freebie
Back to School is here! As teachers, we all know the first few days and weeks of school are the most important times of the year. They will be jam-packed with classroom management, routines, and procedures as we set the foundation for our classrooms. By doing that, students will understand your expectations, develop a sense of independence, and you’ll be able to maximize your teaching and learning time effectively throughout the year. Today I am going to talk about 5 classroom tools that you can implement in your classroom for a smooth and easy school year.
1) Positive Behavior Clip Chart
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Use a Positive
Behavior Clip Chart in your classroom to promote intrinsic motivation and good
self-reflection for your students. Instead of just focusing on the students who
are making good choices, let's turn our focus on the students who are having a
hard time in class as well. The "bad colors" as students like to
refer to aren't actually bad colors with the Positive Behavior Clip Chart.
Instead of saying "warning", "time out", or "parent
phone call", I turned those into positive words. Yellow is quoted as
"I will make better choices." Orange is quoted as "I know I can improve
my behavior." Red is quoted as "I will talk about my behavior and try
again!". These positive words are meant to encourage students to think
about their choices, take responsibility for their own actions, and make better
choices throughout the day. The Positive Behavior Clip Chart was designed so
students have many opportunities to clip up throughout the day and build a
sense of responsibility for their own character and choices.
Click HERE to purchase the Positive Behavior Clip Chart from my TPT shop.
The full kit
comes with the behavior clip chart, parent letter, and monthly calendars.
2) Golden Sub Tickets
If you plan to be out this year, utilize these FREE Golden Sub Tickets to help with your classroom management on day(s) you are absent. Print, cut, and place them inside your sub folder. Inform the sub to pass out these Golden Sub Tickets to students who are demonstrating role model traits without your presence. When you return, have the students turn in those Golden Sub Tickets to you for a prize!!
3) Star of the Week
I learned about Star of the Week and how to implement it in my classroom from my student teaching practicum ages ago! Yesss, I have taught for almost that long so please don’t judge. ;) Star of the Week is one week in the school year where a student from your class is celebrated. The student gets to share interesting and new things about himself/herself to the class. On Friday, each student writes a letter to the Star Student and those letters turn into a book so the Star Student can have it as a keepsake. At the end of every week, the class will feel more connected and appreciated about one another.
Click HERE to purchase the Star of the Week Kit from my TPT shop.
The full kit
comes with various letter-writing templates, student award, All About Me
Poster, parent letter, and picture sign.
4) Good Morning Slides
Greet your students every morning in style with my monthly editable “Good Morning” slides. Use the “Good Morning” slides daily to provide quick reminders and updates as your students unpack for the day. It's a great way to start every morning with your class! Included are 11 monthly templates compatible with Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint. To use with Microsoft PowerPoint, simply download the Google Slides as PowerPoint. :)
*To get these "Good Morning" Slides, you will need to be a Classroom Shenanigans Member and have access to our CS Community Library.
5) Role Model Punch Cards
These Role
Model punch cards were created to make our students see their own growth and
full potential as a positive individual/role model. It is a great way to
promote positivity, instill values, and create a positive classroom environment
where students can learn and flourish. These punch cards will help minimize
behavioral issues and promote more positive behaviors with rewards.
Click HERE to grab
the FREE Role Model Punch Cards and read more about it from this blog post.
I hope you take one of these classroom management tools to help with your classroom. Wishing you the best school year!
Back to School: Classroom Management!
Sunday, August 22
Over the course of my teaching career, the words “Role Model” have been a phrase I consistently use and emphasize in my classroom on a daily basis. “Role Model” is a POWERFUL phrase I use every day to encourage my students to be the best version of themselves and inspire others to make positive choices. In fact, I also call my students “Role Models” instead of “boys and girls” or “friends” to help them see that they too can be role models anytime and anywhere.
If you decide to try these FREE Role Model punch cards, please let me know how it works in your classroom. :)
I am a firm believer behavior choices affect the classroom environment. Students learn best when the environment they're in is positive and supporting, leading students to uplift each other with their right choices and behaviors. When we as teachers create a positive classroom environment for our students, they are more willing to engage, respond, and come to school.
So now you’re probably asking how I manage to do that with my students. About two years ago, I started using these “Role Model” punch cards in my very own first grade classroom to encourage my students to make good choices throughout the day (and for the rest of the school year). I have been using them ever since and am ready to share with you how they work in my classroom.
What is the purpose of the Role Model punch cards?
The purpose of these Role Model punch cards is to make your students see their own growth and full potential as an individual. I understand our students are not 100% perfect and who is, but the idea is to make our students see how they CAN positively change a classroom with their choices. We want to encourage classroom behaviors that will result in the students naturally creating a positive learning environment together, allowing everyone to learn and flourish from one another.
In addition, these Role Model punch cards have twelve circles on each card to help students build stamina for making positive choices in the classroom. Instead of rewarding a student every time they make good choices/behaviors, use these cards to teach them to make good choices consistently and naturally overtime. It will take some students a week or longer to get all twelve circles punched on their card, but it will definitely teach them to build character and patience.
How do I use the Role Model punch cards in my own classroom?
In my classroom, the Role Model punch cards is implemented as a whole class and individual reward. My students earn a punch on their Role Model punch card at the end of the day if they move their clip up on our classroom’s positive behavior chart. Throughout the day, I punch my students' Role Model punch cards if I see them making role model choices (helping others, completing a hard assignment with a positive attitude, cooperating with their team or a partner, following school rules in the hallway, problem solving their own minor problems, and etc.).
I always remind my students to have their punch card out on their desk because they never know when I’m going to punch a hole in their card for being a "Role Model". On a daily average, I punch about 2-3 holes in a student’s card. I don’t punch a hole for every praise or compliment I give out. However, if I notice a consistent positive behavior displayed by the same student I would go ahead and punch his/her Role Model card.
I usually have 2-3 students who earned all twelve punches by the end of each week. However, it usually takes about 1.5-2 weeks for my most of my students to get all twelve punches. Again, this is because I use my best judgements to only punch cards for students that showed consistent classroom behaviors and not for every single compliment/praise I give out.
What happens when my students get all twelve punches on their card?
Every time a student gets all twelve punches, they earn a reward!! There are so many ways you can choose to reward your students. The discretion is up to you as their teacher. I understand we get a new group of students every year and each group is different, so the choice for reward is what you think will work best for your students.
Last year I rewarded my students with treasure box. This year I took two different approaches. The first semester, my students earned a reward from our class treasure box filled with Scentos smelly knickknacks from Walmart because they loved scented things. This second semester, I am allowing my students to write their own reward on the back of their card (which must be teacher approved first). My students really love the autonomy to pick their own reward by writing it on the back of their punch card.
Do these Role Model punch cards REALLY work?
YES! If implemented correctly and used effectively by the teacher and students, these punch cards will help minimize behavioral issues and promote positive behaviors in the classroom. Now keep in mind that not all behavioral issues can be solve with a simple punch card. We would love for it to be that simple. The purpose of these punch cards is to teach our students to make good behavior choices that encourage their classmates to do the same, resulting in a self-created positive classroom learning environment.
I have successfully used these punch cards for two years now with first graders. The cards have helped my students become accountable for their own behaviors and choices. Our classroom learning environment is a safe place for the students as they inspired each other to be the best version of themselves. My students also understand what it feels like to work hard for something they want (hence picking their own reward) and why it’s important to be a good citizen. I believe that these role model punch cards will work in your classroom as they do in mine.
click the image above to grab the FREEBIE
Happy Teaching!
FREE Role Model Punch Cards to Create a Positive Classroom Environment
Tuesday, March 12
As the end of the year approaches, we often find ourselves looking for fun and meaningful cross-curricular activities to keep our students engaged and teach them up until that very last day. It is not easy being a teacher and an entertainer, at the same time trying to keep up with all the EOY madness. However, don’t worry sista I got you covered with a fun and engaging worksheet!
Thank you to Education.com for collaborating with me on this blog post to create fun and educational worksheets for my classroom. All opinions stated are my own. I only publish guest contents from products that I use and love.
Word search is one of my favorite end of the year activity to introduce to 1st graders because it’s FUN, keeps their INTEREST, and I can use it across ALL core subjects. I recently introduced a Bug Theme Word Search worksheet to wrap up the Life Cycle unit in science and oh boy, my students are in love with word search. They ask me to provide them with word search every day now. They think it’s a race to see who can find all the words the fastest, and to determine who is the class’s best speller. Apparently, the faster you are, the better the speller you are too. LOL. Kids will be kids.
My students were fascinated with the Bug Theme Word Search worksheet because it corresponded with our Life Cycle unit in Science about butterfly and ladybug. In addition, the word bank had words, my students could read independently. It’s a great way to encourage reading and spelling, especially at the end of the year.
The first thing we did was go over the pictures on the word search. We discussed the butterfly and ladybug life cycle and the importance of the life cycle. Let’s say it was a very meaningful discussion because my students showed they learned a lot. Next, my students read the word bank 3 times (together as a class, in their group, and by themselves quietly) and we went over what each word meant. Then, I explained and showed my students how to look for words in the word search by emphasizing on spelling the words correctly as you look for them. Finally, I gave my students the choice to work independently or in pairs on their Bug Theme Word Search. Guess what they chose? Partners!
By the way, did you notice that the Bug Theme Word Search was literacy and science integrated?! What a WIN-WIN end of the year activity in my book! To keep your students excited and learning at the end of the year, give your little learners the creeps with this fun creepy crawlie word search.
For more fun and engaging spelling activities, go to Education.com!
The best part of the Bug Word Search worksheet was that I could use a different set of words for the same theme. Yes, you read that right! My students enjoyed the Bug Word Search so much that I created another word search with the same theme using science spelling words. I did all that for FREE from Education.com.
If you have a favorite end of the year activity you do with your students, comment below and share. I would love to read all about it.
FREE Quick And Easy End of the Year Word Search
Tuesday, May 22
Can you believe it's already May? In less than 1.5 week, I can finally
say "TEACHER ON SUMMER BREAK!"
Till then the learning
in my first-grade classroom doesn't stop. Womp, womp, womp! Yes, I'm that
teacher! We don't stop learning until the very last day of school. Yayyyy???
HAHA! #bestteacherever or should I use a different hashtag?
If you're a first-grade teacher like me, or have students that need
extra fact families practice you came to the right blog! *sings out loud the
Price is Right theme song* YESSSSS, YOU, COMEEEEEEE ON OVER!!
This year my class has been working hard on memorizing their addition
and subtraction facts. We've done life-size fact families games, outdoor chalk
activities, students vs. teacher competitions, and a ton of other activities to
help us.
In fact, fact families are such a B-I-G deal in my classroom that I'm going
to end the school year with a Fact Families Par-tayyy for my students! In
addition, I want to give you all a sneak peek of what this
party is all about since most of us don't have that many school days left. Knowing me, if I wait to post photos of this party in action, this blog probably won't be up until after summer break. #teacherlife #keepingitreal So if
you're interested on how to host a Fact Families Party, keep on reading. Don't
forget to follow me on Instagram as well. I will be posting photos from my Fact
Families party sometimes this week.
STEP ONE: A Party Banner and Party Hats
You can make DIY party hats with your students or purchase some from
the Dollar Store. You don't need to go all out with party decorations. However,
you may if you wish to. I will be keeping my party simple with party hats from
Target and a handmade banner made from butcher paper.
STEP TWO: Fact Families Centers
Create fact families centers where students can rotate and move around.
There are 4 fun and FREE printable centers for this party.
Center 1: Fact Families Puzzles
Print, laminate, and cut out the puzzles. Put 3-4 puzzles on a party
plate (1 party plate per student). Depending on how many students you have, you
may need more or less puzzles. Each student will try to match the 3 numbers
with their fact families. When they're done, they can exchange their plate
with another student.
Center 2: Complete the Fact Families
Print out the fact families worksheet(s) and have students complete
them in different ways. Since it is the end of the year, I am going
to allow my students the choice to do what they like. I will provide them with
a list of choices that they can choose from. EX: Complete the worksheet(s) with
markers, gel pens, with a partner, in groups, anywhere in the classroom, etc.
You can decide what choices are best for your students.
Center 3: Create Your "Magical" Own Fact Families
Pass out the blank fact families worksheet to each student. Have the
students write 3 numbers inside the circles using a white crayon. They will
then give their worksheet to another friend at their center to complete. That
friend will use a colored marker to color each circle anddddd................BAM! the
3 magical numbers will appear. They will use those 3 magical numbers to write
the fact families.
Center 4: Write the Room
Print and tape the fact families cards around the room, and outside the
hall if you can. Next to each card, write a clue describing where the proceeding card
could be found at.
[OPTIONAL] Once students find all 10 cards and have the
correct answers on their sheet, they will come to you and receive a prize. I will be giving each student a raffle ticket for a chance to win our party's grand prize. Do I know what that grand prize will be? Not yet LOL! Maybe
a round of applause or a standing ovation from the class HAHAHA! JK. I
seriously don’t know yet.
And there you have it - 2 easy steps for hosting a Fact Families Party!
You can download all the free printables to host your own Fact Families party by
clicking the image below.
If you host your own fact families party, don't forget to tag me on
Instagram @classroomshenanigans
Let's Host a FREE EOY Fact Families Party!
Sunday, May 20
Hello Friends!
How many more days of school do you have left before summer? 4? 8? 12? 15? If you're one of those teachers who's already on summer break, well then LUCKY for you! For those who are still in school, summer just couldn't get here any quicker right?
The end of the year means the kids are buzzing with excitement, the days seem longer, your class acts crazier, and YOU are in survival mode. So, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite end of the year behavior incentive with you during this exciting and crazy time!
The ICE CREAM PARTY!!!
The ICE CREAM PARTY is a fun behavior incentive where students work together to earn an ice cream party.
To start this ice cream party incentive, download the letters HERE. Print, laminate, and cut them out. Then add a magnet strip or double-sided tape to the back of each letter. Hang the letters somewhere visible on the whiteboard or anywhere you want on your classroom wall. Viola! You're off to a fun and non-chaotic end of the school year.
Want to make your Ice Cream Party LIVELIER?
Bring the beach to your students with this YouTube video of a beach scene with relaxing guitar music. Have your students pretend they're at the beach enjoying a nice ice cream sundae with their friends! Side note: There are 8 letters in the word "ice cream". You should have at least 9 or more days to start this fun behavior incentive. However, if you don't, it's all cool. Just pin this post to your Pinterest board and come back to it next year.
I hope you try this with your class and end the school year with a memorable BANG!!
End of the Year Ice Cream Party Behavior Incentive {FREEBIE}
Saturday, May 27
Are you looking for fun ways to celebrate the last few weeks or days of school with your students? We’ve spent so much time with our students and have become such great friends with them that it’s only natural for us to want to end the year with a BANG! Having a celebration at the end of the year can be so much fun, especially when we celebrate the students for who they are.
Here are 6 End of the Year Ideas:
1. Hashtag Awards
Award your hardworking students with 21st Century style certificates. Each student gets a personalized award that describes their personality using a hashtag. This set of Hashtag Awards is an editable PDF product with 47 ready to print awards.
2. Most Likely To... Awards
These fun and whimsical “Most Likely To” certificates will get you and your students smiling! Each student will get a personalized award predicting what they will most likely do in the future base on their personality. There is a total of 60 editable and ready to print awards in this product. It contains 2 sets of 30 awards. 1 set for boys and 1 set for girls.
3. Graduation Certification
Promote your students to the next grade level by presenting them with this End of the Year Graduation Certificate to show your appreciation of all their hard word this year. It's a very simple yet traditional certificate perfect for any school and grade level. It is an EDITABLE certificate, giving you the flexibility to personalize the student's name, grade, school name, date, and teacher/principal signature.
4. Memory Book
Use this memory book to create a keepsake for your students as the school year comes to an end. It is the perfect end of the year reflective activity. It includes a cover for each grade level from Pre-K to 5th Grade. There are tons of opportunity in the memory book for students to be writers and artists.
5. Graduation Signs
These adorable Graduation signs make the perfect photo prop for end of the year keepsakes! Print the sign you need, have students hold it, and capture adorable photos!
6. Last Day of School Signs
Grab this pack of primary colors and chalkboard signs for student picture for last day of school. Take individual photos of your students holding the sign on the last day of school. Send the photos home as a memorable keepsake for the students at the end of the year!
1. Hashtag Awards
2. Most Likely To... Awards
3. Graduation Certification
4. Memory Book
5. Graduation Signs
6. Last Day of School Signs
FREE End of the Year Resources
Saturday, May 13
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