Find It Friday ~ Organization Happiness

Lesson Plan Template Ideas...
This time of year it seems that organization is even more on our minds that usual.  I am a firm believer that an organized classroom and teacher makes for a much more fun day.  My friends often pick on me because I am typically at school by 7 am (kids don't come until 8:30 am :) By 3 pm I am as tired as the kids- the morning is my "get it done" time.  

Each year I try to release a little more of the learning to the students.  I love inquiry based learning and try to incorporate it into different aspects of my day.  Our science lessons are 100% inquiry based. I see how amazing the kids are during these learning times and want to incorporate it into more parts of my day.  

  This summer I tried to create a language arts lesson plan template that would help me create lessons in which the students are actively engaged all the time! I want to move even farther away from the "talk at you" teaching and move to more discovery teaching. Although I pride myself as being the type of teacher who guides her students instead of force feeding them facts, it is easy to slip into the talk, talk, talk lesson.  

Below is my first attempt.  My district has a great scope and sequence but we are in charge of creating the actual lessons. Eventually I will put it on TpT but for now here is a sneak peak.  I never put a product up unless I have used it with success. I'll keep you all updated! Enjoy!

Reading Group Schedule/Intervention Log

This is my latest attempt at a one form fits all worksheet for my reading group schedule and intervention logs. Check it out on my TpT site here. 

Room Signs Galore

Here are some of my favorite classroom organization ideas. Most of my creations come from a combination of creativity and friends! I like the freedom to create things that will work for my particular room.  Enjoy!

This is my new "Where Am I Board". I saw the idea on Pinterest and changed it a bit to work for me.  I used magnetic paint and foam board to create the base and painted small round magnets for each student. I numbered and grouped them by color so I could use it year after year. 

I have been reading a lot about reading stamina in children.  This year students can earn fun Stamina Stations.  Each clothspin has the student numbers or names. I made this out of recycled foam board. 

Daily Goals - Every morning after our calendar routine I led the class in a discussion of our goals for that day. The children loved this time and were excited that they knew exactly what we were going to do. They even kept me focusd! :-)

This math rotation chart was made with two sheets of colored paper and a pin in the middle. It made for easy rotation.s The students knew where to go if they forgot.

Exit Ticket Board- I call it "My Ticket Home"

Made out of paint samples and electric tape. See blog post from 8/1/12 for details.