No Teacher Desk Classroom Option

Have you ever thought about getting rid of your teacher desk?

If not, check out THIS article at Organized Classroom to at least ponder it.

While you're there, make sure to grab the free labels to use however you like with or without a desk in your room!

Enjoy!

~Charity

Getting on the Teacher Teeter Totter?

Have you mastered work and life balance?  Most teachers have not.

And I'm here to tell you that's ok!

I share 5 tips for teachers HERE at Organized Classroom.

Want a list of 10 classroom “Want Do” ideas that cost little to no money, plus 2 premade templates?

Stop by and grab it now!

~Charity

Simple Chalk Center

Do your students love to use chalk?  Make sure to tap into that novelty and set up a super fun chalkboard comprehension classroom center!

Grab your free comprehension sentence template and read more about it at Organized Classroom!

See you there!

~Charity

Tired of the Tattling?

I know I was tired of the constant telling on one another in the classroom, so I had to come up with a solution that was quiet, didn't interrupt my teaching throughout the day, and yet still made sure students felt like they were being heard.

Stop by Organized Classroom and see it for yourself!  {And grab the freebie template while you're there.}

~Charity

Free Library Checkout Printable

What is your favorite classroom library checkout system?

Stop at Organized Classroom to see our list -

and even grab a free printable checkout form to use if you prefer old school!

See you there!

~Charity

New Teacher = Teacher Suggestions

Hi teacher friends!  In case no one else has said it lately, I will be the first to say:

THANKS for all you do!  You ARE changing lives every single day, whether it is noticed or not.  I truly appreciate all you do for your students.

Speaking of teaching being a difficult profession at times, I know personally for me, my first year was THE toughest!  In fact, my first full month, I secretly cried in my room every day after school.  And normally I am a collected person that can handle stress pretty well.  But it was completely overwhelming.

   

 Had I known then that first year teacher anxiety was normal and just part of the first year teacher struggles almost everyone encounters, I would have probably felt a lot better. 

 Instead, I was trying to tackle new ideas for everything for classroom management, lesson plans, routines, grading, meetings {oh the meetings!}, parent communication, and more.  

And each of these new experiences happened regularly all in a single day. No wonder I felt sad or had feelings of worthlessness.  Luckily, my physical symptoms were minor and didn't require medical attention, but headaches and fatigue were prevalent throughout that school year.  Not sure why I didn't put two and two together to figure out that I was quickly hitting first year teacher burnout levels. 

 Luckily, I made it through and it DID get easier after that initial school year.  But that was almost 15 years ago.  With today's additional stresses of school safety, income tied to student performance, and more, it's a miracle anyone is still interested in entering the education career field these days. 

 But I am thankful there are dedicated and brave souls who have taken on the task of educating tomorrow's future leaders.  Thank you for everything.

How to Deal with the Sunday Night Blues

Even veteran teachers can struggle with optimal mental health.  Many even have loss of interest in their career many times throughout their tenure.  The education field is losing great teachers every year to educators who have had to try and learn how to cope with depression and anxiety on their own.

 As I was thinking about that year (which I did survive and which taught me so many valuable lessons), I posted a thread on Facebook that asked for advice you would give to a First Year Teacher.  There were almost 200 comments and all AMAZING pieces of advice!

 I knew I would have to make a freebie eBook to compile all the responses!

 Thanks to all who contributed - the eBook ended up being 30 pages long and would be a perfect gift for a graduating student teacher, someone new to the field (or even a different grade level), or just to review even for a veteran teacher.

 
Click HERE to grab the free eBook

More Ideas for Helping Yourself and Colleagues with Stress-Related Anxiety

I bet you know the feeling:  Sunday evening rolls around and instead of feeling well-rested from a couple days off work, your chest starts to tighten thinking about setting that alarm clock for the next morning, you immediately begin to run your mile ling to-do list for the next day of everything you need to get done before students even arrive in the morning, and you have nightmares of out-of-control classroom chaos.

 I have been there.

 Job satisfaction is really hard to improve when you are dreading the time you have to spend at work. Something I try to do when I am feeling anxious about work is to brighten a staff member's day.  Not only do I get to see that person smile, but it feels good in return.  Plus, you never know whether he or she has been feeling down in the dumps too.

 Check out these great options for spreading cheer to all who enter your hallways:

  Candy Bar Staff Awards are a fun way for all staff members to recognize each other.  And get a sweet treat as an added reward too!

   

  Secret Staff Buddies are like a cross between room service menus and secret gift exchanges for teachers!  Set the spending limit low (for example:  the cost of a stack of post-its or a morning coffee) and make it optional for participants each time so there is no added stress to something that should be a stress reliever.

 

Teachers Color the World has some free coloring pages for teachers to download and get moving.  Coloring for adults is popular.  It does help to take your mind off things even for a few minutes before you have to go pick up students from their special.

   

 Are there other suggestions you think should be added?  Feel free to leave them in the comments below! 

 ~Charity 

 This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.

Free Writing Folder Labels for You!

So - today I have a super easy and quick idea for all of you who don't want multiple pocket folders in your students' desks!  DIY multipocket folders from two 2-pocket folders with brads without needing staples, tape, binding machines, or anything else!

   

Of course, you could make them even larger IF you want to cut up classroom folders and use a binding machine, but I think the basic 4-pocket folder will work fantastic for a writing folder or a 4-subject folder!

What are brads in folders?

Brads in folders are the little metal clips inside of a 2 pocket folder. You place the paper(s) onto the fasteners, then open the brads so that the pointed ends are facing away from one another (like a butterfly's wigs when they are open). Now you have locked in your materials into the two-pocket folder easily!

How to make your own folder:

You will need:

• Two 2-pocket folders, one WITH brads and one WITHOUT brads (make sure to check the back to school sales too in the fall!)

• Three-hole punch

• Labels to label the pockets (see below for some I already have made up for you!)

Steps: 1.  Take the folder that does NOT have the brads, and turn it inside out so the pockets are on the outside.

   

2.  Three-hole punch the open EDGE (not the folded edge) 

3.  Insert the holes onto the brads in your other folder and close up.

   

4.  Affix your labels and you are set to go!

   

 I like to add a name on the front cover, and the description of the pockets on the inside.

   

Super simple, right?  Of course since the middle folder is not closed up, you may see a gap, but it really should not matter.  If it drives you insane, you can always take a few extra minutes to glue it shut though. 

 I did try to place more than one folder and when I did, the middle pockets were not able to be opened freely since they were attached at the brads. 

 You could certainly try some different combinations, but I found just one folder to work perfectly.

 

How can you use your new multi folder?

• Different subjects in a self-contained classroom; examples - reading, math, science, social studies
• Specials teachers can ask students to bring their specials folder; examples - PE, Art, Music, Computer Science
• Writing folder for writer's workshop; examples - brainstorming, rough draft, editing, final copy
• Homework folders; examples - work to be left home, work to be reviewed, graded work, homework
• Math story problem processes; examples - keywords are underlined, relevant numbers are circled, a picture is drawn, final sentence is written and final answer circled
• Book reports; examples - book chosen, main ideas list, rough draft and editing, final copy and illustrated cover

Below, I have some labels which match my completed Jungle Theme Classroom Resources and you are even able to customize the student names on the front folder label!

I have included labels for a writing folder to move the pages along in the writing process or for a multi-subject folder to keep those papers that are started, but not quite finished.

 Just have students place their paper into the correct folder and then grab it again the next day when you are ready to start your lesson!

 Happy creating and enjoy your freebie labels below!

 

Click Here for your Freebie


 What else could you use this handy folder trick for in your classroom?  I would love to hear in the comments below!

 ~Charity


 This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.

Celebrating Spring with Synonyms

Teaching synonyms is a fun way for building vocabulary and allowing for more concise writing skills. You can use worksheets, anchor charts, manipulatives, bingo, or read alouds to introduce the concepts to your children. 

Being able to identify synonyms - and their opposite partner words - antonyms - are super fun topics for any grade level 2nd-4th English class! Sentence structure becomes immediately better when students are exposed to variations of common words they use regularly. 

What if your teacher lesson plans taught synonyms like a word detective? The class needs to find the clues that lead to a hidden mystery word. 

 Each day, you share another synonym for a common word and place it on a word wall or anchor chart. The master lists of synonyms grows each day, as does the student guesses as their ideas are eliminated when a new word is added. 

The look of excitement in their faces is so pleasing to watch. The thrill of hearing their guesses while realizing that their word choice is suddenly so much larger than it has been before. Learning has never been more fun!

Why teach synonyms?

The best reason to teach synonyms is honestly for a wider variety of word choice that expands the vocabulary library. Isn't our goal to grow students into better readers and thinkers? 

 By doing specific activities in school where students use their knowledge or skill to create more complex sentences, it enhances their ability to communicate with others and learn better. 

After working on a classroom brainstorming list to pool together various words that can mean the same thing, make a master list of the words and photocopy one for each child to keep within his or her writing folder for easy reference while writing. 

I guarantee if you ask students to swap out just one word from their writing this week for another option in their vocabulary book, you will start to see students using better words more often. The bonus is that you will start to hear it in their speaking skills as well.

How do you teach synonyms and antonyms?

Usually teaching synonyms and antonyms goes hand in hand, much like peanut butter and jelly. It doesn't always have to be taught simultaneously, but they are certainly two pieces of the grammar pie that go together very well. 

Anchor charts are a great way to teach this strategy too! 

This one is super cute and shows how to connect the S in synonym with the word same.

    

Love that these are petals of flowers! It would go great with the free synonyms worksheets I have for you below!

   

You just can't have an education post about teaching synonyms without seeing cinnamon rolls - haha! 

 

Another way I have always taught synonyms in the past is through literature. A few great choices are:

 

Pitch and Throw, Grasp, and Know: What Is a Synonym? by Brian P. Cleary
If You Were a Synonym (Word Fun) by Michael Dahl
Stroll and Walk, Babble and Talk: More About Synonyms by Brian P. Cleary

Need something more hands-on? How about a free pdf printable pack? I have created a fun version of a color-by-number activity: Spring Color-By-Synonyms! Super fun, right?

   

This completely free pack of printables includes 6 worksheets - 3 that are simple synonym choices for the K-2 crowd and 3 that are of a higher difficulty level. {Did someone use the word rigorous?} 

 

Of course, they are all included in the free set to use interchangeably with your students' needs. I know how you probably have a classroom full of students that could use either version, so they will all be at your fingertips for the taking! 

 

A word of warning: the higher difficulty versions do include some words not regularly used as synonyms as I specifically wanted to make it challenging. Many students will need a thesaurus or dictionary to look up the meanings of the word in question. 

This can be done in traditional book form, my personal favorite way to teach referencing skills in addition to the synonym unit, but students could also feasibly find help by using an online version such as dictionary.com or thesaurus.com to assist them in working through the words. 

These free worksheets for synonym practice can be used during your lesson, as a homework assignment, morning work, centers, or even as an extension activity for your gifted students who might be ready to tackle something a bit harder. 

All the answer keys are also included in the packet so you can check it in a flash. 

 Make sure to download your free Spring Color by Synonyms Printable Pack below right now! 

 

Click here to have your free printable emailed to you now! 

How do you usually cover synonyms and/or antonyms in your classroom? We love ideas around here! 

 Leave your ideas in a comment below!  #sharingiscaring 

~Charity 

This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom. 

Let's Do Some Adult Coloring

Teachers have so much stress, they need solutions to relieve that stress before teacher burnout occurs. Free adult coloring pages might be just the ticket to help out.

I personally love coloring inspirational quotes as a way to unwind throughout the day. There's just something soothing about using coloring pencils to make a previously black and white image vivid with all the colors of the rainbow. 

And don't even bother to interrupt me if I have been lucky enough to grab a new mega box of crayons. 

 

By the end of the school day, teachers' minds are fried. 

A "typical" day might involve:

• Forgetting your lunch on your kitchen counter after running around grabbing things to toss in a lunchbox for your own children before rushing out the door 
• Parents that stop by right at the start of the day just to talk about their child's last behavior note that was sent home - and by talk I mean yelling loudly 
• A child throwing up on the carpet
• Another unannounced assembly in the gym - during your math time when you have been struggling to teach fractions to glazed over eyes 
• Your SmartBoard crashes during your reading lesson, which was the "fun" and "interactive" portion of the lesson the students were most looking forward to 
• A teamie needs to go home sick and there are no subs, so her class is split up and you now have an extra 5 students to squeeze into your already cramped classroom 
• One of your students come to you sobbing because his dog died last night and you are currently reading Shiloh (PS - this really happened to me) 
• Indoor recess. And no recess monitor means you will be monitoring in your classroom. 
• Staff meeting? Again? You swear you just had one last month. 

You drag yourself home after school and just need a FEW (hundred) minutes - or glasses of wine - before you pass out on the sofa just to start over and do it all again the next day.

Teacher morale is low because you can't feel anything but be in survival mode all day and night. Perhaps a few quiet minutes of free printable coloring pages for adults will help to take you to a quiet place when you just "can't" anymore today.

Online coloring pages

If you prefer to do your coloring virtually, you'll definitely want to check out some of the following websites. They range from easy to more advanced complex options and could be a great option if you just need a quick break during your planning period at school. 

There are tons of phone apps out there now too for digital coloring, but I found several free sites that won't cost you a penny. 

While this particular site has more simple coloring templates, I thought the teacher seemed appropriate. How to "color"? Click on the color you wish to use and then click on the image where you want the color to fill. 

I added a couple colors so you can see how easy it is. It's quite satisfying to go from a black and white blank slate to a fully colored picture.

   

This site has to be one of my favorites. Instead of choosing your own colors (you can still if you want), but it is more like a color by number painting. 

Each piece has a number in the space and then once you "color" it, the number disappears and is filled in with the chosen color instead. It's a lot of fun.

   

If you are looking for an online coloring page that's more intricate, you'll want to check out the one below. I adore how it has a HEX code box do you can choose any custom color you can dream up. 

It is amazing to me how advanced the coloring image is, plus you can download your image and save it since it will definitely take a bit longer than your normal coloring time.

 

If you love mandalas and geometric designs, here are some fun choices. 

The only drawback (for me anyway) is that the color is not "filled" in to the picture when you click on it, but instead actually allows you to manually color it in. Or erase it or use different writing tools. 

I personally don't have very steady hands, so this would not be a good choice for me, but I am betting there are plenty out there that would prefer the freehand option of this website instead. 

Printable coloring pages

Now, if you love the tactile experience of manually adding color to the page with crayons or colored pencils, then you'll want to print off some of the following PDF choices. 

You can also find lots of unique adult coloring books for sale online, including choices with scenery, fairies, flowers, mandalas, or even swear words - ha! There really is something out there for everyone. 

Make sure to click on the images below to find all the following freebie handouts. 

Download this super cute coloring sheet with an inspired quote to lead the way. 

 

Another quote in the middle, I love the floral arrangement around the edges of this choice.

   

Look at the intricate designs in the one below! You would be able to use colored pencils, crayons, or even markers in all the colors of the rainbow.

 

Geometric designs make this a fun option.

   

So many fun nooks and crannies to color!

   

I love the design just on the top of this page. Reminds me of when I played with a Spirograph as a child.

   

If you love mandalas the best, then this freebie printable will be perfect. 

 

What a fun fall choice! 

No need to go too far away. I pulled together a handful of teacher destress coloring pages just for you too! They each include a quote in the first person so you remember to repeat it to yourself as you are relaxing. Grab them below! 

 

How do you de-stress from your job? We would love to hear your suggestions in the comments below too. 

~Charity 

This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.

DIY Learning Menus

Giving students a choice board option, such as a spelling menu for homework, encourages a "buy-in" from that student. Anytime you are given a choice, you are more likely to want to follow through on the selection you made.

The best part about learning menus is that you are still structuring the content you wish to see in math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, or even for science. But students get to choose how they will learn which creates ownership of that learning and a much better user experience for everyone involved.

In my third grade classroom, I loved differentiating the instruction to include choice boards. And students loved the projects they created from their student choices. Each week I would introduce a new centers activity grid. There were 2-3 choices each for reading, math, writing, character building, and science/social studies.

I tried to incorporate different learning modalities into the options. I also created a general rubric for which to base my assessment. This was center work, so additional practice, which meant I didn’t have to be super picky about what was turned in as long as the work was complete and legible.

Honestly, it helped me to have invested students who were working instead of tugging at my sleeve while I was working with small groups. Students were freely given the time to complete 1 activity in each category.

We did review each assignment as a whole group - and I recorded myself explaining those choices and saved to a student computer.

That way, when you have the child who says “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” you can send him or her straight off to watch the replay. The work wasn’t always their very best, but sometimes their creativity really shines through. The love for learning was really my reasoning for using the choice boards - and that was always presented at the end of the week.

Menus are not hard work to put together, and can actually be used from year to year. Once you have created a menu for a certain topic area, make sure to keep it safe (or print it on cardstock and laminate) and you will have a resource that is even easier to implement the next year!

DIY Choice Boards

When creating your assignment, you’ll first want to decide whether you prefer a digital version or a printable hard copy. Either will work, so go with your preference.

You can create your template example right within google slides or on a google doc. That’s free and translates well for any system.

Menus can found in all sorts of formats, including a tic-tac-toe style, a list style, a choice board, extension menus, and/or learning contracts. When I use the term menus I am referring to all of the preceding.

In my opinion, menus offer choices for students to interact with a given topic by varying the content, process, and/or product (which is DI 101). While the format may look different, in essence, they are just a DI lesson plan in a different template.

The key with menus is not to force a specific choice, but rather give lots of options so that the student sees this as a learning opportunity, rather than “boring work that we are being forced to do.”

Now that you have a graphic organizer chosen, fill in the options for activities, making sure to include some items that are art-based (draw a movie poster for our story of the week) or even kinesthetic in nature (create a jump rope rhyme that explains how to add fractions with unlike denominators).

You can also reference different multiple intelligences options. It is nice to celebrate differences in our students and not just assign worksheets and reading al the time. Producing a short commercial with a classmate to showcase a new science invention is definitely way more fun.

One last bonus tip: I love using a free choice option on all of my menus and boards. Why? Perhaps the learning topic is one that a particular students is suoer passionate about. By giving the student an option to create his own option, the work that turns out is usually phenomenal. Of course, the child has to tell me explicitly what the learning task involves and how it will be assessed. We jot those notes down on the learning contract and away he goes.

Differentiation Menu Best Practices

• Many teachers are unsure of how to structure the learning time so it's not just students playing in the classroom and then having poor quality work to be shown for it. I personally have found this to be a legit concern when you first introduce the concept of menus.

Explicit directions and going over rubrics with students is imperative. Even better: Have examples of previous student work that showcases what you are looking for when scoring a completed project (or make your own examples). Again - this will be easier to do after you have completed your first year of prepping weekly choice boards. Start collecting exemplary pieces of work to be shown to the next round of students.

• Make sure the work students are to complete can be completed in the given time. If you have 5 categories of centers and only 3 days of actual center time of 40 minutes each time, you will want to make sure students can complete each activity in about 20 minutes. That’s not really much time for a very involved project.
• Also - you can adjust the work for different learning abilities and age ranges. If you have a child who has autism and is limited in her ability to write out 6 new word problems for math, then adapt it to recording a video or an audio version.

Same with smaller students, such as kindergarten or first grade who aren’t able to document a lot of work, especially in the beginning of the year. You can still use this idea. Simply record the directions in short video clips on tech devices that are placed around the round.

When a child goes to that spot, he or she plays the message from you (trust me, they know how to use those tech devices), and then completes the activity you have just explained. That might be coloring something or reading a picture book with a partner.

You know your students best.

• Last tip: I always, always, always introduce my center menus with only 2 activities. That allows students to get used to the routine and workflow.

The next week, if that goes well, I will add a third activity for the same amount of time. I gradually increase the workload to what I feel the class should be able to reasonably accomplish in the given time. And once in a while - I add in “bonus” options just to push them a little beyond their comfort zone. It amazes me how some teachers underestimate what our students are really capable of and never push those boundaries. Try it a few times. They just might surprise you.

Need more ideas for your gifted students and early finishers?

At Organized Classroom's Facebook page, we were previously discussing the book series “Differentiating Instruction With Menus” and I have to say, I love this set of books!

They have them for LA, Math, Science, and Social Studies for the middle school grades, as well as one for each in grades 3-5.

When I have a teacher I am working with that is teaching to the middle (average ability), I try to assist by suggesting pre-assessment (which will verify whether or not any student already has mastery of the upcoming subject material), and then trying to find (or create, if necessary) a corresponding menu that is of the same topic.

In this way, the students who have already mastered the required material can still be working on the same concepts and ideas, but at a higher level.

This really is a win-win for all because the student will be busy, hopefully engaged, and will be less disruptive to the rest of the class if he or she is not sitting and twiddling thumbs during your very exciting lesson about the American Revolution. 

 

 PS - menus are great for ALL students, not just your high functioning! Choice can really be a strong motivator for many children! Would you like a free Spelling Menu Homework Packet? Silly me, that is an obvious answer. Grab it below.

   

Click Here for your Freebie 

How could you use menus in your classroom this year or next? Sound off in the comments below! 

~Charity

This article originally appeared at Organized Classroom.

Top 20 Summer Reading Titles!

What's on your summer reading list?

What do teachers read over summer break?

I took a poll of our awesome OC readers and here are the results!
  Looks like the majority of our readers do tend to read both fiction and nonfiction throughout the summer break.

Great books for teachers to read over the summer will depend on your personality and your preferences - and the best part:  no one is judging you either way.  :)

Even the most effective teacher does not necessarily need to learn more about the achievement gap, how to write the nest lesson plan, or differentiating learning for every child during the school year.

My favorite comment from the survey results when I asked what you planned on reading over summer break?   "Trashy romance novels."   That truly made me giggle because even teachers need some time to shut down and recharge.

And trashy romance titles aren't exactly award-winning literature, so feel free to unplug and relax without analyzing the data or scrutinizing whether the capitals and punctuation is correct within the text.

A former professor in college (eons ago mind you) said something that stuck with me still to this day.  He mentioned how his wife, a very successful psychologist, would begin her weekend on Saturday morning by watching kids cartoons.  For several hours, she would be completely thoughtless about her high-stress clients and workweek past.  Instead she tuned in to some old school cartoons and just watched.  It was her way of decompressing so that she was able to truly be present with her family in her downtime.

Are you being present in your life over summer vacation?

With that said, I am personally a nonfiction book junkie.  I should probably start a support group.  Ha!

I LOVE reading about new ways to be better.  Personally, socially, emotionally, and even professionally.  Now, since we don't have a ton of "free time" throughout the school year, learning something that can help me to be a better educator is something I enjoy.

Even better?  It's on my terms and my topic choice.  No forced PD session here.

Typically, before the end of the school year, I choose something I would like to improve/implement in my classroom or instruction for the following school year.  Then, I pick up a handful of books related to that topic to peruse throughout the summer as I please.

One year, it was student led conferences.  Another was setting up better math centers.  Of course, early on I started with looking at multiple classroom management solutions to help me as I was starting out as a novice teacher. 

Need some good book suggestions for your summer reading list?

Here are 20 of the most popular suggestions from the OC readers.  Thanks so much to all who submitted their ideas!

Nonfiction Books for Teachers to Read Over the Summer

• Teach Like a Pirate came out on top in our reader survey this year!
• Have a lack of engagement in reading with your students?  Check out Disrupting Thinking:  Why How We Read Matters.
• Teaching with Love and Logic even comes in a spiral-bound edition.  Nice!
• Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World
• The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity is a 2nd title in our top 20 list all about innovators.  I am feeling like that might be a new buzzword.

• You just can't go wrong with anything from the Kings. The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educator's Creative Breakthrough certainly holds true to that point.
• An oldie but goody: The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy in the Elementary Grades
• The CAFE Book: Engaging All Students in Daily Literacy Assessment and Instruction - not sure you can talk about D5 without mentioning CAFE too.
• Number Talks: Whole Number Computation, Grades K-5
• I adore that Jen Sincero made this list since this book isn't really specific just to teachers, but it is definitely one of my personal nonfiction faves for any time of year reading.  The language is a little strong, but the message is worth it in my opinion:  You are a Badass (Deluxe Edition): How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.

Fiction Books for Teachers to Read Over the Summer

• Anything by James Patterson was the most recommended fiction titles by our teacher surveyors.  A few of his top sellers include: The People vs. Alex Cross, The Black Book, and 2nd Chance (Women's Murder Club).
• Karen Kingsbury was another author mentioned who has various titles, including Love Story: A Novel and A Baxter Family Christmas (The Baxter Family).
• The Outlander Series
• Wonder
• The Nightingale has great reviews and the setting of the book is WWII, which is sure to please historical fiction buffs out there.

• Lilac Girls is another WWII era writing.  I think I see a theme from our readers.
• Nora Roberts was mentioned and her #1 best seller is Shelter in Place.
• How about David Baldacci for my mystery thriller readers?   True Blue has you covered.
• Can you really get through a summer reading list for a female majority without mentioning at least something from Nicholas Sparks?  I don't think so.
• Fish in a Tree

Many of the above titles can also be found at the local library if you are short on funds.  Or maybe you just love visiting your local library like I do.  It's always a great place to spend a stormy afternoon when the beach isn't an option.

Download and print off this super cute reading log to track books you would like to read, as well as those you have read.  Write in the titles on the spines of your "want" list.  Highlight them as you finish.

 


 What else is on your reading list for this summer?  We would love to hear in the comments below! 

~Charity



This article originally appeared at Organized Classroom.

How Do You Schedule Your Day?

 

We have had some discussions on the fan page lately about classroom schedules.   I started thinking about brand-new teachers and how they may not have a clue about setting up a schedule (if that liberty is given to them), so I will walk you through how I have always done my set up!  (PS - my way is not necessarily the "right" way, but it is my way which has always worked for me.)  :)

How Do you Set Up a Daily Classroom Schedule?

1.  First, I start with my start and ending times of the school day on a sheet of paper (or even on a handy printable - see below).

2.  Next, I fill in my specials times, lunch times, recess, and any other times (such as computer, speech, gifted resource, etc.) that may pertain to my class that year.  Those are usually not up to me but are rather handed down from above.

3.  From that point, I usually want to cry because I realize how little time I have to teach.  But, I digress - I go ahead and fill in my reading block first thing for in the morning (even if there is a break in between).  Depending on the district, it could be anywhere from 60-120 minutes, including writing and/or independent reading.

4.  After that, I try to find an uninterrupted block of 60 minutes (or as close to it as possible) for math.

5.  Last, I try to piece in 30-45 minutes for science OR social studies (I have always rotated every other week or 2 with one or the other rather than trying to teach 20 minutes of each).

6.  Finally, I make sure to include 10 minutes at the end of the day for packing things up as it always seems to get away from you if you aren't prepared.  And I make sure I have a 10-15 minute allotment somewhere in there for a read aloud - no matter what the grade level.  It could be after recess, at the end of the day after packing up (that does tend to get them to move faster btw), or I have even done it first thing in the morning if I had specials shortly after the announcements.

Where Do you Display Your New Visual Template?

One option is to create your own custom mini pocket chart.

 

With this choice, you can display it on a central table - or even in the middle of a grouping of desks to save the dreaded "When are we done?" question constantly throughout the day.  

You could even choose to only display the current and next activity times for those students who struggle with the concept of how long something will last.

A second choice if your schedule seems to change on the daily due to specials, pull-outs, specialists, and other regular school events is to create a one-page printable for each day and place them on a pretty clipboard.

 

 Hang the clipboard from a magnetic hook on the whiteboard or a removable hook attached to the wall that is in clear view of all students.

A third option is to display it right on a student desk.  Grab the freebie printable below and tape right on student desks in the corner if needed as a visual reminder for the minute by minute plan while at school.  

So there you have it - my version of how I tackle the dreaded daily schedule.  It really gets hairy if you are trying to coordinate team-teaching with other members of your grade level or if you are a gifted/special ed resource who needs to work with multiple teachers and grade levels (I still have nightmares about those conversations. LOL).

How about a fun freebie to at least make it look pretty?  :)
Click Here for your Freebie


 Have fun scheduling!

~Charity


This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.
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