Back to School: Setting Up My Classroom

Wow, time has flown by!  I know that many teachers have already gone back to school.  I am still enjoying the little bit left of summer.

I spent several days last week setting up my classroom.  I haven't had a chance to sit down and blog since then.

This summer I finally went through all of my first, second and third grade "stuff"  that had accumulated in the garage.  I crossed my fingers and hoped that I'm set in fourth grade...  Surprisingly, I couldn't find anyone all summer who would come and take my bins full of first and second grade resources.  I gave all of the third grade materials to my student teacher from the previous year.  So, we packed up the in-law's van with all of my stuff for the free table at school.  

I was lucky enough to get the help of my great husband and his parents.  We had a LOT to unload at school.  Over the years, my husband has become an expert in setting up a classroom.  His parents volunteered to stay and help too.  It was wonderful to have so much help in setting up the room.  I was so wrapped up in getting started that I forgot to take pictures before.  So you'll have to use your imagination!

 
Here are my happy helpers peeling off last year's contact paper.  My guy loves that stuff!  Haha...  He wanted to go home when I told him that we were going to redo all four tables.

I'm sticking with the Rock Star theme this year.  I love the theme and I'm not ready to switch quite yet.

Here's the reveal... There are a few things that I am still working on, but here ya go!

I love hot glue, even though I always burn myself....

Setting up my new front board.  This is where I'll be my learning objectives.

My guy actually set up the door (which we covered in contact paper) and all of the above bulletin boards.  I totally have an addiction to black contact paper!  

**The time to work sign is actually hiding a broken clock that I covered in black contact paper... Yep, see I might have a problem....

Newly covered table!  Love the lime green duct tape.  

Clip chart and job chart and 2 more contact paper covered tables...  To the right of the picture is my desk area.  It's still a work in progress.  

My writing bulletin board, which is titled The Write Stuff.  The NKOTB reference makes me smile.  

New hallway display this year.  I made colorful song lyrics and added stars and music notes.  I have a few gaps to fill in.  I'm going to put some lyrics from The Script's Hall of Fame.  

Book bins with new labels.

Homework assignments board with Homework Club board on bottom.  It's a great new idea that is out there in the teacher blogoverse.  

I'm planning on going in again tomorrow to work on a few things.  I haven't put names on anything yet, because we always get a lot of move-ins to our school.  

When do you start school?  Are you ready?  

New Teacher Thursday: Parent - Teacher Communication

One of the hardest things that you will have to do as a new teacher is communicating with parents/guardians. There are 2 words that should describe your communication with parents:  frequent and open.  

Obviously, communication with parents is VERY important but it can be hard due to your concerns about the child or finding the time in the busy day.  There are many ways that you can communicate with parents:  phone call, email, or note.

One of the keys to effective communication is building a relationship with parents.  Parents shouldn't only hear from you when there is a problem or concern.  It helps if they hear about positive things that their child has done.  I can't stress the importance of positive communication enough.

With that being said, when problems arise in the classroom it is imperative that you communicate with parents.  Admittedly, this can be hard, as parents might become upset by what you have to say.  The majority of the time I have found that most parents are very receptive to what teachers have to say.  I have heard of phone calls going bad, such as a parent claimed the teacher said something and it wasn't true.  If it is a potentially contentious conversation that you have to conduct over the phone, then make sure you have someone sit in the the room with you and listen.  Make sure that whenever you call a parent that you have any data to back up your concerns.  You also need to have your calendar easily accessible for scheduling a face-to-face meeting.

You should make sure to keep a record of your communication... it's helpful to have.. just in case.  If you are looking for an easy to use form, check out one that I've created.  It's for sale in my TPT store.  

                                

There is a very helpful article here about speaking with parents on the phone; it is definitely worth the time to read it.  

Another way to communicate with parents is through email.  I've found that a lot of parents prefer this method of communication.  It's easier for them to get a hold of the teacher.  It's also possible to correspond this way outside of school hours.  Also, it's great because you automatically have a record of your communication.

When emailing parents consider your wording very carefully, because it can be easily misconstrued.  And vice versa!  Don't jump to conclusions based on what you think the tone is.  I've been guilty of that.  It's a good idea to have a colleague read the parent's email or yours.    

It is likely that you will receive several notes each morning.  It's a good idea to have a place for students to put these notes, instead of handing them to you or piling on your desk.  (Chances are these notes will predominately be about changes in dismissal routine.)

There are two main ways that I communicate with parents through notes.

My team uses a system that a colleague had developed and we've fine tuned over time.  We send home a Friday Folder (it's really a binder) with graded assignments, a missing homework chart, and a communication log.  The log allows us to write a note to parents about any concerns and/or give positive concerns.  It also provides an easy place for parents to communicate with the teachers.  It's extremely useful because we know that we are communicating with each parent every week.

I also use something called a Rock Star Note.  If a student reaches the top level on the behavior clipchart, then I send home a note that lets their parent know.  Students LOVE getting these notes.  I copy a stack of these notes so that it is easy for me to fill it out.  

What are some ways that you communicate with parents?

Back from NY with a New TPT Product

I'm baack!  I've been away on vacation and enjoying the time before the craziness starts soon.  I can't believe that school starts on September 2nd!  I'm trying to make the most out of the weeks I have left of relaxation.

Here are some pics from my vacation.  I love visiting NYC... it's my favorite city.  It has such an unbelievable energy.  While we were there we had the chance to stay with family on Long Island.  It was great to spend time with everyone.  

I decided to get back to creating some products today.  I put a new product on TPT.  It's another Reading Street product for 3rd grade that I had from when I taught that grade.  

Click the link to check it out:  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Street-3rd-Grade-Story-Vocabulary-Worksheets-2-6-826602

I'll be back on Thursday with a New Teacher Post!  

  

New Teacher Thursday: Technology Tips to Try

If you haven't noticed already... I really like alliteration!  Haha...  Yep, it may border on a problem.  I also am very enthusiastic about using technology in the classroom.  I just wanted to take this chance to share a few websites/apps that I love and use on a daily basis.

                                   
A couple of years ago a colleague introduced our staff to a wonderful website/app -- Class Dojo.  This website is useful for tracking student behaviors.  There are many ways that you could use it.  Students enjoy it because they can customize their monster avatars.  Also, parents can log-in to the site if you want that possibility.

Personally, I found that it was easier for me to tie Class Dojo into my existing clipchart.  (You've probably seen those on Pinterest and various blogs.)  I would include a picture of mine, but it's packed away in my classroom.

The chart that I use has 7 levels.  Everyone starts off the day on the one right in the middle.  At points during the day, students will be asked to move their clips up or down.  Students earn 1 point for being in the middle.  If they moved up, then they earn a point for each time they did so... so the highest amount a student could earn would be 4.  If they are moved down, then they lose a point for each time they moved down.  **If a child works back to the middle after being moved down, then they do earn a point for the day.  

At the end of the day, one of the students logs in the points for the day.  I let students choose to use either our interactive whiteboard or the iPad.  The students enjoy being the one to log the points.  So you're probably wondering.. what happens with the points?  Well, at the beginning of the year, as a class, we brainstorm possibilities for what they would like to earn.  We call it the Rock Star Store.  Previously, we've had items such as spelling homework pass, sitting in one of the special chairs, or lunch with the teacher. Students write down on a list what they have spent their points on.  

Every couple of weeks, I use a form on Google Drive to keep track of the points that they have spent and how many they have left.  I can't say enough good things about Class Dojo.  I actually carry the iPad when we are walking down the hall or at an assembly to give and take points using the app.  The very best thing about it is...that's it's FREE!


                                            

Classroom Organizer is an easy to use a site that lets you create a classroom library system.  It takes a little bit of time to input all of your books that you have in your library, but in the end, it is worth it.  During the year, when I would get books through Scholastic, students would help me by adding the books to the inventory.  I would recommend using the app to scan in your books.

Once you set up your class list and library, then students can checkout books.  There are several options for how students can checkout books.  Students can use the website on the computer. OR...If you have an iPad, iPod, or Android they can scan the book to check it out.

The website lets you track who has which book, and you can also check out a student's reading history.

I highly recommend this FREE website!

                                      

Spelling and Vocabulary City...This website is a time saver!  It allows teachers to create spelling lists for students to practice.  I love it because once you enter in your spelling words, they will be there the next year!

The very best part is that students can take their spelling test on the computer!!  They each put on their headphones and listen to the word, then the word is used in a sentence.  Next, the student types the word in the box.  This site is great because students are practicing their typing skills each week (common core standard).  Also, the site grades the spelling test for you!  I absolutely adore anything that will grade for me!  
This website can either be free or you can pay for some special features.  

                                             
Sum Dog is a website where students can practice a variety of math skills (they are in the process of developing a writing site).  Students LOVE this website.  One of the things they enjoy about it is that they can compete against classmates.  A lot of students would play on this site after school.  If your school sets up an account, then students can compete against anyone in the whole school.  Or students can choose to play against any student in the world.  It's a safe and fun website that reinforces math skills.

Again the best part... it's FREE!!

                                        

That Quiz is a useful website where students can take quizzes.  I know you probably weren't expecting that!  Students can either take quizzes that you create or they can practice with ones that other teachers have created.  I find it useful for weekly timed fact quizzes.  It keeps a track of the scores for you.

It's another FREE site!



What are some of your favorite sites?