How ' Bout Those Teachers?! Time for Some Major League Inspiration

We've come to that exciting time of year again...and I'm not just talking about baseball! It's fourth quarter- also known as the season when teachers reflect on the homeruns that made their classroom function more effectively during the school year as well as deciding what game-changers they need to implement next year.  I am blessed to work with some FANTASTIC elementary teachers that have discovered creative ways to encourage independent reading, optimize their organization, positively reinforce excellent behavior, learning habits, procedure following, and also display student work in a way that encourages ownership and pride.  Check out the photo playbook  for these teachers and see if it sparks some ingenuity in your world to guarantee a teacher win!

LIBRARY/READING CORNER

*Some common characteristics of these reading areas are inviting surroundings, organized book bins, comfortable setting, and easy student access.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INCENTIVES

Friday gum chewing is earned if students 'Keep
Your Bubble' during the week by listening and
not interrupting during instruction.



'Brag Bracelets' are worn with pride to show student
achievements.

'Brownie Points' are earned to
reinforce positive behavior
choices.

This class enjoys 'Warm
Fuzzy' reward time when their
jar is filled with pom-poms
representing acts of kindness.



BOOK ORGANIZATION



Class sets of literature are stored in magazine file boxes with
photos of the book covers on the outside making them
easy to locate.

Book bins can be color coded to match the Lexile level sticker
to aid students in searching for books that are at their level for
self-selected reading material.



Another way to organize self-selected reading books is to
label bins by topic and then show the Lexile level and quiz
availability with a coordinating label inside each book.

 

TEACHER ORGANIZATIONAL HELPS

Wheeled totes from Ikea hold supplies and fit under the
coat rack to conveniently roll out when needed.

Designating each shelving unit for a different subject and
labeling the materials on the shelves makes it easy to
find manipulatives and supplies.

Storing guided reading books, resource masters, study stations,
and school supplies in one area helps students be independent
at getting what they need during reading time.

Colorfully labeled bins can be an alternative to file cabinets
for organizing paperwork and sorting assignments/assessments.

A teacher organization board holds wall files for mail and
paperwork and  keeps calendars within view for a
clutter-free desk. Shelves with labeled canvas totes hold other
items used frequently that are too large for desk drawers.

STUDENT WORK/PHOTO DISPLAYS

*Effective use of wall/desk space, a welcoming atmosphere, and home-to-school connection are all characteristics to keep in mind when creating displays for student work and photos.

 

 

TEACHING STUDENTS TO USE RESOURCES AND PROCEDURES

Having a wall that is designated for anchor charts helps
students know exactly where to look for their learning resources.



A Word of the Week, Letter of the Week, and Number
of the Week bulletin board can assist students in keeping
 their attention on what the teacher chooses as the
main objective.

Keeping an uncluttered calendar area helps students
start the day clear and focused.

A key ring board becomes a space-saving birthday chart.

A dry erase board becomes a magnetic menu on which
students quickly  make their daily lunch choice.

Morning and afternoon procedures are
effectively taught using a visual photo reference.





The procedure for turning in reading logs is easy when students
put their log in the basket and then remove their name clip to
show completion.





Students always know where to find their supplies, where they will
be sitting, and when their center group is rotating by following
their group's mascot.



Sharing great ideas keeps all of us batting 1000 in our classrooms, so I really appreciate all of my
heavy hitter colleagues that contributed photos for this post!  We've almost made it to the end of spring series for 2015-2016 and I wish you the best as you bring it on home.  (Whew! It's a good thing...I've exhausted my baseball metaphors.)


*Thank you to all of these fine teachers for their contributions to this post: Sarah Tattershall, Brandi Frey, Michelle Robinett, Candace Bauer, Meredith Kliethermes, Bobbie Grant, Jennifer Wrye, Sara Wallis, Bobbie Underwood, Brittany Sneed, and Jennifer Tellman.