1. Classroom Decor
Perhaps not the most important thing I'm doing, but probably my favorite. Every year, I love to add to my classroom decor. Not only do I want to create an inviting, clean, organized space for my students to learn in, but I spend quite a bit of time in there as well! My classroom theme in a nutshell is turquoise chevron and lime green polka dots. I'm making a frayed fabric garland and I picked up some coordinating paper to make a few banners. I'll post pictures when they are completed and up in the room. I think it's important that whatever style you prefer, that you bring some of that into your classroom. The grade level you teach will dictate what elements you add and obviously we all consider what works for our students when designing our classroom's physical environment. I spend much of my time (and money!) decorating my home and making it a very special place for my family and I try to put some of that effort into my classroom as well.
2. Create Binders
Student Data Binder
This could be its own post (and perhaps it will be!), but I'm spending a lot of my time right now creating pages for these binders. Students having ownership over their learning is very important to me and my students graph a lot of their progress. Each student will have a small 3 ring notebook which I put together ahead of time with all of their graphs that they will use to track their data for the entire year in reading and math.
For math, students graph the results of their diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments for each common core standard. All of these assessments are 10 points to keep it simple. They get so excited to watch their bar graph grow! At the end of each quarter, I always give a summative for the skill even if it was taught way earlier in the year just to make sure it is still "mastered." I often of course have students that score a 9 or 10 on the diagnostic or the first formative. These students need to be challenged and during their small group instruction are taught with that in mind. If they demonstrated mastery of the first grade skill, why continue teaching the first grade skill? I often move up to the second grade expectation and their assessment and bar graph will reflect their growth. (I do not average this into their "grade" for report cards since those are a reflection of progress toward first grade expectations. But I think it's important that these higher achieving students also demonstrate growth so they are given the differentiated assessment. I just add an extra graph to their binders).
For reading, the students track their progress with phonics, fluency, sight words, running record levels, and the district-wide MAPS assessment. These data binders are powerful. They are great for communication and conferences with parents, building IAT meetings, and most importantly, for the kids to visually see their growth and progress.
For math, students graph the results of their diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments for each common core standard. All of these assessments are 10 points to keep it simple. They get so excited to watch their bar graph grow! At the end of each quarter, I always give a summative for the skill even if it was taught way earlier in the year just to make sure it is still "mastered." I often of course have students that score a 9 or 10 on the diagnostic or the first formative. These students need to be challenged and during their small group instruction are taught with that in mind. If they demonstrated mastery of the first grade skill, why continue teaching the first grade skill? I often move up to the second grade expectation and their assessment and bar graph will reflect their growth. (I do not average this into their "grade" for report cards since those are a reflection of progress toward first grade expectations. But I think it's important that these higher achieving students also demonstrate growth so they are given the differentiated assessment. I just add an extra graph to their binders).
For reading, the students track their progress with phonics, fluency, sight words, running record levels, and the district-wide MAPS assessment. These data binders are powerful. They are great for communication and conferences with parents, building IAT meetings, and most importantly, for the kids to visually see their growth and progress.
Teacher Binder
I also am making sure my teacher binder is ready to go. Here is a list of what sections I have in my binder so far: Class Information (class list with ID numbers, parent email list and contact info, medical info, transportation list, birthdays, etc), Staff Meeting Notes, Curriculum Maps, Passwords (for websites I use), and still thinking what else I might have this year.
So this year each of my students will be given a binder ring. On the binder ring will be a tag with their name. These will be displayed in the classroom (although they don't have to be if you are short on space). The first tag students will receive is the First Day of School Tag to celebrate and remember their very special day. Throughout the year, students will earn tags for all kinds of things. On Fridays, they will attach them to their backpacks and take them home for the weekend to share with their families. Here is a list of some of the tags I have made so far (I'm sure I will be adding more!):
Bucket Filler
I was worried at first about using the word brag, but I couldn't think of a title I liked better. So I'm just going to explain to students the meaning of the word brag and the negative connotations associated with it. And then we will distinguish how we are celebrating each other's accomplishments. It's more of a chance for their teacher to brag (in a good, positive way) about all of the great things going on with each of them.
Brag Tags will also be my monthly reading incentives! Each month, students receive a reading calendar for them to keep track of their at home reading. If they get 500 minutes for the month, they earn the Brag Tag for that month! (For the past few years, I did a system with necklaces and earning beads for minutes read. It worked really well, but I am looking forward to not have to add all of those beads. Just grabbing a tag once a month that they can add themselves sounds great to me:)
Here is the link to my TPT store if you are interested in adding Brag Tags to your classroom.
And in honor of my first real blog post, I have a freebie! Click here to get the template for the flip book. (I have to tell you that the template looks so simple, but I can't even tell you how much time it took me to create it!) I hope you can use it and find it helpful in some way!
Math & Reading Binders
I will have a separate binder for reading and math. In this binder I will keep class summary sheets of data (class running record sheet, fluency scores, progress on mastery of each common core standard for math etc). Since a lot of my instruction is done in differentiated small groups based on all of these assessments, I will also keep my group lists (reading groups and my extremely fluid math groups). I will also keep sheets where I record observational notes and thoughts for future lessons/interventions.
3. Spice Up My Classroom Management
I wasn't really in need of a new management system. This is an area that has always come fairly easy to me, but this year I'm actually super excited about the addition of something new: Brag Tags!!! For the past couple of years, I've had a card turn system and the bucket fillers. Kids love the bucket filling (they each literally had their own buckets which other students could fill out slips and I added pom poms when I wanted to recognize them). This along with the card system were totally working, but I alway like to change things up! What I love about Brag Tags is that they aren't just for behavior-I can also recognize academic accomplishments, use it as my reading incentive, and celebrate personal things like lost teeth and birthdays-all in one system!!!So this year each of my students will be given a binder ring. On the binder ring will be a tag with their name. These will be displayed in the classroom (although they don't have to be if you are short on space). The first tag students will receive is the First Day of School Tag to celebrate and remember their very special day. Throughout the year, students will earn tags for all kinds of things. On Fridays, they will attach them to their backpacks and take them home for the weekend to share with their families. Here is a list of some of the tags I have made so far (I'm sure I will be adding more!):
Bucket Filler
Excellent Effort
Great Listener
Sensational in Centers
Organized Desk
Keeping Our Classroom Clean
Super in Specials
Star Sub Behavior
Recess Role Model
Outstanding Lunchroom Behavior
Excellent Line Behavior
Bus Role Model
Happy Birthday
I Lost a Tooth
First Day of School
Last Day of School
Awesome Addition
Spectacular Subtraction
Math Fact Master
Sight Words Master (tags for 1st-6th grade lists)
Monthly Reading (September Super Reader, October Outstanding Reader, November Nifty Reader, December Determined Reader, January Joyful Reader, February Fantastic Reader, March Magnificent Reader, April Amazing Reader, May Marvelous Reader)
Brag Tags will also be my monthly reading incentives! Each month, students receive a reading calendar for them to keep track of their at home reading. If they get 500 minutes for the month, they earn the Brag Tag for that month! (For the past few years, I did a system with necklaces and earning beads for minutes read. It worked really well, but I am looking forward to not have to add all of those beads. Just grabbing a tag once a month that they can add themselves sounds great to me:)
Here is the link to my TPT store if you are interested in adding Brag Tags to your classroom.
4. Write a Note to Mail to My Students
I know my own kids love getting a note from their future teacher. I really like including a picture of myself because I have heard parents comment at open house that it has helped their children feel more comfortable to see a familiar face. I just have to show the card I created several years ago. So funny! I was very proud of it at the time.
5. Update My Classroom Website
I have a class website that we use A LOT for communication with parents. Not every parent visits the site, but many are "regulars." I have all kinds of resources on their for parents including printables for extra practice with many of the skills we do, links to website, important dates. My favorite portion is the blog where I post pictures and a description of lessons. The students love to see pictures of themselves too. It definitely helps with the old question "What did you do in school today?" Parents can ask more specific questions and have more meaningful conversations with their children about things that are happening in school. Parents are able to comment on the blog too. All of the weekly newsletters can be found on the website as well. So I'm spending a some time going through the website to "clean it up" and add relevant information for this year.
6. Meet with Colleagues
I'm meeting with my job-share partner to go over the loads of things we want to discuss and plan for the start of the year. I realize most people don't have a job-share partner, but I think it's a great time to meet with grade level partners or members of your team. Once school actually begins, it is always so overwhelming with to dos, so it's nice to get some of that collocation and planning in while everyone is still under the relaxation spell of summer.
7. Tweak My Curriculum Map
One of the things my job-share partner and I will discuss this week when we meet is our curriculum map. I constantly refer to my curriculum map. Not the one the district requires us to do with its very specific format, but the one we create on our own. I am a major planner by nature so I would feel completely lost without this. Here is a snapshot of my curriculum map for last year.
8. Prepare for Open House
I loved the flip book I put together for open house last year. I've always done more of a packet and I know that can be overwhelming for parents to read and sift through. I love the look of the flip book and think it's a great reference for families all year. So, I'm currently in the process of updating the information in the flip book and then plan to create sign-ups for parents (conferences, volunteer opportunities, information sheets etc) and signs for collecting and managing all of those school supplies. I usually make a presentation and would be making some notes for that, but our school is changing the format this year and the timeframe won't allow me to do that. Kinda sad since I love having the opportunity to talk with parents in that forum, but I guess the good news is that there is one less thing on my to do list! Here is a picture of my flip book from last year. I will make sure to take a close up this year!
And in honor of my first real blog post, I have a freebie! Click here to get the template for the flip book. (I have to tell you that the template looks so simple, but I can't even tell you how much time it took me to create it!) I hope you can use it and find it helpful in some way!
9. Add to My Professional Wardrobe
I love any excuse to shop. I'm sure my husband dreads this time of year because I get a little too excited to hit The Limited and pick up a few things to strengthen my work clothes portion of my wardrobe. After weeks in my summer mommy clothes, it's a refreshing change! I totally look forward to getting a few new things! But in all seriousness, I feel better when I am "dressed for the part." I know many will disagree, but for me there is something to be said for the whole dress for success thing and dressing professionally. If ever I wake up not feeling "it," I try a blazer or even a skirt and tights and somehow it always puts me back in the right mode. I totally don't judge, care or even notice half the time what other teachers wear by any means. It's just something I noticed makes a difference in my attitude and how I feel throughout the day.
10. Plan My First Few Days
This is another thing I love to do! It's so fun to browse Pinterest, TPT, and blogs for new activities to try during the first couple of days. There is a long list of procedures and expectations that I want to make sure I go over within the first week. I gradually chip away at those as they come up during our first few days. Spending the time to establish the routines and expectations during the first few weeks is crucial to maximizing learning time for the remaining of the year-especially when it comes to centers! (Which totally is another future blog post-I love the way centers are run in my room, but it took me years to figure it out and I'd love to share my ideas soon in hopes of saving a few other teachers the frustrations and the millions (well it felt like it) of systems I tried.)
I really look forward to the getting to know you activities and sharing books that set the tone for the type of environment I want to establish for the year. My only other blog post was last year around this time (I had my 4th baby last year and decided to hold off on starting regular blog posts until now!) and it described the activities I do with the book Happy School Year. Making a wish (goal setting!) and cupcakes always make for a memorable first day! So I will definitely do that along with another "Chasing Away the Butterfly" activity I've done since my first year of teaching. We always do me bags-fun & timeless.
Another activity that I like to do during the first week is play a whole class matching game with students pictures on one set of cards and their names on the other. Last year, we just sat in a big circle and played on the floor. This year, I'm considering playing on the smart board. What's great about this activity is that it becomes of one of my centers while I'm doing initial running records. They love it.
I also like to do a writing page that each student completes about themselves and then compile these into a class book. The students then each take a turn taking the book home to read and learn about their classmates.
I just came across this puzzlemaker website that allows you to customize a word search for free. I'm going to make one with all of the students' names and one with words associated with our school. How fun! A great thing for them to do right when they walk in as I'm helping everyone get settled.
Going along with the whole puzzle theme (just random, not intentional), I've created my own version of a "Pieces of Me" puzzle for students to create and then share during the first week. As more and more parents (and teachers) are frustrated with the state testing demands, the developmentally inappropriate amount of time students spend test taking, and the general narrow-minded way in which students are viewed in education today, I really try to make sure I demonstrate that, although I love data and accountability for student learning, each of my students are so much more than a test score. I love to learn about their strengths and their interests as it pertains to both school and things outside of school. As a mom, I hope that my own children have teachers with this perspective. And as a teacher, I hope that each one of my students (and their parents) feels and knows this to be true of me.
I really look forward to the getting to know you activities and sharing books that set the tone for the type of environment I want to establish for the year. My only other blog post was last year around this time (I had my 4th baby last year and decided to hold off on starting regular blog posts until now!) and it described the activities I do with the book Happy School Year. Making a wish (goal setting!) and cupcakes always make for a memorable first day! So I will definitely do that along with another "Chasing Away the Butterfly" activity I've done since my first year of teaching. We always do me bags-fun & timeless.
Another activity that I like to do during the first week is play a whole class matching game with students pictures on one set of cards and their names on the other. Last year, we just sat in a big circle and played on the floor. This year, I'm considering playing on the smart board. What's great about this activity is that it becomes of one of my centers while I'm doing initial running records. They love it.
I also like to do a writing page that each student completes about themselves and then compile these into a class book. The students then each take a turn taking the book home to read and learn about their classmates.
I just came across this puzzlemaker website that allows you to customize a word search for free. I'm going to make one with all of the students' names and one with words associated with our school. How fun! A great thing for them to do right when they walk in as I'm helping everyone get settled.
Going along with the whole puzzle theme (just random, not intentional), I've created my own version of a "Pieces of Me" puzzle for students to create and then share during the first week. As more and more parents (and teachers) are frustrated with the state testing demands, the developmentally inappropriate amount of time students spend test taking, and the general narrow-minded way in which students are viewed in education today, I really try to make sure I demonstrate that, although I love data and accountability for student learning, each of my students are so much more than a test score. I love to learn about their strengths and their interests as it pertains to both school and things outside of school. As a mom, I hope that my own children have teachers with this perspective. And as a teacher, I hope that each one of my students (and their parents) feels and knows this to be true of me.
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