Wednesday Wisdom

It is time for another Wednesday Wisdom.  I am so glad we decided to host this linky.  I have learned so many tips and tricks of teaching.
Before I begin the topic this week, I need to announce the winner of my Attention Grabbers pack.  I used the random generator and the winner is...  Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!  Congratulations!!  I will be emailing you tomorrow.

The topic this week is "Can't Live Without".  What resources, products or teaching tools can you not live without in your classroom?  There are several items in my classroom that I can not live without.  So let's get started...

#1 Flair Pens:  I use them for almost everything.  I color-code my lesson plans, grade papers, write notes to parents and even label student supplies with Flair pens.

#2 Scento Markers:  I enjoy writing on student papers with Scentos.  The best part is when they walk to their mailbox smelling their paper.  No matter what I wrote on the paper... they still walk off smiling.  :)

#3 Lunch Pictures:  I know I have posted about these lunch pictures before, but I can't tell you how much it helps with my morning routine.  It sets the tone for the day when all students know exactly what is expected as soon as they arrive into the classroom.

#4 Color Word Signs:  Stephany made these color signs.  I refer to them all the time.  Students need them when writing, so I put them in various places of the classroom.  I keep a set by our calendar, word wall and writing center.  This set is so useful because their are several sizes and shapes included.

#5 Document Camera:  If you don't have a document camera, you need to get one.  I model writing on it daily.  I also use it for modeling with math manipulatives.

#6 Vera Bradley Identification Wallet:  I keep a few dollars, my key-card, my teacher id and my classroom door key all in this one wallet.

#7 Days of the Week Jumbo Clips:  I purchased these at the local teacher store.  They are two-inches wide.  I can not wait to put them to use.

#8 Plastic Document Holders:  These are awesome for station work.  They are durable and last forever!  The clear ones are great because you can put the covers for your in with your station and you can fit them right down in your filing cabinet!

What products can you NOT live without in your classroom.  Link up with your "must-haves"!

Made It Monday with a Freebie & chance to win

We are linking up with Monday Made It and Manic Monday today. 

I have thought a lot about behavior and classroom management this summer.  Some of the questions I keep asking myself are: What can I do differently in my classroom?  What parent communication needs to take place when there is a behavior problem?  How will I communicate positive behavior to parents?  What visuals do I need to have in place for my students to track their behavior?

We are a PBIS school.  PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.  PBIS consists of 4 elements: practices, data, systems and outcomes.  At the primary level our goal is to teach students expectations, manage behavior and problems before they occur and monitor progress using data.  Our school has a school-wide behavioral matrix.  The matrix is posted throughout the building. 

In addition to PBIS, I award students with Build Your Rainbow.  The rainbow behavior chart was inspired from Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten.

This year I will be using the following color-coded yard stick that I made with a few "at-home" items.  This stick will determine who earns their rainbow for the day.  If the student ends the day on green, blue, purple, or pink he/she will earn their piece of the rainbow.

It was simple to make and costs less than five dollars.  First, I purchased a yard stick at Lowe's for 69 cents.

Next, I painted the stick to match most color clip charts.  I wanted to use the same typical colors.

Finally, I came up with a chart to display next to the behavior stick.  Students will use clothespins with his/her name.  Positive choices will result in the clothespin going up.  Students have the ability to move the clip up and down throughout the day.  Students will begin each day on green.  Click here or the picture below to link to your free copy of the chart.

I also will use Stephany's "Secret Student" to reinforce good behavior.  You can read the blog post about the "Secret Student" here.  For your free copy, click the picture below.

Finally, I use Attention Grabbers for transitions and throughout the day.  Using attention grabbers helps reduce disruptions and eases transitions in the classroom.

Please let us know what works for you in your classroom.  What behavior strategies and classroom management tools do you use?  What tips and tricks help your classroom run smoothly?

We would love to hear from you.  Comment below and I will choose 3 random comments to win a copy of my Attention Grabbers.  Winners will be announced on our Wednesday Wisdom post.

Endless Possibilities,
Stephanie

Wednesday Wisdom- Technology

If you are lucky enough to have an iPod or iPad in your classroom you know that they can be great motivators for students.  There are tons of apps that teach and reinforce what your students need to learn.  You also know that keeping kids in the app that you want them in is usually not quite so easy!  You suddenly hear the sounds of birds flying through the air and pigs oinking and you know that someone has found their way to that Angry Birds app you just can’t bring yourself to delete.  

Here are step-by-step directions for keeping your students on task and on the right app.  I am showing this using my iPhone but these same steps can be used on iPods, iPads, and iPad Minis.

Link up below with a technology idea, tip or product that you would like to share!

Endless Possibilities
Stephany