Supply Labels

I'm hoping that sometime this week I can get into my classroom and start working/organizing. In the meantime, I have been doing as much as I can from home. I'm thinking about using my extra bookcases to keep colorful baskets and bins full of classroom supplies that the students can have access to. If I am going to use supply bins, then they are going to need labels! I made these using Microsoft Word. I think the black with white letters and dotted border really makes them pop!

**Note: For the label "Dry Erase Socks," instead of using traditional dry erase markers, I thought I would try using black socks instead.

Warning Slips

What I did last year:

After a student had received a verbal warning about their behavior choices, I would give them a warning slip. The warning slip had a similar format to a write-up or referral form. I would check off the negative behaviors that the students exhibited and asked the student to sign acknowledging that they received the written warning and were aware of the further consequences should their behavior continue. This worked pretty well, but it was inconvenient to have to stop and fill out the form for them to sign.

This year: 

I wanted to stay with the general idea of giving the students a warning slip for their behavior, but I wanted to modify it so it didn't take up any instruction time. Here is the result:

FRONT

                                                                           

BACK

I got my inspiration for the front part from another warning slip that I saw online. I added to it with the student reflection. I love to have students reflect on their progress in class and how their behavior affects them academically. I figured that I could incorporate this into my warning slips. I feel that this is much more productive than my old slips because it holds the students accountable because they are the ones owning up to their behavior by filling out the slip instead of me.

New year, new blog

Last year was my very first of teaching and I planned to write a blog to share my experiences throughout the year. As much as I wish that I had stuck with my plan, I never had time to think about posting on it. I feel that I've have learned a lot and definitely know what I want to change and tweak from what I did last year. 

With summer winding down, I have started getting things together for the start of the 2013 - 2014 school year. I am really excited about what is to come. My school is going to 75 minute block classes with one 60 minute related arts class. My plan period will be during the last block of the day (YAY!), and I get to teach a math class with just AVID students. My school district decided to go full common core a year early, so it will be interesting to see how incorporating more student-led lessons and tasks go in my classroom. I am a bit nervous about all of the changes, but I know that all of them are for the better.

My goal for this blog is to share my experiences, successes, failures, and items that I have created for my classroom.