All things considered, I've been working on classroom management this summer. And the following pictures are some of my intended implementations for this school year. Some of these ideas are Pinterest hybrids, some are courtesy of a fabulous colleague of mine. I'm still getting used to those pesky 6th graders. I'm finding that they are, in reality, much younger than I imagined. This isn't a bad thing...in ways it's kind of refreshing that they are still "babies" in some ways and not affected by the societal push to grow up too quickly. But they are a far cry from my high school students, and I'm still learning how to navigate inside my own classroom. But I'm doing it. And I'm learning a lot about myself as a person and a teacher. It's refreshing.
So, here you have it. I glimpse into my classroom for the upcoming year! I'm very excited. (Keep in mind this decorating extravaganza took place with my children hanging out with me, except for a wonderful respite given by the above-mentioned teacher's daughters, who took my girls to the playground for a while!)
One of the things that drives me crazy is the unnecessary movement around the room! I bought cheap canvas bags at Joann's ($1 each, but on summer clearance for 70% off), cut them in half around the ends, and sewed them up in half. This made two bags out of one. So for 15 cents each I created a method to offer pencils, pens, erasers, and tissues (the tissues drive me crazy!) to my students! I was so incredibly excited at this. They are also tied around the partnership desks, which will keep them from moving around too much!
I sometimes find that students have a difficult time monitoring their volume levels...shocking, I know. So I created a visual cue to assist with this. This is a less frills version of one I found on Pinterest. (I especially like the "ninja mode"! :0) The dry erase board to the right was lying around my house, so I used the my Cricuit to cut out the letters I needed, and PRESTO! a homework/materials board. I'm also focusing on using numbers, so you'll see a few reminders of putting their number on their paper, too!
It's hard to see under the homework board, but there are popsicle sticks there with all of the student numbers on them. And there's an empty box next to it that will be labeled "I have a question". I find that the first five minutes of class are crucial, but students often have a multitude of questions. This is going to be their way to alert me to their question, but still get started. No more chasing me around the classroom, standing at my desk, or wasting all of the "bellringer" time! I can take attendance quietly and move around the room to each student with a question!
Probably my biggest time saver! I HATE passing back papers. Okay, I don't hate the act itself, but I never remember to do it. Then I end up with a stack 6 inches tall and it takes an entire period to pass back! With this (and the numbers) I can pass back student work to the file boxes (thanks for the cereal boxes, friends!) before class even starts. They can pick them up at their convenience!
Watching "Tangled"! They were fabulous!
Another work in progress! Missing homework documentation! Long story...students keep track of it themselves and I e-mail home on Fridays. Missing homework = a lunch detention. Failing to fill out the log when you, in fact, don't have your homework also earns you a lunch detention! Not doing your homework is not an option. Bottom line.
I used fabric the bulletin board at the top of the chalk board this year. It seems to be a much better option than chart paper! I paired student facing each other because I feel that it eliminates the need to touch each other (which they can't seem to stop doing) but still provides students with the important opportunity to discuss literature. It also gives each student their own personal space. Desks are numbered, too...students will sit in alphabetical order.
I will list the students here for the first few weeks of school. This will show them where to sit on the first day, but will also help me remember their numbers AND their names. A huge thank you to the Teachers Pay Teachers free download for these numbers! Click here!
I'm optimistic about the upcoming year. I'm looking forward to meeting my new students and helping them mature into learners. But I think I'm most excited about getting another year under my belt as a middle school teacher. I'm looking at the things that didn't work so well last year as a chance to improve. I'm not defeated. I'm learning. And I'm absolutely okay with that!
