Organizing Big Box Curriculum

Do you have to follow a more "scripted" language arts program?  Has your district ordered new curriculum? Here are a few tips to keep you organized.

Well, once you've unpacked, I am sure you will realize that almost everything is bundled together and you will need to sort it.  This takes a considerable amount of time.

First, designate a spot where you will keep the items.  I prefer to keep the boxes because I lack storage space.

Next, organize the materials that you need the most first.  In my case, these were the Teacher's Manuals, Anthology Read Aloud manual as well as leveled and decodable readers.

Our language arts curriculum also includes alphabet and initial sound cards, key vocabulary cards, oral retelling cards, and Interactive Read Aloud cards.

Whew! That's a lot of stuff!

To help me keep organized and save my sanity for years to come, each week I organized a little at a time.  I used these file folders and placed all the items that I needed for the week inside.  Most of these were teaching items (vocabulary cards, retell cards, etc.).  I also added any other items that I used to supplement the curriculum including printables or items that I created.  I housed each of these file folders in a crate which I kept by my guided reading table.

Now, as I plan each week, I have my materials all in one spot for teaching as well as I have other materials that I may or may not use at my disposal.

How do you stay organized?  Share a tip.

Happy Organizing!

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Classroom Essentials

As you prepare for back to school, I thought I would show you some of my "must haves" for the classroom.

Books, Books and More Books!

This display holds our thematic books and teacher read alouds.  

Here is a small portion of some of our library.  I hope to replace these book boxes with some from Really Good Stuff.  Any suggestions?



Storage Containers

The numbered ones are from here.  They are the perfect size for most centers.  The colored boxes are scrapbook boxes that I use to organize some of my math manipulatives as well as to store centers once we've used them.

On top are my students' Grab and Go Boxes.  These numbered boxes keep some of their school supplies such as scissors and glue.  I like that they are portable and can travel with the student anywhere in our room.  On the bottom are our Book Boxes; ice cube buckets.


Technology
I can't imagine teaching without it anymore.  My classroom comes equipped with an Elmo and a teacher and student computer.

To make better use of our one student computer, this headphone adapter comes in handy. I was able to turn it into a instant listening center. I numbered the headphones and adapter to keep us organized.

Thanks to Donors Choose and a generous spouse, I have two iPads which my students can use.  I really hope to integrate this tool a lot more into my classroom.



Teacher Created Resources

Teachers are amazing, creative people who know and understand what kids need.  They have become my go to resource when it comes to planning.

They have also inspired me to create for my classroom as well.  This Parent Friendly Common Core resource is one of my favorites.

Our Future  

No classroom is complete without them.  It's amazing how each year I pour my heart and soul into my classroom for them.

What are your "must haves" for the classroom?  

From my classroom to yours,

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Common Core Math Kindergarten Style

Math Storage

Keeping math organized has been one of my goals this year.  To help me, I try to house all our math learning tools in one place.  Some items are kept on the shelf for easy access.  These are manipulatives which we use often.  The colored boxes; scrapbook containers, house manipulatives which I have a bulk of such as linker cubes and tangrams.  The numbered boxes are our Math Work Stations.  

A Peek into Our Learning

 

This year, my teaching of math has shifted towards the Common Core.  As a result, our work during math time differs greatly than in the past. 

The Santa Count and Scoop center works on counting teen numbers and learning about the Base Ten system.  In the past, we would still be working on counting from 0 to 10 at this time of the year.  

Another major shift is introducing addition and subtraction much earlier than before but with a greater emphasis on thinking about number and number relationships.  We have been working on number bonds for the past few months.  I love to use the red and yellow counters for this.  A simple game we play is "Shake and Count."  I give them a set number of counters and they just shake and count how many red and how many yellow.  We, then, record, the different ways to make the given number. In November, we worked on making 5 using turkey feathers.  

This month, we are using Christmas trees to show number bonds which we decorate with red and yellow ornaments.  Grab a copy here.   Santa's Sleigh Drop is from Mel at Frog Spot.  The center focuses on subtraction.  The kids select a card and then, problem solve using counters as presents.  They are doing great with this.  I have never taught subtraction this early but through hands-on learning they are learning about this concept using a timely subject matter which piques their interest. 

And, just in case you missed it, I posted this on my Facebook page.  

Our new book box.  Formally known as a Kleenex box.

Isn't this what teaching is all about?  

Finding meaning and purpose in all we do.

Happy Teaching!

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I'm Busy

It's the busiest time of the year.....ASSESSMENTS!

I convinced  suggested that we purchase ESGI to use with our assessments.  I love it!  And, so do my teammates.  We are able to use some on the system tests and create our own assessments.  No more shuffling papers, gathering supplies, etc.  Just click and go.  Data in an instant!  (And, I don't know about your school....but we are all about data.)

Here is the problem! TESTING TAKES FOREVER!!!!!!  It is 1-1.  In the pre-reading section, there are 4 tests times 21 kids.  There are 3 sections. You get the drift.

My poor kiddos!  They loose valuable instruction time.  :(    I try to only test during center time.  But I still get those kids who want to show you their work or just stop by to chat.

So, I've created this little sign to remind them that I'm busy.  I plan to insert it into a little frame and display at my computer where I am testing.

Click image for your copy.

What are some of your tricks of the trade to keep kids at bay while you assess?  Let me know.  I hope I'm not the only one who has this problem.

Happy Sunday all!  I'm hoping to watch a lot of football while planning for the week and getting some report cards started.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Organizing Home Communication Materials

It's Day Four of Organizing Week at Mrs. Patton's Patch.  I must say that Parent Home Communication is pretty simple in our classroom.  

To start with, I use these folders.  Our school orders them for us.  They are durable and if taken care of last the entire school year.  I label the left side with Return to School and the right side with Keep at Home.  The students bring their folders in daily.  Homework is given on Friday and due the following Friday.

When they arrive in the morning, they drop off their folder in the white tub.  This is located immediately as you come in.  I also drop off any notices from the office or myself into this tub.  This way, I don't forget to send important paper home!  As students leave in the afternoon, I check the folder for anything important.  Yes, I wait until the end of the day.  REALLY, REALLY important things,  I ask for as they enter the room.  

Excuse the mess. It's conference week.  

 I'm returning student work that I no longer need.

  

Directly under the white tub are the kids' cubbies.  I have had this my entire teaching career!  It has moved locations, rooms, and even schools.   It is nothing fancy at all.  The slots are cardboard.  Each year, I change out the names which I  labeled with my P Touch.  I teach the students to put their paper there as they complete it.  

Important work that I want to grade or keep as a portfolio piece goes in the I'm Done Box.  This is just a letter tray that sits on top of a shelf.  I have my name on it because it's my cubbie.  Homework on Friday is also turned in there.  Later that day, I go over homework with each student 1-1.  Since, I don't check everything and I tend not to use that many worksheets, this pile of paper is somewhat manageable.  If it gets out of hand, it usually means paper needs to be filed.    

I also communicate with parents via email, our classroom website, and on an individual basis.  I see many families on a daily basis so urgent matters can be handled personally.  

Thanks for taking a glimpse into my classroom.  

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Math Organization

It's Day 3 of Organization Week.  Today's topic is Math.

Here is an overview of my math program.  I must say that I do not like this format but because of our pacing schedule (5 lessons plus a test each week), this is the one that is working.

Math Routines:
We start math with Math Routines.  It may be a song, a mini-lesson or review. (10 minutes)

Teacher Led Lesson:
Early in the year, this portion is long.  As the year progresses and students have more background knowledge, this portion is less.  (15-30 minutes)

Skip Counting by 2s

Independent Work:
Usually students complete a workbook page.  I do try to incorporate some hands on learning as well.  (Henceforth, why I am always behind in my pacing!  Makes hard to discuss data results when you are still teaching the content.  The teacher in me hates to move on when students are not ready.  I like them to guide my teaching.  Not a pacing guide!) I will work with students who need extra help. (varies based on student's skill level)

Math Centers:
Here is what we currently have in our math centers.

 Currently, most of the games are to practice addition and subtraction facts.

As you can see, I purchased most of the games.  I got the Teacher's Helper set towards the end of last school year on clearance through Scholastic.  The other games were purchased at my local teacher supply store.

Some games, I put in a box; actually a planter from the Dollar Store.  The kids favorite game is Roll Mr. Potato Head which I found of this site.

Here is a glimpse into how I organize my teaching of math.  I can't wait to hear from you!  I love comments!

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Organizing Daily Materials

Mrs. Patton at Patton's Patch is hosting an Organization Week Linky Party. Today's topic is Daily Organization.  What teacher couldn't use more help/ideas about organizing!  I know I could use a few tips here and there; especially now.  I'm packing up my room for Spring Cleaning.  Yes, I am getting a deep clean. It happens only once a year.

Here is what I do.  I prefer to organize by subject because sometimes what I plan for the day may go onto the next.

I use this letter tray to help organize by subject.  I actually organize it in the order I teach throughout the day.  Just in case you are wondering, Standards Based Reading and Writing, Math, ELD, Word Study, Science or Social Studies.  As I copy things for the week, I just place it in the appropriate spot.  The bottom tray keeps my Teacher Resource Books that I may need for future copying.

I am very lucky to have an aide who comes in 3x a week.  She mostly does copying.  To get ready for her, I look at my curriculum map and plan what I may need her to copy.  I have a large collection of teacher resource books such as Mailbox so once every few weeks, I tab what I need and she gets my bulk copying done.  These magazine trays are labeled language arts, math, other.  As I plan for homework, I just grab the copies from here.

Another useful item is my Grab N Go Notebook.   It makes lesson planning easy because it can be customized to your needs.

I hope you'll join Mrs. Patton's Organizing party.  I can't wait to read about organizing for Guided Reading.  I really could use a few tips here!

Happy Teaching, Learning and Organizing!

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Changing Seats

New year usually means new seats.  I usually do not have assigned seating in my classroom but this year, I have a few students who need my help in making good choices for learning.  To help me know where everyone is at, I attach some painters tape on the back of the chairs.  Makes changing seats a lot quicker.

Do you have any organizational tips that you would like to share?  Leave a comment. 

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