Short & Sweet

I'll make this weekend post short&sweet.

Being organized can really make your life a bit easier.  Two tricks I use in my classroom with my middle-schoolers include file organizers and binder clips.

1) Stackable file organizers - I created a file organizer for each of classes.  I labeled them, and I ONLY put papers for each class in the proper section.  If a student turns something in to me (late work, signed papers, etc), I put them in the proper organizer.  If a student is absent, I put their make-up work in the organizer.  One of the most important things to remember is to FILE RIGHT AWAY!.  Don't put in on your desk thinking "I'll do this after class".  If I do it right away, I know exactly where any paperwork for a specific class can be located at all times.  It saves me from a mess on  my desk and from searching around the room.

2) Labeled Binder Clips - this has been one of the BEST organizing tricks I have discovered.  Labeling your binder clips can be such a life saver!  Here is one way I have labeled some of my clips - by class periods:

Another way I use them is to organize by subject.  I also have a few labeled "grade", "copy", "send home", and "homework".  It is such a simple idea but it saves so much time.  I used to attach a Post-It note to a stack of papers so I wouldn't forget what I was supposed to do with it.  Now all I need is to put on the right labeled binder clip, and voilà!

Short & sweet but SO helpful.  I'm glad I put these tricks into use and have already seen a difference.  Give it a shot, I know you'll love it!

Emily :)

Management for Middle School

Middle-Schoolers.

You've got to love the complexities of tweens.  The classroom environment shift that occurs between elementary to middle school is difficult to maneuver.  It's a very different classroom experience for students as they are learning to grow from young kiddos to young adults.

Classroom management is a whole new ball game, too.  Lately, I've been looking for a magical cure-all for middle-school behavioral issues.  Fortunately, I think I may have found it.

Class Dojo.  It is an online classroom management tool that teachers, parents, and students can access in AND out of school.  This tool was created to help improve classroom behaviors quickly and easily.

Quick and easy?  They had me.  I instantly fell in love and gave it a shot.  Guess what?  It worked like a charm!  Through the website, you can create a file for each class.  Every student has an "avatar" (or profile) that tracks their positive and negative behaviors.  Students earn a point for positive behaviors and lose a point for negative ones.  You can choose which behaviors you want to include.  The Dojo screen works on a computer, SmartBoard, iPhone, or iPad (that I know of thus far).  You can instantly give & take points in class.  What and awesome too, right?

Dig a little deeper here: Class Dojo

So, want to know how I use it? 

I created a bulletin board in the room that shows how our system works.  I explain the Dojo system to my students and we chose rewards and consequences as a class.  In doing that, students get a sense of responsibility and community while learning my own expectations for our classroom.  

1. Individual Dojo - each student has their own "avatar."  Everyone starts with the same avatar at the beginning of the semester.  Students try to earn points through positive, helpful, appropriate behavior.  There are individual rewards they can earn, shown here:

These reward list was created by my students.  They chose which rewards they could earn and for how many points.  As shown, when a student earns 10 points, they can choose between changing their avatar and being the class DJ for the day.  At 25 points, they can earn an extra homework point or a bathroom pass.  It continues all the way to 100.  Students have the option of choosing a reward that is of lesser points when they reach a certain level, as well.  

2. Class Dojo - In addition to individual rewards, we created a list of class rewards as well.  It was equally important to me that students try and work together to create a positive environment as well.  If a few students didn't care about their Dojo points, the other students would encourage them to try to earn points for the sake of the entire class.  THAT was the key.  If a student is showing negative behavior, the others will try and help them turn their behavior around.  We chose class rewards together shown here:

I keep the Dojo site on the SmartBoard or iPad as much as possible.  When students earn or lose a point, they must add/delete a point themselves.  That also adds another sense of responsibility for students knowing that they are immediately rewarded or disciplined for their behavior.  It also shows that you mean business.

At the end of each day, I tally up how many points we have earned as a class (how many positive points each individual has creates that class number).  If we have 40 positive points and 3 negative points, we have a total of 37 points together.  We set a goal at the beginning of the semester.  When (* not "if" *) we reach our goal, we get to do the reward we chose as a class!

Here is an example of what the Dojo screen looks like:

As I said, this has been a FANTASTIC tool to use with my middle-schoolers.  It has created a positive learning environment where students hold themselves accountable for their behaviors and encourage their classmates to behave positively as well.  It works well with the PBIS model we use at our school as well.  I make a point to not use this as a punishment tool or a way to threaten students because that will get me nowhere with them.  My kiddos know that the decision they make in my classroom can earn them fun, exciting rewards and that our goal is to earn neat rewards together.

If you're looking for a wonderful tool, give it a shot!  It's free, easy-to-use, and it WORKS! 

Emily :)

Organization madness!

I have a bit of a confession to make.  I am obsessively organized.  In my private and professional life.  Of course, that's not an unusual trait for a teacher to have.  But, some might consider it to be an unhealthy trait, in my case.  :) 

No matter how you look at it, being organized in the teaching world can be very advantageous.  Thankfully teachers also have this wonderful little weapon called Pinterest, too.  You could go BANANAS looking at all of the classroom organization tips and tricks on there.

Not surprisingly, I decided to tackle a few projects for myself.  My most recent project was creating an organizer for papers that usually collect on your desk.  Any teacher can use it, no matter what grade they teach or what type of class they teach.  This is an organization tool for any teacher!

All you need is one 8 1/2 x 11 paper organizer that you can find at your local everything store (Walmart, Target, Shopko, etc).  Very inexpensive!  Then, I bought ONE sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper that was school-themed.

Here it is!

There is a multitude of different categories you could choose, but these seemed to be the best option for me. All I did was print off the words on a plain sheet of paper, matte them in black, and glue them to some cute scrapbook paper.  A little double-stick tape and voile, you've got a cute and extremely useful organizer!  After some trial and error, I learned that Modge Podge doesn't work very well on the plastic material - it wouldn't dry.  So, I had to clean it off with some water and wipe off the glue from the paper.  Instead, use double-stick tape and strapping tape - it worked like a charm!

Simple, inexpensive, and easy is the way to go.  This project took me less than 30 minutes, cost less than $9,  and will save me so much time in the future.  Give it a shot!

Emily   :)