Back to school has been quite busy. I always forget how much time the start of the year takes. New students learning new routines. Now that those classroom routines have been established and things are running smoothly it is time to make sure that everything continues that way.
One thing I started a few years ago was The Desk Detective Team. Every few weeks or when I see that many desks are starting to get a little messy The Desk Detective Team makes a surprise visit after school. Students will receive a Desk Detective Card on their desk and a little treat if their desk is neat and tidy. I usually put a sticker, piece of candy, or a reward card on their desk. This gives an incentive for others to get their desks looking nice for the next surprise visit.
Click to download for free
I know many like the Desk Fairy idea, but 3rd grade boys just didn't get as excited about seeing the Desk Fairy idea. Boys and girls both enjoy having the The Desk Detective Team visit.
If you would like to grab my new 1st Grade Math Dictionary head over to my store at Teacher's Notebook and follow my shop. From 6pm - 8 pm cst today you can then snag this item free! The dictionary contains 172 pages of 1st grade math terms and problems for the students to solve. Students are encouraged to work cooperatively with one another to share answers and ideas.
Telling time
Commutative Order Property of Addition
Tally Chart
I have the students glue these in a notebook so that throughout the year they can look back and review the terms.
It is time for TPT back to school sale. The Speech Room News has created a linky party to show what everyone has in their carts for the big sale.
Remember TPT gives 10% off using the promo code BTS14 and most shops an additional 20% off. Combined this equals out to 28%. Provide feedback for those items to earn credits to more items later. Almost like having a bonus coupon for your next shopping trip! What is in my cart right now.
I have purchased a few of her products over the years and have never been disappointed. She takes her time and delivers a wonderful product. One of the products I purchased last year is The Common Core Math Assessment for 3rd Grade.
Next in my cart is the Power Reading Workshop by Laura Candler. This is an e-book to provide a guide to reading workshop. I'm making that full jump this year. This will help me along that journey.
I purchased the Classroom Goal Setting around December last year. It was great to get the students learning where they are. I think this product will go with the other product to help students set their own reading goals.
An item from my store that I think is really useful is my Interactive 3rd Grade Math Dictionary. The students have their own vocabulary dictionary to look back and review throughout the year. For each vocabulary term there are examples for the students to complete. Majority of the items have the students work in cooperative groups for great math discussions.
My cart is a little empty right now, but by Monday I am sure I will have found many more things that will help me through this school year.
If you haven't heard of Teacher's Notebook yet take a look at the video. This video explains a little about the site. Visit the link to my store on the side to check out the site. There are always great giveaways and Daily Deals happening to where you can win products for free or get items 40% off.
I cannot wait to see what Courtney at Blogs Fit for a Queen has in store for my blog. I have admired some of her work on other blogs and it is beyond amazing. If you are wanting to make some changes to your blog or start one check her out!
I have used ClassDojo in the classroom for the past 3 years. Each year there have been updates that just make the website better and better. My students love this for classroom management. I never did well with the clip charts for classroom management. I know some teachers are awesome at it, but not me. I would forget to keep track and record the data. ClassDojo does that for you. You can look back at individual students or the class for the day, week, month, or year. The fact that I can reward positive behavior as well as mark off needs work behavior is a huge plus for me. Even students who have a hard time with behavior DO have positive moments too. On both sides I can customize the behavior. The needs work side I made sure to put recess, hallway, lunch, bathroom, and classroom behaviors so that parents know where the actions occur. It also allows me to see a pattern of days, time, and place that the needs work behaviors happen.
ClassDojo provides this video to show to students when you introduce in the classroom. This really gets the students excited. The first several days we use this I watch closely for all students doing positive behaviors and reward them. They love hearing the sound of the positive points. I usually carry my phone in the halls, to lunch, recess, special areas, and anywhere else with the students so I can use the app.
Once I've introduced ClassDojo to the class the first day of school I will then send home the student account information and parent account information. The students love to customize their little avatar monster. They cannot wait to tell you the next day how they have changed theirs.
An update that was added last year is you can now send class messages to parents. I used to use a different app to do that. I liked that app, but that was one more thing for the parents to do and have. This is an all in one. I can send out a message to parents to remind them to bring back a form, field trip reminder, class activity, etc. Parents also get a weekly report for their child's behavior in the classroom.
If you are looking to improve your classroom management check out ClassDojo. You can access your account on the computer, iPhone, and iPad. This year teachers can now share students with other classes. I haven't used that feature yet, but I am looking forward to it.
School Time ~ Kellie
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Teachers Notebook is having a Christmas in July promotion July 25 - 27. By leaving feedback for the items you purchase you can earn double reward dollars. Many teacher stores will be running a sale at the same time. Check it out and stock up on those items you've been checking out before it is time to head back to school.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Time for my first official blog post. I have wanted to start a blog for awhile, but wasn't sure I could be quite as witty or informative as some of my peers. I finally decided that I have finished my Ed. S. and now have the time to play and figure it all out.
My plan with my blog is to post great outstanding teaching ideas that I find from others on their blogs, Pinterest, TPT, and TN. I hope to share things that work in my classroom and sometimes the things that just don't go the way I planned.
Here is my family. To end the school year we took a very busy, but fun vacation to Disney World. My son has loved Toy Story since he was 2. He was very excited to meet Buzz and Woody. My daughter is still star struck by Belle.
Don't forget to follow my blog and store for ideas, sales, and new events.
