Clean and Messy Desk Freebies

There are so many Freebies out and about, I felt like I needed to post one.  I love to use these Clean and Messy Desk tags to help my kids stay organized.  There are several different colors to choose from. (and I think I need to do some updated Chevron tags!!)  I try to put these on my kiddos' desks about every two weeks or so.  Sometimes, I give them a small reward and sometimes they just get a pat on the back.  Those who get the Messy Desk tags have to clean out their desk and have it approved by the Teacher Helper in order to give up their Messy Desk tags.  I have found these to be extremely helpful in keeping students on their toes when it comes to desk organization!   Click on any of the images below to get this Freebie!! Enjoy!

 

Teach Like a Champion Tuesday

Hello!  Beth and I decided it would be great to start highlighting some different strategies from the book "Teach Like a Champion".  If you have not read this book, you need to put it on your must read book list!  It has some amazing (yet simple) strategies to use in your classroom to help it run a bit more smoothly.  This past year, we worked on implementing four of the Teach Like a Champion strategies into our staff development time and then during our observations, our principal was looking to see these in action. 

Today, I want to highlight SLANT!  Slant stands for:
S: Sit Up
L: Listen
A: Ask and Answer Questions
N: Nod Your Head
T: Track the Speaker

This is a simple yet very useful tool to use in the classroom.  My goal this year is to start from the beginning of the year and it will become habit before long and this way I know that I have will the full attention from my students (and it didn't take much time to get them attentive).

Check out this website for more detailed information: http://daviskm2psy3010.wordpress.com/slant-strategy-three/

I have attached a FREEBIE SLANT poster that Beth made for our staff this year!

Click here to get it for free!!

Band-Aid Box Freebie

I got this cute little box from Michaels for under a dollar.  I whipped up this label and glued it on the front.  My students would just go and help themselves to a band-aid.  This simple little box saved me time over and over again.  I was not interrupted during small groups or while reading with the class with the dreaded question, "May I have a band-aid?"  I know many of you are probably thinking that this little box was abused but I went over the guidelines at the beginning of the year and explained my expectations.  I told them it would disappear if it was not used properly and we didn't have any trouble with it at all.  Hope you can find this freebie useful in your classroom. Click the picture to get to the link.

 

Click on picture to access this freebie!

Time Assessment Freebie

I have been using this very quick and simple time assessment the past few years in my classroom.  It is a very easy way for me to tell which students are still struggling with time (and also easy to grade which is always a bonus).  After looking over these, I now know what students still need to work on time and which ones need to be pushed a little bit further.  I have attached some pictures and a link to get this freebie.  Enjoy!

 

Click here to enjoy this freebie!

How Do You Control Noise Level in your Classroom?

As another year has ended, I take a look back and ask myself what things I could have done better or changed to make things run a little more smoothly.  I always struggle with noise level and what is appropriate.  I know that I am more accepting of noise than some other people but I also know that there is a time and place for it to be quiet in my classroom.  I really worked hard this year on my expectations for Lit Stations and also the noise level associated with that.  This morning, I came across an adorable sound check visual that I think I will be making this summer.  Thank you so much to Totally Terrific in Texas for this great idea.  Head over to her blog to get this freebie!!

Click on the picture to be taken to Totally Terrific in Texas' blog for this great resource!

Happy Tuesday!  We have our last round of testing next week for our kids!  It is always very nerve wracking but at the same time it is great for our kids to be able to showcase their amazing intelligence!  I have attached a freebie.  This is a pretty easy and quick review to do with your class.  I copied my pages with the sentences back to back and then copied the types of sentences on colored paper.  I laminated all of these copies so these could be used year after year.  The four types of sentences are leveled (there is an easier version with the words: command, statement, question, and exclamation and a harder   version with the words: interrogative, declarative, imperative, and exclamatory).  I cut apart the words and put them into baggies and then gave students the sentence page and they would put which type of sentence it is in the box.  I would then walk around the room to check or we would just answer orally as a class.  There is also a poster that you can use if you would like!

Click on the link to be taken to our TPT store for a free download!