More Classroom Organization Tips

I found a great website from scholastic that lists 100 classroom organizing tips. It really has some terrific ideas for keeping your classroom organized. Organization is a problem area for me so I am hoping that I can really get myself straight this year!

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/100-classroom-organizing-tricks

Another great tip I learned from a friend is to use this countdown timer on your projector when you are trying to keep things going smoothly. This is not only for my students but for myself as well. I tend to get off track when teaching sometimes!

 (Thanks Caitlyn!)

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/countdown-timer/

I am so unorganized that I start a To Do List and lose it right after I have written it.  This year I have created a To Do List that I plan to laminate and use everyday when I leave school. I'm going to staple it to my polka dot cork board so I won't lose it!  I will also have Student End of Class Checklists Posted on large chart paper and in their individual folders.

 

Teacher End of the Day Check List:

o             Clear board/write up homework

o             Clear off desk and straighten top drawer

o             Straighten files and file papers

o             Look at or start To Do List

o             Set out anything for tomorrow am

o             Pack up Laptop/lunch box/papers to grade

Student End of Class Checklist:

o             Check that you have correctly written    down homework

o             Empty Desk except for Dictionary

o             Clear any trash out that is in or around your desk

o             Put up Binder/Notebooks in ORDER

o             Put back any borrowed pencils or highlighters

Beginning of Class Checklist:

Always have out:

• Sharpened pencil (sharpen NOW if it’s not)
• Homework folder and planner
• Independent Reading book

On Writing Days:

Writing Binder

On Reading Days:

Read Aloud Notebook

Reading Notebook

Be in your seat when the bell rings, ready to rock and roll. 

 Hope this helps!

P

Using Article of the Week to Increase Vocabulary and Background Knowledge

If you don't know this already, I love, LOVE, LOOOOVE Kelly Gallagher. I try and use as much of his ideas as possible in my classroom. It's kind of a joke amongst my other english teachers. My husband is a little worried ;)

My favorite KG idea is his infamous Article of the Week:
http://kellygallagher.org/resources/articles.html

It is a great tool to use to increase student's vocabulary as well as build their background knowledge regarding the world around them. Science and Social Studies teachers really appreciate it when you give your students a little boost in what they are learning through non-fiction texts. It also helps students with our English/Language Arts standards which requires them to analyze and comprehend non-fiction texts.

Lindsey and I are fans of using tweentribune.com for articles. We require this as a weekly homework assignment. But first, on Mondays, we introduce the article and read it in class. Depending on our students, it's read aloud by the teacher or read in pairs or silently.  I also like to do this activity on Mondays from this awesome book Making Thinking Visible:

http://books.google.com/books?id=KtVmUjwhTbMC&pg=PT145&lpg=PT145&dq=word+sentence+phrase+making+thinking+visible&source=bl&ots=b0qUdtCyyR&sig=Kyh8lmVOlnQli5a-N4MSHyPz0pM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3rXzUeLLCLWo4AO38YGgAw&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=word%20sentence%20phrase%20making%20thinking%20visible&f=false

Students also spend lots of time "turning and talking"  about the article. We pick articles that are relevant to what we are learning about and/or the students can make connections with.

 http://old.newteachercenter.org/collaborative-discussions/turn-and-talk/plan

Here is an example below of what a nightly homework assignment might look like:

Monday-  Read the article/mark your confusion. Write any questions or comments you have on the side. Underline any vocabulary words that you are still unsure of.

Tuesday – Find words to complete the chart below according to the part of speech.

verb	adjective	noun	adverb

Wednesday- Write a super sentence about the main idea of this article. Be sure to think about unique sentence beginnings when you are revising your sentence. Remember to also make sure that you wrote a complete sentence and not a sentence fragment or run on 

Thursday- Write a one paragraph (5 to 8 sentences) reflection on the article. Be sure to include at least one of the vocabulary words and examples from the text that support your thoughts.  Possible topics:

·         What surprises you about this article and why?

·         Are you left wondering anything after reading? What from the text leaves you wondering?

We also pick between 3 to 5 vocabulary words from the article to study for the week. On Friday, they are given a quick quiz about the vocabulary. It really helps when vocabulary is taken from something the students are reading and is made RELEVANT. :)

These articles are also occasionally used for our Socratic Circles which we do every couple of weeks. If you have not starting using socratic circles in your classroom, please start researching them! They are an incredible way to stimulate class discussion and analyze a text in a deeper and more meaningful way. It's an amazing event to watch and very simple to do.  

Lindsey and I have also taken the AOW idea and used it to help our student's analyze songs and poetry. We use the same format but change a few of the questions. The student's really love when we pick a song they like (Taylor Swift!) or a poem that relates to something they are studying in SS or Science. They love making connections.

This year we want to give the articles and poems for the first semester but second semester we are going to turn it around on the students. They will be responsible for finding articles and creating questions. Hopefully we will have modeled it enough the first semester so that this becomes an effective activity.

I hope this was helpful! What are some ways you use non-fiction texts in your classroom?
:)
P

What I learned From Last Year...

My Partner In Crime Lindsey (Co-Dept Chair & fellow 6th grade teacher & friend) and I have been planning all summer for the upcoming school year. This will be our second year teaching in middle school after many years of teaching elementary school. We have learned a few things from our first year with the big kids. Here are a few reminders for any new middle school teacher...

First, BE ORGANIZED. I rolled into middle school thinking it was going to be so easy because I was going down from 7 million subjects to just one. While this was a nice change (I hated teaching math and science) it does not mean you can be slack about your organization. Why? Because instead of 20+ kids, you now have 80+ kids. You have got to have your stuff together! Know where you are going to have students turn in stuff and where they are going to keep and find certain things. Also, know where you are going to keep graded papers and when you are going to pass them back.

Second, have a PLAN. Map out a calendar of everything you want to teach- at least for the first 9 weeks. We are planning for the entire year with our calendar. It's going to make my life so much easier. I won't always be running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

Third, give your students JOBS. Yes, just like in kindergarten, your students can and should have jobs. It will make your life so much easier. I plan on having Paper Passer Outers, Paper Picker Uppers, Desk Wipers, Library Organizers, and Absent Student Helpers. I plan on having my kids keep their jobs for the whole year but you can certainly rotate every 9 weeks. I want mine to volunteer. I suspect it will many of my girls or maybe some fidgety boys!

Fourth, make your room PRETTY. I flew in last year from a wedding in England the night before Teacher Work Week. I got in at 1 am. I had to report to work at 8. As you may or may not know, teacher work week is NOT the week to get your classroom organized! If your principal is wonderful, they will let you in the building before that week to get set up. My room last year looked like a total blah wreck. I always said it had thrown up on itself.  This year I am already planning my layout and design. I will post pictures when I start working on it in August! I can't wait! If you can't get in before work week, at least have a plan. Map out what you want it to look like and where you want everything to go, including the walls. This is something I have been working on since June.

 

Fifth, have your class schedule DONE. You can always make tweeks as you get to know your students and abilities but at least have some idea of what you are going to do everyday! See calendar above. I have  separate reading and writing days for my students. It's really the only way you can focus on their reading or writing craft.

Here is my schedule:

Our Schedule

(We will have Reading OR Writing days. Never both. You need to have chunks of time devoted to each discipline!)

Writing Days:  Mondays and Wednesdays

You will need your Homework Folder/ IR Book and Writing Binder

Article of the Week-5 Minutes (10 minutes on Mondays)

Independent Reading-10-15 Minutes

Status of the class-2 to 3 minutes

Writing Mini-lesson: 5 to 10 minutes (Writing traits/editing/ideas/Author’s Examples)

Writing: 35 minutes (during this time, I will be floating around the room checking on your writing/helping with editing/ discussing your goals or sitting at my desk conferencing with you or other students)

Share Time: 3 to 5 minutes

Clean Up: 2 to 3 minutes (Organize notebooks or binders/clean up floor/empty and clean desks)

Reading Days:   Tuesdays and Thursdays (Library is every other Thursday)

You will need your Homework folder/ IR Book/Reading Notebook and Read Aloud Notebook

Article of the Week: 5 Minutes (10 minutes on Mondays)

Mini Lesson:-10 to 15 Minutes

Small Group Time:-10 to 15 Minutes

Status of the class: 2 minutes

Independent Reading-20 to 25 Minutes (during this time I will float around the room conferencing with you about your reading and goals)

Notebook reflection/sharing: 5 minutes- (Notebooks/ Discussion of what you are reading)

Read Aloud: 10 to 15 Minutes

Clean Up: 2 to 3 minutes (Organize notebooks/binders/clean up floor/empty and clean desks)

Fridays will consist of your Independent Reading Time and/or Socratic Seminars/Journaling Responses with Partners/ Read Aloud Time and Notebook Checks & Vocabulary quizzes or tests.

This is going to make my life so much easier next year. Lindsey and I both dealt with deaths in our families last year and we were not adequately prepared like we will be this year if anything happens. Thankfully we have phenomenal teammates but this will make everyone else's lives a lot easier! What are your suggestions for starting the year off on the right track?

On my nightstand... July 25, 2013

On my nightstand....

Just finished Legend by Marie Lu...what a great dystopian ride that was... I am a huge fan of powerful women protagonists and June does not disappoint! Day, the robin hood like counter protagonist, is equally as awesome. I can not wait to read the next book in the series Prodigy! I have already started searching the Internet for when the movie is coming out. The entire time I was picking out a cast in my head as I read the book... 

Also finished this week...I Am The Messenger by Marcus Zusak. He is such a brilliant writer. His use of word choice and how he creates the tone in his books is one word-magical. I could just bathe in his words.
It was a very intriguing book about doing what is right and the question-"Do all lives have a purpose?"
Beautiful.

Started The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963. It seems very good but I just can't get out of my Dystopian obsession at the moment.. I will get back to it though..I have another beach week coming up. My in-laws will be there so I get lots of beach reading time while they willingly watch the boys!

Up next for me...
Unwind by Neal Shusterman (Love his book Bruiser)
The Death Cure (3rd book in the Maze RunnerTrilogy)
Divergent (I bought this for Father in Law at Xmas time- not sure why it's taken me so long to read!)
What Came from the Stars By Gary Schmidt
Wonder by RJ Palacio
Life of PI (started it but put it away for a bit) I need quiet time to read that one.
Sunrise over Fallujah Walter Dean Myers (Started it but put it down for a bit. It's kind of confusing with all of the soldiers and the nicknames. I am going to finish it though because it's definitely one that my 6th grade boys will enjoy )

Finally convinced my history teacher husband to read A Long Walk to Water... Besides Dystopian and Realistic Young Adult Fiction.. I also love books about survivors in the absolute worst of situations that we can not even imagine.... Between Shades of Gray and Memoirs of  a Boy Soldier are a couple that just tear your heart strings out and make you thankful for every single thing that you have on this earth. I'm glad Landon's reading it. He loves the historical aspect of it and it can only help him to become an even better teacher!!!

Ok off to start The Death Cure on the kindle. Thank you free library downloads!! Whoop Whoop!

Pinterest Stalking for Back to School STUFF

When I'm not re-reading my favorite teaching books (see yesterday's post)I have been busy creating lots of new schedules, letters, etc for the new school year. My husband thinks I am insane. The funny thing is he's a teacher too (social studies) but has only ever taught high school. Well he just accepted a new job at the middle school near our house and I think he's in for a whole new world!! He's been cruising in high school mode for the past 10 years. This year will be interesting. He is excited though for the new challenge. 

I wanted to share a a few of the Pinterest ideas I will begin the year with..

http://teach-bake-love.blogspot.com/2012/09/no-homework-binder.html?m=1

She has  a TON of classroom organization ideas. Thank you!!! I copied her homework binder idea. I am hoping to really utilize this next year!!

I am also using this paperwork tracker that was posted on Teach123-school! So smart!

http://teach123-school.blogspot.com/2012/01/organization-3.html

More ideas to come...

Right now I've got to get back to my book. I'm finally reading The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Not sure why it took me so long. A good amount of my 6th grade boys were so into this last year and now I know why! It's mysterious, creepy and I have no idea how anyone can even come up with these crazy ideas. Did you know there's a movie coming out about it on 2/14/14? Putting it on the calendar. Holla! My husband will not be thrilled on how I want to spend our Valentines Day!
 

Must Have Reads for the Middle School English Teacher

This week I am away at the beach (Emerald Isle, NC) with my besties and a few of our kiddos. It’s so nice to get away and not have to worry about anything! My husband says all we talk about is work (they are both educators too) and while we do talk about that  A LOT, it’s certainly not the only thing. We have had a few dance parties, eaten way too much food and laughed endlessly at each other. Elijah, my youngest child, is with me. Brady is spending one on one time with Daddy at home. 

                                       Eli's chillin like a villian....

I have had some time to start planning for next year. This time of the year is so exciting for me. Even though I’m teaching summer school part-time(first graders-no comment) My good friend Lindsey (co-department chair and true partner in crime) and I have been cranking out some amazing plans for next year.

Besides, endless hours of stalking PINTEREST (I mean it’s really changing the sharing of information for teachers isn’t it? It’s simply amazing) I have been reading and rereading a few MUST-HAVE books, that to me are absolute non-negotiables for any English teacher.

Gay Ivey & Douglas Fisher’s Creating Literacy–Rich Schools for Adolescents
I was assigned this book when I was getting my master’s degree in Reading. It’s by far one of the best books I have ever read in terms of teaching middle school English. As a department chair, it’s value is immeasurable.  The Quality Indicators for Secondary Literacy are a must have for anyone who is trying to create and run an effective literacy rich school. Teachers, Department Chairs and Administrators should all have this book on hand. 

 

Nancy Atwell’s In the Middle and The Reading Zone   
In The Middle is like the bible of relevant middle school English teaching. If you have never read it, get on Amazon right now and order it!! This book will remind you about why you became an English teacher and how to really ignite your student’s love for it too. Her follow up, The Reading Zone has even more great mini-lessons and ideas for any language arts teacher. If you are a Donalyn Miller follower, then you will love her predecessor Nancy Atwell) 

 

Marilyn Pryle’s Writing Workshop in the Middle School
I cannot wait for the next school year to start my Writer’s Workshop. This chick is one smart lady. For anyone that wants to try Writer’s Workshop in the middle school, get this book immediately. Pryle spells it all out for the secondary teacher, from laying the groundwork to different levels of assignment difficulty. She covers everything. I can’t wait to try all of  her great ideas. Plus, there are so many pages that are already pre-made and ready to copy!

 

ANYTHING written by Kelly Gallagher. (My coworkers think that I have a tinsy winsy little crush on this man. Apparently I talk about him a lot. But I’m sorry, he’s a freaking genius. I’m trying to figure out how to write a grant so I can go stalk (I mean observe) him in his classroom. Everything he writes is relevant and amazing. Currently, I am re-reading his Write Like This book which really hits on the importance of writing in today’s world.) But Reading Reasons, Readicide and all of his other books just simply rock. 

*I have seen him in person by the way. He came and spoke at Longwood University last summer and I had a front row seat! It was awesome! I managed to control myself*

 

Mechanically Inclined by Jeff Anderson
We all know that grammar is a big old pain in the butt to teach. Not because we don’t want to teach it- Ok I really don’t -but some people do like it. But because it’s so hard to actually teach and have kids absorb and apply it. Jeff has some GENIUS ideas on how to make grammar teaching relevant and doable. This book has mini-lessons and explains how to effectively move grammar teaching into your Writer’s Workshop. Yay! I love his comma wall idea too, which I am so doing next year.

 If you are new to the classroom, or a veteran teaching looking to freshen up some of your language arts instruction, grab these books immediately! They will change the way you look at teaching in your classroom.  What other books do you think are non-negotiables?