Time for some changes....

I've decided to make some changes in my classroom!  I know, I know.....  We have already missed half the year, but it's never to late for improvement!

It all started the other night when I was cleaning my 5 year old daughter's room.  I put a lecture by Harry Wong on my iPhone, plugged it in to a speaker, and listened to him while I was working.  Boy is that guy a great motivational speaker!  By the time he was done, I was ready to revamp everything in my room and be one of those awesome Effective Teachers!!  Ready, set, GO!

I started out the school week practicing routines.  Most routines they are pretty good at, however, lunch time line up never seems to go as smooth as I would like.  I think this is due to some of my kids coming back in from the tutor, while the rest of us are cleaning up the room and stacking chairs on top of the tables.  This is my routine so far:

1. Make sure there is nothing on the floor or on the table.
2. When everyone is clean and quiet, they stand up and push their chairs under the table.
3. (Each table is a rectangle and sits 4 to 6 students.)  The students that sit on the right side of the table pick up their chairs and put them on top of the table.  The chairs must be facing the opposite direction of where they are standing.  The students take a step back from the table and put their hands behind their back.
4.  The students that sit on the left side of the table pick up their chairs and put them on top of the table.  The students take a step back from the table and put their hands behind their back.
5.  The line leader, door holder, hand holder, and caboose, line up at the main door when called.  (Yes!  I have a hand holder!)  Students are to line up quietly with their eyes up front and 'hips and lips'.
6.  When called, the room helper picks up all our cups (a red cup and a green cup to let the students know if they are being too loud) and lines up.
7.  Lunch boxers line up.
8.  School lunch Choice A line up.
9.  School lunch Choice B line up.

In the middle of this procedure my tutored kids return.  Awesome they get to see a tutor!  Not so awesome that they come in during our procedure for lining up.  I have had the hardest time reminding them to come in quietly, put away their materials, and join our procedure.  I'm pretty sure this is to due with them coming in at different times during the procedure.  Sometimes we're already lined up and ready to go, sometimes we are still putting up chairs, and other times we haven't even started.  There has got to be a more consistent way to do this!!  I'm going to keep brainstorming and I will post a solution if I figure one out!

Now, I would like to say, the last time we lined up for lunch, they were AWESOME!  They were sooooooo good!  Maybe it will just take some time for them to get used to it.

I've also decided I need better, more productive activities for students that finish work early.  Currently, I have the kids reading from the bookcase, or working with buddies on a sight words they keep at their desks.  I REALLY need something a little more hands on and a little more individualized.  I saw a picture on Pinterest this week of a homeschool teacher's work boxes.  She puts different materials in each box for her kids to work on independently depending on what types of skills they need to work on.  So I'm thinking about getting one of those big plastic tubs with the drawers from Walmart.  My goal is to fill each drawer with several sets of manipulatives for a specific skill.  Then, on the front the drawer, I'm thinking I might put velcro strips.  This way I can make velcro name tags that I can move up and down depending on which skill I would like a specific student to work on.  It's still in the works, but I'm really hoping it will be a good thing!  It would also really help with some interventions....  I will keep everyone posted on this as well. 

I have more ideas!  BUT it's time to take my daughter to ballet.  I will be back with more ideas and brain storming.....  :)  Happy days!

Penguins and TpT Super Sale!

WHAT a week!!  I am exhausted.  But in a good way.  :)

I sent home a penguin project last week which I discussed in a previous post.  I got the projects back on Thrusday, and BOY did I get some cute penguins!  I love seeing how creative my kids are, and they really enjoyed sharing their creations with the rest of the class.  I took a picture of a couple of penguins to share. 

Aren't they adorable!  I had more come in, but I forgot to take a picture I left for the weekend.  One of the penguins had a bikini made out of green penne pasta.  SO cute!  And- if you're interested - this penguin activity can be found in my Pretty Penguin unit at my TpT store.  Just click here!


I've been trying to plan ahead for the next month or so.  I had most of February ready, then I looked through my plan book and realized I completely missed next week!!  What?!?!!?  How does this happen?  Where did my brain go?  Oh well.  Looks like I am hitting the lesson plan books this weekend!

Speaking of fun weekends lesson planning.....  TpT is holding a huge site wide sale!  Participating stores have up to 28% off their products!  I have got my shopping cart full and ready to go!  Hop on over on Sunday and see some of the great lessons and activities from my creative TpT buddies!  Don't forget to use the promo code: SUPER!!!  Happy shopping!