I could talk about this forever! There is something about starting a new year and organizing!   

Here are some of my favorite organizers for work stations.  This first set is from Target and are large enough to hold 8.5x11 sheets of paper.  The lids come off and snap on.  I also like how they stack! That's super important to me because I don't have lots of extra space.  They are $5.99 each (which is a little pricy).  

These others are 14x14 and are from Michaels.  They are a great size!  They have lids that are attached.  I like how large they are and the fact that they stack so easily!  

These are actually photo organizers from Michaels.  You can buy them in two sizes: 4x6 and 5x7.  They are perfect for differentiating work stations and for organizing task cards!  I buy them when they are on sale for 99 cents!

This is my favorite supply organizer.  It holds paper clips, binder clips, sticky notes, tape, glue stick, my Flair pens, and Sharpie makers!  It doesn't take up much space and keeps me very organized!

These shelves and baskets are from Target.  They usually always go on sale around New Years and at Back-to-School time.  They hold all my office supplies and paper!  
 Finally, my laminator.  Technically, it isn't an organizational supply, but it saves me so much time when I can laminate school stuff at home.  I've had this one for almost two years.  




 This post contains freebies!!  

I'm a huge fan of CHAMPS.  It is all about setting expectations ahead of time.    Here is a blog post I wrote that was featured on Rachel Lynette's Minds in Bloom blog.   You can download my CHAMPS posters here for free.

CHAMPS is a system of expectations.  It works with any set of rules/rewards/consequences you are already implementing.  It can even be used if your school has a specific program in place.  It is part of Randy Sprick's Safe and Civil Schools and is research based.

Before each "activity" I go over with the students the expectations for that specific activity.  Typically I do this before I teach to the whole group, before students are doing independent work, and before we do work stations.

The CHAMPS acronym stands for:
C: Conversation
H-Help
A-Activity
M-Movement
P-Participation

I'm a big believer in procedures.  I guess you could say that I'm pretty old school and believe their should be a procedure for EVERYTHING, that teachers teach the procedure, lots of time is spent on this during the first week of school, and then the classroom runs smoother (because you can always say, "What is my procedure for....?").

You can download this freebie to keep you organized.  It includes tips, a checklist, and a document to keep track of when procedures are taught.  I've used this for the last two years when I've worked with first year teachers, and they have been very appreciative :)


Here is just a sample of some of the procedures I like to cover at the beginning of the school year.  I consider coming back from a long year just like the beginning of school!  


During workstation time, you assign one or two students to be a Work Station Manager.  While you are at Guided Reading, then students ask the Work Station Manager for assistance.  This means you get more time to teach and less interruptions (hopefully)!!!

 Some tasks for the Work Station Manager Include:
  • Computer Issues (logging in, etc)
  • Help with Directions at a Work Station
  • Finding Materials if someone needed something
Positive Tickets
To help encourage positive behavior, I give out tickets for specific things:

  • Lining up without talking
  • Clearing work space right when I ask
  • Getting materials out
  • Transitioning quietly
  • Walking in the hall without talking
I also give tickets out when students work quietly!!  As soon as students see me giving them out, they immediately straighten up.


Students trade tickets in for rewards:  eating in the classroom, using the teacher's supplies, taking off shoes during a subject, extra recess for the class (this takes a ton), and other easy prizes that don't cost any money.   I try and keep my prices low, so students can earn rewards frequently.  As the year goes on, I change prices and add new prizes!

Click here to download the tickets!



On the 10th Day of Christmas, I'm sharing my Winter Word Sorts.  These word sorts are a great way to practice short and long vowels at literacy work station.


On the 9th Day of Christmas, I offer one of my favorite bundles!  It is my interactive notebook bundle.  This bundle practices multiple phonics skills and is great for work stations!




Today is the 8th Day of Christmas!!  My Fairy Tale Close Reading set has picture cards and stories for three different fairy tales.  

Skills Covered:
Character Traits
Cause and Effect
Text Evidence
Drawing Conclusions
Making Inferences
Writing 




Happy 7th Day of Christmas.  Today my Read the Room CVC Sentences are on sale for $1!  These are great for practicing reading and writing!




Happy 6th Day of Christmas.  Today my Letter and Sound Bundle is on sale for $5!  This bundle is a great way to practice letters and sounds in guided reading, work stations, and for RTI!






Happy 5th Day of Christmas.  Today my Winter Vocabulary Cards are on sale for $1!  These are great for practicing writing, beginning sounds, and work station activities!







Happy 4th Day of Christmas.  Today my Sight Word Phrases are on sale for $1!  These are great for practicing in work stations or as a warm-up to guided reading.


Happy 2nd Day of Christmas!  Today I'm featuring my Phonemic Awareness Pack for $1!  This pack is great for RTI and small group instruction.  It includes the following skills:

  • Counting Words in a Sentence
  • Beginning Sounds
  • Ending Sounds
  • Middle Sounds
  • Rhyming Words
  • Segmenting Words
  • Blending Words
  • Substituting Sounds




Happy 1st Day of Christmas!

Some of my blogging friends and I are offering 12 Days of Christmas bargains from our stores.  I'll be updating my items on the blog, on Facebook and on Instagram!  

Each day on my blog will be a link to all the other stores offering 12 Days of Christmas bargains! 

Today I'm featuring my Mixed Up CVC Words for $1!  These are great for morning work or in a word work work station!






I love reading everyone's currently every month :) Today was a great day at school and the sun finally was shinning, and then I go home and the tv is full of sad news of another mass shooting :(  My heart breaks for the families impacted by this and other violence.  

To change the subject, we always have an artificial tree due to allergies!

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