Earlier this afternoon I posted this picture on Instagram.... I received a few messages after posting regaring the containers I used for organization, so I thought I'd take a minute to break it all down in case anyone else is curious, too! Storage containers, Sterilite drawers, and clear shoe organizers!!! Affordable and efficient!!! I absolutely love the clear shoe organizer for catching lots of odds and ends that would typically end up in a drawer and eventually find themselves at the bottom of said drawer leaving me baffled and beyond frustrated. The visual piece helps keep things organized and easy to find!!! These are the … [Read more...] about Storage Solutions for the Classroom
organization
Summer & Supply Labels
Happy Summer!!!! Well...for some of you, anyway. I know that's not the reality for everyone right now (and I'm sorry!!!), but for those of you relaxing poolside reading something other than a staff email or PD book, happy summer to you!!! Our last day was last Thursday and here's how my boys celebrated.... Pretty awesome! What that picture doesn't show you is how I forced my boys to get dressed as quickly as possible ...with their "mud" shoes...and race outside to take a pic before the sky opened up & rained yet again. They were not amused with my desire to capture their last day. I was all, "get … [Read more...] about Summer & Supply Labels
Organizing (& A B2S ONE DAY Sale)
Okay. So I wanted to pop in real quick talk about organization. I'm asked this question often in various forms... "How do you organize your clip art?" "How do you store your center activities?", "What is your favorite planner/organizer?", etc. I figured it would easiest to just lump it all together and tell you a little bit about the different ways I organize just in case some of these ideas are helpful for you, too. I've been using Erin Condren planners (Life Planner) since about 2010. I absolutely LOVE her stuff. I was having a really hard time justifying the price tag because I don't utilize all of the … [Read more...] about Organizing (& A B2S ONE DAY Sale)
Math Center Set-Up & Organization
With the start of the school year rapidly approaching, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk to y'all all about how I set up my math centers. This seems to be a frequent question I'm asked. Let me just tell y'all that by NO means do I think I have it all figured out. I just want to share what's worked for me over the last 13 years in the classroom. As with anything, you have to find what works best for you as a teacher and what best fits the needs of your kids. What works for me may not work for you. What works for me one year might not work for me the next...especially considering the dynamics of … [Read more...] about Math Center Set-Up & Organization
A Look At My Day
Hey y'all! It's Thursday and that means today's Teacher Week Topic is WHEN.... It's all about our schedules today! I've taught for 13 years. In those 13 years, I've taught at 4 different schools and in 3 different grades {K-3}. Each year I feel like I have the "best schedule ever". Really. But I have to say, the schedule I've had the past two years just might take the cake. Let's take a peek, shall we?! Now let's break it down. Our kids all meet in the cafeteria every morning. That means no parent drop offs in the classroom. Except for the first two days of … [Read more...] about A Look At My Day
Organization & A Sale!
Today I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week. Today's topic...ORGANIZATION. I know I've talked to y'all a little bit about staying organized. You might remember me telling y'all that I always start out the year organized and ready to go, but after the first day the wheels fall off and I usually don't find them until the last day of school :) Here are just a few of things I do & use to TRY and stay organized throughout the year. TRY being the operative word. I keep all of my files in the plastic sterilite drawers labeled by month. This has helped me a TON!! … [Read more...] about Organization & A Sale!
A Few Little Tips
While everyone is headed back to school, I thought I'd share a few little tips that have helped my classroom setup TREMENDOUSLY over the years. You might have already seen these before, but just in case you haven't, I thought I'd share them again :) Whatever helps....right?!?!! Last year I added command hooks in all of my academic areas with the intention of storing my anchor charts for each of those subjects. I just attached the anchor charts to binder rings for hanging. That turned out to be one of the best things I did for my classroom! My kids were easily able to access all of our anchor charts so when they had a … [Read more...] about A Few Little Tips
Break Over & Staying Organized
Teachers are a crazy bunch, aren't we?! We get two weeks off for the holidays and still want MORE time off!! HA! I know I'm not the only one wishing for another week?!?! Am I ?!?! I still haven't taken down the Christmas decor...done ANY laundry...gone grocery shopping for the week...cleaned {dear Lord it's bad}...planned for the upcoming week...or anything of importance. My break was used for just that...a BREAK!!!! As usual, I've saved everything for the very last minute because procrastination is what I do best. Now it's time to get back to the proverbial grind. I'm excited to see my … [Read more...] about Break Over & Staying Organized
Managing Station Time
Truth be told, I’m a bit of a *control freak*. I’m sure there’s a little bit of that in all of us. Mine tends to reign when it comes to managing my classroom. And it gets EXTREMELY stressed out when I’m flying, but that’s beside the point. Yes…I like to be in control in the classroom. It would be scary if there were no control….we all know that. I’ve worked with lots of teachers who were masters at letting go of control…in certain aspects, of course. I’ve dabbled in it here and there, but I’ve always been a little nervous to find out what it would be like if I let my kids choose instead of me. … [Read more...] about Managing Station Time
Keeping it Organized
Before I go any further, I must say…I.AM.WORN.OUT!!!!! Getting back into a routine sure is hard, isn’t it?! Anyway, I was pulling out a few things to get ready for next week and thought I’d share a quick way I **try** and stay somewhat organized as far as filing materials/activities goes. I shared this little idea in Chicago and maybe you can use it, too :) When I create a new activity or make one that I purchase, I always write them down in my little monthly activity binder. I jot down the name of the activity, the author, and where I put it {because I ALWAYS forget!!!!}. This makes prepping for planning SO … [Read more...] about Keeping it Organized
May In Rewind {Busy Much?!}
Before I go any further, it must be said… Happy summertime to you! Our summer started yesterday and I’ve been spending lots of QT with my sweet boys since school let out. LOVE THEM TO BITS!!! To say this past month has been busy would be the understatement of the year. Totally fast and furious…and now it’s all over. Another year come and gone. Hard to believe I just finished my 11th year in the classroom! I was really nervous to go back down to Kindergarten this past year, but truth be told…it was WONDERFUL. WAY better than I could’ve imagined. I’ll be staying put this upcoming year and I’m … [Read more...] about May In Rewind {Busy Much?!}
FAQ’S {The Math Edition}
HAPPY FRIDAY, friends!!! I've recently had a lot of emails and a few comments asking questions about how I set up my math tubs & what my math time looks like, so I thought I'd just give you a little breakdown right here :) Math Mania ~ 8:00-9:30 Morning announcements are broadcast around 8 and as soon as they’re over, we start our calendar routine {you can check out the details HERE}. Immediately following calendar, I send the kids back to their desks for some Math journaling. This usually consists of “Number of the Day” and a problem solving prompt. I usually give the kids a couple of minutes to work alone, and then we share aloud. … [Read more...] about FAQ’S {The Math Edition}
