Fresh Start to the School Year? Well Maybe Not.

Hola!

If I  haven't already told you, I have been moving into a new classroom at the same school I have been at for 14 years. School for me starts in a few weeks and it is HOT here in Arizona!  I went to my classroom yesterday (with NO air conditioning) to look at my new room and organize a little bit. OH MY, what did I get myself into?  At the end of the year, I had enough time to physically move my stuff into my new room.  With that said, my new classroom looks like a cyclone hit it. Well I have to start somewhere, so I started with putting student books on the shelves.  This is a good place to start but was quickly ruined when I was emptying my library bin full of books when something CRAWLED over my hand and landed back in the bin.  I screamed needless to say. It is something I can't stand, I don't do spiders, lizards, snakes, etc. but I especially do NOT do scorpions!

These nasty little creatures are something this native Arizona girl will never get used to!  I don't even want to go back to unpack anything else. I envision myself only returning in a bee keeper or hazmat suit to sort through the other boxes full of wonderful surprises! Or perhaps I will just teach outside under a tree and use umbrellas if it rains (haha that was a joke, I live AZ remember). My fellow third grade teacher has told me I am being ridiculous and it was like I found a mouse or something.  I was like ummm bring on the mice - that I can live with. :) .



Anyone else found any nasty creepy crawlies in your classrooms?




Seriously, I am sure I am being ridiculous.

Sincerely,

Erin the Scorpion Hunter


Clipart by EduClips

How to help setup a routine for the school year with journals

Hi Again Everyone!

So as I have been looking into what I want to start the year, I have pulled up and revamped my journals.  These journals are one of my best kept secrets.  I have been doing them for at least 12 years.  When I first started them I was in a district that literally just focused on Reading and Math.  This particular district asked for 2 hours per day of each. If you got in something else, then great.  I combined my annoyance with a lack of a writing program with my need to engage the kids in something when they first walk in the door.

I think most teachers have this issue, morning starts, a million questions that need answering NOW, and the goofing off of students who have no direction when they first get into the classroom.  This is that stale time while we are waiting for announcements and turning in our homework. So I thought to start a daily journal.  My first draft of journals were from books I had purchased and a mix of this and that but it still took MY time.  Then one summer I bit the bullet and decided to create a journal that I could use that doesn't take any extra work from me (because remember the mornings are crazy time).

So what I came up with a full journal of prompts that I created and I copy (36 weeks worth) and put it into a binder for each student at the beginning of the year.  Ok - done with that, morning fixed.  Well almost, it takes a week or two to get the students accustomed to them but once they get into the routine, these journal TIME SAVERS, work like a charm.

Journal Freebie

To set up this journal routine I install for the morning I start the year off with explaining to them that they must fill them out all the way (and yes I teach third graders).  I typically get the big eyes but they get over it quickly. I do want to note however that I know we all have those students that just CAN'T write that much.  It is okay, we are just setting up expectations.  I also tell students that they need to use normal handwriting which brings up another great benefit to journaling.  Students handwriting improves quickly by having to write inside the lines. There are only 4 journal prompts per week which goes well because it gives a little extra room for students who have not finished theirs each day. However, there are days I like to give an extra prompt, just to see what they have learned that week or something else tied to the theme we are working on. I call these Friday Journal Templates. I even take these as a quick assessment on writing or other concept I am asking about.  

As an overview these journals have been my time saver because it gives the students something to do first thing in the morning. Once in the routine my students come in, put their backpacks away, turn in their homework, and get out their journal.  This has kept my classroom rather calm in the morning because students have direction and it allows me to take attendance, answer students questions, take lunch count, or respond to emails without the crazy morning kids. Just click on the student examples pic if you would like a freebie for you to try it out for yourself.  Also, I put a link below to my store if you are interested in the full year bundle.  I would love to hear how it has worked for you!


Thanks,
Erin Hansen

Full year journal link

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Said no teacher ever! Love this video.

For all of us teachers out there! This video is hilarious!

The summer is coming to an end!

Hi Everyone,

I am dreading the end of summer but at the same time excited to start a new year.  I have so many things to do and I know that you are thinking the same thing. This is the chatter that is going on inside my head.

What was it again, that great thing I wanted to accomplish this summer?  Oh well I guess I didn't do  it.

Wait, some sort of new lesson plans?

Ok, well I guess I have to really focus on what I need to start the year.


I know that we all have those grand plans of things we wanted to accomplish over the summer but if you are anything like me, it was time for a break and to spend it with family and friends.  I have a two and a four year old that I have been blessed with and have loved spending this whole summer with them.

However, it is now time to get back to business.  I am switching to a new room this year after being in my previous room for 12 years.  It is just one classroom over but the move is throwing me for a loop.  I strive to be a very organized person and hope putting the new room goes to together quickly and smoothly.

For my next few posts I will be discussing some of the things that I love starting the year with.  I am hoping that everyone's summer went well and I just want to say Welcome Back!

-Erin Hansen

                                                    Blue skies ahead :).