As I was thinking about US Thanksgiving, I thought about how I learned about Thanksgiving when I was in school. What I don’t remember learning a lot about was Native American culture throughout that process. {Keep in mind, this was a great many years ago.} So, while I was doing a little research, I did […]
Some DIY Love For Your Centers!
Are you looking for a new idea – or 2 for your learning centers? Need something a little more novel than the standards you have always used? Have you ever been in the restaurants where they place paper on the tables? I have noticed at those places that kids are busy drawing, playing games, and […]
Quiet Dice Solution
Hi there fans and followers of The Organized Classroom Blog! Today, I created another video! Whoo hoo! This one is from a tip from Janice! I mentioned how the sounds of 15 sets of dice hitting the table (or mainly the floor as they were being whipped about), was almost unbearable without carpeting. Janice’s idea was […]
Baggie Business
Hey teaching friends! Just stopping by today to share with you a pretty cool organized idea that was shared by Andrea C. on our Facebook fan page – I felt it was fabulous! With so many schools reducing the amount of copies a teacher is allowed, and not having the resources to go out with […]
Get Rid of Your Desk!
I know some are looking at the computer like it has alien doodads coming out of the top of it, but think about how much space a teacher desk takes up, and how often you use it. Of course, in some schools, the furniture is pre-placed and not allowed to be moved. In others, there […]
Absent Work Clips
Hey teaching friends! School attendance is a tough topic because many times chronically absent students aren’t out of school by choice. Sometimes (at least in primary school), the problem falls to the caregiver who may not be getting the child to school on time – or even out of bed themselves. That is a tough situation […]
Four Chair Pocket Choices!
I know chair pockets are a hot topic because it is SUPER nice to be able to have a place where students can easily get to their independent reading items without having to dig through a desk or go to a cubby to grab it. I always dreaded certain transition times in the classroom: lining […]
Soaring with Spring Snacks
Hey teaching friends! Today, I just wanted to share an idea that I did for my son’s preschool class for his birthday treat. I thought it would also be a great idea for an end of the school year celebration too! It was a huge hit with the teachers and students alike! I certainly can’t […]
Make Your Own Multi-Pocket Writing Folders!
So – today I have a super easy and quick idea for all of you who don’t want multiple pocket folders in your students’ desks! DIY multipocket folders from two 2-pocket folders with brads without needing staples, tape, binding machines, or anything else! Of course, you could make them even larger IF you want to […]
Storing Sight Words
Teaching sight words to new readers is vital to their literacy success when learning to read. Sight words are those words that come up repeatedly and may or may not follow the typically phonics rules. Many teachers like to send home sight word flash cards for students and parents to practice regularly outside of school […]
Making Some Classroom Mailboxes!
I don’t know about your classroom supply budget, but mine never seemed to take me far after I bought teacher supply necessities like copy paper, pencils, and chart paper. I LOVE the usefulness of student mailboxes, but paper sorter/organizers that can be used for classroom mailboxes can run around $100 for 12 slots (and that […]
Spin a Surprise {Classroom Management}
Learning about classroom management techniques in teacher education classes sound easy enough: make sure you have established rules, you are making eye contact with your students, and calling home if the student continues to act out beyond what is expected. But sometimes you just need a little extra in the way of strategies. I don’t […]
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 […]
Pocket Chart Make-Over
Pocket chart stands are almost a necessity in an elementary classroom. They can be used for so many different activities in daily lessons and offer a permanent home for those items, like anchor charts, you know you’ll want to review again with students. I know for me, I have always used an easel or chart […]
Custom Teacher Desk Organizers
Teacher desk decor can range from super cute and personalized to nonexistent. There are few places that students don’t have access to and those are your chance to make your space feel more like your home away from home. You can decorate and organize classroom bookcases and even your computer teacher desktop. If your classroom […]