Organization

I find it so funny that while my classroom is very organized, my home is not. I very much live by the "everything has a home" philosophy, and don't even get me started on chairs being pushed in. I drove my assistant at another school crazy because every time she would stand up I would push in her chair behind her. Maybe that is why she retired after one year with me?

I just believe that a highly structured classroom with little clutter is essential to helping our kiddos stay focused on learning. With all that we now know about attention and even sensory processing disorders, I strive to create systems and structures not only for behavior expectations, but also for the paperwork and manipulatives side of things.

So, here are some of my all-time best organization tips for a great classroom environment:
*Don't underestimate the dollar store. I have purchased so many adorable bins/clips/etc here that would have cost me a fortune anywhere else.
*If you haven't used it in the last year and don't plan on changing grade levels any time soon, get rid of it. As a new teacher, I took everything and anything people were willing to give me- bulletin board sets, resource books... but when I plan on staying in Kindergarten for awhile, why do I have Mailbox books aimed at the 3rd grade?
*If you won't refer to it daily, it doesn't go on the wall. Especially if it's not something the kids will use independently. While I struggle with this myself, I have learned that having loads of charts on the wall- most of which the kids can't even read- just makes it harder for everyone to find what they need, when they need it. An alphabet line- yes. Every chart from every lesson that year- no.
*Keep it simple- do your kiddos really need to do every piece of morning work they missed because they were eating breakfast? I see teachers with folders and stacks and files of "To be completed" work for kiddos that were absent/late/in the bathroom/etc. Unless it's an assessment, never keep unfinished work. They can take the pages home or create a "Extra practice" bin for those kiddos who LOVE worksheets (I was one, I'll admit.)

And as always, my funny anecdote of the post: Three years ago, I was teaching 2nd grade. Coming from Kindergarten, these kids were huge and I often forgot just how young and inexperienced they still were. One day when I was surrounded by kiddos, I said, "I'm starting to feel claustrophobic." A little boy stepped back and said, "You're afraid of Santa Claus?!" :)

To Do's!

I don't know about you, but the beginning of another school year means a long list of "To Do"s needs to be written. Things I am thinking about:

*Creation of math workstations
*Preparing staggered entry assessment packets
*Buying some supplies: manila envelopes to laminate & send home projects in, folders for writer's workshop, cubby tags
*Replacing all seasonal books
*Preparing my beginning of the year Chicka Chicka tree art project
*Redoing my Smartboard calendar file
*Designing math vocabulary notebooks
*Welcoming 2 new team members to our K group!

Continuing the tradition of funny K stories (this one is from a colleague): During our "All About Books" writing unit, our kiddos were to brainstorm a list of 3 things they are an expert in, or "know all about." One little boy simply wrote, "The ladies." :)

Math Stations

So, like the rest of the Kindergarten blogging world, I am attempting to implement math workstations (similiar to the Debbie Diller approach) in my classroom this coming year- which for me is right around the corner, as I teach at a year-round school. I put the literacy workstations into place two years ago and LOVE them. While other teachers are frequently spending their nights creating (what my principal considers "fluff") centers, I am free to focus on the "meat" of my small group lessons and individualized instruction.

So, when I heard about Debbie Diller's new book, well, color me ecstatic. While mine has yet to arrive (waiting list? what?), I have been following a linky party of primary bloggers as they go through the chapters. I originally found it at Mrs. Wills' page, and continued through the various postings of the talented bloggers and they dissect each and every chapter. Way to go ladies! I love how educators can be so willing so share their hard work for the benefit of ALL kiddos, not just the cutie pies in their room.

*And now, I will begin a tradition of ending (hopefully) every post with a funny Kindergarten moment. I had a little boy this past year who kept us in stitches with his technology know-how. One morning another teacher was attempting to talk to him 1-on-1 during a whole group lesson. Being the super-smart kiddo he is, he wanted to participate instead of working with her. His solution? He calmly looked at her and says, "Can't we do this by email??" :)

And Here We Go!

Today marks the beginning of my entrance into the blogging world! I plan on using the space to record the funny moments that occur on a daily basis in my Kindergarten classroom, as well as tips & tricks, and any lessons I think may be useful. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me!