I don’t know about everyone else, but it sure its hard getting all the subject areas in during the day sometimes! I like to integrate my subjects as much as possible by incorporating literature into all the other core subjects as well. In this way, students can begin to see that even in math, reading […]
Charity Preston
Quiet Dice in Action
I’m back with another cheap and easy idea for another one of those pesky classroom problems! I love using dice in my classroom! We play dice games, we have dice centers and math tubs! They are cheap and fun tools. But they are so NOISY! That noise is one of things that […]
Keeping Tabs on your PD Materials
Hey teaching friends! So, I was looking for a PD resource book the other day for an idea and I realized that I had loaned the book to a friend and it still has not yet been returned! While the person who borrowed it, did not mean to have forgotten about it, it is still […]
Zip Tie It Up!
Do you go insane when the desks in your room are all out of place and sitting like crazy all over your room? Well, if so, I have a couple of suggestions. First, if you haven’t checked out my other video, “Classroom Desk Arrangement Straightening Tip,” you might want to head over there as well. […]
Serving Up Place Value with Straws
Teaching place value is certainly a building block of math instruction and using items such as place value charts, simple manipulatives, and printables can help to create a deeper understanding so that when decimals are introduced in later grades, students can easily add their prior knowledge. What is place value and how do you teach […]
Simile Fun!
Similes are a fun lesson when teaching about different types of figurative language. I love teaching about similes with third grade. They are old enough to understand the abstract thought and can appreciate the humor in the double meanings. An epic way to describe a funny situation when taken literally, there are many examples of […]
Ideas For Using Student Whiteboards
This is Mrs. Harris and I’m so excited to be back at the Organized Classroom with Charity. I find whiteboards to be a budget-friendly and versatile tool in my classroom. I often use whiteboards daily. Each day I like to utilize whiteboards for a different reason to keep things fresh. When I ask a question […]
Simple Story Starters for Kids
Story starters for any grade level are a great way to practice writing skills. I remember being in 4th grade, and loving creative writing lessons with my teacher. I would be transported to space, the desert, or a fancy castle. It was a chance to show my creative side in a “quiet” manner. Being a […]
Feeling Lucky?
St. Patrick’s Day bulletin boards are fun not only for the students, but with all the kelly green, leprechauns, and rainbows, it really brightens up your classroom for the transition month of March. As you can see in the examples (and freebie printable) below, classroom decor or theme ideas don’t have to take up a […]
Easy Classroom Jobs Rotations!
I feel like I’ve tried it all when it comes to classroom jobs! At one point I had different individual jobs for each and every student that I had to remember to change everyday (exhausting!). With all the little, and big, things teachers have to do, classroom jobs should be at the very least of […]
Elephants in School?
I finally had a few minutes to break and create some new files to match a read aloud book and am just now getting time to sit down and share them with you! I was sorting through some of my books on my bookshelves at home to look for something I might use for a […]
Multiplication Poetry
Have you ever thought of combining subject areas, such as math, with funny riddles? Using riddles for kids (making them show their answers) is one of the best ways to differentiate your content in the classroom. Even better, students can have their friends, families, or other adults solve their creations. They can be as […]
Leprechaun Fun in the Classroom
Setting up a leprechaun trap in your classroom can incorporate science (think simple machines), social studies (the history of the legend of the lucky leprechaun), and literature in your lesson plans. The best part is that they can be as complex or as easy to put together as you like. It is usually a rarity […]
Managing the Year with the Extremely Challenging Student
Today we have a guest blog post talking all about behavior management, which I am sure many can relate with during this time of the year. Enjoy! All teachers have had or will have an experience with an extremely challenging student. No matter the reason why, it can make for a very challenging year. The […]
Start with a Word Splash!
In my district, our new evaluation system focuses heavily on how we deliver content to our students and especially how we gauge their understanding of that content. I’ve been reflecting upon this quite a bit. I think it becomes very easy to fall into the “timeline trap” of blindly following the curriculum map or […]
Homework Motivation
Do your students have intrinsic homework motivation? Or are you spending way too much time attempting to get their homework turned in on time and complete? While there is much debate about whether homework is even beneficial, if you are required to assign it, I suggest encouraging parents to set up a designated spot for […]
Irish Creative Writing Kit
Teaching St. Patrick’s Day lesson plans can be fun, free, and common core aligned when you find the right printables. You can use the ideas below for literacy centers that week, place the worksheets on their desk for bell work in the morning, or use the writing prompts during whole group ELA instruction. Whatever you […]
Regaining Control of Your Classroom
We all know one. The person who has the out-of-control classroom. I’m not talking the class where students are out of their desks, a little louder than usual, but still learning — I’m talking the class where the teacher has lost control. There are a variety of ways to prevent this or at least keep the […]
Fundraiser Freebie!
For those of you who may be new to The OC Blog, I want to personally welcome you! Every week on The OC Blog Facebook Fan Page, we do a collaboration question. I list some type of question in which I would love your input and feedback. Sometimes I compile all the answers together and […]
Need A Lift?
Staff morale boosters for teachers are important for retention of staff members and keeping the overall vibe in the school building high. By boosting the camaraderie amongst the employees, they begin to feel appreciated, which encourages them personally to do a better job, which in turn creates a snowball effect throughout the building. […]