TEACHING TIPS
Filing Teaching Ideas- To keep all my lesson ideas and worksheets in order, I have a 2 drawer file cabinet. The top drawer contains "subject" folders such as Reading, Math, and Science. The bottom drawer contains "monthly" folders and then "theme" folders. I organize the folders further by storing information in each in this order: Circle Time, Literature, Writing, Fine Motor Math, Science, Art, Songs, Games, Dramatic Play, and Blocks. If I need an idea for a fine motor idea while teaching a transportation unit, I simply take out my transportation folder and look in the fine motor section. If I need a Halloween writing idea, I simply take out my October folder and look in the writing section.
Center Time Management-Each center in my room is clearly labeled with a center sign giving the name of the center and a picture under the name. For example, my Fine Motor Center sign has a picture of children putting together puzzles and lacing cards. I then have a "Center Time" sign made from laminated posterboard. Library envelopes (I purchased mine from Lakeshore) have the name of each center and a picture of the center on them and are glued on the posterboard. Each child has a "center card" (laminated color index card) with his or her name on it. If a child wants to go to the Computer Center, he or she slides his or her card into the Computer Center envelope. Only 4 children are allowed in any one center at a timeto prevent fighting and to make sure children are visiting different centers. The centers in my room are Library, Writing, Art, Housekeeping, Science, Math, Dramatic Play, Fine Motor, Blocks, and Computers. I have a Listening Center, but this is only used when I can supervise usage of the cd player.
Theme Storage- I store props, etc. for thematic units in small storage boxes labeled with the theme name. The boxes can be purchased from Walmart, Target, Dollar Stores, or cheap outlet stores. For example, my farm unit box contains small plastic farm animals, farm books and tapes, a toy tractor, etc. I keep my holiday items such as a mini scarecrow, plastic pumpkins, plastic Easter eggs, window clings, and wreaths, in an underbed storage box.
Community Supply Tubs- Instead of giving each student a supply box, each of my work tables has a community supply tub (a 3-compartment container with a handle) on it. One compartment is for pencils, one is for crayons, and one holds scissors. This prevents lost supplies and cuts back on the "gimme that!" arguments. This year I have two tables so I am using one blue tub and one red tub. The blue tub belongs to the "Blue Table" and the red tub belongs to the "Red Table". Tubs are clearly marked blue and red, which also helps the children identify color words. Things such as markers and glue I store in plastic containers in my Art Center and take out for projects when needed. The tubs can also be transferred to the carpet or other areas of the room where I might be working with the children. Tubs can be purchased from Walmart, etc.
Chart Storage- I purchased a large cardboard storage conatiner for posters, etc. from Hammets. Other posters and charts I store from clothing hangers that have clips.
Pocket Stand- Instead of using an expensive pocket chart stand, I purchase a garment rack from Walmart and hang my pocket chart on that.
Reusing Decorations-I can reuse decorations as as student door names by laminating the decorations. I write the names using a Sharpie pen and the erase it with nail polish remover.
Paint Cleanup- To help with clean up after painting, I add a squirt of liquid detergent soap to my paint cups. This also helps remove paint from clothing.
Smocks- Instead of purchasing smocks for my students, I use old shirts, especially button down ones that the kids put on so that the buttons face their backs and their chests are covered. I simply cut the long sleeves and viola!
Quiet Line-To keep the children organized and quiet when we are walking down school hallways, I utilize "hips and lips". The first day of school, I explain to the children that when we walk down the hall our fingers are on our lips and our hand is on our hips. This reminds the children to walk quietly and keep hands to themselves. To get students' attention once they are lined up, I sing, "If you can hear the sound of my voice, clap your hands."
Bulletin Boards- Bulletin boards can be covered with butcher paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, or fabric. Borders can be bought from teaching supplies stores. I have known some teachers that have used Ellison die-cut patterns for borders, but this can be very time-consuming. I like to use “real” objects for thematic board borders such as leis or floral vines (purchased from a Dollar Store) for a summer board or garland for a Christmas board. I also like to try to make my boards “3-D”. For example, I might crinkle and staple green tissue paper on my board to represent a tree’s leaves. The site, http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/bulletin/index.html, contains links to great bulletin board sites.