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Classroom Management Systems for a Smooth Running Classroom

Want a classroom that essentially runs itself? You need classroom management systems! You need them, you need to teach them to your students and you all need to use them together. When you have systems in place, you’re setting yourself and your students up for success.

Classroom Management Systems

As teachers, we love to plan. Some systems you’ll think about before the school year starts and you’ll implement right from the beginning. Other times, you don’t even know what systems need to be in place until you’re halfway through the year and something just isn’t working. That’s okay. Play around with things until you find systems that work for you, your style and your students.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself that will help you set up your classroom management systems.

Want a classroom that essentially runs itself? Organize your classroom management systems! These questions will help you get started.

Planning Management

Where do sheets go that need to be copied? Where will they go once they’re copied?

I keep a basket of papers that needed to be copied. My assistant knows to check that box daily and make any copies. If the copies need specific instructions, put a post-it note with those instructions on the paper. Once they’re copied, they get laid out on my desk for me to review and then put away into the day of the week materials box.

How will you store materials for the week/for next week?

I keep all the materials for the week in a slotted box. The box has 5 shelves – one for each day of the week. If any materials are too big to fit in the box, they go next to the box inside my teacher cabinet.

What happens when you need to file something? Where are the files? What goes in those files?

I have a couple different filing systems in my classroom. One system is for curriculum. These files are organized by unit and hold different worksheets I use to compliment our curriculum, activities, games, art projects etc. The other system is for saving student work to put in a portfolio. I save seasonal art projects to create into a memory book at the end of the year. These files are in my teacher desk.

Want a classroom that essentially runs itself? Organize your classroom management systems! These questions will help you get started.

Student Work Management

Where does student work go when it’s unfinished, finished and corrected?

This is an important system so students know what to do with their work! When student work is unfinished, they put it in their unfinished work folders until they finish it. When it’s finished, they put it in a basket to turn in. Once it’s in that basket, I can correct or look through. Once it’s been corrected, it goes in another basket of things that go home in a Friday Folder.

How does student work go home?

In my classroom, student work goes home every week in a Friday Folder. Parents are expected to take everything out of the folder and students return the folder on Monday.

Will you save specific student work? What will that be? Where will it go?

Like I mentioned above, I save certain seasonal art to create a memory book at the end of the year. These art pieces go in a file until it’s time to create the book.

Want a classroom that essentially runs itself? Organize your classroom management systems! These questions will help you get started.

Supplies Management

Where are extra supplies? How students get those extra supplies?

How to manage supplies was a hard task for me to work through. There are so many extra things to keep track of and when you teach kindergarten, many of them lose things left and right!

I kept markers, crayons, colored pencils, pencils, scissors, glue, expo pens and expo erasers out in the room, available for students to use. The system is, if you have a dull pencil, you put it in the unsharpened container and grab a new one from the sharpened container. Same goes for crayon. If you lost a crayon or don’t have a certain color, you grab one from the extras.

Where are teacher supplies?

Teacher supplies stay inside (or on top of) my teacher desk and in my cabinet behind my teacher desk.

Want a classroom that essentially runs itself? Organize your classroom management systems! These questions will help you get started.

Classroom Management Strategies

There’s no one way to organize your classroom management systems. Organize your thoughts, create a plan and implement them into your classroom so that you and your students are using them together.

Want a classroom that essentially runs itself? Organize your classroom management systems! These questions will help you get started.

Classroom Management Plan

To have a smooth running classroom, classroom management is crucial. These questions above will help you begin to create your classroom management plan.

Start by going through these questions and write down your systems. Then, if you find that something needs tweaking during the year, tweak it. If you find you need a system that you hadn’t thought of, put one in place. If you explain your system and teach it to your students, they’ll be able to follow along and you’ll feel more organized.

 

How to Take Control of Your Classroom Organization

Classroom organization. You either love it or hate it! No matter your feelings on organization, I think we can all agree that it’s important for your classroom to have some sort of flow and method to it so students can focus on learning. Part of classroom organization is how your room is organized and how your materials are organized.

Before you set up your classroom, you want to ask yourself some questions about how exactly your room will be organized. Ask yourself these questions below and you’ll take control of your classroom organization.

Need some direction when organizing your classroom? Ask these questions to yourself before you start and take control of your classroom organization today.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting Classroom Organization

What areas or sections do you want to include in your room? Will you have a writing center? Technology area? Space just for free play items?

In order for your room to make sense to kids, spaces have to have a common theme. For example, students know that when they need to get a book, they need to go to the library. What other sections will you have in your room?

Some ideas:

  • Writing Center
  • Word Work Center
  • Math Manipulatives
  • Puzzles
  • Science Exploration
  • Listening Center
  • STEM/STEAM
  • Cultural Center
  • Free Play – Toys
  • Meet with Teacher Area (for small groups)
  • Teacher Area – desk/supplies

Need some direction when organizing your classroom? Ask these questions to yourself before you start and take control of your classroom organization today.

Where will your supplies go? Will you have your teacher supplies somewhere separate from student supplies? What will the supplies go in?

Now that you know what sections of the room you’ll have, you need to decide where supplies are going. A lot of classrooms have a beautiful, large storage closet. Not mine. I had to get creative with how I was going to store supplies. These DIY crate seats are a perfect hidden storage option.

When you figure out where you are going to store your items, decide how you will store them. I felt the most organized when I had all of my storage materials for each subject together.

Some ideas:

  • Keep art supplies together
  • Supplies for when you get a new student
  • Science materials
  • Extra math manipulatives (that aren’t already in your math section)
  • Extra student supplies – crayons, glue, pencils etc.
  • Teacher supplies
  • Keep all curriculum together – easier when you sit down to plan

Need some direction when organizing your classroom? Ask these questions to yourself before you start and take control of your classroom organization today.

Where will student supplies go? Will they have a pencil box? A community box that the whole table uses? A chair pouch?

For the supplies that students will use on a daily basis – where will they go? I’ve tried a few different options but my very favorite was using a chair pouch with individual student supplies that went in a pencil box inside their chair bags. The chair bags also held their folders and any workbooks.

I tried the community box in my classroom and although it is convenient to just load up one box for each table, it caused more fights between kindergarteners and they just could never keep it clean. When you use a chair pouch, even the messier students know where their supplies are. Ha!

Will students be at desks? Or tables? Or will you use flexible seating?

Part of deciding where student supplies will go will depend on where your students will be located. Do you have desks in your classroom? Tables? Will you use flexible seating?

My students sit at tables in groups of 3 or 4 or at the carpet in assigned rug squares. I found that this was the best way for kindergarteners to stay focused and for me to manage them. However, I never tried flexible seating, but know a lot of teachers have had success with this. If you have tried flexible seating in kindergarten and love it, share below!

Need some direction when organizing your classroom? Ask these questions to yourself before you start and take control of your classroom organization today.

Take Control of Classroom Organization

In order to have organization, you need to figure out exactly how you want your room to be organized. Ask yourself these questions and you’ll have a better idea at how you want your room organized.

  • What sections/areas will you have in your room?
  • Where will extra supplies go? What is your storage like?
  • Where will student supplies go?
  • Will students be at tables? Desks? Will you use flexible seating?

If you answer these questions before you begin your classroom set up, you’ll have an easier time as you’ll know exactly how you want your room.

7 Tips for Your Classroom Set Up

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned teacher, chances are, you’ll be taking some time this summer to set up your classroom for next year. Classroom set up can be a little overwhelming with all that goes into it. There are so many things you ask yourself about how you want your room to look, how it’ll be organized, what systems you’ll use, etc. Here are my 7 tips to help you set up the classroom of your dreams!

7 Tips for Your Classroom Set Up

classroom-set-up

1. Plan out your room

There are two major things that come to mind when I think about planning out a classroom: decor and organization.

Decor

Classroom decor will look different based on what grade you teach and your own personality. Being a kindergarten teacher, I love classroom themes! I chose a jungle theme for my classroom as it was fun and I felt like I could do a lot with it. I also love animals and got to incorporate this love into my theme! You can choose a theme like this or even just a certain color theme.

My advice when choosing your classroom decor:
– try to not make it too busy
– leave room for students to see their work displayed (you don’t need to cover every inch of the classroom before school starts)

Jungle Theme Classroom Reveal
Sneak Peek of my Ocean Classroom Decor Bundle

Organization

The other part of planning out your room is your organization. This means how your room will be organized as well as how your materials will be organized.

Questions to ask yourself before you start organizing your room:

  • What areas or sections do you want to include in your room? Will you have a writing center? Technology area? Space just for free play items?
  • Where will your supplies go? Will you have your teacher supplies somewhere separate from student supplies? What will the supplies go in?
  • Where will student supplies go? Will they have a pencil box? A community box that the whole table uses? A chair pouch?
  • Will students be at desks? Or tables? Or will you use flexible seating?
  • How will your library be organized? By theme? Author? Season?

If you ask yourself these questions before you begin your classroom set up, you’ll have an easier time as you’ll know exactly how you want your room.

classroom-set-up-organization

2. Make a list of everything you need to do

I am a list person. Lists help me feel super organized and like I know the direction that I need to be going in. When I have a list, I know exactly what I need to be doing.

Tip number 2 is make a list of everything you need to do. I like to type this out on a word document and section it out into categories. When I finish something on my list I change the text color to red so I know it’s been completed.

Here’s my list to get you started:

  • Organize materials into stations (word work, math manipulatives, writing, technology, free play, etc.)
  • Set up and label student supplies – pencil, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue, eraser, folders
  • Set up student desks or tables – label with name tags
  • Assign a rug square to each student
  • Organize teacher materials – teacher desk, extra supplies, files etc.
  • Organize curriculum – where will this go, how will you organize it (files, binders, tubs)

3. Make a list of everything you need to buy

Now, this will be different for everyone depending on what your classroom has when you walk into it, how long you’ve been teaching or what kind of budget you have. I like to shop at the following places to keep my classroom costs down:

  • Target dollar spot
  • Dollar Store
  • Amazon

Check out my list of  Top 10 Teacher Must Haves

classroom-set-up-diy

4. List out everything you need to make

This may be my favorite part of classroom set up. I love being crafty and I love DIY projects. My dad jokes about all my projects because he is very handy and I always pull him in when I need help with my classroom DIY.

Here are some things you might want to make for your classroom:

  • Classroom decor: print (on cardstock), cut and laminate
  • Anchor charts
  • Word Wall
  • Bulletin Boards – Welcome board with student names

If you’re interested in DIY projects for your classroom, check out these DIY Crate Seats.

classroom-set-up-bulletin

5. Start in one section of the room and work your way around

I am the type of person that wants to do all the things all at once. This gets really overwhelming when setting up a classroom because there are so many things! The way I stay organized is by starting in one section of the room and working my way around.

For example, my room is set up in sections such as the word work section, writing station, listening to reading, library, free play and math. So the way I set up my classroom is by starting in one section, pulling everything out that would belong in that section, organizing it and moving on to the next. That way, once I’ve completed a part of the room, it’s done (for the most part – of course there will be minor changes and additions).

6. Set up systems

When you have systems in place, you’re setting yourself up for success. Everything will have a place and you’ll know where to find your stuff and your extra stuff.

The systems I set up:

  • Where sheets go that need to be copied and where they go once their copied
  • What happens when you need to file something – where are the files? What goes in those files?
  • Where student work goes when it’s unfinished, finished and corrected
  • How student work goes home
  • Where extra supplies are – how students get those extra supplies
  • Where teacher supplies are
  • How you store materials for the week/for next week

classroom-set-up-jungle

7. Label items for students in your room

I always save this step for last as you never know if you’ll have late additions or people dropping from your class last minute. Also, when I get to this part of my classroom set up, I know that I am almost done and ready for the school year!

Here’s all that I label for my students:

  • Cubbies
  • Desks
  • Carpet Squares
  • Chair Pouch – inside: pencil box, any workbooks and folders
  • Pencil boxes – inside: pencil, colored pencils, scissors, glue, eraser, expo pen and eraser
  • Guided Reading Bags

What to Include in Your Weekly Classroom Newsletter

I love sending home weekly newsletters to parents. It keeps them involved and in the know about what is going on in the classroom and is an easy resource for them to refer back to. Parents love to know what their kids are learning and when you ask a kindergartener (or any other grade student for that matter) “what did you do today?” most would say “I don’t know”, “nothing” or “free play”. Of course parents know that you’re doing a lot more than their kids are telling them and a classroom newsletter is the perfect place to share all they are learning in your room.

classroom-newsletter

What to Include in Your Weekly Classroom Newsletter

When I first started sending out weekly classroom newsletters, I was overwhelmed with what to include. There is so much that goes on in the classroom and at school that it was tricky for me to figure out what the best system was. I came up with a classroom newsletter template that allowed me to communicate with parents while not adding just another thing on my ever growing to-do list.

Weekly Classroom Activities

I like to pick three subjects to highlight each week in our classroom newsletter. Most often, I’ll share something we’re doing in language arts and math and switch around the third subject to share depending on what we have going on. I find that parents are most curious about what their child is doing in language arts and math and find these subjects most important, which is why I always share these. Then, if we have an exciting science experiment or social studies activity, I’ll include this as the third subject in the classroom newsletter.

The way you share what’s going on is totally up to your preference. You can put it in paragraph form (this is what I do), bullet points, number it, whatever you find works best for you!

Class News

This section of the classroom newsletter template, I include any dates that may be coming up that are classroom specific.

Things that might go in this section:

  • Field Trips
  • Themed Activities (example: 100th Day of School)
  • Special Subject Activities such as a special science project coming up or the ABC countdown at the end of the year

classroom-newsletter-template

School News

In this section of the classroom newsletter template, I include school news that parents should be aware of.

Things that might go in this section:

  • Fundraisers
  • Social Events
  • Book Fair
  • Holidays
  • Themed Dress Days

Classroom Volunteer Opportunities

Another section I include in my classroom newsletter is any classroom volunteer opportunities we may have coming up. I was lucky enough to work at a school with many parents who wanted to volunteer for the classroom. Whenever we had a new opportunity, I like to mention it in the classroom newsletter as well as create a sign up on our classroom page (we use SchoolSpeak).

This gives parents a few ways to read about any opportunities to volunteer in your classroom and sign up.

classroom-newsletter

Classroom Newsletter Template

It’s important to have a system in place and a classroom newsletter template so you’re communicating with parents but also not completely overwhelming yourself. I’ve found that this system works for me as it’s the same format week after week. The only thing that changes is the information! Also, I send this newsletter out only digitally. However, you could print it and send home if you use a folder system.

Whatever classroom newsletter template you decide to use, make it work for you!

Your Cheat Sheet for Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences are coming up and they can be a little nerve-wracking. When you share so much with your students’ parents, you never know how they’ll respond. Just remember that as long as you come across as wanting the best for their child, they’ll appreciate whatever you say. You are a team!

I like to be as organized as I can and get everything ready about a week before conferences. We have to put in grades and get report cards printed, find examples of student work and get together any other important resources for parents so this time can be pretty busy! The sooner you’re organized, the better!

Here are some tips I’ve learned that will help you during parent teacher conferences.

Parent teacher conferences can be a little stressful. However, I've given you a cheat sheet to all you need for a successful conference! Read to learn more.

Format of the Parent Teacher Conference

At my school, we have 15 minutes with the parents. I like to do most of the talking for 10 minutes, then take questions and then we bring the student in to showcase some of their work!

First 10 Minutes:

  • Explain Report Card

I use this time to explain the report card. This is their first report card so I explain standards based grading and what they’ll see on the report card. I also highlight a few of the standards in each subject category.

  • Discuss a Few Standards

I like to highlight what we will be learning this year in kindergarten. Since this is the only face to face meeting we have with parents (unless we schedule something else) I like to explain some of the learning they’ll see within the year.

  • Tell Student’s Reading Level

We use Fountas and Pinnel to assess students’ reading levels so I mention what level their child is. Most of the time, students at this point in the year are only a level AA (pre-reader) or an A. I mention where we want students at the end of kindergarten as well.

Parent teacher conferences can be a little stressful. However, I've given you a cheat sheet to all you need for a successful conference! Read to learn more.

  • Give Parents Resources to Help at Home

I like to print out some resources of how parents can help their child at home in reading or sight words and explain how important it is that they help their child with their learning at home so it reinforces what we do in class.

Final 5 Minutes:

  • Time for Questions

I give parents time to ask any question they have that they might not want their child to hear, before the child comes in.

  • Student Joins

When the student joins, he or she shows their parent a few things they are proud of. I like to have their writing folders at the table because it shows their growth from the beginning of the year. I like having students run this part because they get so excited to share with their family what they’ve done in school!

Tips to Help Parent Teacher Conferences Run Smoothly

  • Make Note of Key Talking Points

It’s important to know what you are going to talk about in the conference. That’s why, I like to make note of what I want to be sure to say (both positive and negative) during the conference.

This year, I’m going to use Stephanie’s (Teaching Little Leaders) Parent Teacher Conference Forms. She includes everything you need to prep for your parent teacher conference! Check it out below.

  • Keep Everything for the Conference in a File

I like to use files for each student because they’re easy to pull and keep everything safe and in one spot. When you have so many conferences, it’s best to just have to pull one file instead of a bunch of different forms or documents.

*I even like to put a post-it on the front of the folder with the child’s name and when the conference is. Then, I put them in order by day and time.

  • Keep the Student Occupied

If your school is like mine and students join the conference at the end of the meeting, give them something to do while you’re meeting with their parents. I like to keep books in the hallway next to a chair so the student can sit and read.

 

Here are my tips and tricks for parent teacher conferences and I hope you find something that helps you out! What have you learned during your conferences? Comment below!

Easily Communicate with Parents through a Weekly Newsletter

Parents can be your biggest advocate and a great teammate to have. As it is, we all have the same goal, to help the kids succeed whether it be at home or at school. It’s important that as teachers we communicate the best we can with our students’ parents.

Bridge the Gap Between School and Home

To bridge this gap between school and home, I send home a weekly newsletter. This goes out on Fridays after school (or toward the end of the school day). I’ve found this to be a very successful way that I keep parents included in what their children are learning and what to expect coming up.

Need an easy way to communicate with the parents in your class? Use my editable weekly newsletters! Check out what I share with the parents in my class.

What I Include in my Newsletter

You can include whatever you want in your newsletter! I include various aspects of the week in school including: what we’re learning, highlighting special events and upcoming events.

What We’re Learning

Something I always include in our weekly newsletter is what we’ve learned during the week. I like to break it up into subject area but I mainly include language arts and math. I also alternate between science and social studies.

Parents enjoy reading about what their children are learning in class. I don’t know about you, but when you ask my kindergarten students what they did at school they either say “nothing” or “free play” or “recess”. And although free play and recess are important, it’s nice to send out what we’ve done in class so parents know their children are learning. They can also ask them about this learning and talk to their kids about school while they’re at home.

Need an easy way to communicate with the parents in your class? Use my editable weekly newsletters! Check out what I share with the parents in my class.

Highlighting Special Events

Another thing I put in my newsletter is special events that we’ve had during the week. I like to highlight events like 100th day of school, a field trip or a special art project.

Upcoming Events

Lastly, I put in some important upcoming events that I don’t want parents to forget. This is an extra reminder as I put upcoming dates and events in other places as well.

Newsletter Templates

I’ve created newsletter templates (one for every week in the year, plus more!) for kindergarten, first grade and second grade. If you’re interested in another grade, please email me and I will make it happen! My favorite thing about these templates, they’re super editable!

Need an easy way to communicate with the parents in your class? Use my editable weekly newsletters! Check out what I share with the parents in my class. Need an easy way to communicate with the parents in your class? Use my editable weekly newsletters! Check out what I share with the parents in my class. Need an easy way to communicate with the parents in your class? Use my editable weekly newsletters! Check out what I share with the parents in my class.

How do you communicate with the parents in your classroom? Comment below!

 

9 Ways to Utilize an Assistant Teacher or Parent Volunteers

I’ve been super blessed because in all the years I’ve been teaching, I’ve had a full time assistant teacher. I also have many parents who want to volunteer to help with things in the classroom. As a type A person who’d just rather do things herself, it was sometimes hard to loosen the reigns and let others help me. Once I learned how I could best utilize my assistant teacher and parent volunteers, I felt more productive, more organized and I could focus on things that really mattered in my classroom.

In order to utilize these helpers, you need to first be very organized. Some ways I stay organized are making lists, staring important things, and checking the calendar so I can plan ahead.

Do you have an assistant teacher or parent volunteers but don't know how to use them? Check out this list and how I use these helpers in my classroom.

9 Ways to Utilize an Assistant Teacher or Parent Volunteers

1. Copying

Making copies can be so time consuming. If your school is like mine, there’s always a wait at the copier and sometimes the machine can’t get through a class set without jamming. Use your assistant teacher and parent volunteers to copy. I just write how many and how I want it (stapled, back and front, etc.) on a post it and put it on my assistant teacher’s list of things to do. I’ve also seen some people have a copy bin and as parent volunteers come help, they can grab the entire bin and get to work without any explanation.

2. Prepping Materials

When I look ahead on my calendar or plan for the next week, I make note of what materials will need to be prepped. This can be anything from art materials, science, math, really anything! When I figure out what I’ll need prepped, I write down how I’d like it prepped and when I need it by so my assistant teacher (or parent volunteers) can get it done before I need it. This has been super helpful because I can focus on the students and the lessons I am currently teaching. I also can use my preps for other activities like planning new, engaging lessons or writing emails, instead of prepping materials.

Do you have an assistant teacher or parent volunteers but don't know how to use them? Check out this list and how I use these helpers in my classroom.

3. Teaching Specialties

My assistant teacher teaches handwriting to my students. These are low key lessons and is something that she can easily do. This gives me an extra prep and also gives me time to pull any students I may need to work with one on one.

At my school, we use an art program called Art in Action. This program is strictly run by the parents. They grab the lesson plan book in the beginning of the year, prep all art materials and get other parent volunteers to help during the actual lessons. If you haven’t heard of this program, you need to check it out. It’s truly amazing the art that my kindergarteners do!

4. Leading Centers

Each week, I invite parents to sign up to volunteer to lead a math game during our math centers. Students love when their parents come in and they get to show them the classroom and meet all their classmates. Parents also enjoy coming in and having a responsibility where they can work with the kids and not just behind the scenes.

I also use my assistant teacher to lead centers. For example, she meets with a group when we do guided reading. This is super beneficial to my students because there are two groups meeting with a teacher, not just one.

5. Sharpening Pencils

I don’t know about you but sharpening pencils is one of my least favorite activities. I know it’s necessary but it’s such a time waster. Whenever I sharpen pencils, all I think about is the many other things I could be doing! I have my assistant teacher do this job so I can focus on those many other things on my list.

Do you have an assistant teacher or parent volunteers but don't know how to use them? Check out this list and how I use these helpers in my classroom.

6. Putting Up Bulletin Boards

I put this on the list of ways to utilize your assistant teacher or parent volunteers however, I have tried and I cannot let this go. Bulletin boards are my guilty pleasure and there is nothing I love more than a fresh display. If you are someone who isn’t particular about your bulletin boards then have your assistant teacher or parent volunteers do it!

7. Stuffing Friday Folders

If you send home folders with work or important information, you need to let your assistant or parent volunteers stuff them for you! Throughout the week, my assistant teacher takes any work that is graded (or stared – it’s kindergarten!) and files it by student. Then, once Friday comes, she grabs the papers from the file and puts it inside the student’s folder. This is super helpful because I don’t even have to think about this job. She completes it all on her own and students always go home with their work and important information each week.

Do you have an assistant teacher or parent volunteers but don't know how to use them? Check out this list and how I use these helpers in my classroom.

8. Working One on One with a Student

Assistant teachers and parent volunteers are perfect for pulling and working with students one on one. You can have them test students on sight words, practice reading, or even guide a student who needs extra help on a worksheet.

9. Read Alouds

Sometimes I’ll utilize my assistant teacher by having her do a read aloud. This is helpful so I can work with a student one on one. This would also work with parent volunteers. It’s important for students to hear other voices read besides yours. Using your assistant teacher or parent volunteers for read alouds is a win-win!

 

Are you one of the lucky teachers who has an assistant teacher? Or do you have parent volunteers help out in your classroom? Share how you utilize your volunteers by commenting below!

 

Why I Love In-Class Field Trips

Field trips are such a great way to make learning come to life! They’re a day filled with excitement, hands on learning and a bit of chaos as students are out of their regular routine. Although I do love the opportunity to venture out into the community and spend the day somewhere other than the classroom, an in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school.

Depending on where you live and what you have around your school, there may be opportunities for in-class field trips. You can find these through different facilities that you would normally take your class to. Check if they have a class, workshop or presentation that would come to you.

Where I live, there is a place called CuriOdyssey. They have many different workshops that you can do at the facility or that will come to your school. My class does their “Egg-Sploration” workshop when we hatch chicks to connect to our oviparous unit. I’ve done this workshop a few times at the venue but I really love when they come to my classroom.

Tired of the chaos an ordinary field trip brings? Why not have the field trip come to you? An in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school. Read on to find out why I love in-class field trips.

Why I Love In-Class Field Trips

You’re in the comfort of your own classroom.

I love an in-class field trip because you get to stay in your own classroom! You know where everything is, you have easily available bathrooms, you’re comfortable. No need to get acclimated with a new place. Plus the kids know your expectations because they’re in their regular environment.

Tired of the chaos an ordinary field trip brings? Why not have the field trip come to you? An in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school. Read on to find out why I love in-class field trips.

Easier with little kids.

Ever have a field trip where students are running through the cafeteria or gift shop? It’s a nightmare! And, even with chaperones, you have to be on top of all students at all times. With little kids especially, you never know which way they’re going to go. An in-class field trip takes care of all this chaos.

No need for chaperones.

When you’re not going anywhere, you don’t need to take the step of getting chaperones. This means you aren’t hurting feelings of parents who can’t go or having to explain the rules and expectations to the parents who are going. This makes everything more low-key.

Tired of the chaos an ordinary field trip brings? Why not have the field trip come to you? An in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school. Read on to find out why I love in-class field trips.

Or field trip forms or emergency bags.

You also don’t need to take extra steps in getting field trip forms or remembering to bring your emergency bag. Of course I tell parents that we’ll be having an in-class field trip, however, they don’t need to sign any forms because we have all the emergency info at school, where we’ll be staying for the field trip. You also don’t need your emergency bag which takes an extra load off, literally!

Tired of the chaos an ordinary field trip brings? Why not have the field trip come to you? An in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school. Read on to find out why I love in-class field trips.

The whole day isn’t thrown off.

Usually when you go on a field trip, you leave in the morning and don’t return until at least after lunch. This is fun as the kids get to experience a new place and a new learning environment, however, it throws off your whole day and likely when you get back to school, students will be wound up and will want to do anything except sit at their desk. An in-class field trip only lasts an hour or two and since there’s no drive time, you can get back to your day right away.

Tired of the chaos an ordinary field trip brings? Why not have the field trip come to you? An in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school. Read on to find out why I love in-class field trips.

Students get the same learning experience in their own environment.

In-class field trips are just as valuable as going somewhere for a field trip. The workshop we do, brings all the same things that they use at the facility so nothing is lost by doing it in the classroom. I believe students are even more focused when they’re in their regular environment and may get even more from the field trip!

Prep for Next School Year with These 6 Organizational Hacks

As the end of the school year is approaching, teachers begin to think about next school year. New students, new decor and a brand new start to hopefully having your best year yet!

I don’t know about you but I spend way too much time over the summer prepping for the new year instead of taking the time to relax and enjoy the time off. These 6 organizational hacks have saved me time over the summer because I can do them before the current year is up. Here’s how I prep for next school year, while finishing up the current school year.

6 Organizational Hacks to Prep for Next School Year

Have Students Help with the Clean Up

My students love the opportunity to feel like adults and to be given any type of responsibility, including cleaning. I use this to my advantage when beginning to clean my classroom for the next school year. First, I have them clean out all of the things they use the most. They clean their chair bags, pencil boxes and tables. Then, once they’ve shown me everything is completely clean, I give them wipes (baby wipes work well) and give them a section of the room to wipe everything down in. They wipe down the bookcases (these get pretty dusty during the year), books, furniture, toys, everything! Your room gets clean and the best part is, they enjoy helping!

Want a smooth transition into next school year? Check out these 6 organizational hacks you can do this year to prep for next school year! This will save you time and money over the summer.

Pull Labels off

I label a lot of things in my classroom with my student’s names. Things like student files, bucket fillers, pencil boxes, etc. I take the time right before the year is up to take these labels off so I can reuse these materials for my next class.

Label Any New Materials for Next Class

This brings me to… label any of those materials for your next class. I’m really lucky and get my class list before the summer begins. Of course there are changes, but for the most part, my class is what it is by the end of the school year. For those of you who get your class list a month before or weeks before (does this happen?) you’ll have to hold off on this step until you get your list. However, you’ll be all ready to label because you’ve already pulled off the previous labels!

Want a smooth transition into next school year? Check out these 6 organizational hacks you can do this year to prep for next school year! This will save you time and money over the summer.

Organize, Tidy Up, Fill Up Your Teacher Toolbox

A teacher toolbox is all the craze for keeping your supplies organized. If you haven’t created one, read this post about the top teacher DIY projects to make over summer. And, if you don’t have one, this hack will work with wherever you keep your teacher supplies!

During the school year, I get a little lazy and tend to throw things where they don’t belong. This hack will take care of all the stuff that isn’t where it belongs! Take some time to go through your teacher toolbox (or however you organize supplies) and put things where they should be, tidy it up and fill it up! Filling your supplies up at the end of the previous year for the next year will be immensely helpful when returning after the summer! You already probably spend too much money over the summer to make your classroom perfect, don’t spend on supplies as well. Take care of that before the previous year is up!

Want a smooth transition into next school year? Check out these 6 organizational hacks you can do this year to prep for next school year! This will save you time and money over the summer.

Clean Out Old Files and Things You Don’t Use

Did you switch curriculum? Or figure out that something doesn’t work for you or your classroom? Have things you don’t use? Don’t hang on to it! Throw it out or give it to someone else! Teachers are known for hanging on to anything and everything because it may be of use sometime down the road. This sounds a little like hoarding to me… I am guilty of it as well and need to be better about letting go of things that I don’t use anymore.

Confession: we switched math curriculums two years ago and I still have files for the lessons from that curriculum, eek! These things take up valuable space in our rooms, so just get rid of it (or ask other teachers if they need any of it!)

Dedicate One Day for Students to Bring Remaining Work Home

My last hack is to dedicate one day for students to take everything home! I give my students a date to bring in a brown (or large) bag. This is the day that they take everything home. They take home their work, their art, their supplies, everything. Make sure you do this on a day where you know the rest of the days they won’t need anything. I do this usually the second or third to last day of school. We have so many extra activities those last few days that we’re mostly outside and don’t need our crayons or pencils anymore.

Want a smooth transition into next school year? Check out these 6 organizational hacks you can do this year to prep for next school year! This will save you time and money over the summer.

Those are my 6 organizational hacks that help me prep for next year and have saved me lots of time over the summer. If you do it now, you won’t have to worry about it later! What do you do to get ready for next school year?

How to Assess Student Learning During Guided Math (Standards Based Grading)

As a kindergarten teacher, I’ve struggled with how to assess my students. We use standards based grades for our report cards so students get an “M” for meets standard, “W” for working toward standard or an “E” or “N” for exceeds or not at grade level. This has always been tricky for me because I never knew the best way to assess for these standards. I felt like each year, I would try something different, and I would end up scrambling during report card time to ultimately assess each student one on one.

I struggle because I can’t just give a kindergartener a stapled packet test and tell them to go. (If you’ve ever tried to give a kindergartener a test, you know what I’m talking about!) And, as much as it’s nice to assess students one on one, I hated feeling like I was scrambling to assess and then get grades in on time. Finally, after 4 years in my kindergarten classroom and playing around with different ways of assessing, I’ve found an assessment strategy that works for me and my kindergarteners. And the best part is that it fits into my guided math schedule!

Are you stuck on how to assess your students during guided math? Check out this post to read about the way I assess my kids. Included in this post is a FREEBIE that will get you started with your own assessments!

How to Assess Student Learning During Guided Math

Exit Tickets

After I teach a lesson in guided math (I take two days per lesson, read more about my guided math schedule here) I give my students a one or two question exit ticket. This is just a quick assessment of what we’ve just learned, that students can complete in a couple minutes. This gives me an idea of who has mastered the standard and who still needs some support. This is also an easy way to assess kindergarteners because there’s only one direction.

Assessment Binder

I organize my exit tickets in a binder that is organized by standard. Each time I give an exit ticket, I put all the students who still need support with the particular standard on top and the students who have mastered the skill underneath. That way, I can quickly look at the stack of exit tickets and know who needs more support when we visit the standard again or when it comes to report card time.

Standards Checklist

Most of the kindergarten standards can be assessed through my exit tickets, however, some are just easier aloud. For these standards, I created a checklist with each student’s name and a box for the standard. When the end of the quarter is near, I pull students one on one (or my assistant teacher helps me) and assess them aloud.

How do you assess your students for math? Any kinder teachers have strategies that helps them assess based on standards? Comment below!

For more about guided math…

Everything You Need to Know to Launch Guided Math in Your Classroom

How to Write Differentiated Lesson Plans to Use During Guided Math

Guided Math Centers: What are students doing when they’re not meeting with me?