Do you ever use dice as a math learning tool? How do you do it without dice flying all over the room and splitting your ear drums? One quick tip I learned from a fabulous math coach was always to give students 60 seconds with the manipulative you would be working with just to “play.” […]
Singapore Math Games
Finding simple, but effective math games for elementary classrooms usually means pulling out all sorts of manipulatives, but a you will see from the guest post below, it doesn’t have to include a ton of resources. Sometimes simple really is better. Keep reading! High Energy Math If you step into my classroom, you’ll notice that […]
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 […]
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 […]
Teacher Desk Organization
I had a request for a video from one of our awesome Facebook Fans last week, and I wanted to make sure I got to it for her – Teacher Desk Organization! In the video below, I explain how I manage to keep my desk clutter-free (because we know I can’t stand for there to […]
5 Work/Life Balance Tools
Do you have work and life balance? Do you know what the secret to it is? I don’t know all the answers, but I can tell you that everyone struggles with this and perhaps there really isn’t such a thing as work/life balance anyway. Furthermore – maybe we should stop striving for something that actually […]
Easy Peasy Classroom Library Checkout System
How about a super easy library checkout system for your classroom bookshelves? So simple, it will blow your mind you didn’t think of it before! It’s probably easier than trying to label tons of books, have barcodes, have a checkout system, have a form to fill out to check. Really, I prefer the KISS method. […]
How to Create Your Own Custom Teacher Planner
Teacher planners just might be the highlight of any planner junkie + teacher out there. Choosing just the right cover, layout, to do list, and extra insert pieces makes a difference. Adding in stickers creates a whole new level of awe. Yes, you purchase your teacher planner in the hopes it will help you to […]
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 […]
First Year Teacher Advice
Hi teacher friends! In case no one else has said it lately, I will be the first to say: THANKS for all you do! You ARE changing lives every single day, whether it is noticed or not. I truly appreciate all you do for your students. Speaking of teaching being a difficult profession at times, […]
April Showers Bring Measurement?
Hi teaching friends! Needing a new idea for a measurement lesson? How about a new spring bulletin board? Perhaps something that combines them both? Score! I am definitely one for working smarter and not harder. As I was contemplating what I would put up for the April classroom bulletin board, I realized that I could […]
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 […]
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 […]
7 Myths About Differentiated Instruction
The classroom is on fire! Literally! And your only way to put out the flame is to use differentiated instruction strategies. Could you do it? I bet many teachers would say no. Or they would say that they have tried DI in the past, but it was too confusing, took too long to prep, […]
