New Year, New Room

I share my classroom with two other teachers, but I am lucky enough to have a wall =). I  put all my "guidance stuff" on the back wall. 

Everyone teases mea bout my love of animals and especially dogs, but I have found that using this theme helps me build a relationship with the kiddos.

The 1-5 paw chart is part of my "behavior plan." I clip the entire class up as they follow my three rules:

Be Remarkable

Be Responsible

Be Respectful

At the end of class I write their "score" in my grade book (#teacheranchor #cjayneteach). When the class has 5 5's they get a reward day. That's normally the day we watch a Trevor Romain video or do extra Go Noodles.

Students who do a great job get to "put their name in a cup." Each month I put out 6 books students can win. They put their name in the corresponding cup of the book they want to win. Then at the end of the month one student will be drawn and they win that to keep forever. It's part of my closing the gap plan to improve literacy scores.

The Martha Speaks board is to help isolate problem behaviors, such as blurting. I got the idea from the wise Amiee Dean, Behavior Queen. The students start with 10 bones and as the problem behavior occurs I take one away. So say for example the class keeps talking over me, we would focus on blurting. Each time someone blurts I take away a bone. However many bones are left at the end of class they get that many minutes to "free talk" or whatever reward I've decided on. 

Note: For your "problem students" you know your "Richards" as Amiee calls them I have a separate plan for them. I won't take away a bone if they blurt. They most likely have more individualized behavior plan, so I don't take away from the class for this behavior. I will however let them earn, so if they do raise their hand I might give a bone back. It's been very positive so far.

Speaking of my Teacher Anchor. I can't live without this amazing binder and planner from C Jayne Teach.

The Anchor is full of helpful worksheets and planning guides. When you factor in how organized it keeps me, helps me document my connection to common core standards, and keeps me solution focused for groups and individuals, it's worth every penny.

They sell out fast so make sure you pre-order! I love the personalization.

I use my binder for individual notes, small group notes, lesson plans, and meeting notes.

The Teacher Anchor contains this individual conference form, which I made copies of and put in a special section of my binder.

Here is the blank example:

Here is an example of how I use it for individual work. Don't panic, Brooklyn's furry confidentiality is safe. 

I need a class in crafty

Seriously, I feel like one of my grad school classes should have been "how to get your craft on in an elementary school."

I'm not crafty at all, but I do know awesome when I see and I can click a camera and share it so here we go.

This year's theme at our school is "making masterpieces" and our teachers have really gone all out:

Our school is "Lotts" so it's not a misspelling. The caption is "Creating Lotts of Masterpieces in 4th Grade." Genius.

 

I love coming down the hallways and seeing these fun paint cans. The students names are in each color. 

It really brightens up the halls and makes them fun.

5th grade has some "Masterful Creations"

They covered the clothes pins with these cute paint brushes from a border. These little details make me so happy.

Daydreaming about classroom decor

This weekend I was out and about and wandered into Hobby Lobby where I found these fun finds on clearance. Even on clearance they were well above my price point, but a girl can dream right!

Post-it days of the week cork board.

Chalk board with a calendar on the top and things to do at the bottom.

Metal USA

Alphabet dresser

The perfect display case for a brit.

New Year, New School

There is nothing quite like changing schools mid year! Yep, I moved. It's been overwhelming and I am still wrapping my head around it all, but like all good counselors I am just going with it.

So here are pictures of my new office, my lesson plans from my first week, my favorite new classrooms in my new school, and more.

My new office (it's 1/4 the size of my old office) and new classroom (I share with art!):

My dog bowls for crayons and my Target pencil holders.

Since I share the room with art, there is a special objectives section on the dry erase board. This way I can write our objectives on my days and it's easy to clear for the art teachers.

My office. I used a dog treat jar for candy. 

Let's Go Camping

Not only is Bess Turner a 3rd grade wonder in the classroom, but she's an incredible artist. So it's not surprising that she's featured today as I continue to share the classrooms I love. I am sad to say that I didn't get many pictures of her classroom, and the ones I did really don't do it justice. I would encourage you do check out her artwork and think about having a few custom pieces made for your room. Find her on Etsy!




The Busy Beavers know exactly what job they need to do today.

I love that you kind find hilarity in every corner.

Cabin Leaders- look at that impressive use of Modge Podge and scrapbook paperwork.

Whoo needs to go to the bathroom?

 

More of my favorite classrooms!

Today's favorite classroom is actually our music room. Our music teacher used to be our technology teacher, so it seems fitting her theme is one trendy game; Angry Birds.

Here's a peak at her room:

This is her "cool down" spot. I love that she re-named it to the "Restart Station." You may recall this from our special area behavior plan from this year. This is the spot where students go to complete their behavior reflection charts.  One of my favorite aspects if that she has a sign with the 3 B's (Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe) here with a prompt on what to do so she doesn't have turn her attention away from the rest of the class.

Angry Bird lanterns.

Our 3 B's.

A simple explanation of our special area behavior plan.

How cool is this! I love the way she put up her chart. It makes hanging mine up near the board look very boring. 

Top Dog Classrooms

Slowly, but surely I am trying to take pictures of my favorite classrooms. I have an old Kodak EasyShare so sorry about the quality.

My office is coming along.

My quote board.

Where in the world is Flat Stouie?

My board. The start chart is for behavior.

Noise level expectations.

End the "Do we need? Can we use?" questions. 

Special area behavior chart. Each class earns a score at the end of each class. When they get 5 5's they get a special treat.

 These are from a first grade classroom. It's dog themed as well so of course I love it.

In the hallway. Great for me when I go to get a student and the class is gone.

An easy way to display work in the hallway. The bag stays up all year and you can easily slide papers in and out. No staples!

Standards listed by the work.

Special area schedule. Visual schedules are a must.

Adorable bulletin board to show off work.

First Grade Expectations are listed on the wall.

Parts of speech.