Just another Project!

As a summer project now that ESY is over, I have started creating math bags/kits for my students to take home and work on with their families for actual math practice. I have found numerous sites with various templates and ideas for already made KITs.

Check these out:

The Corner Store for Teachers

Laura Chandler

Kids Count 1234

Math Tub Fun

Take Home Bags

I bought a bunch of neat dice that are shaped like tops.  I taped on paper with larger numbers so they could be used for a multiplication games.

One of the bags I created consists of a few things I gathered from the dollar section at Target and the Dollar Tree (both my favorites). I gathered the following materials:

Time Bingo boards (Target 1$)

Set of 3 Foam Tic-Tac-ToeBoards  (Dollar Tree =1$)

I cut out the clocks from the Bingo board and hot glued them onto the tic-tac-toe and amazingly get one cool activity. 🙂  I think glue dots would have saved me a few seconds.

In another bag, I created a football game board to use with multiplication/division, with printable cards to type math facts on or write sight words on.

Here are the PDFs.  Math End Zone Directions and Cards     END ZONE math game board

Shoot for the Moon!

I am teaching 3^rd grade special education or the third year.  I will be co-teaching in numerous classes throughout the day and will also be teaching a resource class pulling students from 2-3 different homerooms. I have used numerous types of classroom management such as flip cards, caught being good.  The challenge is that each homeroom uses something different.  I have difficulty remembering what teacher uses what system. It is not possible to have 3 different systems in my resource room.  I think I am going to do a combination of the following:

I have decided to go with a Space theme Because Ms. Flynn is the queen of the universe…..lol

Compliment chain: a chain made of paper that hangs from the ceiling, whenever my class compliments each other or gets a compliment from  another teacher (for good behavior in the hallway, or any other type of positive behavior), I add a link to the chain. When the chain reaches the floor, the kids receive a popcorn party. It’s a positive way to promote good behavior!

Clip Chart for good behavior:

This consists of a color coded chart with clothes pins where the kids move up or down depending on behaviors.  In the next few weeks I plan on creating a larger poster that is shaped like a rocket ship.  I will post pictures soon….hopefully..

Reaching for the Stars in Ms. Flynn’s Room!

Check out My PDF   Reaching for the Stars poster

Here are some other links to Check OUT:

http://www.bainbridgeclass.com/rules.htm

http://littlestlearners.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-thing-ever.html

http://creativetchr.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/clip-chart-behavior-management-system/

Check out this free resource:  http://www.newmanagement.com/ebooks/clip_chart.html

Don’t you love Organized Clutter?

So… I have been researching and googling various ways to organize the clutter that I call my classroom.  Although I am often told that things  appear to be organized…I just feel so inefficient.. with piles here and there and everywhere I have decided with some support from Caitlin and encouragement from Jessica that I will be attempting the impossible.. I will be posting photos in the near future of my newly organized classroom. Out with the trash and in with the organized.

I have various storage boxes, baskets and such that I have collected. I just happened to have an extra silverware storage thingy.. I decided to clean out my desk and use it to organize my pens and various sticky notes  and office supplies..  Proudly, I can say I have managed to keep my desk organized for one whole week…did I mention it is still summer!

I am also looking forward to creating new storage boxes that will double as seats made from filing crates, plywood, and a cushion. These crates will hold my center activities and puzzles, which will create more room on my shelves for books.. YAY Caitlin..Glad you shared this great Idea!!!