It's that time of Year...

This is the time of year when I wonder if my students have forgotten everything I taught them.  It never fails that after Spring Break, all the procedures and routines seem to be forgotten.  I have found it very useful to revisit my expectations by using a "Looks Like, Sounds Like, Feels Like" Chart.

 This is a great way to make it very clear exactly how an activity should run.  I make these for different things such as group work, partner work, desk work, DEAR time, walking to the MPR, computer lab use, etc.  I use a regular sized piece of paper and pop it under the document camera.  It makes it easy to keep all the charts in a file and grab one whenever we need to review how things should be running.

Just for those reading, click the image below for a FREE editable PowerPoint to use in your class!

If you would like a PDF of the same form, click HERE.

Enjoy! ~ Lara

Favorite Freebie!

Parent's Choice Homework Pass

In thinking about the beginning of the year, I am reminded of one of my favorite things to give out....the Parent's Choice Homework Pass!  As a busy mom of three boys, I know that every once in a while life gets crazy.  All of a sudden it's 8 pm, we're just getting home, and one of my darlings pipes up, "But mom, I still have homework!"  I know how stressful this can be for my family, especially since my oldest is very much a rule follower and would be horrified at the thought of not having his homework complete.  So, I created the Parent's Choice Homework Pass to give out at Back-to-School Night.  I give my families one for each trimester, so that there is a free pass three times a year for just such a busy night.

Click to get it!

My families and students love the fact that they can save it for when they have a crisis or use it at the end of the trimester as a reward for getting through the whole 3 months without really needing it.

Of course it has a great disclaimer on it that prevents it from being used on any long term projects.  It's always good to teach kids about "the fine print" early!  Click on any of the images above to get it from my TPT store!  Enjoy!

~ Lara

Busy Year

What a busy year!  We wanted to share all the wonderful 3rd Grade things we are doing and "poof" it's already March.  I wanted to take a minute and share a few goodies from the past year.

First a tour!  This is my classroom (at the beginning of the year)...

Jobs chart, schedule, and news.

Library.  Each bin is marked with the AR level of the books, and series grouped together.

Birthday board and "we are at..." signs for the door.

Focus board on left front...usually use for anchor charts, but this is the first week of school.

Student work area and computer stations.

As you can see I love Creative Teaching Press and their Dots on Chocolate collection.  

More to come soon!

 ~ Lara