Simple ideas to make my job easier!

I am a massive fan of VISTA Print. Particularly when they're having a huge sale. Two years ago I decided to make some business cards which simply said 'A note from Mrs Sellen'. Simple idea right? Well I have used them almost every day of the past two years. On these cards I can send home simple reminders about notes that are due in to school, and I can also send home little notes to parents about how well their child has been doing in class. The kids love them. The parents love them. And they're so simple.

I originally got this idea off PINTEREST (where all good ideas come from) and I've modified it slightly to better suit my classroom.

Here is the original idea (click on the image to head straight to Pinterest):

Here is what my modified version looks like:

If you are lucky enough to get a really great deal from VISTA Print, you might get 250 of these for free. This time round I paid $9.99 for them. As I mentioned before, they've lasted me two years so it is definitely worth the investment.

This year as I'm going on Maternity Leave I decided to make a bunch of labels (in the same design) to stick to the things that belong to me that I will most probably leave behind. Teaching can be quite expensive and I don't really want to buy a lot of these resources again. So for $9.99 I bought 140 labels with my name on it, so that I can mark my belongings (I will be taking a lot of things home too). 

Here's what my labels look like:

It should take about 7 days for them to arrive as I just got standard shipping… but I can't wait! I want this transition into Maternity Leave to be as smooth as possible!

Goal Setting for 2014

I really like the idea of 'Goal Setting' with a new class at the beginning of the school year. 

Usually I get them to write:
* 2 things that they want to improve (educational and sport-related) and,
* 1 thing that they want to stop

Recently I was googling (as you do) and I came across this amazing idea... which I cannot find to give it the credit it deserves. It was a way to goal-set for 2014. I've adapted it, and I've placed my version of it below.

This year, I'm going to get my class to fill in this Goal Setting card... and then I'm going to stick them up on the wall. This way, students can refer back to it and tick things off as they achieve them. I think it would also be nice if we drew connections between students working on similar goals, so that they may encourage one another.

Just a thought...

I'd love to hear how you set goals with your class. Please leave a comment below or message me on Google+

Follow me on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/rasellen/

Blogs to Watch!

I've compiled a list of blogs/ websites that I think are worth following. 

Some people have some AMAZING ideas out there... so rather than reinventing the wheel each time, check out some of these brilliant teachers and their great ideas...

In no particular order:

1. Omnipotent Particle Theory - One of my favs! Cory McDonald has put together some amazing FREEBIES around 'Habits of Mind'. He also has some great ideas with how to further use Class Dojo in the classroom.
2. Science Notebooking - SO MANY amazing ideas! I could spend hours just flicking through all of the posts and getting inspiration!
3. That's So Second Grade - I'm not a Year 2 teacher, however, Ashley Pennell is one organised teacher. I have gotten so many great ideas from her blog... but let me just say one thing... I have no idea how she does it!
4. The Autism Helper. - We all have students from time-to-time who have particular needs. This blog is jam-packed with amazing teaching ideas, in particular, ideas that will benefit students with disabilities. You MUST check this one out!
5. Pink and Green Mama - This is actually a blog written by a stay at home mother. She is a trained art teacher and she has tonnes of amazing ideas. Absolutely brilliant.
6. The School Supply Addict - A great all-round blog. However, the blog has amazing themes and ideas for how to set up your classroom. Here is the direct link for classroom set ups: http://www.theschoolsupplyaddict.com/room-setup.html
7. Teacher Bits and Bobs - Another great all-rounder blog. This one also has great FREEBIES!
8. A Teacher's Treasure - A great blog with brilliant ideas and lots of FREEBIES. I particularly like her back-to-school posts. I will be using some of her ideas, particularly the 'Welcome Back Goodie Bag'.
9. The Nest Effect - I have been referring to this blog for a couple of years now. Tiffany has heaps of great ideas, especially around motivation and rewards. Since browsing her blog, I now have a slight addiction to Vista Print. Tiffany prints business cards and uses them as little motivations for students to aim for. Absolutely brilliant. Here's a direct link to motivations and rewards: http://www.thenesteffect.com/2012/03/motivation-rewards-in-my-classroom.html

And while you're checking out these great blogs... why not look around mine? 

OR check out my Pinterest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/rasellen/

I hope these blogs have been helpful!

Non-Verbal Signals

Early last year I went to a PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) course where I found out about non-verbal signals. 

Sometimes it is so hard to keep track of everyone when you've got a class of 30 students. The lady running the course mentioned non-verbal signals/ cues which can be used by a student to signify whether they understand something or not. I've seen on Pinterest, ideas which teachers have posted, where they use coloured cups. The students are given three cups... a green, orange and red cup. The student will place a cup on their desk as a non-verbal cue to communicate with the teacher as to whether they understand or whether they need more help. The whole idea is meant to be non-threatening and is supposed to help those students who are a little shy about asking for help.

Therefore, I've come up with my own version... each student has a laminated card. The card is folded into thirds and the ends are sticky-taped together, making a triangular prism. On one of the three sides it has 'Got it!' written in green, on the second side is 'Struggling' written in orange, and on the third side is 'STUCK!' written in red. Students are encouraged to flip their three-sided shape so that the side facing outward is what they want to communicate with the teacher. 

If done properly, I can easily look around the room and see who is needing more help and who is capable of working independently.

I started using these signs with my class towards the end of last year... so I'm looking forward to starting the brand new year with them. I'm hoping for positive results! :)

How to make sure students are writing their name on their work...

There is nothing more annoying then giving out a worksheet, only to find it on the floor a couple of days later without a name on it. NO WAIT... there is nothing more annoying then handing out a test to assess students knowledge, only to collect it and find that names have not been written on them.

Regardless, I have decided to come up with a plan to ensure that names are ALWAYS written on worksheets. I got this idea from Pinterest (follow me: http://www.pinterest.com/rasellen/) and I've adapted it for my class.

Usually I have a tub which students place their finished work in for submitting... however, this year I've made the following document. I've laminated it and it sits inside the tub. When a student submits their work, they have to read the card and then place their work in the tub underneath the card (so that the next student can read it). Next to the tub will be a pencil tin with a pen, pencil, eraser and highlighter to give students another opportunity to finalise their work.

I found these really cute pens, highlighters and erasers... they're called 'Scentos'. They smell really nice. I thought they would be a nice incentive... ensuring that all work is completed properly. They were only $2.00 each! I'm thinking of going back to TARGET and getting a couple more for my prize box.

I can't wait to test this system out. I will keep you posted with how it goes ;)