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. […]
Video Tutorials
Need some video walkthroughs from Charity herself? Visit the blog posts below which all have videos in them showing you how to make your life easier in your classroom. It's like PD from home. Enjoy!
Slider Baggie Counting
Need something new (and concrete) for those students that are struggling with math counting? Having something physical to see the adding and subtracting of items as they move the manipulative can really assist in children’s understanding of basic math skills. How about a fun video idea? I recorded a little something new today for you. […]
Rolling with the Borders
Today I have a tip that shows you how to organize those pesky bulletin board borders. Many have used a cardboard box that you can find from the teacher supply store, or perhaps you just have them placed in the middle of chart paper or a tri-fold board. If you are looking for a more […]
Create Your Class Website for FREE!
I am bringing back the weekly feature: Classroom Tech in 3 Minutes or Less! Whoo hoo! Today’s topic is how to create a classroom website using Shutterfly. I have heard of Shutterfly, but had no idea you could actually create a private website that you could customize for a classroom! Parents have to be invited […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Using a Sqworl in the Classroom
Welcome to today’s video, which is about using a sqworl to organize your websites and electronic media in your classroom. This idea could actually piggyback off the video about File Organization for Teachers, where you could place all the e-resources you would like to use into one sqworl, then run a copy of the page […]
Easy Valentines Party Ideas
This video explains how to create a simple decorated paper treat bag for a classroom Valentine’s Party that even talks about using symmetry. Then, it explains an organized way to pass out the items without shedding tears or creating classroom chaos. Valentine’s Day has never been so simple! Prefer to read the transcript? Transcript “Hi, […]
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 […]
File Organization for Teachers
Welcome to today’s video: File Organization for Teachers! This video was the most requested topic from all those who voted in the poll on our Facebook fan page. I explain how I keep track of all my files, and never miss an opportunity to teach that great lesson because I couldn’t locate it in time. […]
Super Easy Bulletin Boards
Here is the latest in my video series for how to show off your great student work without having the hassle of having to change it constantly. I demonstrate a fun way to get students involved, right from the first meeting at Parent Open House Night so that you do not even need to use […]
Thanksgiving Thankful Mix
Today, I have created a fun video that shows you a few Thanksgiving activities you could do this week or next! I originally saw the Thanksgiving Thankful Mix idea on the Designing and Motherhood Blog where I found the ingredients list for the template that is shown below. Prefer to read the transcript? I’ve gotcha […]
Motivating Your Student Writers
Welcome to today’s teacher videos which is about getting your reluctant writers to get those pencils moving! This two-part series focuses on 3 big picture ideas: Writing with Visuals, Writing for Meaning, and Writing by Novelty. You can watch both videos in the playlist below – or keep scrolling for the transcript and links to […]
The Gifting Tree
Need an idea for a “gift basket type” of fundraiser item, without having the hassle of coming up with a gift basket theme, going to 10 different stores to get the materials, and making it look super pretty (well, maybe I am the only one who has problems with that)? Or maybe you have a […]
Clipping Up a Good Book!
Today, I decided to create a super easy and inexpensive bookmark made from jumbo paperclips and ribbon! Fun! You seriously won’t believe just how easy it really is to create these! Plus, they won’t break the bank if you want to do a class set (as is usually the case with most things). The video […]
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. […]
Custom Organized Computer Desktops
Teacher truth time! Are your classroom computers in need of a computer desktop organizer? As in, are the icons and shortcuts placed haphazardly all over the screen in no particular order? Even worse: Are they randomly there and not even grouped in a grid formation? It’s ok. I’ve been there too. Check out this simple […]
Online Introduction to Graphing for Kids
Graphing activities in the classroom can easily incorporate real-life concepts with math learning standards. I love to have students create human bar graphs, pie charts, and more. Even better is that the students enjoy these hands on activities as much as I do, which doesn’t always happen. I was teaching a new unit to my […]
Classroom Label Creation
The video event today will show you how to create labels for all your classroom needs on a PC (if you are looking for the MAC Version, check THIS post link)! This version shows how to create labels using Microsoft Word – PC Version. It is basically the same as the Mac Version, just looks […]