Thanks so much to the fans at the Facebook Fan Page for all their help in creating the free eBook below! I know problem solving in math (especially with the standardized testing season upon us) is a skill that continually needs honed. With trick questions, answers that are super close to one another, and vocabulary […]
Teaching Tips
Need some general classroom inspiration? Check out the posts below to find something new-to-you to use in your classroom routine.
Kindergarten Classroom Library Success!
Today I want to share my tips for organizing your classroom library. After years of trying to keep the library organized and manageable, I finally found a system that worked for me and my students! I tried organizing my books by genre and letters and themes. That worked great for me, but did not […]
Celebrating Student Birthdays!
Hi teaching friends! Since today was my beautiful daughter’s birthday, and my….I can do this…really I can….39+++ birthday is next week on the 17th of September (told you I could and that barely hurt – lol), it got me to thinking about what I normally do in my classroom for student birthdays. Traditionally, I have […]
DIY Reading Strategy Fans!
Today, we have a guest blog post from Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6 where she explains a handy little tool she uses for comprehension reading strategies and even provides a freebie for you as well! Make sure to stop by her blog to say hello! Reading comprehension is such an important skill for our […]
Classroom Library Solutions
I know so many of the readers here at The Organized Classroom Blog ask every year about the best classroom library organization ideas. I am pretty positive that the decision for how best to set up YOUR classroom library needs to fill to your preferences and that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. I have […]
Popsicle Stick Pattern Cards Sampler Freebie!
Hi everyone! Seems like I haven’t posted a video in FOREVER! So, here is a super short and simple one – only 4 minutes long! I hope you enjoy and make sure to grab your free download as well! Prefer to read the transcript? Gotcha covered! Transcript: “Hi, everyone! Charity Preston here from the Organized […]
Cheap Classroom Storage Solutions
I admit it! I am cheap. I love to buy things for my classroom but hate spending money. That’s why the Dollar Tree is my favorite place ever! Today I want to share some of my favorite and CHEAP classroom storage solutions! Clipboards are a fabulous tool for the classroom but storing them can […]
Organize the Straight and Narrow
Do you ever wonder where to stash things like meter sticks or pointers? Today I have an inexpensive and fun way I came up with! The best part? You can even customize your solution to match your classroom theme and colors! The only items you will need will be wrapping paper cardboard tubes, duct tape, […]
Create a Class of Word Detectives!
Do you struggle with new ideas for teaching and practicing vocabulary? How about when it comes to teaching your students (and parents) what the learning standards mean? I have had a lot of requests to create something that would help with both and I am excited to announce that the CCSS Complete Vocabulary Programs have […]
Literally Hands-On
As always, I’m so happy to pop in here at the awesome OC Blog. Today I have something short and sweet to share with you. While I was conducting some classroom walkthroughs this week, a very cool visual caught my eye. I have to admit it feels kind of original that I found this myself […]
Barking for Books!
Howdy friends! I was farting around in some old files and realized I had this super cute dog clip art set that was just hanging out for a rainy day. And, as it turns out, it has been raining all day and is supposed to continue into tomorrow – lol! I have gotten a lot […]
Secrets of Stellar Student Listening
True story: I was tired of repeating directions and instructions over and over and over again in the classroom. I was also frustrated with the noise level – and how when I really need to get my students’ attention, I had defaulted to trying to talk over them in order to be heard. […]
Ways to Encourage Reluctant Writers
Excellent writing skills in our modern world are important. Writing has been important since humans have evolved from the oral tradition of passing stories or information down from one generation to another. Since then, writing has been one of the most important ways we communicate with other humans. We write to communicate In today’s world, […]
Writer’s Workshop Clip Chart
Developing good writers is a process that is on a continuum. This is not something a first grader can grasp and automatically know how to do, and the process is not taught ever again within the next 11 years of school. Teaching the writing process is something that is taught every year a student is […]
Simple Centers
Hey teaching friends! I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wonder if all these centers printables with elaborate activities and millions of pieces that have to be printed are increasing the learning – or will some basic supplies do the trick just as well? I think both are wonderful, but if you are like […]
Following Directions! Huh?
Hey teaching friends! I don’t know about you, but I dread when I hear the word “huh?” It makes me cringe because I know I will have to explain everything again. For the 50th time. In the last 5 minutes. Well, I have come to realize that listening skills take some practice, like any other […]
Block Learning DIY Style!
Check out my newest idea: Block Learning! It’s pretty simple really, just grab some blocks of wood and some stickers – that’s it! Now, I have to tell you I went to the craft store to grab my blocks of wood, and THOUGHT I was getting a deal. Turns out they cost WAY more than […]
Lateral Classroom Calendars
Do you teach littles or special education and find that calendar time with a traditional calendar format is just very confusing? If so, I have a good option to perhaps change things up: a lateral classroom calendar! It is a nice way to bridge the gap between no calendar skills and a standard calendar format. […]
Author’s Purpose eBook Freebie!
Freebie Friday is here! Whoo hoo! I don’t know about you, but I have had a whirlwind of a week! At times, it seemed as though it would never end, and at others, I didn’t have enough time in the day to get it all done! I hope your weekend ahead is filled with relaxation […]
Order Up Some Spelling
Hey teacher friends! Hope everyone is fantastic today! I was doing some updating yesterday and wanted to freshen up a super popular freebie: my Differentiated Spelling Homework Menu! I used this menu in third grade (though it could be adapted easily by other grade levels as well), and the students, parents, and administrators loved it! […]