Effective Bulletin Boards for Your Classroom

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

I saw this idea in an upper grade classroom and thought it was pretty cool. It’s a bulletin board about the things a good reader does: C R A F T

Comprehension: I understand what I read
Response to Text: I respond with thought and detail
Accuracy: I can read a variety of words
Fluency: I can read with accuracy and expression
Text Features: I understand and utilize text features

The teacher focuses on a reading skill and makes anchor charts that go with it. The anchor chart goes on the bulletin board to be referred to later.

This poster is an example of how students should do their math work. The poster shows how students should do their math work: specific heading, numbered problems, write problems left to right in rows rather than columns and the answers are circled. It’s a great way to help students remember what they need before turning in a paper. In addition, it’s a great reminder of how to do some basic math algorithms (in case your students forget).

The Secret Way to De-clutter your Classroom!

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

(I wrote about this idea a while ago, but I’ve made some signs to help you execute it, so here’s the idea again…) This idea is PURE GENIUS! I learned this trick from my mentor teacher during student teaching (way back in the day). Designate a tote or box for a super secret purpose: a secret recycle bin! Students don’t work as hard when they know their teacher isn’t going to look at their paper. So use this bin to collect papers you don’t need to look at, but still want kids to work hard on. At the end of the day when all the students are gone, you can recycle the paperwork and keep your students’ desks clutter free!

The picture above is from a lower grade classroom that doesn’t have any real turn in bins. I suggested this idea to the teacher and she said it works so well, she’s gotten other teachers at her school to do this trick! She just calls the secret bin the “turn in bin.” But if you have a real turn in bin (for work you actually want to look at, grade, etc.), consider naming this bin the “big turn in bin” or something else to distinguish it from your other trays/bins. I’ve made some signs (1/3 sheet size) for you to print off and label your tote with if you’d like. Your choice of chevron or polka dots.

Turn In Bin signs STICKER

Click here: Turn In Bin signs PDF

Classroom Rules Poster – Owl (DIY)

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Owls are pretty trendy these days. So when I saw a cute owl-shaped note pad at the dollar store, I just had to buy it (with plans to work it into my classroom somehow). Here’s the poster I came up with (pretty proud of my DIY project!):

Our classroom rule is “no one has the right to interfere with the learning, safety or well being of others.” Each student will sign the poster and we’ll put it up on the wall so everyone will remember our classroom behavior expectations.

Funny Stuff Kids Say & Do

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I’m going to start collecting funny things kids say and do at school. If you have a funny experience, let me know and I’ll post it here! Thanks!

This past week, and next week, we have to do lots of testing, so we do lots of busy work. We have been doing science (the seasons) and social studies (patriotic symbols). One of my kids came to me and said, “Mrs. W., when are we going to do some real science?” I asked her what she meant. She said, “You know, dissecting frogs.” I told her that is a middle school or high school thing. She then told me that her sister had done it in second grade! I think she is misinformed! Can you imagine – dissecting a frog in second grade?! – Diane, 2nd grade teacher

On my first day of teaching, I ate lunch with my students. One of my students asked me if I had ever tried his mother’s sloppy joes! – Cultivating Questioners, 2nd grade teacher

So I used to sweat…a lot…during my first year of teaching. I guess it was a combination of nerves and a warm classroom. One day, a student raised his hand after seeing my large sweat rings on my shirt and says, “Mrs. Shook, yo underpits is wet!” I just about died laughing at that one! – Kayla, 4th grade teacher

I was in an elementary school nurse’s office today. I tiny little girl (must have been a kindergartner) standing against the wall accidentally scooted under the automatic hand sanitizer dispenser… yup. The machine squirted foam on her head! I was trying SO hard not to crack up laughing!!! -Mindy, Squarehead Teachers

Simple Organizational Improvements For Your Classroom

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

1. Use multiple bins to collect work your students submit to you. This way, they’re already sorted and easier for you to grade! I use stackable paper trays to save space. P1030356

2. Place fabric pockets in the area where you teach from most. Then you can store commonly used papers, forms or reference materials for you to grab at a moments notice P1030590 .

3. I don’t know about you, but sharpening pencils is the bane of my existence! Designate two containers for pencil storage (one of broken pencils that need sharpened and one for freshly sharpened pencils for kids to grab). I used to have one student be the pencil sharpener for the week. P1030599

4.Collect important writing samples or projects in a bin. Give each student a file folder and collect important paperwork throughout the year. Then “all” you have to do at parent teacher conferences is grab the bin and hand over the work samples to proud parents. P1030699

5. This next idea is PURE GENIUS! I learned this trick from my mentor teacher during student teaching (way back in the day). Designate a tote or box for a super secret purpose: a secret recycle bin! Students don’t work as hard when they know their teacher isn’t going to look at their paper. So use this bin to collect papers you don’t need to look at, but still want kids to work hard on. At the end of the day when all the students are gone, you can recycle the paperwork and keep your students’ desks clutter free! The picture above is from a lower grade classroom that doesn’t have any turn in bins. So this teacher just calls the secret bin the “turn in bin.” P1050972

6. Track your students’ reading progress with a laminated file folder. Divide it into sections using whatever lingo your district or state uses. The photo above uses benchmark, strategic, intensive to indicate at, slightly below and way below grade level. Use sharpie to designate areas of the folder according to words per minute, etc. Then give each student a sticky tab according to where they are at the beginning of the year. This allows you to see who’s made significant progress throughout the year. For example, this teacher used green to indicate at grade level, yellow for slightly below, and pink for way below grade level. She writes the words per minute (or whatever you’re tracking) on the sticky tab as you assess the students throughout the year. When you’re not using the folder, fold it up and keep it away from curious student eyes. P1050973

Desk Fairy Printables (Free!)

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t have the funding for even half of what’s in those teaching materials catalogues. But I saw this idea and wanted one for my classroom, so I just made my own (and I’m sharing it with you)! First print the poster (regular size printer paper) and put it up on your wall. Then print off and copy the desk fairy notes (color or black and white) and be ready to pass them out as you catch kids with clean desks. You could assign one student to be the desk fairy as their classroom job or just have pass out notes while kids are out of the classroom. Some teachers let their students turn in a desk fairy notes for a prize, special privilege or as an entry in a classroom drawing. Let me know if you try this. I’d love to hear how it works in your classroom!

PDFs here: Desk Fairy Poster Desk fairy notes- bw Desk fairy notes- color

Supplies for Today’s Project (UPDATED)

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I recently was this in a kindergarten classroom and was blown away by this simple, but genius idea! The teacher had clip art of commonly used classroom supplies attached to the board with a magnet. When it was time for a project, she’d move the magnets of the necessary supplies to the center of the board for her students to get out. This way, she visually reinforces what she says and doesn’t have to repeat herself!

I made some for you, so just print out my Supplies for Today’s Project PRINTABLE, cut out and laminate each piece and add a magnet. Then you’ll be genius too!

First Day of School Classroom Scavenger Hunt UPDATED

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Classroom scavenger hunt Here’s a great first day of school activity to help kids get familiarized with your classroom. This also provides you an opportunity to talk about things you’d like students to know but might otherwise forget to talk about. Review answers at the end of the activity just in case anybody missed something. Enjoy!