Showing posts with label The Teacher Talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Teacher Talk. Show all posts

Friday, August 8, 2014

Meet the Teacher Tips & FREEBIE!

I have more tips for you today!! This post focuses on meet the teacher night! For some, this can be a bit nerve racking... especially if you're a new teacher! I know my belly still gets butterflies when I meet new parents and students. So, here are all sorts of tips and forms for you!

Be sure to make your classroom stands out from the hallway. It makes it easier for parents to notice your room and for people in the building to direct them to your room.

For example, parents asked where my room was last year and the office said, "The classroom with the balloons at the end of the hallway."

It makes it 'cute' and welcoming for families too.




I also like to make the classroom have a bit of excitement as well! This is what my students desks looked like last year at meet the teacher night!

I provided students with a folder (well, the office did) with important paper work. I created my own informational packet which is what you see on top of the folder with the adorable graphics! I blew up balloons, wrote student names on them and taped them to the table so they didn't fly around. In the green bag there are candies and goodies I got from the party store.



Their tables were neat and clean, but still fun!



Now, I bet your wondering... what is in that packet?!!!!
You're going to get your own editable copy today with the one I completed last year as a reference! SCORE FOR YOU!!

There are cover pages other than 3rd grade. They go from K-4.
In my packet I included a blurb, my contact info, a letter to the student to tell a bit about me, a questionnaire for students to fill out about their child, class list for classroom birthdays and parties and the way I grade in the classroom.


I also included a lot of odds and ends things that parents need to know. I included information about the classroom rules, specials and what kids need to have ready each day, my behavior plan, lunch money policies, homework, volunteers, classroom parties, morning policy, spelling tests and the daily folders.


Then, I had the forms you see below set out on a table for students to fill out WHILE at my meet the teacher night! 


These papers are below the math bulletin board that you see. I had pens set out so parents didn't need to scramble for one.



Are you ready to get your packet going?!! Click below to go to google docs! Download the file and set up your own adorable packet!


Also, don't forget to enter below to win my classroom library stations.


If you want to read my tips and tricks post the click here!




Literacy Station Tips!

If you are beginning your journey or revisiting the way you do literacy stations in your classroom then you and I are on the same page! This summer I've been reading and collaborating with other teachers and through that I've gathered a few tips. The tips are not earth shattering, but, they're very logical and great to remember as you get started and continue!

First and foremost--set up a spot in your room that clearly displays the literacy station rotation schedule.
This was my rotation board for my first graders last year: 


This year, my board is going to look different and not so 'daily 5ish' Nothing against daily 5; I'll just be teaching third grade this year and won't have the time to have a lengthy station block like I did last year (broken heart).
(I had all intentions of setting one up for you-but, I just haven't gotten to this part of my classroom decor yet. So, in the meantime a digital copy will have to do.)

Overall, there will be a total of 12 different stations. Each student will visit two stations a day. My stations this year are going to be very low maintenance because they're so content driven and well, because there are 12! :)You can grab the station cards here.

 Below are two of the resources I will be using for buddy reading, read to self and spelling station.


You can win the Classroom Library Stations below!


 Now, that we've scratched the surface of the rotation chart... let's be reminded of some important information that we must remember as we implement meaningful literacy work stations in our classroom throughout the year.


I recently heard this quote too that goes PERFECTLY with all of this!


Last year, I'll be totally honest... I didn't make my stations authentic, intentional or personal each week. Did my students enjoy stations? Yes...sometimes. Was the work beneficial?  Yes. Did I provide choice? NEVER!! I was scared and like... how do you do that? This is my personal goal this year--to follow these three words just explained above. I hope this is helping you too.

To leave you I have just a list of tips to also keep in mind this year!



Now for the giveaway!!! Enter below to win my Classroom Library Stations! It's packed with goodness!


ENTER AWAY


                                                           



Thursday, July 17, 2014

Summer FAVS!

Hey Friends! I hope you all are enjoying your summer!! My brain is not quite into "back to school" mode yet...so I thought I would post about some of my summer favorites!! :)

BUT. Before I do that, I would love to introduce you to the newest blogger in our Collaboration Connection crew!! Jessica from The Teacher Talk is officially on our team! We are so excited to have her. By the way...she is having a fabulous *giveaway* on her blog right now!! I may have donated an item ;) Check it out!

OKAY..if you are like me..summer is going just way. too. fast. I have and still am thoroughly enjoying it! Here are a few of the things that are getting a lot of extra love from me this summer!
1. My iPad!! I have so much more time to check all my favorite blogs! And YES I have read all of those Vegas posts... :( next year! p.s. don't you just LOVE our new blog design!! 
2. Yep. My tennis shoes. I have been hitting the gym a LOT this summer...as well as completely changing my eating habits! The Mr. and I decided the summer was the perfect time to start making some changes...I am nervous for school to start, but I know with some dedication I can keep it up!
3. Creating!! I have so many things on my to-do list in this area..but I am almost done with a few projects I have been working on! I am happy for the extra time summer has given me! Don't you just loooove melonheadz?! I sure do!
4. My planner!! Well, duh, I ALWAYS have my planner! I got a new one a few weeks ago, and I just sat down last night to start filling it in! ahhh love it!!
5. And of course..INSTAGRAM. Duh, it is an *all the time* fav..but I love being able to scroll through my news feed at any hour of the day! Love those insta-teachers!!

What are your summer favs?!