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Kathleen - Hi! Are you organizing for a new school year?
Kathleen - Do you find that you don't always recognize your own organizational abilities until someone else watches and says, "Hey, that's a great idea!" ?
Kathleen - I wish there were a way to organize my desk. It always turns into mountains of papers
jpm - i have no organizational abilities
mary - my desk was terrible last year
Kathleen - How do you all keep your desk organized?
Kathleen - Carol, you seem to be ok now. :-)
Carol/Tn/4 - I try to file everything as soon as I can.
Kathleen - I keep one box on my desk for only the things I really need to attend to. Sometimes it's about 8 inches deep with paper, but I know that everything in that box has to be read or filled out at some point
mary - i would have to take time every friday afternoon to clean it up
jpm - i don't have a desk =(
mary - i could never leave my desk dirty for the weekend
¤êrã§êr¤ - I got rid of my desk :)
jpm - i have a big white closet that is always a mess
Kathleen - Does each of you have one tip to share based upon what other people have observed you doing well, perhaps adopting your practice?
Michelle/5/IA - I don't have a desk either -
lee/sped - I need to keep my desk clear of a lot of "extras". I keep only one picture, and a cat figurine or two.
Kathleen - I'd like to get rid of my desk, but where would I put all the piles of papers???
jpm - nope i am looking for tips
mary - i just completed my first year teaching this past year so i think i was doing most of the learning
Kathleen - lee, tell us how you do it! Do you clear it at the end of every day?
Carol/Tn/4 - Well, one thing that I have done that a few other teachers have adopted is to use a literature organizer (I think it is called) to sort out my students' papers after I grade them. That keeps them in order and off my desk.
lee/sped - I try to clear it everyday, though that isn't always possible. If my desk isn't clear, my mind won't focus. If I don't do it after school, I do it before school.
jpm - i actually do have one tip i put all forms in a three ring binder accident forms/ illness forms/ behavioral observation forms
Kathleen - Here's a tip that seems to work well for people who have implemented the practice: In prep for the kids' arrival, place the same box on a table near the entrance, call it the Collection Box. Teach the kids that the Collection Box is where they drop EVERYTHING that is for the teachers' attention. Milk, lunch money. Book club orders, communication booklets, permission slips. That frees you up to interact and do other things, take care of the papers and money later when there is time, or your assistant can do it.
Kathleen - jpm, do you mean the forms that you use every year? That would save time, instead of searching for the forms when you need them. good tip
jpm - yes and with preschoolers it saves me lots of time always someone falling or getting sick
jpm - i put all the blank ones in a binder that way when something happens i just run to the cabinet and get the book called forms
Kathleen - Some people keep those forms in clear plastic sheaths, copy from it that way. Then the plastic covered sheet is easily identified as the original and can be re-filed for sure, won't be lost
Rosa - To grade Math homework easier and faster..I have them fold in the margin on the right...they list all the numbers of problems there and the answers as well...all work is on the paper to the left....and grading is easier.......I check the column or answers and see the work there too
dcbteach - I keep a binder with plastic file folders in it and just keep all notes from home, tardy slips, nurses notes, etc. in there. That has been a great time saver for me.
Kathleen - I've always insisted that parents send ALL money in sealed envelopes, label with child's name, purpose, amount. Saves a lot of time figuring out whose quarter is rolling around on the floor and what it's for
dcbteach - My plastic sheaths are numbered so that each child has one with their "magic" number on it
jpm - do you label each file folder for each child dcbteach
jpm - never mind
Fresno Flyer - Someone was talking about those stacks of papers. Last year someone suggested the students put their numbers in the right hand corners. I tried it and found that I had many more volunteer helpers for alphabetizing the papers for the gradebook than when I
Rosa - For bulletin boards I put all the smaller pieces in a folder and the words go in baggies in that folder as well.......I also take pictures of each board for reference
lee/sped - great idea, dcbteach!
Kathleen - Fresno, so the numbers corresponded to the child's place in the group alphabetically?
mary - fresno- i used a similar method for tests and that worked really well in my classroom as well
dcbteach - Fresno, my 1st graders put their number after their name on every paper
Fresno Flyer - Ooops, I guess I said too much. Anyway, the kids would rather put papers in order by number than name. (But we DO alphabetize other things.)
Kathleen - Taking pictures of displays and BBs during the year does make it easier to recall what you did in previous years
¤êrã§êr¤ - I used a game called homework monopoly. It worked great with my fourth grade class. It is mounted on the wall and we play in 10 - 20 minute intervals throughout the day. It was a great motivator as the kids did all the math calculations and kept track of the scores. I have templates in Power Point to send to those interested. The game board is modified to the street names of the children. GO TO JAIL = HOMEWORK ..you get the idea?
Rosa - Kathleen, for me it is great!! I also loan my things out at times to new teachers ... this helps them as well
lee/sped - Here is a question about student numbers: I am teaching at a Jr. Sr. High school, and I want to assign each student a number, but was advised to wait at least 2 weeks before putting names in my gradebook, due to kids coming back from the Career Center, and such. Is it OK to wait until the 3rd week to assign the numbers, or should I use a different numbering approach. (This original one involved numbering according to alphabetical order.)
dcbteach - instead of searching through a stack of paper or workbooks I have the children put a clothespin on a chart with their name on it when they turn it in. This was so I can see at a glance who hasn't turned what in.
Kathleen - lee, use pencil and change if necessary. Wouldn't your students be able to adapt to new numbers?
Kathleen - dcb, I haven't heard that tip before. another good one!
Kathleen - dcbteach, what grade/age are your students?
ali - Hello, I am teaching first grade for the first time and am just trying to get some ideas!
lee/sped - Good idea, Kathleen. I don't know...they might be able to. The only way to find out is to try, I guess. :-)
Shan - Hi all! I teach middle school science and use Pringles cans, baby wipe containers, shoe boxes, etc. to hold all of the items the kids need for their labs.
bookworm429 - I operate a stoplight system. Kids are quietly asked to turn a card when they are acting inappropriately. Starts with green, 1st offense turns to yellow 2nd to red, 3rd to black and a call to mom or day or a missed recess.
dcbteach - use tennis ball cans too for rulers
Sandy - Hello I am a new teacher and I am looking for the best way to organize my children's supplies
Fresno Flyer - Lee, if you are using an electronic gradebook and it doesn't automatically alphabetize your names, the add-ons could just come in at the end. Some gradebook programs automatically alphabetize names so when you add one, everything gets shifted.
dcbteach - i bought a hanging shoe bag and hung over my door. this way i can find my scissors, hole puncher, etc quickly when i need it
lee/sped - Thanks, Fresno
bookworm429 - also...just heard of a monopoly game for homework assignments. hang a monopoly board on the wall and kids move one space each time they return home work
bookworm429 - they get a prize or reward each time around. Chance cards like, go back, move ahead, switch places make it interesting.
becky - Got a good tip on the board last summer. Use a 3 ring binder with pocket folders. Keep it handy to immediately file any papers to take home to check.
Kathleen - bookworm, neat idea! So they are working toward a win? DO pass go!
bookworm429 - I just leveled about 100 books today and need storage ideas.
dcbteach - my assistant bought one of those plastic cutlery container that is upright - from the picnic area -for keeping her pens,pencils, markers in
pez - I bought a plastic tackle box to store my overhead numbers and letters.
Kathleen - Does anyone wear an apron or smock with pockets in order to keep important stuff handy?
Lars - I can relate to the number system question of lee's. There are always a few new students. All my math templates etc are numbered so we use the same number for everything, but they need to be given the 1st day so alphabetizing is difficult
bookworm429 - Each time they pass go they get a reward. About once every month.
Rosa - Spelling words or homework.......If they get an A no spelling homework that week........B...write two times........C three times........D four times F Five times that week.......most of my 6th graders never had spelling words to write for homework!
Kathleen - Any ideas to help bookworm store leveled books?
dcbteach - i have the children bring in empty Capri Sun boxes and cover them with contact paper. They are perfect for holding most books and sturdy
becky - Use small plastic baskets for levels books. Label with level numbers. Store on shelf.
lee/sped - bookworm, how about milk crates, on their sides, stacked in rows? Did that make amy sense?
bookworm429 - that was my thought too, considered hanging something from the door, but couldn't think of anything that would hold enough
Kathleen - Does anyone find clipboards good tools for use in keeping papers and pen together for record keeping, by students and teacher? Any special ways of making use of clipboards?
mary - any tips on keeping your classroom library organized
pez - I bought 4 section chip and dip trays to separate crayons at the tables. The middle dip section is just right for their glue sticks
dcbteach - bookworm how about hanging sweater bags that are partitioned like shelves
becky - I use several clipboards. Red lucite for math, green for science etc.
lee/sped - I use a clipboard to hold a sheet for appointments with me, and one to hold my sign-out sheet.
bookworm429 - I use a neon clipboard to hold my plans, that way as I wander I can always spot where I left it!
dcbteach - love clipboards for many things
pez - Kathleen, a really good idea came through the mailring the other day. Tape the index cards upside down and they create a flip chart
Kathleen - mary, I just read in one of the mailrings an idea using colors of the rainbow, and putting the books in the order of the colors of the rainbow. Kids can refer to a picture of rainbow posted nearby to help them remember where the color belongs
bookworm429 - dcb---good idea! wonder how expensive?
becky - I also have 24 brown cheap clipboards for the kids to use.
Nadine26 - Hi I'm looking for ideas on collecting papers. Homework, notes from home, etc.
mary - thanks, kathleen
Kathleen - bookworm, neon! that's a good tip, something to make it stand out. Every second is precious and that would cut down on lost time looking for it
dcbteach - the children like using them when they have work to finish but it is recess time
Kathleen - becky, do you find that clipboards hold a real fascination for kids?
bookworm429 - think I found neon pink, orange and yellow at Wal-Mart
dcbteach - the dollar store usually has them inexpensively
teach3tx - I keep individual files for each of my students for notes from home and other important info.
pez - I like to use clipboards when we are in total group on the carpet.
becky - They love them. Makes them feel like a teacher. Also makes work on the floor easier.
mary - i could use those round colored stickers to keep the different genres in their spots
dcbteach - joann fabrics has pretty lucite clipboards that were .99 now 60% off
bookworm429 - hey, if anyone uses personal white boards I have a cheap way to make them
bookworm429 - go to a store like home depot or lowes. ask for tile board and have them cut them to the dimensions you want. Then I bought colored electrical tape and taped the edges. They are great!
teach3tx - I don't collect homework I have two students check it for me and then when it is time for grades, if they have done their homework and they are border line I bump their grade up if they don't do it then their grade remains as is
Jody - is tile board the same as shower board?
bookworm429 - it might also be called shower board
becky - For me, I like the clipboards with the low flat clips. Takes up less space.
Fresno Flyer - If any of you live near a Pic 'N' Save, MacFrugal's Bargains, Odd Lots, or Big Lots stores, now is the time to get those Christmas craft supplies. They've put out all sorts of things. Watch for reductions before Halloween.
Rosa - Home Depot will donate a board for your classroom and cut them 12 x 12......you can use those boards to practice Math .....Spelling Words.....whatever......all you need to invest in is a pack of erasable markers......and then you have the boards year after year. Bring a letter to Home Depot on your school letter head
Jody - i thought about doing that how much did it cost?
Susan - debteach, is that every Joann's or just the one in your area? In our area, they are very stingy with that discount?
dcbteach - i hang clipboards on cup hooks under my chalk ledge and on the wall of closet with hooks
max - thanks rosa!!!!!!
becky - Good idea. School letterhead. Thanks
bookworm429 - Gee Rosa...wish I would have known that last year!! LOL would've saved 17 bucks!
becky - Joanne's will give a 10% discount for schools.
Kathleen - After this meeting, go to the Lessons Bank http://teachers.net/lessons and search the term: organizational tips. It will bring up post #1166 which is a compilation of chatboard posts on this topic.
Rosa - It is that white board....Not sure of the name......
teach3tx - My school had white boards made for each teacher with budget money
becky - 10% discount at Joanne's.
bookworm429 - any good ideas to reward positive behavior...my friend has a cookie bulletin board each student has a bag with 5 pretend cookies. every time they do something good they pin up a cookie. After 5 cookies, they get a real chocolate chip cookie.
dcbteach - i have upper grade students who come in the afternoon and they love to sharpen my pencils for me as i don't let the 1st graders do this
Jody - i am teaching a 2/3 combo class anyone have any good ideas for that situation?
Rosa - Borders Bookstore also gives a teacher discount Card...you need to bring in a pay stub from your school
Kathleen - Jody, do you need to do color coding for the 2 grade levels or are they blended?
Jan - does anyone have any good ideas for having 1st graders check in and order lunch?
Jody - we are using trade books, but i have color coded the silent reading books by colors
teach3tx - I pass out tickets (just cut up colored paper) for good behavior and they put their name on it and then in a ticket box. I go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of neat stuff and draw 5 to 6 names at the end of the month
dcbteach - jan i have a poster where they again use clothes pins with their names on it to tell
Jody - i am hoping that the 2nd graders are higher functioning since there are only 2 of them and the rest 3rd graders
Susan - Jan, I use sticks and they turn it from one side to the other to show what kind of lunch they want and if they are here.
lee/sped - Rosa. my pay stub doesn't have the school name on it...it is just a generic stub....will that work to get the discount, or should I bring in something else?
Kathleen - Jan, many people have kids clip a clothespin with name on the choice (lunch, etc.)
Rosa - Jan, how about placing a planter with cloths pin..as they enter take the clothes pin and stick in the planter the lunch envelope or form
Merlyn - Jan, we have picture on board and they put their name under the lunch they want or under the lunchbox if brought from home. Easy to see who is absent or forgot to order lunch
Susan - Does anyone have a good idea for organizing for the 4 block guided reading block?
Rosa - Lee, I would bring some sort of ID that shows you are employed at the school...maybe a letter from the Principal
becky - Divide paper in boxes, with student name in each. If they have lunch tickets, they place a ticket in name box. If packing then packing sign.Will that work?
teach3tx - we have so many lunch options that i just have to do a count of hands for lunch
pez - I don't have a lot of wall space to hang student's work, but I do have vertical blinds. i use the plastic clothespins to hang their work on the blinds
Rosa - Jan, you can put each of their names on the clothes pin
becky - At our Borders, you just fill out a card with school name and address etc on.They give you a discount card
bookworm429 - I saw a neat idea for lunch count etc...teacher took milk lids and pasted a picture of each child (from the permanent record) she put magnets on the back and would write the lunch choices on the board. Kids would move their pic to whatever choice they wanted. Also used them for tons of graphing exercises.
Kathleen - Jan, some people have name tags on magnets, posted on metal cabinet, children move their names to a category (a taped off space)
Rosa - Our Borders is picky
Jan - Yeah, I just wrote a grant for a digital camera. So many ideas!
*max* - I like the photo idea/multiple use also
Kathleen - I like that idea of using the kids' photos on magnets, easy to do, easy for even the youngest to use
Jan - I have to say, after 8 years of teaching, I find Staples and Office Max to have more things I need now. More than the teacher stores!
bookworm429 - any spec ed teachers with some ideas unique to our room situations?
pez - I have a button maker. I use it to make special recognition buttons
Jody - what kind of centers do you all use that you have found very useful?
*max* - I post the line order on the wall by the door, for each day (small sped class)
Rosa - I take a picture of each of the kids on he First Day of school........at the end of the year I give to the parents in a poem.........It is beautiful
Minni - Any Computer Studies bulletin board ideas?
*max* - I have centers listed and taped to their desk, they are color coded, I call out what color center to go to, especially useful if crisis in room and students need to be self-directed
bookworm429 - alphabet stamps, alphabet noodles, gluing exercise...write a topic on an index card then the child goes through magazines and catalogs to paste ideas relevant to the topic.
pez - I have a big book center and needed something to store all the books. I bought a large plastic tub and it's very easy for the children to browse the titles
Rosa - Minni...I am getting the sandwich boxes from McDonalds and making like a keyboard and writing welcome to Computer Lab
DawnMarie - I saw a great idea for pictures at a pre-k workshop. The teacher made xerox copies of each child and created a Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you see book with each child's pic. She sent it home with a student every night so that he/she could get to know his/her classmates
Jody - what centers do you have beside writing, listening, and self-selected reading?
Jan - I find that the kids handle color-coding things very well
Kathleen - Minni, something along the lines of "Monitor Your -------" (-------is KEY)
bookworm429 - save old calendars have students add rows and columns, Jody. See also earlier comments on alphabet stamps etc.
becky - Hang free AOL c.d.'s from ceiling by string for decoration.
Kathleen - If you have more than one group of students (such as a.m. and p.m. kindergarten classes) use a color for each. Everything for that group will be stored in a box of that color, their name tags are that color, etc
Jan - I am planning on taking pictures of my first graders this year and creating a quick newspaper with their name and having them tell 1 or 2 things about themselves, I'll send it home on the second or third day to everyone
bookworm429 - also use jigsaw puzzles as a center, and usually have an art center with a finished product. Students must figure out how to get to the end product on their own.
becky - How do you keep your desktop clean?
bookworm429 - not well, becky! LOL
**max** - I DON 'T
Kathleen - becky, LOL we all agreed we DON'T keep our desks clean! 8-/
pez - Is there such a thing as a clean desk?
Jan - I keep my desktop clean by putting all incoming stuff on my chair. Then I can't sit down till I sift through and put it all away
Rosa - Mini, you can spray paint the sandwich boxes.....
bookworm429 - i try to clean off my desk each day before I leave. I cant stand coming in to a messy desk the next day!
Kathleen - becky, some ideas include keeping file boxes right on top of the desk where you are forced to file papers into categories such as "URGENT" "Someday" "Maybe Never"
becky - So frustrating.Organized for 30 minutes and that's it.
bookworm429 - I also use the standing racks that you can stick papers, folders etc...in
becky - Maybe never. I like that.
Rosa - Mini...if you are doing a Unit on he Internet ... "Brush up on The Internet" Do paint cans and put the different things on it
Kathleen - I've always kept theme-related materials stored together in copy paper boxes (others buy rubbermaid)
bookworm429 - I keep a file box for the kids so they can turn in papers to the box, not my desk! Then I can get them as I want them. Helps with organizing.
Kathleen - Minni, the surfing theme might work, do you live near enough to the ocean to make that relevant?
Rosa - Old Mouses...." Tales to tell.."
becky - Does anyone in gr.3-4-5 meet on the carpet for group discussions etc?
bookworm429 - spec ed paperwork is overwhelming...I have to be somewhat organized or I would get lost under the mountain! :)
becky - Can't give up my carpet routine from old days in first grade.
Rosa - Becky, do picnic lunches with a group of kids ..that would be fun! Spread a blanket and eat together.....
Kathleen - Minni, exploring the Internet is often referred to as "surfing the net"
Kathleen - color coding groups, using kids' photos on magnets for charting lunch and graphing choices, clothespins with names on them to be clipped onto charts to indicate choices, clipboards hanging around the room for papers, forms. 3-Ring binders for keeping forms handy, what else?
becky - Shrink your class list and hang in a little pocket by door for last minute grabbing.
Kathleen - becky, that's a good idea for fire drills
becky - Got it from t.net last summer!
becky - Always have kids doing something independent after a special or break so they can come in and get started if you get held up for a minute or two.
becky - Helps prevent behavior problems. Keep em busy.
Kathleen - good point, becky. keep them engaged to avoid teacher being enraged :-)
Kathleen - Okay, I have to log off now. Thank you to all who came!
