reward system I use is a treasure box.  They all want to go to the big treasure box and can if they stay in class, finish their work, use nice words, and safe bodies all 5 days.  I move their little person across the pocket envelops each day.  Those names on number 5 on Friday get the prize.

Prizes include sensory balls, coloring posters, stuffed animals, Frisbees, and small individual snack candies.

Each day their name moves across the pockets.

So...maybe if I started this in August I would have saved a lot of time finding what motivated them the most.  Bet I will next August!!

Welcome Baby Chick

To kick off our life cycle unit (and just in time for Easter), we hatched baby chicks and ducks.  We purchased plastic eggs from the dollar store DEALS that simulated the life cycle of a baby chick.  It was amazing.  Instead of keeping our eggs in an incubator, we kept them in water.  Students recorded the life cycle in a journal, we read several non-fiction books, and watched videos on United Streaming. By the end of the week, we had a fully developed baby.  Students then had to dry them off (just like a real baby chick, they are born wet).  They each filled out a birth certificate, named them, and created an information sheet on how to care for them.  The students were super excited and it was a great way to start a unit.  Now if the butterflies would just get here.  I guess on to tadpoles and frogs while we are waiting.

Day 1:  Egg is placed in water.

Day 4:  Egg has hatched!