Monday, April 23, 2012

I'm dreaming of...next year?!?

Hey friends! I don't know about ya'll...but the end of April hits/first of May...and I'm thinking of next year. What do I want to do differently, what are my goals, what do I wish I would have done this past year, etc? You get the picture! :) Anyways, I've already found some fun pictures on Pinterest that have given me inspiration for many of my "to do's" for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year. Here they are:
MUST.organize.construction.paper. Hello fuzzy - what a hot mess mine is! I'm dying to put it in a filing cabinet drawer using hanging file folders - genius.
I hope my Dad is ready to build. I am SOOO making these this summer using PVC pipe. My plan is to have little pocket chart workstations spread throughout my room. Having these chart holders will allow me to do so. And if ya'll are like me, you bought a million bajillion of these mini pocket charts from Target $1 section - Amen?!
I want to do community supplies rather than crayon boxes. I am SO over those. And if one more child drops theirs and spills crayons and supplies everywhere, I'm liable to lose it! ha
Holy smartness. I plan on making a BUTT load of these for all the new students who come in during the school year. Am I the only one whose classroom is like a revolving door?! :( Having these "on hand" will make the transition so much easier and me - - less stressed.  ha
I need a new behavior system. Period. This one is looking mighty appealing! :)
Everything about this classroom makes me want to crawl through my computer and visit. This classroom is so beautiful, organized, colorful, and inviting. One of my goals, is to get my classroom to a state of liking. ha This may never be possible. I have some shelves I want to paint, things I want to rearrange, and just good ole housekeeping items I need to take care of in my room.

With that said, I'm already writing down ideas as I think of them. I made a few little lists to help me stay organized and not get carried away. You can grab them by clicking the pic below. What are YOU planning on doing differently next year? Leave me some love, please. 

23 comments:

Lori Rosenberg said...

You've shared some great ideas. I filed my construction paper and couldn't be happier. And the clip chart is the best invention next to chocolate! Absolutely no behavior problems since I stared the clip chart this year. Go for it!

Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
Teaching With Love and Laughter

Heather's Heart said...

When you jump through your computer to go to that classroom, please take me with you! That room is HUGE...I think 3 of my classrooms could fit inside of it!!!!

Thank you for sharing your great ideas! =)


Heather
Heather's Heart

Mrs. Lindsey said...

Thank you for sharing. This year I have felt like my classroom was a revolving door. :( So many moving bc of divorce or being moved out of their home.

Love all of the cute ideas!

Lindsey
Lovin’ First Grade

Miss Kindergarten said...

When you're done, come over to my classroom ;)

Heather Shelton said...

I am already thinking about next year too! I did the construction paper filing and it is working amazing! So much neater and easy for students to get colors they need.
I use the behavior chart you put up and LOVE it. It is great for positive and negative.
My biggy plan for summer is to go through my files and file 13 the ones that are no longer appropriate for Kindergarten.
Thanks for sharing!
Mrs. Shelton’s Kindergarten

Krogers Kindergarten said...

So funny...I am TOTALLY in "dreaming of next year" mode. And I am completely with you on moving to community supplies next year. I am o-VER supply boxes! (I'm also over my glue bottle tops breaking off but that's another story ha!!)

Really love the mini pocket chart stands too :)

Danielle

Amanda said...

I know exactly what you mean! As soon as I found out I was switching grades, I can't stop thinking about next year! And I totally agree about supply boxes... hate them!!! And Pinterest is absolutely the best (and worst) place to find new ideas!

Enjoy the rest of this year! :)

Amanda
First Grade Garden

Rachel Seymour said...

I love these ideas!! And, I LOVE Pinterest!

I'm definitely making new student bags for next year. I try to create extras of everything at the beginning of the year, but I like it all neatly in that bag!

RacA-B-Seymourhel

Deedee Wills said...

I think I need the red on my behavior chart to say, "I am taking away your birthday!" Boy Howdy, my kiddos are wIlD!!!!

Love the construction paper idea too!
Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

Jill said...

That's so funny - I am totally going from community supplies to individual supplies next year. My kids DO NOT CARE about stuff if it doesn't specifically belong to them. I can't even tell you how many things they have ruined this year out of sheer carelessness.

But I am totally in that mode too!! I have so many ideas, including the pocket chart stands!!

Marvelous Multiagers!

Jennifer said...

I am using the clip chart system this year and I absolutely LOVE IT! It is one of the best tools I've ever used. It rewards those students who are always doing the right thing and gives those who need to make better choices a chance to move back up by the end of the day!

  said...

I am already thinking of next year too. I did the construction paper thing and couldn't be happier. The behavior chart I am going to be doing. My co-worker Lori (first person to comment) did it and it has worked wonders for her. I have begun mentally rearranging my room and make notes about everything I want to do for next year. I have been at my school for 4 years now and have moved my classroom 3 times out of those 4 years. I'm hoping that I stay so I can finally fully unpack everything. (Things are still in boxes and not put away like I would like them to be.) Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

Cara
The Teacher's Backpack

Kerri Buckner said...

I love that construction paper idea. I currently have mine stacked and kind of organized but it's an eyesore. I'm thinking I might have to do that now. I use that behavior system and love it. It's really good for the kids that mess up a lot but want to do better. I'll be moving up to first grade with my students next year. I've got some academic things I'm wanting to try like math work stations and reworking my classroom library. Love the ideas you shared.

Maryann said...

I love your ideas about thinking ahead. I have about 32 days until the end. With all the testing, getting memory books put together and trying to teach,oh well!!!
Will you share the dimensions of the pocket chart stand or direct me to where I could find the size? I have many pocket charts that I had bought from Target to use!
Thanks so much and I appreciate your wilingness to share!
Take care-
Maryann
brennemm@carlisleschools.org

Ms. D said...

Oh good gravy... my to do list keeps getting longer and longer! Thanks for a fancier way of keeping organized! Right now the back of my plan book is covered with sticky notes!

I am planning on making the switch back to community supplies and have done the organized construction paper previously and need desperately to return. I am also planning on taking on Daily 5, Clip Up/Down, and Math Workshop next year. Hope I make it!! :)

Erica
The Eagle's Nest
littlesoaringeagles.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I am glad that someone else is out there day dreaming of next year. I thought I was the only one that did that at this time of year. Thanks for the freebie. I will put them to good use as I too continue to daydream about next year.

If you don't mind, maybe I will do a similar post on my blog so that I can remember what I am liking for next year. I have so many neat ideas that I have seen on Pinterest and I need to keep track of them.

Happy Blogging!
Ann

Kayla said...

I have not seen those pocket charts at Target, but I'm going to have to look for them! I do the clip up chart in my classroom, and it works for the most part. The one thing I plan on doing next year is having a 1-1 1/2 inch binder for every student to take home. I'm going to put their papers in it, and have the parents view them, go over any problem areas, sign and return each day. I'm going to keep these for the entire year, changing them out every month or so. I feel like this is the best way to keep up with student papers, and hold parents accountable for student work as well!

www.teachingwithskillpatiencelaughter.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

YES! I'm so glad that I'm not the only crazy person buying way too many pocket charts at Target. (Yes, I bought 24 of them and I only have 7 students in my class!)

I can't stop dreaming about next year only because I'm moving to a bigger classroom WITH a bathroom! (Can I get an AMEN!?) I will be team teaching for the first time, which makes me nervous, but excited!

Good Luck!

Unknown said...

I love the To Do Lists! Thank you!
Janet
Bloominginkindergarden.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

The clip up/down chart was created by Rick Morris. This is his site:
http://www.newmanagement.com/products/clip_chart.html

It is a great chart used for school-wide positive behavior!

The Kindergarten Goonies
www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Love your list!!! :)
Thank you for sharing all your incredible ideas! I want those pocket chart stands! Where did you find the instructions on how to build them? :)
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls

AthenaPhoenix said...

You read my mind! I have already started a list but now I have a cuter list. Thanks!

I love the behavior system.

My biggest thing I want to make sure I do is to create a community. I'm looking into ways to do that (bucket filling etc..)

My job for myself this summer is to clean out and organize!!

Crystal
Strive to Sparkle

lara said...

The clip chart idea....is FABULOUS!!!! I started it this year and it has worked so well. The kids can move up and down rather then just turning their card and then having the rest of their day on yellow or red. I highly recommend it!!!