Easy Kids Coloring Center

So like any kids, a month into summer my boys are needing new things to do.  While we have always had coloring tools around, we have not had a a centrally located place where these tools are out and immediately accessible.  First, my husband was adamant about no plastic storage in the family room.  Second, my youngest is 2 1/2 and anything that is out has to be small child friendly. I decided we needed a storage situation that was easily movable and also decent to look at.

I gathered up all the old school supplies that were left from my kids year in transitional kindergarten and second grade.  All the makers were washable, so I felt okay putting them out where the little one might touch.  Then, I dug around in the garage and found a basket and some clear plastic cups.  Some old magazine holders were perfect to hold the random scratch paper and coloring books I came across, too.

Five minutes later, we had a great set up.

The basket can be easily picked up and moved to the kitchen table if we all want to color, and it still leaves room on the kids table for other activities.

The great thing I discovered after putting this together is that even if the markers don't make it into the cups, they still stay pretty neat in the basket.

And there you have it! Super easy kids coloring station that does not involve any plastic baskets or drawers.

~ Enjoy! Lara

Summer Tips and Tricks ~ Part 2

So now that we have relaxing and making lists under control, here are two other tips:

#3 PREP COPIES

I always ask a parent or two to make copies for me during the last month of school.  I have them copy EVERYTHING I know I'm going to need for the next year.  I go through each subject and pull all the masters for the "must do" items--assessments, spelling lists, interactive notebook pages, etc.  If you don't have a volunteer, or your school doesn't allow them to make copies, it's worth going in for a morning in the summer (also if your school allows this) and making the copies yourself.  I always focus on the things I know I am going to use the first week as well.

So why is this important?  Well...remember the first week teachers are back to work, long lines at the copiers, and constant copier breakdowns?  Now you can avoid it!  Happy Day!

#4 MAP OUT YOUR MAJOR UNITS IN ALL SUBJECTS

Now this may sound like a HUGE task...but it really isn't.  I'm just talking about mapping out when you'll be teaching your major units over the year.  This is a great way to see how they will align with holiday breaks and how you will fit them all in.

I love the year planners by Traci Clausen!  Be sure to check them out in her store (click here).  I chose the excel version and it comes with a ton of different templates to meet your needs.  You can have color or black and white...and add as little or as much detail as you need.

Here is her sample and I was impressed by how easy it was to make mine look the same.

This year our district participated in a "vertical alignment" process to align our ELA curriculum with the new Common Core State Standards.  As part of that process all grades had to map our their year using the same template.  It's not as pretty, but just as functional.  Here is my upcoming year:

Now, you may be thinking why this is important?  First, as I said before, it will ensure you can fit in all your required units and ensure you plan for units to end at major breaks.  In addition, it can help you plan when you'll need to make copies (seriously get a parent to come in once a week for 30 minutes--it's a lifesaver!)  Perhaps most importantly, it acts as a guide as you make detailed plans during the year.  Of course there are going to be things that you have to reteach, or concepts your class aces through...and that is why it's an outline and not locked in stone. This helps you pace your plans and determine what you have time for and when.

Now start thinking about what units are a "must do," what field trips or events you have, and then map around that. This will save you HOURS during the year and ensure that you are giving your students exposure to all the standards at your grade level. More tips to come!  

Enjoy! ~Lara

Summer Tips and Tricks for an Easy Start to the School Year!

If you are like me, you want to do some "school stuff" over the summer, but also want to get in a ton of relaxing and family time.  As teachers and moms we are always balancing something.  Over the summer I'll be highlighting a few things that I have found helpful to do during the summer over the last 16 years of teaching.

Tip #1 ~ RELAX!!!  (Really)

When I first started teaching, I was always working on school stuff. When your kids are at camp, or at a friends (or if you don't have kids) it's easy to end up doing "just a little" work on something related to school.  I learned that I was a much better teacher if I made the effort to set aside time for me during the summer.  Read a trashy magazine from cover to cover, read a non-school related book, go get a pedicure, go out for a glass of wine with a girl friend (or even your hubby), just be sure do set aside specific time that thinking about school is not allowed.

Tip #2 ~ MAKE LISTS

Really...I know teachers are great at this, but sometimes with the busy summer days it's easy to forget great ideas, or end up working on 12 things at once.  And then you go to Target and the Dollar Spot makes you add 12 more projects to what you'd like to get done.  I make two main lists, and I finally got smart and made them on my phone so they are always with me.

First I make a list of things I want to do when the year starts.  These are those "great ideas" you read about on a blog, or something that pops into your head.  Balancing being a mama and teacher means, if I don't write it down, I won't remember it.  Here is my list so far this summer:

I also keep a running list of supplies I need to by.  I just made a big order through my district, and hit the dollar school (hard) so my list is pretty short right now.

Keeping running lists during the summer makes getting supplies easier and helps keep track of those great ideas.

Come back soon for more tips!

~ Enjoy!  Lara

It's Summer! And we are all home...

It's that time of year.  We slowly recover from the last month of school and begin dreaming of those things we are going to do "next year."  In our house, summer means we are ALL home.  My husband is a teacher too, and while it is an amazing gift and blessing to have time as a family...things can get a little crazy being together 24/7.  Hubby teaches middle school, and with all the challenges of those kids, sometimes our own kids are so much harder to deal with. 

The first week or two of break we always head out to our family cabin (also known as super cheap vacation spot--we are both teachers remember?)  The boys spend time running in the woods and playing at the lake while we get a chance to relax without a house full of chores to do.  It's always a great trip and we always have fun.

Then we come home....and we are all on each other's nerves.  Took me 5 years to figure this one out, but since we are on a tight budget, I put the two biggest boys in 1/2 day Lego camps on different weeks!  Then we get quality time with the other two and the big boys don't fight all day.  Success!

This summer I also got the two big boys to peruse Pinterest with me and find a schedule and some activities they liked.  We aren't home everyday, but when we are they need a routine.  When they are busy, I don't have to be the referee so much.  Here is what we came up with.

Sorry for the lousy photos, but we were making notes and I just ran with it.  Yes, I had to resist the urge to make it cute on the computer.

This was really helpful and made everyone less stressed.  It's funny how we do things in our classroom, and then don't do the same things at home.  Kids are kids, and they love structure and routine.  Mine included.  I'll leave you with a pic of the wild three. 


They are rocking the tie dye shirts their awesome Aunti made for them.  Thanks Aunti!!

~ Enjoy the sun!  Lara

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