Room Overhaul

Room Update Fall 2013

I got a bunch of new and effective decorations which most of them double as learning centers and gave my classroom a major decorating and layout overhaul in the fall. Only now do I have the time to post an update about it.

My wall bulletins were looking shoddy and worn so I replaced them and made them clearer, also customizing them to my use pattern for how we use songs and rhymes. 

Moved the printer off that bookcase and use it for games I'm using and also for a lot of the little kids class props and printout materials. 

Made a new alphabet focal point since the old thing was peeling off and getting pulled off. This cannot be ripped or pulled off like paper can. Somehow the kids don't have the idea of peeling off the letters in their mind, they look so attached! 

Also got a new organizer wall pouch in Korea. Holds everything of multiple sizes. Works great! 

Classroom Management Tool

Classroom Management Tool: 
Climbing the Walls (so kids and teachers don't climb them first.)

Ages: 5-8 3rd graders usually know how to behave or have chosen not to behave before I have to decide if I should employ this technique.

Print characters. We had rockets, then I rotated the rockets to the other teacher. In fall we started squirrels, I wanted to change for winter but never did. The students get to choose their color or I choose if I think a battle of wills might take place but most the kids accept what they get. Sometimes they just want a magnet. If they break classroom rules then their rocket falls. If they are participating readily most rise to the top. This motivates the little kids great, and starts to loose effect for second and third graders who manipulate their rocket. However, they get a point for a point card if they reach the top, and when the points add up they can have a present from my prize box. That happens after six times. I've been using it about a year and a half now with great results, though students with certain behavior problems will need a different motivator. 

Care Package!

 An expatriate's treasure trove. The taste of the abundance of the west! The jerky, the chocolate, the organic ness of it all! How I miss it... Hazelnuts. I miss the cozy cradle of agriculture that is the Willamette valley.

On Students Grabbing Things

Grabbing has been a major problem. Or maybe the kids always did it, it's just been getting on my nerves more in the winter months? They have more pent up energy to do it? This post is really a continuation of the last but I couldn't figure out how to imbed the video.

Teaching Wild Classes

"Oh look, I've been impaled" *insane laugh*



This is how I feel during classes where the little kids just get... well... rowdy. And little. Like today, they were spanking me and running around like little gremlins. They grab everything from out in front of you that you did not have the forsight to lock and stow before takeoff, and if you do not lock and stow before take off, they take off with it faster than you can say... put that thing back where it came from or so help me!