Classroom Management & a FREEBIE!

Classroom Management & a FREEBIE!!!

One thing that I have used my ENTIRE teaching career is hand signals. I saw a few different teachers use them in my field experiences and my first year as a tutor. I changed them to meet the needs of my classroom and they have been one of the biggest time savers I have ever found. I use a few of the signals but I changed some things too.

Here are the ones that I personally use in my classroom.

The first signal is the restroom signal, it is the sign language symbol for "R". This makes my life so much better! One of my biggest pet peeves is when I call on a student and they ask to use the restroom. If one of my students hold their hand and fingers like this, I know they need to go, and I can either say YES, NO or just nod my head.

The second hand signal I use in my classroom is the sharpen pencil signal. My other pet peeve is a student sharpening their pencil while I'm talking. I have the students hold their pencil up and all I have to say is YES, NO, or WAIT.

The next hand signal is water. I have a fountain in my classroom, and as long as I'm not talking they can get up and get a drink. However, sometimes they like to or need to get up and go to the water fountain in the hallway. They made a W with their hand/fingers. And again, all I have to say is YES, NO, or WAIT.

 Last but not least, if they have a question, comment or concern, they just raise their hand!

Tissues- students in my class can get a tissue whenever they need one. ( Unless it becomes a problem but it never has before!)I did add a poster if you would like them to use a hand signal instead.

 The other posters  included in this FREEBIE are agree, disagree, ready to learn.

This product also has four different background choices!

FIND THIS FREEBIE IN MY TPT STORE NOW BY CLICKING HERE!

Class Dojo!

Class Dojo

Find my class dojo pack here :)

I have been using Class Dojo ( www.classdojo.com) is my classroom for over three years now and I LOVE it. I even gave a professional development presentation on it! I love how the students respond to it, I LOVE being able to message parents and send them pictures of their children doing awesome things in the classroom.

What don't I love? I don't love the free resources they have available, so I made my own like many have! I have been revising and changing the way I use class dojo and my resources and feel like I finally have it exactly how I want it!

First of all, I stay very consistent. I use it every single day, and always have my volume up on my computer! That way, the students know exactly when they are getting a positive or negative point. I try very very hard to make 95% of the points I give my students positive. Most of the negative points are whole class negative points from talking too loudly, after they have been warned several times.  Here are some examples of what I use for positive and negative points, I usually just add them as I need them throughout the school year!

Each Friday, at the end of the day we "turn in" our weekly points. I, like many, want this to be a great incentive for my students as well as, keep myself sane! haha! So because of that, my students must turn in all of their points, and there are no "roll over" points! They add up their points ( if they switch classes) on a scrap piece of paper. Then they turn them in by subtracting what they want. I use mostly all coupons so that I do not have to purchase anything. I still buy pencils and erasers and a few other little things. If you just want to purchase my reward coupons you can find those here. :) Printer-Friendly-Classroom-Reward-Coupons-with-Rewards-Point-Menu-759233 This process takes us about 15-20 minutes every Friday afternoon, but my students LOVE using the coupons in class!

I also use a bin I found at Joanns to help keep them organized and clutter free! :) Here is a picture how I store them!

Tribal & Arrow Classroom Posters!

Tribal & Arrow Classroom Posters!

Since I'm moving to 4th grade next year, I decided I need a whole new classroom theme. I made these for my classroom next year, and thought you would enjoy them too!

Classroom posters for your tribal or arrow themed classroom. There are a few different options for each poster, and one with a white background for easier printing. 

Posters included:

1. Explore (2 different options)
2. Welcome to Our Tribe (2 different options)
3. Be Yourself (4 different options)
4. Follow Your Dreams (2 different options)
5. Follow Your Heart (3 different options)
6. Follow Your Arrow (3 different options)
7. Adventure Awaits (2 different options)
8. Dare to be Different (2 different options)

Please contact me with any questions, concerns or comments at TeachCoachLead410@gmail.com

Find them in my TPT store.

Follow the link below...

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tribal-Arrow-Posters-2616141

CUBES Posters

Math Strategy

CUBES

Tribal Themed Posters

CUBES Posters

I use the CUBES strategy in my classroom every single day. In the beginning of the year I model the strategy, and by the end of the year the students are expected to do it on their own. They use it on homework and assessments.

C-Circle key numbers
The most important part of this for students to understand is that they should only be circling numbers that are going to be used to solve the problem. They should not be circling numbers that have no part of the problem or they do not need to solve. If they circle one and find out later they don’t need it, I just have them put and X over it! 

U-Underline the question
This is where you can stop and model aloud by saying “what exactly do they want to know or want me to solve”

B- Box any math action words
These words include sum, difference, in all, multiply, of, divide, share between and many many more math action words. 

E- Evaluate & Eliminate
Evaluate simply means to think through and figure out “ what steps do I take to solve?” 
Eliminate means just that, eliminate any extra information that isn’t necessary to solve or information could be confusing.

S- Solve and Check
This is where students need to solve, and remember to check their answer. 

I use this with my 4th and 5th graders. It is extremely helpful to many students, and really helps them understand word problems. I have taught all ranges of learners and this is something that can be helpful to all students.  I have even printed smaller copies and taped it to the student desks.

Find them in my TPT store!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CUBES-Math-Strategy-Posters-Tribal-Themed-2590460

This past year has been insane! In Ohio we have to complete a 4 year, yes you read that right, 4 year mentor program called resident educator. During your third year, you have to submit a bunch of documents to the state, they grade it, and you have to pass to move onto your professional license. Because I had such a fantastic support system throughout the program I completed my 4th year last year, and have moved on to my professional license! So this past year I was finishing the RE program, finishing my masters, which I did an accelerated program and finished in about 16ish months, and was coaching basketball. I promised myself when all that was over, I wanted to focus on sharing and collaborating more with other teachers. I believe that we should all be collaborating and working together.  I also want to share my ideas with others. Since I am moving to 4th, I will be creating a lot of new products that I will be using this coming year in my classroom. The first thing I did was make a science word wall. I think it is so important for students to understand vocabulary, especially science in younger grades. I am also a HUGE supporter of integrating language arts into anything I can. So here is my first product since my crazy long absence.

This product is based off of Ohio's New Learning Standards for 4th grade science. You can click on the link to find this in my TPT store.

          https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/4th-Grade-Science-Word-Wall-2585527

Just Married! :)

Wow! I cannot believe this day came and now has gone so quickly. I have been completely emerged in wedding planning that I have been neglecting my blog, it's so sad! So I promised myself after the wedding, I would blog at least once a month, and create a new TPT product. I do not know how some of you wonder women do it all the time! My summer is coming to an end, and I will be heading back into my classroom next week to start setting up shop. :) 

July 26, 2014...The Best Day Ever

Puppies, Go Math and 5th Grade Science, Oh My!

First, lets start with my handsome boys! They are getting so big so fast! They are 25lbs and growing!  

This year is my first year teaching 5th grade math and science. I have a regular class and an inclusion class. I was wondering if anyone uses Go Math, and had any thoughts on it. I like it, but was wondering what people use for a spiral review,  I feel like the ones they provide aren't enough. I did purchase a packet off of TPT, but just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions! 

Also, since this is my first year teaching 5th grade science, I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of good resurces/websites to use?

Thanks for the help! 

-Britt