Sunday, June 29, 2014

Classroom Job Chart Makeover

Last year, when the school year started, I pulled out my same old job chart. It was faded, dusty and didn’t have every job I needed. I looked through catalogs and couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I made my own. It’s clear, easy to print and even easier to change as new jobs develop and others become irrelevant. If you need to renovate your job chart, you can find ours on Teachers PayTeachers. Let us know if you need a job we don’t have and we’ll create it for you! 


Sunday, June 22, 2014

Research Sheets

It's never too early to learn basic research skills. Our first graders use these easy, one page sheets to explore new locations and favorite animals. To help understand the process in the beginning, our class completes one or two together. We begin by reading several books about our chosen subject. We record interesting facts or random details either in our journals or on sticky notes. When we feel well informed, we begin filling in our research page. Upon completion, I model how to present the final research, so when your students complete these as individuals, they feel confident in their sharing.



Not a teacher? Print them for your own child and research your beloved family vacation spots and the animals found there. 

Note: The sheets are intended to be printed on legal size paper. Here are the Word documents so that you can edit them if you’d like.

Enjoy learning unique and exciting things!



Saturday, June 21, 2014

Refresh and Renew

Another school year has come and gone. This one most certainly came in like a lion and left like one too! Experience has taught us that we must reclaim our lives as soon as summer begins. Forget about the grading, the grueling hours of planning and the griping (our own and others)! To counteract our elevated stress levels, we’ve devised the perfect plan. It begins with a drink
Now, settle into a comfortable chair, in a location you love and just let go. William Wordsworth once said, “Rest and be thankful”. We plan to do both, because soon enough we’ll be back at it again. Stay tuned for new ideas, and let us know what you are doing this summer!


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Student Autograph Books


Send your students off for summer with memories of their classmates by making autograph books. Create your own cover or print ours (personalized for each grade, K-5) and staple it to a couple of pages. During the last week of school, designate a special “Sign Time” where your students take turns writing good-bye messages and signatures for each other. Make sure to sign every book yourself!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Motivation Station


Keep students motivated for the final month of school with our Motivation Station. Cover a table or extra desk with an inexpensive tablecloth, and then place a variety of items on the table such as markers, colored pencils, notepads, stickers and envelopes. At the end of each day, announce the names of students who have been thoughtful and responsible throughout the day. The next day, make time for those students to spend 15-20 minutes at the station creating artwork or making a card for someone special. Keep a record of the students who earn visits to the station so that you can encourage those who have not yet earned the privilege. The Motivation Station gives students the push they need toward good behavior at the end of the year.