Optimum Organization and a Freebie! Grab 'n' Go Grading Binder

 You've seen them and I've had them... the trays for collecting student work, neatly color coded and labeled, laid out on a counter or on a shelf.  I loved them!  (And the dollar store loved me!)  I've even used dishpans so more papers would fit in one container.  

Then I changed schools.

I no longer had countertops on which to place my trays and shelves were in short supply.  Even the class itself was smaller so an additional tabletop would not work well either.  I had to adapt fast... ever been there?

I created my Grab 'n' Go Grading Binder and am sharing it as a FREEBIE with you in this week's Optimum Organization!  Thank you Kristen and   Fun in 4B once again for hosting!

Here is how it works:  

(By the way, forgive the photo editing above... my color printer is out of ink!)

 

 

 

So what are you waiting for?  Go and Grab your free binder cover at my TPT store! :)

New Teacher Tip of the Week

 

You know that moment when you thought to yourself, 

"I wish I had known this when I first started teaching"?  

                                  MY NEW TEACHER TIP OF THE WEEK                        

Have a simple, manageable, structured system for classroom management.

I firmly believe that most behavior issues can be avoided long before they start by having clear expectations and procedures which have been explicitly taught, practiced and reinforced ahead of time.

I also am a firm believer in the power of having a positive classroom culture in which students are supported and recognized for positive achievements.

Both of those topics will be addressed in later posts, but today I'd like to talk about what to do when a child does misbehave, even when there is a strong classroom culture, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement.  It happens!  Now what?

Poor choices are a problem because the child loses learning time, other students are impacted, and you lose teaching time.  How do we address this?

PART ONE:  Plan how you will keep your teaching from being interrupted by minor noncompliance and disruptions.  

If the child is attention seeking, you will end up reinforcing it.  If the child has simply forgotten a procedure, he or she just needs a quick reminder.  Most of all, interruptions can break the flow of teaching and learning.  Not good!   

Here is what to do:  

Use nonverbal signals to students to redirect them.  

As part of my Stop and Think system, I have several hand signals that I use and teach my students to use to give each other gentle reminders. Most of these are sign language based such as putting a finger to your lips for "Quiet", making a chair signal for "Sit Down," etc.  Students know there are no consequences for these signals and I lavish praise on students who use them (especially at first).  "Thank you for gently reminding your friend..." or "Joey, I saw how quickly you responded to your friend when she reminded you to..."   

We all need gentle reminders sometimes!

If a silent signal isn't effective, I also use STOP AND THINK cards that are a physical reminder and will give me a chance to talk to the student during our next transition.  Simply give the child the signal or card, as you continue teaching.  During the next transition, students should come to you for a quick conference and can ask you about the issue.  Make sure you tell the students ahead of time that Stop and Think cards are simply an opportunity to turn their choices around and that you will talk to them at the transition time and only at the transition time when he or she brings the card to you.

Watch for Part 2 coming soon!

What is your NEW TEACHER TIP OF THE WEEK?

Optimum Organization: Word Wall and Writer's Workshop

 I'm linking up with Kristin at Ladybug Teacher Files and Fun in Room B to share a couple more organizational tips!  

Don't forget to visit the wonderful blogs linked below:

Monday Made It: Customized Dry Erase Sign!

I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for...

  One of my favorite tips I have found on Pinterest was to make a custom picture frame dry erase board for my classroom.  So fun!  

I used the same scrapbook papers from my clipboard crafting, cut it to fit inside a picture frame, and voila!  The glass inside the frame becomes a dry erase surface where I can post messages to my students.

I use this one as a stand up sign to label the trays near my classroom entrance.  Next school year, I am going to get a bunch of smaller color coordinated frames to label several areas of my classroom, post directions for centers, etc.  I love it when something so simple can have such a big impact!

Optimum Organization: What's Next? Signs

 I'm linking up with Kristin at Ladybug Teacher Files and Fun in Room B to share another organizational tip!  

Ever notice that sometimes it is the simplest thing that solves a problem?  Even when my directions were explicit and clear, I still had students asking me, "What am I supposed to do next?" 

Here is how I answer that question:

I made some simple signs to attach to my white board that clearly spell out the order of work that must be done, making priorities clear.  If there are options within a step, I just list them as bulleted items.  Since I use magnetic tape (love that stuff!) to attach the signs, I can just move them up or down to make more room.  Student know right where to look to keep organized.  Simple but effective!

Don't forget to visit the wonderful blogs linked below:

Made it Monday: Cute Teacher Clipboards!

I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for Made it Monday!

I love clipboards and have them hanging in handy locations all over my room.  I keep everything from checklists to observation forms on them.  Plain old chipboard clipboards just don't get it done for me so...

I made them pretty with scrapbook paper!

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 Here is the scrapbook paper pack that I used.  So cute if you love the school theme!  I bought it at Joann Fabrics.