Friday's Five Fabulous Finds (on Pinterest)

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Supply Pails

I saw this idea on Pinterest last summer and I loved it.  I bought extra large muffin tins at Target. (They weren't cheap but I didn't have time to shop around and I really wanted them)  The metal pails are from Target and fit in perfectly.  The kids can bring the pails to their seats while working.

Daily Five and CAFE Book Study

Please check out the summer book study! 

(It is not too late to start)

http://www.wereadweblogweteach.com/

There is a calendar available to keep you on track at the blog:

Calendar Math

Here is a picture of my fourth grade calendar.  Our school system uses a program called Every Day Counts for grades K-4 and I love it!  There is a kit for each grade level and works on specific skills.

The calendar comes with challenging patterns for each month...

I don't using a number line to count the days in school...pieces fall down, it gets messy, etc.  I  created a 10 x 18 grid.  We write the day of school.

In third grade I used a bigger grid paper and also tracked odd and even numbers and wrote the numeral number in each box.  We colored each box for the temperature range in 10 degree increments.

Each month our deposit changes...we multiply by 2, then 5, then 10, etc.

Each month the components change...I like using the measurement pieces.  there is a teacher's guide with questions for teachers to incorporate daily.

I hang up vocabulary cards each math unit.  I bought thick black ribbon and ran it to the left of my board to the counter.  The ones below are from Really Good Stuff...I have downloaded some from TPT.

We use Everyday Math as our core math program and supplement as need.  The children have two workbooks, a Student Reference Book, a tool kit and white board.  We also use Heads Up in grades K-5.

The kids store all their math materials in these Folder Holders under the math calendar.  They grab it and sit on the rug with everything they need.  The green sheets as laminated and have reference pages on both sides.

"Class"y T-shirts

I saw the cutest t-shirts on Lessons with Laughter and Pinterest and I decided to do them this year with my class.  (I wished I took a picture of my class all wearing them)

The children draw and sharpie their portraits on an index card.  They are $7.00 plus shipping from Whitney Daniels Designs. The shirts took about three weeks when I ordered...she was very busy at the end of the year.  The t-shirts are a good quality and she has many colors to choose from...we voted on kiwi green.

Here are some samples:

My kids loved them and I will try to order them earlier so we can wear them to more school events!

Friday's Five Fabulous Finds (on Pinterest)

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Collecting Papers

One of the toughest parts of our jobs is collecting and managing the kids' papers. I have developed a management system that helps you keep track of students' work and puts the responsibility on the kids.  I teach fourth grade but I am sure younger students could handle this!

I typed up a sheet with many text boxes with the number of students in my class.  I make many copies and cut them apart and keep a basket full on my desk.  I assign the children a number on the first day of school.  I have 21 this year so I just cross off the extra.

The first student finished their work gets an empty folder and an assignment sheet.  They write the name of the assignment and attach it to the folder.  I like the slash clear folders so the kids can see the papers inside.  As they pass in their work, they cross off numbers...easy! I can quickly put their papers in numeric order and make sure that I have every one's papers.  I will sometimes make a list of missing assignments on the board with just the numbers.

 I used to line them across my desk but found an expandable file holders that I keep on the side of my desk or counter.  Look how neat my desk is now!!!!
             
                     BEFORE                                      AFTER

Homework Folders

I have used many types of homework folders, from pocket folders, plastic folders to binders.  Nothing ever holds up!

Last summer,  I bought homework folders  (on clearance)  from Really Good Stuff and to give them a little extra support I ran them through the laminator.  Every single one made it the whole year!  The ones I bought fit my rock star theme which was a bonus! (I am bummed that they are not available this year) The pictures below are from day 176!

Here are the folders I am going to order this year with ELA and math resources printed on them.  They are worth the money! $18.88 for 12.

What do you use for homework folders?

Friday's Five Fabulous Finds (on Pinterest)

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Poetry Cafe Night

I organized our school's first Poetry Cafe Night with the help of my teammates.  We invited all the fourth graders to attend a night of Poetry reading in our Cafe (aka Cafeteria ).  We tried to create an atmosphere of a cafe with tablecloths and centerpieces.  The night included poetry, bongo music and refreshments.  The idea was inspired from Beth Newingham's site: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top_teaching/2010/05/poetry-cafe

The children could share an original poem or a favorite poem.  They could perform solo or with a buddy. We also organized a bake sale.

Here are some photos from the evening...I wish I took more.  (I was too busy) The night was a great success!  I will post their Poetry Books on another Post.