Editable Homework Newsletter

  Newsletters are a great way to keep that home and school connection strong.  In the past couple of years, I have found a way to make sending those newsletters a whole lot less time consuming.  I have these templates saved on my computer and I fill them out weekly and then just email them to my list of parents.  I thought I would share this little helpful time saver with you.   You can grab them for free.  Enjoy!!! 

Back to School Water Bottle Labels

Put a smile on your students face the moment they walk into your classroom. This water bottle label is a great way to welcome your students on the first day of school.

click image to go to freebie

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

Word Wall Spinners

  I wanted to make our word walls a little more interactive and these spinners were just what they needed.   I simple printed them out and laminated them to put into one of our centers.  If you didn't want to add the arrow you can always use a pencil and paper clip to use as a spinner.  You can grab them here:

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.

Months of the year Birthday Cupcakes

Who doesn't love cupcakes?  Here is a summer prep you can do ahead of time in your classroom.  Best part they are free and ready for your room.  I made these for my classroom and they were a hit. Simply add your students names on cards around them.   You can grab them here