Classroom Jobs - Ideas for student jobs in the classroom... source
Classroom Money System - How to set up a classroom money system / classroom economy. source
Attention Please! - I have tried the Harry Wong "give me five" routine, and found that my voice just blended in with those of the students. I got a set of wind chimes at the store and ring them. When students showed signs of... source
classroom setup - Do not set up your desk at the back of the room. The kids must see you and remember your there. First graders do not remember when they turn their backs to you and resume their crazy antics. The older ones are always trying to communicate with signals, gestures and noises in code. Again your desk at the front helps keep things under control because they can see you watching them eye-to-eye and that alone keeps them on their tasks. You will be surprised at... source
community baskets - I team teach with another teacher and our students move around throughout the day,so we thought we would try baskets in the middle of the tables for supplies. At the beginning of the year we asked that the supplies not be labeled, this way we could hold the supplies and distribute them to the baskets as needed. We used the baskets all year and the students eventually got used to sharing and not having their own "stuff". It is challenging because no matter how you organize it they will... source
First Grade - Inexpensive Ideas - I teach first grade in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Here are some inexpensive ideas that you could use. 1. I could not live without fabric for my bulletin boards. We also occassionally use one of the fabric pieces to cover a table in our library for a special unit or theme. Fabric is key! 2. I had my kids collect Saltine cracker boxes. I cut the top and bottom off and... source
homework - I give daily homework because the middle school teachers told me that the biggest problem they have with my students (when they move up to the next level) is not doing homework. Heres what I do (and now the next level is reporting success)! I take those paper pcket folders you can buy for each subject....and make a tag "HOMEWORK" and glue it on the front... source
homework cards - When they have filled in their card they get to go into the warehouse. It is full of toys, bookmarks, books, puzzles, stickers, etc., and sometimes coupons that I make up. Such as eat lunch with teacher, 10 minutes free time at end of the day, 15 minutes on computer at the end of the day, 10 points added to a test(very popular one), 10 points added to final grade in any subject of your choose.
I look at completed homework for the month and if... source
Indoor Recess Games - I teach 5th grade as well and I have all the games listed above. I also have Mancala that my students love, UNO, A Simon Says... source
Indoor Recess Games - I teach 5th, but when we have indoor recess we usually share the 4th and 5th grade classes in each others rooms. I go to garage sales in the summer and buy games for very cheap (usually $1 or $2). I have Scrabble, they love Sorry, Monopoly, Brain Quest, Trouble, etc. I always have a deck or two of... source
lining up after recess - I have first graders. One way Ive used to ensure that they line up quickly is to reward the first few students in line. As they walk past me I hand them a sticker or some other tiny treat. I dont announce that ... source
Lunch sign-up - I would put every students name on a popsicle stick. Then, I would make a giant hamburger with a HOT LUNCH title, an apple with a sandwich with a COLD LUNCH title, and a lunch sack with an ALTERNATE LUNCH title. Next, glue a pocket onto each one and students can put their popsicle stick in the right pocket. OR Get some food themed material and a nice border. Put the title ... source
Magnetic Name Plates - I also teach 5th and I buy the name plates sold at the teacher store. Our desks are made of metal, so I buy the sticky magnet tape, affix it to the back of the laminated name plate, and stick it to the front of the desk, so when I look at the kids I can see... source
Meet the teacher - It is customary at my school to prepare a powerpoint presentation about yourself. Mine is about 5 slides telling about my educational background, family, favorites, and goals for the classroom. I keep it looping throughout the open house so that parents can view it whenever they arrive. If you have a classroom computer, this works very well to ... source
no homework, no recess - Personally I like the idea of them losing recess time if they dont turn in homework. Some parents think thats wrong, but the way we look at it is like this: If they choose not to do homework (because theyre playing), then theyre choosing to not have recess (because ... source
Open House Poem and Goodie Bag - heres the poem and items for the kids goodie bag...if you want one for parents, I have that too. Im going to use that for parent teacher conferences: Dear Friend, Welcome to Multi age! This gift bag has several important remembrances inside... source
Organization? - I still have things to figure out But these are a few of the things Ive done which have helped at least with the clutter on the desk every night. I have one long table in my room (near my desk) which has all sorts of baskets, filing stands, etc., on it. ALL the work the students do goes to this table. So I dont have to worry about work on my desk every night and sorting through it. The only work that ever goes on my desk is... source
shelves - I have a hubby who is handy with tools, so hes going to put some shelves together for me. I have priced melanine (spelling?) shelving at our local Menards Hardware to put together shelving units with adjustable shelves & it seems reasonable. It comes all prepainted. You can buy "solid" planks for the top and shelves, then you can buy... source
speaking from experience - I wish that I had prepared the following: 1 - At least one bulletin board and three manipulative activities related to seasonal themes for each month (Leave the game pieces blank until they are laminated. Write on the laminated pieces with a sharpie marker. You can use hairspray to remove the marker so the pieces can be reused from year to year with new skills.) 2 - Get the textbooks ahead of time, if possible and become familiar with... source
Storage - Bulletin Board Storage: I store mine in giant pockets I made of posterboard. Take two pieces and run clear packaging tape around three sides. Print a sign on the computer stating "Fall Decorations" or "Christmas" etc. Tape this to the outside. You can even punch small holes at the top and make a handle/hanger with two sturdy pieces of yarn. I hang mine on a little hook in the back of my... source
Time Management - This will be my 17th year teaching, and its the first year that I feel as though I have a life. I have always lived and breathed school, only sometimes resenting it. For some reason this year I am finding that I have more time when I come home from school. Here are some things that help me with management... source
Lunch Count and Attendance - I have used jumbo craft sticks with magnets on them for the past few years with my first and second graders. I put a number on each one and that way I don't have to change names on the sticks for the next year. Their number is also above their coat... source
A Day at Edison - Edison Schools in New York are providing a unique opportunity to go through a day at their schoosl. Pick a time and find out what is happening then. source
Homework Policy - Homework policy of Mr. Roemers fifth grade class source
How To Survive Open House - Ideas for managing open house. There are tips for things to do and some hints for things NOT to do source
Open House: When First Impressions Matter - How to plan for and organize open house. Great for new teachers as well as those needing a fresh perspective source
Organization Page - Information on many aspects of organization. These pages can heklp you organize yourself or help you plan ways to help your students learn organizational skills source
Saving Space and Face with Rain Gutters - A unique solution to classroom storage and display. This page shows the benefits and the "how-to" of using plastic rain gutters along the classroom wall to house a book collection source
Works4Me Tips Library: Getting Organized - Tips for organizing papers, lessons, your classroom, even bulletin boards . These are submitted by those who have tried them out source
