A Quick, Easy Way to Line 'Em Up!

I'm linking up with Bright Ideas today to bring you a really simple way to line up your students.

This year I will be using numbers for the first time.  I feel like numbers are everywhere in my room now!  Including...my floor!

I don't know about you, but my students argue ALL. THE. TIME about where they stand in line.  I've tried line leaders, I've tried cabooses, I've tried special helpers.  My students have fought with each other over where to stand in line.  They cut each other, tattle, cry...I even had students MISS RECESS because they wanted to be first in line, so they'd line up on the playground and just sit there to ensure that they got the spot they wanted!  I don't know what it is.  My famous line is, "We're all going to the same place and we'll all get there at about the same time.  IT DOESN'T MATTER."  Sound familiar?

So this year I though, "I'm done."  No more arguing.

I bought calendar numbers from Lakeshore Learning and used clear contact paper to stick them to the floor.  Easy peasy!

Now there's no more reason to fight and miss recess!  They each have their own spot.  It's visible in the classroom to help them learn where to go.  It should be so easy for them to find their number and stand there.  I teach 1st graders, so we won't have to waste any time trying to line up in numerical order and figure out who is in front of each kid and who is behind.  I'm so excited to see how smooth these transition periods go when they have a specific spot in line!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram if you don't already!  I'm constantly posting pictures each day!  :)  You can follow me at "sarahlynnkirby".

There are TONS of bright ideas out there today!  Make sure you take a look around and visit the other blogs to see their tips and tricks!  I *LOVE* reading these and find so many easy, fantastic ideas!  Happy Saturday and Happy Reading! ;)

An InLinkz Link-up

Thoughts on Changing Grade Levels

I feel like changing grade levels is the story of my life.  In the 5 years I've been teaching (including this coming year), I've changed grade levels 4 times.  Blah.  Here's my table right now, as I'm trying to get ready...

As I'm sitting here, slightly stressing, I'm trying to tell myself all the positives of changing grade levels.  So I came up with 4 positives and 4 negatives of switching.  We'll start with the bad first, that way we end on a good note.  :)

Negatives:

1. Changing your mindset.  As teachers, we have to try to think like the kids we teach.  Even though I'm only moving down one grade, I still have to start thinking like a first grader.  They're just coming out of kindergarten!  It's actually a bigger change than one might think.

2. Materials: Oh. my. goodness.  This is what has me stressing.  I have to completely create appropriate materials all over again.  My to-do list of things I have to get ready is m-i-l-e-s long.  It feels like I'll never complete it!  It has taken me hours.  Days.  Weeks.  Even months to create stuff.  And I'm still not done.  Thank goodness for Teachers Pay Teachers.  Honestly.  I can find so many things so that I don't have to create everything.

3. Arranging your classroom: I went from 1st to 3rd to 2nd to 1st.  That's a lot of height changes on tables, desks, mailboxes, etc...

4.  Getting into the groove with a new team: I adore all the people I work with.  Each team has been WONDERFUL.  But they're all a little different in how they do things.  So getting used to that is another change.

Positives:

1.  It keeps me on my toes!: There's no time to get complacent when you're doing everything for the first time.

2.  You get to see how it all fits together: This is the coolest thing to me.  Seeing the developmental levels of all the kiddos and how they change from one grade to the next - it's quite amazing!  And I have a much better understanding of the puzzle, if you will.  I know where they've been, what they need to know, where they come from, and where they need to end.

3.  Thinking of new ways to reach my students: With every grade level comes new interests, new abilities, new creativity, new personalities...it's kinda fun to think of ways to teach them that will really reach where they are.

4.  It makes me a better teacher:  I get this burst of innovation every time I switch grade levels.  My mind starts swarming with new things.  It CAN be refreshing.  Getting the overall picture, working with students on foundations that need to be built at each level...it's truly invigorating.

So how about you?  Have you ever switched grade levels?  How big of a jump did you have to make?  What is one thing you like about it and one thing that you don't like?  The first person to comment (including their e-mail address) will receive a copy of my latest...September Math Centers!  They are geared towards K, 1, 2.  I'm teaching 1st next year, so that's who I have in mind as I am working on it.  I'd still love to hear from you even if you don't teach the primary grades.  Maybe you can give it to someone you work with?  :)  I'm still working on it, but it should be done in a few days.  I will e-mail it to you as soon as it's done.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you!  :)

Winner and Back to School Finds

First thing's first!  I went to random.org to pick a winner for the Writing Workshop Packet!  The winner is...

That means rmoncelsi is the winner!  Congratulations!  It will be e-mailed to you shortly...

For those wondering, there was a sweet gal who left her info over on my TpT store, so that's where the 6 comes from.  :)

Has anyone else started shopping for next year already?  I'm like a little kid at Christmas when it comes to shopping for my classroom.  Y'all, I get SO excited!  All the bright, fun colors, all the ideas swimming in my head...I just love it!

Today I went to Party City and found some cute fan decorations that will go above my desk groups.

I also picked up some fun straws and a cup for my birthday treats I'm making this year.  If you've been on Pinterest, you know what I'm talking about.  ;)  The packs of straws were only 99 cents, as was the cup!  So for my birthday treats for my whole class for the entire the year, I only spent $7.  Not bad at all!

Next, I hopped on over to Target (my absolute FAVORITE store!) and got a couple things.  I am going to do Made for 1st Grade's Gumball Math next year with my firsties, so I found a CUTE file folder organizer to organize all the papers!  The best part?  It was on clearance for $10.48!  It even came with 6 orange folders inside.  And I love the way it flips open!

My final find for the day was a index card pack with tabs.  I plan to use it as anecdotal notes for my students for the different subject areas.  As I notice a strength or weakness, I'll jot it down.  I figure it'll be a big help when it comes to filling out report cards and conferences!

What I NEED to find is a set of plastic drawers, big enough to put papers in, that is COLORFUL!  I found some at Target, but the drawers were too small.  I figured I'd wait a little longer because they normally come out with all sorts of stuff when it's "Back to School" time.  If anyone knows where I can find some, let me know!  :)

Hope you have a great week and that you're able to start finding some good deals on cute stuff!