School Supply Must Haves for teachers

15 SCHOOL SUPPLY MUST HAVES

I think most teachers love school supplies. For me it is a new set of fresh flair pens! I have complied a list of my favorite must haves for the school year. These are all the supplies that I have found useful in my classroom.

1. Electric Pencil Sharpener- The manual pencil sharpeners are so messy to me. I enjoy the electronic type, but you need to buy one that will last. This is why I recommend the X-acto school pro electric pencil sharpener. This is the only one that I have bought that hasn't broken.

2. Mini-White boards- I love using these for spelling practice, math groups and quick practices, and for review games in class.

• TIP: You can buy a whole sheet at Lowe's or Home Depot and they will cut them down into the size you need.

3. Dry Erase Markers- A teacher can never have enough of these! I ask for my students to bring their own from the back to school supply list and then I buy a special kind so they kids know which ones are mine and theirs. These are teh ones I use

4. Flip chart paper- I use flip chart paper a lot. I use it in math, reading, and writing workshop. These charts stay up all year and I hang them around the classroom.

5. Sharpie Flip chart markers- These are some of my favorite new markers. I love that they do not leak through the paper. If you make anchor charts, you will want them.

6. Colored Card Stock Paper- Another favorite item that is great to have is colored card stock paper. It is nice to have a pack or two around.

7. Binder Clips- I have these to clip to my mailboxes. This is how I label my student's names.





















8. Magnets- I use magnets all the time. I have a magnet board by my file box, I use my whiteboard and I have students stick their work on their lockers with them.

9. Timer- You can use that phone of yours, but if you are like me, you will set it down and lose it. These are the best for keeping you on track with group work, conferring, student work time, and more. I could not live without one in my classroom.

10. Plastic Caddies- I use plastic caddies for book bins. This is where my 3rd graders store their reading workshop books and materials.

11. Blue Tooth Speaker- I love using the blue tooth speaker because I can transfer the sound to come from my phone rather than my computer. This frees up my computer for other uses if needed.

12. Two-Sided Tape- I use 3mm two sided tape on everything. That sticky putty does not hold up when the walls become humid or too cold.

13. Command Hooks- Command hooks allow me to use more of my wall space to hang things. I hang clip boards, charts, hall passes, my purse, and jacket using these. They are so handy!

14. Sticky Post-it Notes- Post it notes are a must! Did you know that they make them where the whole back is sticky? If not, you need to try them. These notes do a much better job sticking around when you want student responses to last.

15. Sandwich size Zip Lock Bags- Buy a box of these right away, add it to your wish tree too. I find myself pulling these out for students when they loose teeth, need to put a broken piece of jewelry away, or have left overs from lunch. I also organize small pieces to different activities in them.

Mental Thoughts on Upcoming Year

How Do You Feel About the Upcoming Year?

Sitting in the car anticipating our family vacation as we travel to Washington D.C. One of the perks of having two parents in education is that summers are off and we get to squeeze in some family vacations before the school year begins.

You may not believe me, but it is quiet in this mini-van. Gone are the days when my babies, who are now big kids, would scream out their demands or be throwing up from car sickness. So its quiet, for now and the new school year sneaks into my brain. Thoughts about the new goals and strategies I have for my year. There aren't many changes, but lots of new staff to meet. For the first time in many years, I will be teaching the same grade level for the third year in a row. Many teachers tell me year three is a good one because you get into a new kind of rhythm. I'm not sure if that is true, but I'm looking forward to what year three feels like.

I am thinking about the parents I will get to meet. Of the partnership we will get to share. They entrust me with their most precious gift for a whole year. It is always and honor. But most importantly, I hope they know that I will love their child like my own.

Then my mind drifts to our annual open house night and meeting the 22 kids on my list. Of those first moments and impressions we will have together. Of the things they will get to do: A scavenger hunt, new supplies, getting a desks and locker, and take home a secret envelope to read before the first day of school. So much excitement for the anticipated year ahead. All these things are fun, but not as important as the relationship that gets to begin on this day. That will be what we get to focus on as have our first day of school together the following day.

This one goes in the secret envelope

CLICK HERE

The stress, long days, grading, projects, field trips...etc. That will come, but its all worth it. I GET to TEACH. I get to help 22 students see Jesus through my actions and words each day. This is why I feel privileged to be in Christian Education. I can intertwine anything we learn into faith building experiences.  Our community in third grade will begin soon in my classroom and that is exciting!

How do you feel about starting the school year?

Five Ways to simply incorporate self-assessment.

 Five Ways to Simply Incorporate Self-Assessment.

Where am I Now? Teaching students to self-assess and set goals for next steps can be a challenge. You may not know that it is simple and easy. What if we start simple though?  I guarantee our students will become more aware of their journey.  Below are five simple ways to include self assessment in your classroom. 

1. Chips, Buttons, and Connect Cubes. 

For young student who require immediate gratification or if they have not made the connection between effort and success, these simple pieces will help you out. You can put chips in a jar, buttons on a string, or connect cubes. As they master each learning target, they collect, connect, or place in the jar. 

2. Learning Chains

You can complete a chain with paper. The chain could say, "I have learn to_______, My evidence is____________." When students master the learning target, they get to complete the link and save it in an envelope or make a chain to hang on the board, desk, or locker. If you don't want it to be individual. Make a class chain every time someone accomplishes a goal!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!

 3. Stars and Stairs

With elementary-age students, it is important to explain this tool using same vocabulary.

"What have I done well? (That is my star)
"What can I do next? (Thats my stair)

As the teacher you help them think through  what they are going to write for their "Stair" The student has to understand that they are going to be the one to achieve the star not you.

Link Here for conferring sheet

To keep track of these conferences. Use a binder or folder. The conferring sheet is helpful (pictured above) So is the sticky note sheet (pictured below). You can actually place sticky notes on these and it will print!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!

4. Turn in Bins

Grab these labels to help your classroom self assess their work on a basic level. Studies show that students who are partners in their own assessment show increased engagement in all subject areas, and are more likely to become lifelong learners. Also, students who are taught to analyze their own learning show increased motivation to learn

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!

Purchase a Sterlite 3 drawer desktop unit. Add the labels inside. Students can place their work in the drawers according to how they feel about the task. 

5. Posters

Use posters in class while you instruct to get immediate feedback from your students with a quick hand signal. Post these in the front of the room for everyone to see and be reminded what they are.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!

I love how formative assessment requires students to be at the center of their learning. They need to understand their strengths and weaknesses so they can learn how to deal with them. Finding extra time to do this can be a challenge. That is why it is important for us to find a starting point. I am hoping that these resources can help you on your journey to self assessment in the classroom.

Growth Mindset Activities and Parent Guide

This beginning of the year packet was designed to help you instill a love for learning and growing in the hearts and minds of your young mindsets! The activities in this packet work wonderfully with whole or small groups. I hope you and your students enjoy using these materials. 

CLICK HERE for the activities and parent guide

An original story about a character named Growing GUS who teaches children that growing up can be hard, but if you are willing to try, learning isn't so bad.

A parent brochure that is chock full of helpful reading information, including what a growth vs fixed mindset is, a list of do's and don'ts to use, and great questions to ask while discussing goals for the upcoming year. 

"Ready to have a Growth Mindset or Not Yet?" Activity #1

This activity can be completed as a whole group or table groups (if you teach an older grade). Students will be introduced to 8 different characters. Each character is behaving a different way while learning and playing at school. Your class must determine whether their behavior is “Growth Mindset” behavior or not. (Example: “Shannon’s group was ready to build and try an obstacle course using books and tape with a battery operated car. When the books fell down, she grabbed more and said, “I bet we need to find something to support the book.”) This is an excellent activity for students to act out and spend time discussing whether these characters Brian's are ready for growth or not. 

"Scoot!" Activity #2

This activity could also be done as a whole group or table groups. Students will read about 20 cards with statements character's make about their learning. Students will have to determine if the statement means the character has a growth or fixed mindset.