The Great Seat Debate

Seating arrangements.  Hmph.

I've always considered myself to be quite the seating chart queen.  I'm very observant, and understand how a kid's mind works when it comes to sitting my classmates.  Elementary kiddos were pretty easy to work with.  Organize students according to gender, academic ability, and how social they are (aka, talkers/non-talkers).  Desk groups worked out really well and encouraged students to work with one another and lean on each other for support.

Middle school?  Not so much.  This is a new territory for me, when it comes to seating arrangements.  What on EARTH do you do with middle schoolers?  I can manipulate the seating chart enough so that I separate the talkers, the students who are "going out", and the students who like to cause trouble or drama.  But the arrangement of the actual desks is a whole other ball game.

But what do you do with the actual desks?  I'm currently tackling this problem and want to share my journey with you.  This is how my classroom looked when I first began:

If I've learned anything about arranging desks in middle school, it's that with my mixture of kiddos, grouping desks will definitely not work.  They like to talk, and most of them get along and know one another very well.  It appears that putting desks into groups of 4-5 desks only increases their desire and ability to talk during class-time.

So why not rows, then?  Well, having desks arranged into rows like it was when I started allowed students to talk to pretty much anyone.  Students were in an arms reach of at least eight students nearby.  It was not working.  

To solve my problem, I went on a research expedition.  I sought out advice from several veteran teachers, asked to see their desk arrangements, and inquired about how well they work.  Only ONE of the five teachers I talked to used desk groups.  I guess that's definitely not how I'll arrange them.

Another problem is the TYPE of desks I have in my room - the type where the chairs are connected to the desks.  That eliminates several types of arrangement possibilities for the sole reason that students can't get in to their desks.  So much to consider!

Well, I think I may have a solution.  Of course, I'm going to make you wait a week to find out if and how it's working.  But I think the key to my success will be the combination of my seating chart secrets (which have allowed me to have some success thus far into my middle-school experience) and putting more SPACE in between students that my classroom had before.

What are YOUR seating arrangement secrets?

:)  Emily

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   :)

Our future world changers

Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that each student is going to grow up someday, and be an adult.  They are the future decision-makers of the world WE live in.  They are going to be politicians, police officers, doctors, musicians, teachers, lawyers, artists, etc.  When I'm old, these students will be entering the career field, making a difference in the world and affecting MY life, too.

Unfortunately, we can't bottle them up and keep them little forever.  I forget that their world doesn't stop at the end of the school year, and that even though you will get a new bunch of students to start over with, they will continue growing up and learning to be an adult, hopefully making it into the real world.

Yikes.  No pressure, right?  

There is so much more to school and teaching than instructing lessons and giving tests in order for students to learn what the curriculum says they are supposed to  learn.  I wrote a blog entry a while back about teachers being SO much more than just "teachers" (see the blog click here).  They are parents, counselors, doctors, party planners, detectives, etc.  You get the idea.

I've caught myself lately feeling more like a parent.  With it being winter, I think kiddos get feisty and a little restless.  I can't begin to tell you how many times I've said the following in a day lately:

"Keep your hands to yourself, please!"

"Only worry about yourself, not others!"

"Unless it's life or death, please don't tattle!"

"What are you arguing/fighting about?"

"Please pick up after yourself"

I'm hoping you're chuckling to yourself because you know you understand where I'm coming from.  :)

Those statements revolve around basic social/life lessons that I thought my fourth graders knew pretty well.  Maybe not.  Whether it's the mid-year disease, restless syndrome, or they are just being a little naughtier than usual, I can't tell.  But one thing I do know is that as their teacher/mother/detective/counselor/etc, it's my job to also teach the social and behavior skills necessary to arm them with the proper values necessary to be a functioning adult in this world.

Let me remind you, they WILL be in charge when we are old and feeble.  Yikes again!

I try to remind myself that these life skills and values are equally as important as the curricula.  One of my favorite quotes (and posters) that I have reads:

How fitting for the occasion?  Yes, our students - whether you have 5, 18, 25, or 40 - are as 'they' call it, future world-changers.  If we can make a difference in their minds now, imagine how bright the future will be!

Emily :)

Teaching Abroad

It's not often that teachers or student teachers get the opportunity to apply what they've learned in the classroom abroad.  At the university that I graduated from, there are several wonderful opportunities to go abroad and teach in a foreign school.

Follow out this blog created by my fantastic teaching friend, Sarah, who is teaching abroad in Jamaica at Mile Gully Primary!

Jamaica Living

Emily :)

A Fresh New Year

Happy New Year, everyone!

As a fresh year begins, our slates are clean.  I'm not sure about you, but that is an exciting prospect for myself.  Thinking back to my years as a student, I don't remember learning about New Years traditions, resolutions, or cultural differences at all.  Because of the fact that New Years is a world-wide celebration that doesn't infringe on religious or cultural beliefs, I have taken it upon myself to teach a mini-unit on what it means to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

When I began to embark on my New Year adventure, I had my hopes high for activities I could plan or ideas I could teach.  However, I decided to get a little inspiration from fellow teachers first.  Low and behold, I was overly impressed and found several knock-out ideas.  So, instead of sharing my own lessons, activities, or projects, I'm going to share the work of other teachers that will hopefully inspire you!  The best part is, they are ALL totally FREE!

1) 2013 New Year Creative Writing Activities {FREE} by Tracee Orman

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2013-New-Year-Creative-Writing-Activities-FREE

Once more, she does it again!  Tracee has countless amazing resources that I totally love.  This activity pack had some great ideas.  My favorite activity is one in which students come up with a "Top 20" and a "Bottom 13" list of things they want to do (top) and don't want to do (bottom) in 2013.  

2) My 2013 New Year's Activity Poster FREE by Valerie King

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-2013-New-Years-Resolution-Activity-Poster-Freebie

I LOVE a cute graphic organizer.  This is one of them!  If you use this poster, you can teach a mini-lesson about resolutions.  Surprisingly, a lot of my students had no idea what resolutions were really about.  What better way than to use this to help them come up with their own?

3) 2013 New Year's Poem and Writing Activity by Panicked Teacher

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2013-New-Years-Poem-and-Writing-Activity

This one has five great activities, and they are all on super cute worksheets.  The best part is that this teacher made up an adorable New Years resolution poem for students to read.  Then, students can use this poem as a basis to help them write their own about their 2013 resolutions.  How neat is that?

Here's hoping that you can begin the New Year with a great, fresh start.  I'm already excited to see what this year brings for me and what I can accomplish and learn in 2013.

Happy New Year!

Emily   :)

http://www.yepenfield.com/2012/12/31/happy-new-year/