Monday, January 4, 2021

LET'S GET ORGANIZED IN 2021!

Helping children get organized can improve individual confidence and boost the emotional climate in your classroom.  When children know expectations their behavior and academic skills can improve.

Student Office
With a personal “office” your students will be able to organize their work space and stay focused at home or in the traditional classroom.

                                        

Materials: 2 file folders for each child, wide packaging tape, markers, crayons, copy of alphabet letters, numbers, shapes, class word wall, hundreds chart, etc.

*Note! Adapt student offices to appropriate skills for your age level.

Directions Tape two file folders together for each child. Let them decorate the outside with markers, magazine pictures, trading cards, stickers, etc. On the inside staple a copy of alphabet letters, sight words, shapes, numbers, and other pertinent information. When children write in their journals or do independent work, they can stand up their “office” on their desk. 

*Make an "office" similar to the one shown with pocket folders. Children can put work completed in one pocket and things they need to finish in another pocket.

               

Hint! Before singing your "Good-Bye Song" each day, encourage your students to clean out their folders and work space. That way they'll be "fresh" to learn the following day.

Catch Up Folder
Students keep a “catch up folder” in their desk with work that needs to be completed. 



Fist List 
Have students tuck in their thumb and then put down a finger as they repeat each task they need to complete. Adapt to their assignment for the day. For example: 
     Put down 1 finger. “Journal writing.” 
     Put down 2nd finger. “Phonics game.” 
     Put down 3rd finger. “Independent reading.”
     Put down 4th finger. “Ipad skills.”


Daily Schedule
Post the daily schedule and review each morning and after lunch.
*Take photographs of the students engaged in the various activities and put them on 4” x 6” index cards. Attach magnetic tape to the front and back. As you do different activities turn them over so the children can follow the sequence of the day.



Classroom Calendar
Write birthdays, school events, and other special information on a classroom calendar. Count the days to holidays and demonstrate how to use time organizers to plan for special days.