Classroom Management

Classroom management... the most important part of teaching in my opinion.  This is how I do it so I can actually teach something.

The Quiet Signal

Some people use a clapping signal, others the lights.  Whatever you use, the best way to make it work is to EXPECT it always and to wait for 100% attention before going on.  If I need to give instructions, I raise my hand, wait for EVERY single child to stop what they're doing, look at me, and raise their hands too.  And I expect ALL the kids to do it in 5 seconds or less.  Then I give instructions for the next thing.  What happens when they don't do it within the time limit?  We spend a lot of time practicing.  It doesn't take much to get them to WANT to do it within 5 seconds.  And after the first week of school, they're really quite good at it.  In my experience, the only way it will work is expecting kids to do it, exactly, every time.  Then they will.  It works!

Numbered Heads

This is a common collaborative teaching tool that I learned from Spencer Keagan my first year of teaching.  Put kids in groups (4 is the best if possible).  Give each child a number in the group.  1 2 3 4. You can then use it for everything!...  "Number 4's please collect the notebooks and turn them in for your group."  "Start with number 1 and go around the circle sharing your answer."  "Number 1's get the glue.  Number 2's get the paper.  Number 3's and 4's wait patiently."  You get the idea.  Click on the link above to get more ideas.

Two easy tools that make ALL the difference!

Room Prep

School started with me feeling partially prepared, as usual.  But regardless of the lack of feeling prepared, I think the classroom looked mostly ready.  Here is how school began this year...

Cover ugly cabinets

At the end of last year I had my kids "marble paint" paper to cover my cabinet doors.  After laminating them, they add a lot of color and cover up the plain wood.  I can also stick anything on them with ease. Always need more places to hang things!

A view of the room

I especially like the streamers.  My previous students colored flags of various nations on each triangle and I backed them with colored paper.  Strung them all together and they look really great, represent the many nations my students come from, and I don't have to decorate extra for International Day in September.

Chair pockets!

This was one of my summer projects - sew chair covers with pockets on them.  I made covers out of four different colors to differentiate my table groups.  It's working SO well thus far.  And they're super easy to make for anyone with a sewing machine.

A good extension activity

I like to have some kind of mystery research project on the wall.  To start out the year I decided to go with a "Math Mystery".  Can you figure out the number based on these daily clues?  I used Super Teacher Worksheets for this one.  Just press print and cut them out.  Easy!

Family Photos

The Tree

By now everyone has seen this sort of paper tree on the internet multiple times.  I added the kids faces and think I'll add student work (on circles) soon.  It's still warm and summery here in Budapest, but Fall will come.  When it does, the tree will have fall colors only.  And fallen leaves along the base of the wall.  Then in winter... snowflakes and snow colors.  Fun way to show the seasons.

Olympics Advice

I asked my previous years students to write words of advice for my incoming third graders.  "How to be a 3rd grade Olympian" turned into quite a cute board.  My old third graders, now fourth graders, enjoyed walking by and seeing their words and photos.  Easy first weeks of school board.

That's a good start I think!