No Homework?... Inform the Parents

As we get ready to go back to school, I spend the most time thinking about things that worked for me and my students last year and the things that didn't work as well as I had hoped.
One tactic that has worked well for several years (though I was blessed not to need it much last year) for me is notifying the parents of no homework....
I'm not a huge fan of homework, but as the students get older, it's harder to avoid ALL the time. So, when I assign it, I think it's something important! And, if it's an advanced class, it's an even bigger deal if a child shows up without homework.
I know it's not a perfect world, but in many cases, parents can and will be your #1 support system! Keep them informed!
So, I thought I would share the little note I send home. You can download it straight from Google docs! It's just a simple, basic form to keep on hand, should the need arise! Hopefully not! :)

Parent Information Document

Hope you are gearing up for a new school year!
Please tell us in a comment below...
WHAT IS your favorite tool, tip, or tactic you find very successful in your classroom?

Give Your Bulletin Board a Makeover!

Okay, so after I randomly decided to move bookshelves to another wall, I decided to paint my office/living room area! That turned into hating the ugly and plain bulletin board I had in it. So, I began pulling out paints from the mudroom!

Bulletin Board Before 

Painted Board with Primer, Frame with Patina Blue

Added some swirls and circles...a little trim at top and bottom

Now I'm thinking, I'm putting this in my classroom. Maybe I'll make a place to hang an agenda, make up work notes to students, activity schedule, or some other type things...I could use it for centers, etc. Really, there's always tons of things you need a bulletin board for in your room right?

I thought I would share what I ended up with! It also got me started working on more labels for organizing and other things!

Okay--So, I'm heading back to tackle a black cabinet! Wanting to paint it now too! Wow...no wonder my husband has been gone all day. Ha! 

Have a great rest of the weekend!

A Series of Educational Sites: "E"...The Problem Site!

I landed on another fun site you may/may not know about...
The Problem Site!
Students will jump all over extra computer time to play free online educational games! They can also engage in lots of other fun interactive skill-polishing activities on The Problem Site!
Just to give you an idea, here are a few games offered on the site:

• Picture Word Game
• Hangman
• Secret Number 2
• Zero Gravity Connect Four
• Subtraction Triangles
• The Pirate's Map
• Treasure Hunt

My thoughts?

I must say that I am pretty impressed with how many avenues of topics and levels this site covers. It really get students to think, as it did me. There's a lot to gain from extra problem solving activities and good brainteasing challenges.  I love that it also has daily online puzzles, a reference/resource page to use in research and other projects, printables to easily and quickly create, and brainteasers! Just let them explore and see what they like! I think you'll find something for most any student. 

Why use interactive sites in the classroom?
We all have students, or perhaps children, that love interactive games and playing on the computer! Let them utilize the site when extra time allows them use on computers or when you just want to give them some extra challenge time! Computer time is always a great reward or incentive for promoting good classroom behavior or achieving goals academically!

Have you heard about it? Let me know what you think about the site or if you already utilize it! I'd love to know your thoughts on using computer time as a reward or motivator in the classroom too!

Easily Manage Your Classroom Library with a Simple System!

Download from Google Docs Here! 

If you have a set of bookshelves in your classroom, designated as the "Classroom Library" for the students to use, you may like this chart I have loaded in a pdf format. Instead of having to remember to write down a book title and student name when someone wants to check out one of my personal novels in the classroom, I keep a 1/2" binder with multiple copies of this chart inside. Of course, my students always know to ask before borrowing a book, but if they want to read one of my books at home, more power to them! They just get my approval and fill out the chart with the student name, book title/author (book # if you are that organized!) and the check out date. When the books are returned, students fill in return date and have me initial beside the return date before the book is returned to the shelf! Easy to manage and less for me to remember is what I'm all about these days!

I've uploaded this FREEBIE  in Google Docs, so you don't even have to go to my store to get it! I created a cover page to slip in the clear pocket on the cover of a binder you may use or it can be taped on front of a folder! Hope you can use it!

Please let us know if you have a tip to share for keeping up with those "tedious" things that eat up time, but still need to get done! I'd love to hear new ideas as I'm sure others would like to know too! Have a great day!

Connecting You to a Series of Spectacular Educational Sites: A

Educational Site: "A"

Utilizing fun, interactive, and educational web sites in the classroom and at home is important for engaging children in learning!  "Why?" you ask. Well, besides the fact that it is indeed 2012, our students were born and immediately exposed to "boocoodles" of technology gadgets and gizmos that most of us probably couldn't fathom being invented when we were kiddos! Boy would I have loved some of today's "toys" when I was a tot! MOST importantly, we are all learners and we learn in different manners! I, for one, have to have interactive material and visual material if you want  me to learn and truly understand some things! And...students need stimulation! Since they come to us with a wealth of knowledge in technology by middle school and high school, already exposed to tons of it from birth on up, we have to incorporate it into our lessons today! It's what they know! 

I'm am beginning a series of posts featuring resourceful, interactive, and/or hopefully fun teacher resource sites or student-friendly sites of various sorts that you can use in your lessons and classes for multiple things! 


Today's Post is obviously "Educational Site: A" to represent day #1! It's just a series of posts I've decided to incorporate with the other things I like to blog about here.  (No particular schedule) However, you'll recognize them by the titles! So, if you haven't already, maybe you can keep track by following via email! 


So, Today's Educational Site: A:

QUIZLET

PERKS You'll Love...

• Cool Tool for Mobile Studying
• Teachers can create materials
• Students can create flashcards and other items
• Games
• PDF printables
• Smart Board Options
• You can set up groups
• It offers competitive study games 
• Demo Videos
• AND...there is Quizlet BLOG 
• and on and on and on and on

How many of you knew all this already? If you didn't, then I've accomplished something today, and that was to show you a useful educational site that you will certainly enjoy!

Explore some of the cool features on Quizlet here!

It is packed full of teaching resources/materials and student resources/links/etc. Wow! This site is actually one I always keep on my classroom web site in my student resource list!

If you are a QUIZLET fan already, can you tell us how you use it and your favorite thing about it?

Regards,

It's That Time...

SALE TIME! Quick, Quick post to let you know I've put every item, digital and used hard good, in my store on sale all day March 28th and 29th!! 

I've posted several test prep teaching tools you would certainly find useful, as well as some new freebies! 22 Freebies in all! Become a follower because I have many more freebies in the making, as I am a contributor to Classroom Freebies Too! Obviously, I'll be creating many new free downloads, especially as the summer nears! Have a great rest of the week! It's downhill from here--Wonderful Wednesday!

See a few freebies right here:

Hope to see you in my TpT store!!!

P.S. What types of classroom items do you look for most often? 

If you have an idea for a freebie you'd like to see posted, leave it in a comment below! I would love for you to share your ideas!

Where do my students go when they leave the room?

Do you keep documentation of who leaves the room and when?
Do you record when they come back?
Do you have any idea why this would be such an issue?

Some upper elementary teachers may have a need to keep up with this, but middle school and high school teachers should especially keep up with our kiddos' ventures from the classroom!

You see, some darlings like to amble about the halls, some waving into other classrooms, some ending up in the restroom when they should've been in the library checking out those books, or maybe some should be headed to the office and decided to make a pit stop somewhere else! Plus, if you are in a large school like I am, there are tons of places to go!

What happens next? You are asked where your student was and why he/she was not where you thought-- Or maybe, a fight breaks out in the restroom (unfortunately, it's a reality) and principals have to narrow down students to question---if they ever are able to get to the bottom of the situations! So, they need your help and you would be able to provide it this way.

That's when the Sign Out/In Sheet becomes a golden tool! You are able to provide sufficient documentation that a student was in fact in a designated area between the times of 9:00-9:08 or that the student blamed was back before the time projected on the hall cameras....either way, having this information recorded can be of great value to you, the students, administrators, etc.

We just never know!
So, download this free template I created this week (I ran out of copies of my old one, and imagine this---I couldn't find the template anywhere)! You can post it on the inside of your classroom door! Attach a pen/pencil next to it! Students do not think of leaving my room before signing out, and, of course, signing back in upon return!

Have a great weekend and holiday Monday (if you're off..)!!

ALSO: IF YOU HAVE A FREE PRODUCT TO SHARE, HOP OVER TO TEACHING BLOG ADDICT AND LINK IT UP ON THEIR BLOG! 

OR--DROP BY TBA TO FIND MORE FREEBIES THERE FOR FREEBIE FRIDAY!