Teacher Tricks & Tidbits #2

Graphics & fonts courtesy of Mrs. Stanford's Class, Emily Wean Designs, and Cara Carroll

If you are anything like me, you have students asking to go to the bathroom all.day.long.  Many times they just want to get out of the room with a friend & they miss valuable learning, but sometimes it is hard to decide when to let them go & when not to.  So... I started using a system where I let the students leave for water/ bathroom breaks 3 times a day.  I put all their names on index cards in a pocket chart.  I have a bucket of little circle counters, and they put one in front of their name each time they go.  This is a great visual for me as well as for the students, and has helped greatly in regards to managing bathroom breaks.  I highly recommend it!

Do you have a different bathroom break system that works well for you?  Please comment below!

Technology Tuesday

Well hello there...

My little ole blog got a makeover, so I thought I would try & revive it.  Those of you who stuck with me are AMAZING followers.  So thank you!!

I went to a really awesome technology training at Region 20 and thought I would share a little technology tip I learned.  Have you heard of Padlet?  It is a website where you can pose a question, give students the link, and they respond.  It seems great for all ages, but I could definitely see using it with first graders.  I plan on pulling it up on the screen and having them type the answer to a question so all the students can see what their classmates are saying.  Here is a link to my sample padlet.

You could use it to activate prior knowledge, have students respond to a book, have them make predictions, have them write their definition of a vocabulary word... etc.  The possibilities are endless!  What would you use it for in your classroom?

Adios for now,

Linsay

News!! + A free e-book for burnt out teachers

Oh hello blog world... I'm embarrassed as I check back into the blog & realize I haven't posted for an ENTIRE year.  Oh dear.  There is a reason though, which is that my husband and I have been in the adoption process for about the last year.  We are adopting a newborn!!  So this past year has been incredibly busy with trips to visit our agency, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.  We are now in the approved and waiting stage, so depending on when we get a placement, I may or may not be busy taking care of a baby in 2015.  Here is one of the fun photos my very talented SIL took :)

I also just got back from visiting my sis in Denver to surprise her for her engagement-- YAY!!  So needless to say, I spent countless hours at the airport traveling there & back.  In that time, I was able to finish up my e-book.  I have noticed that teacher burn out is everywhere, and sadly it is the really dedicated teachers that are ready to throw in the towel.  I have been thinking about this for awhile, and came up with 30 steps to teacher transformation.  If you are interested in receiving a copy of this e-book, send me an email at linsayhumphrey@yahoo.com and I will send you a link to download it.  The only thing I ask is that you try it out, and when you have completed the 30 steps, you email me to share your honest feedback.  It all sounds great in my head, but I need some people to test it out for me & would love for you to let me know your thoughts!

Also, how is it almost 2015?!  I hope you have a great New Year's with your family & friends :)

Teacher Tricks & Tidbits #1

After having several student teachers in my class, I thought back to my time in college & realized that many of the ideas I use in my classroom where not learned in the college setting.  They were taken from other teachers, and many of them have been instrumental in my classroom running smoothly.  So I thought that I would start a series of blogposts called...

Graphics & fonts courtesy of Mrs. Stanford's Class, Emily Wean Designs, and Cara Carroll

The first trick I learned from my student teaching mentor {shout out Mrs. P-Y!} is table points.  It is simple & effective in my first grade classroom.  I have named each table, or you could number them.  Staring on Monday, I write each table name on the board.  During the week I give points to tables who have all their items put away on time {I count from 10 to 0}, who are using synergy, or who are just being extremely well behaved.  At the end of the week, the table with the most points picks a prize from the prize box.

What I love about this is that you really start to see kids working as a team.  If a kid is a slow poke, other students will help them get their things put away on time.  Kids who love to chit chat will be reminded by their table mates to work quietly.  It is miraculous!

If you have any tricks, or tidbits, I would love to know!  Feel free to take this image {and copy & paste the links to the credits} and use it on your blog, FB, twitter, instagram, pinterest... am I missing anything?  Ha.  And then comment below with a link to your post because I'd love to read it!  Like I said, I learn best from other teachers like you :)

Stay tuned for trick #2...

SALE!! + Class Meeting Ideas

I LOVE shopping in my PJs at home.  Not fighting the crowds.  And watching HGTV while I shop.

Tomorrow is the perfect chance to do that during the Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sale on the TpT Store.  {Isn't this button cute?  Thanks Primarily Speaking!}

I just finished my Class Meeting Pack in English or Spanish, so grab it while it's on sale if you would like to try out class meetings with your students :)

I also created some Christmas file folder games in English & Spanish last year.  

If you are looking for a craftivity to tie in with New Year's Goals, we had SO much fun with this last year in my class!  It is available in English & Spanish too.

Happy Shopping :)

M.A.T.H. Centers... Finally

I have been doing lots of IRIs and state mandated testing, so my kids were OvErJoYeD to start math centers recently.  I heard lots of things like:  "You're the nicest teacher ever" and "I loooove math centers!".  Made my day.

For the longest time, I had a hard time with math centers but I've finally seemed to find a system that really works.  I use 4 different colored bags to represent the letters M.A.T.H. {master facts, activities and games, talk math, and hands on}.  For each letter I have 3 bags, so there are 12 centers total.  You can find the resources to do this in your own classroom on TpT in English or in Spanish.  {The bags came from oriental trading}

I use a lot of game boards {purchased by our district}, games that we have already played as a whole class, and other easy games and activities.  Click here to get a few ideas of free games and activities.  Here are some pictures of the centers being played in my classroom:

I let students pick their own center and partner, but they are only allowed to play each center once.  The centers are labeled with a letter and a number, so students mark an "X" in the box after they choose their center.

I switch out the center activities and games periodically when we have done a new activity/ game in class.  There is really no schedule to changing the centers, though.  I just change a bag when I have something new to put in it.

I have found it to be an easy and manageable system!  I would love to hear how you do math centers in your class or if this idea sounds like something that you could use.  I can't believe we are nearing the end of October!!

A glance into my classroom {aka second home}

I decided that since I spend a craaazy amount of time in my classroom, I needed to brighten it up and add some "homey" touches.  So I did a small makeover this year, and wanted to show you some pics!

Here is my Leader in Me/ 7 Habits area.  I have my 7 habits posters in Spanish hanging in frames from the dollar tree.  I just glued ribbon to them and used hooks to hang them up!  I also have the habits listed on the tree.  The leader board, which I talk about more in a previous post, shows all my classroom jobs.  Each week, we will move the popsicle sticks and the jobs will change.  If you're wondering if this is a good system to use, I'll get back to you!  We're starting our jobs on Tuesday :)

I have an area to hang language arts, math, and science/ social studies posters.  I just used laminated butcher paper and border for this! {an excellent strategy for a Dual Language classroom}

Word wall + vocabulary wall + guided reading table + cute folders my friend Kelley got me :)

Here is one of my "homey" touches.  I bought a sheer curtain for $5 from Big Lots, then, I attached ribbon with safety pins.  I covered clothespins with scrapbook paper and hung pictures on.  Ta-da!  As cheesy as it sounds, these pictures remind me of my sweet friends and family on stressful days :)

Reading Center + Cute pillows from Ross

Calendar + new rug from Walmart

Pom Poms + Table signs

Click below to check out some other amazing classrooms-- teachers are SO creative!

Back to school SALE!

It's that time again!  I feel like the TpT sale is happening later than normal this year, so I am glad it is finally here.  Head on over to my TpT store as well as the other great sellers' stores to stock up on some fun back to school items.

{Thanks zip-a-dee-doo-dah Designs for the graphic!}

Here are some items you may be interested in!

7 Habits Activities in English or Spanish

Safari Schedule Cards in English or Spanish

Math Center Organization System in English or Spanish

Classroom Organizational Pack in English or Spanish

Word Work Centers in English or Spanish

Plus many more!  I hope you have fun stocking up your cart with products that will help your new school year to get off to a wonderful & less stressful start :).

Meet the Teacher gift for kiddos {in Spanish!}

Have you seen this cute little idea floating around pinterest/ the teacher blog world?

I think it is so cute, but since I teach dual language I need something in Spanish.  So here is what I came up with!

The picture isn't the best, but I thought the baggies turned out cute!  I printed out labels, which you can get by clicking here.  I used Avery 1" x 2 5/8" labels {number 48260} and just printed them in black and white since I don't have color printing at home.  I bought scrapbook paper and fish stickers at Hobby Lobby and only spent a grand total of $3 or so.  I also used goldfish and snack sized ziploc bags.  To assemble the bags, I just cut out the scrapbook paper, folded it, and stapled it to the baggie filled with goldfish.  Then, I added the stickers/ label and VoiLa :).  I'd love to see pictures if you decide to use this idea in your classroom!

Classroom Jobs

I am finally starting to get into school mode again.  Is it really the end of July?   AaAaaHhh!!

I have been reading the "Leader in Me" book and am really excited to incorporate the 7 habits into my classroom this year. I decided to move from having a student of the day who helps me with everything to assigning classroom leaders.  The whole point of the Leader in Me program is to empower ALL students to be leaders.  Here is the leader board I created to match my classroom safari theme.  I plan to use popsicle sticks with the students' names on them and switch out the jobs once a week.  {well, actually have the kids switch the jobs!}

If you are looking for pre made classroom jobs, check out Krista Carlson's post at the Second Grade Superkids.  She is one of my favorite bloggers, and is selling them on the TpT store in stripes, safari, or polka dot theme!

How do you assign classroom jobs?

Teacher Appreciation Week: Giveaway and Sale

Does anyone else LOVE teacher appreciation week?  It comes at the perfect time when we are dreaming of days laying out by the pool but still have several weeks to finish out with the kiddos.  I am doing a giveaway via my facebook page because teachers give of so much and absolutely deserve free things.  I would love for you to enter!

I am also participating in the sale on the TpT store from May 7-8th.  Come check out my store and grab a few things while they are discounted!  {This cute graphic came from Flapjack's blog.  Her stuff is awesome too BTW.}

Here are some products you may be interested in checking out:

Fairy Tales Unit in English and Spanish

Cell Phone Math Center Review Games in English & Spanish

7 Habits Poster Set in Spanish {Brand New Item!}

Word Family Scoop {English} & Syllable Scoop {Spanish}

Word Work Centers in English & Spanish

And so much more!  I know I have my cart stocked for Tuesday-- Happy Shopping :)

MIA & The Leader in Me

I realized that is has been almost 6 weeks since I last posted a blog... ohmagoodness.  In the midst of STAAR testing, family birthdays, and just plain busyness this little blog has been ignored.  But I'm back!

Is anyone familiar with "The Leader in Me"?  It is a book by Stephen Covey, and some schools adopt this method to encourage leadership on their campuses.  I am in the middle of reading the book and am so excited and motivated to begin using it in my classroom next year.  My campus is going to slowly ease into using it, and I am planning to be a part of the committee that gets it started.

Essentially, the goal of the program is to teach students about the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids.

What I love about the program is that these habits are not taught in isolation.  They are introduced at the beginning of the year, and then tied into lessons all throughout the rest of the school year.  One example is teaching "Begin with the End in Mind" in relation to inventors.  They didn't succeed the first time they tried to invent their product, but they knew what their ultimate goal was and kept on trying.

In anticipation of next year,  I decided that I wanted to print out the 7 Habits in pretty color mini posters and frame them to hang up in my classroom.  What I discovered, though, was that there are not any cute 7 habits posters in Spanish for sale on the TpT store.  SO... I got busy creating some of my own.  If you would like this set for free, just comment below and let me know whether or not you have heard of/ used the Leader in Me.  The first 5 commenters will receive the set for free via email.  I would love any suggestions from people who have used this as to what has worked or not worked for you in your classroom or on your campus!

Leprechauns on the Loose!

Today was our last day before Spring Break so we had a little fun.  I set up clues around the school for us to go on a St. Patrick's Day scavenger hunt looking for the leprechauns and their pot of gold.  When we first got back to the classroom, this clue was on the door:

I know it's hard to read... pretty much it says that the pot of gold has been stolen and we need to help track down the leprechauns.  They went to where we eat breakfast and lunch.  I must say, I am not much of an actress, but my six year olds sure believed my acting today!  I was "shocked" to see this clue on the door, and they jumped right on board and were anxious to head to the cafeteria and find the leprechauns.  First, we quickly made hats for our hunt.

The students each were given a paper to draw their conclusions about where each clue was telling us to go.

We followed the clues to the cafeteria, the gym, the office, the library, and finally back to the classroom where we found the pot of gold on my chair!  {Gold = Chocolate Gold Coins from the dollar section in Target}  Here are pictures of a couple clues and the pot of gold:

We then wrote about our fun in our journals.  My kids LoVeD it!  At this point, I'm thinking we'll move on to something else but my students could not give up on finding the leprechauns.  One little girl said "Oh my goodness, that cabinet door was not opened when we left.  The leprechauns must be in there!  There are too small to see so they  must be hiding."

Another student says "Maybe they will come out if we clap", so the ENTIRE class bursts into applause.  It was hilarious, and every single kid was on board.  Not a single party pooper!  I'll spare you the details, but this continued on for the rest of the school day.  At the end of the day, one of my students said this was the BEST day ever.

When I created this scavenger hunt, I thought it would be fun, but the kids enjoyed it even more than I anticipated.  I have it available {with lots of additional activities included as well} in English and Spanish on my TpT store if you would like to try it out.  If you do, I would love to see pictures and hear your stories :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day... a little early!