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 […]
Charity Preston
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. […]
Love Is Writing
Looking for something fun to use as morning work or centers for February? Here is a little something I whipped up for you to enjoy! My freebie is February Journal Prompts! Perfect for the grade 2-5 classroom! Either print off the pages, and display under an overhead/document camera, or import to an interactive whiteboard! Great […]
Flipping for Assessment
Keeping with the video theme this week, today’s idea is an oldie but a goodie that I imagine a lot of veteran teachers still use to this day. Assessment is part of being a good teacher and while many think the only way to assess is through a paper and pencil test, I am here […]
Having A Ball With Vocabulary – DIY Style
Teaching vocabulary is super important for background knowledge and understanding context clues within new reading passages, math story problems, and other nonfiction subject area resources, like geography and science. Finding teaching techniques that work fast and effectively to broaden all different types of vocabulary lists can feel daunting at times. When students show up on […]
Cup Management
Hi all! Today, I have a quick video that shows you an idea that I adapted from one I saw being used during cafeteria duty. Just change it up a bit, and use the same idea in your classroom when having small group work time! Save your voice and allow the students to have a […]
How Do You Communicate With Parents?
I think we all can agree that parental communication between school and home is so important! But, sometimes, with everything we have to get done during the day, we might forget to make that connection. Well, I thought I would ask a few (over 90,000!) of my closest Facebook friends from The Organized Classroom Blog’s […]
Classroom Character Building
Character building in students is important work done by educators each day that typically goes unnoticed by most. Good character traits are often the result of the teamwork between children, their caregivers, and their school influences. The path to strong student leaders who have a positive character no matter what adverse events may have happened […]