Managing Homework!

Managing homework (or paper work for that matter) can be extremely overwhelming. I have found a simple system that I would love to share.

At the beginning of the school year, I determine what my homework schedule is going to look like. I then create a table in word with my students' names, as well as the different homework items that will be sent home during the week.

After I have designed a table that suits my needs, I print the sheet and make multiple copies. I clip the copies to a clipboard (one of my best friends). I hang the clipboard next to my H.O.R.S.E folder box (see Mrs. Bainbridge's website to learn more about the folder organization). H.O.R.S.E folders are place for students to organize their homework as they bring it back and forth from home to school.

Each morning, students turn in their H.O.R.S.E folders. As students manage their other morning responsibilities, I check-in student homework. I put check mark under a homework item that a student has completed. If a student has failed to complete or return the item, I circle the box as a reminder for myself. Lastly, if I have an absent student, I write a small A in the corner.

This picture shows the beginning of a weekly homework check-in sheet. The process is simple and straight-forward, but ultimately, I have found it helpful in managing incoming/incomplete homework.

I hope this little tip helps you and I would LOVE to hear more about your homework systems!

Introducing Vocabulary and a Freebie!

Our school, this year, adopted a new reading series -- Treasures Reading Curriculum. At the beginning of each week, I introduce the weekly vocabulary words. Since I was new to the program, I followed the programs steps carefully.

As I became comfortable with the steps, I was looking for a quick game that would be a little more engaging than the basic steps Treasures provided. Now wouldn't you know that as soon as that thought popped into my head, an amazing blogger would provide a fantastic solution (how did she know I needed another option?). :)

Clutter-Free Classroom wrote a post about how she introduced her Treasures Reading Curriculum vocabulary words. It was simple, quick and engaging. Her routine also allowed students to use their context clue skills. I highly encourage you to check out her routine because I am sure you will find it as useful!

For quite a few weeks, I used Clutter-Free Classroom's vocabulary routine. I really enjoyed it, but I still I found I needed to tweak it a little bit more to suit mine and my student's needs. That's when my vocabulary routine was born.

Would you like to know more?  Okay, Okay, here are my vocabulary routine steps:

I begin my vocabulary routine by displaying only the first letter of each word. I cover up the rest of the word with part of a sentence strip and a magnet. On the other side of the sentence strip is the entire vocabulary word. 

My students join me at our meeting area. I explain to everyone that their job is to use the letter and context clues to figure out what the word is. Next, I read a sentence leaving out the vocabulary word. For example, "Rose used a sheet to ____________ (separate) her room from the rest of the family." 

Students will then raise their hands to offer up a guess. With each incorrect guess, I reveal another letter. Sometimes, I will re-read the original sentence or provide the students with another sentence that might give the children another clue. When a student has correctly identified the word, I turn the sentence strip over to reveal the entire word and I read the word's definition.

As a class, we work through the rest of our vocabulary words. What I loved about this routine, as well as Clutter-Free Classroom's routine, was the engagement I had from all (and I mean ALL) of my students. With the program's simple steps, I was not really getting the most bang for my buck. I found some students sitting quietly, while the same students continued to offer up their questions and comments. Also, I found it to be simple to display and organize. It didn't require a ton of materials. 

For any of my blogging friends or followers, I hope this or Clutter-Free Classroom's routine offers you a new way of introducing your program's vocabulary words. 

If you have any tips or tricks for introducing vocabulary or any success with this routine, please don't hesitate to share! 

P.S. I mentioned a Freebie and I must deliver! I created a new Social Studies Unit -- Northeast Region States and Capitals and I wanted to share a little snippet (this is a technical term) with you...enjoy! :)

Chair Pocket Project (Part 2)

A few days ago, I began my chair pocket project and walked all of you through my first few steps.

With the labels complete, I was dying to put the chair pockets into action and see the "finished project."

Therefore, I decided to venture into my classroom today to complete the project and do a New Year cleaning and rearranging.

Would you like to see pictures of the chair pockets? Well here they are:

I was thrilled with the length of the nail apron strings because I was able to wrap them around twice. I knew the knots would agitate some of my students (as they would me). Therefore, the string length allowed me to avoid this issue. For this reason alone, I was pleased with my design choice.

As I mentioned in my last post, the home depot logo did not suit my style needs. Therefore, I started the process of applying Velcro to the labels I had created (see Chair Pocket Project Part 1 for a FREE copy of the label). The Velcro allows me to interchange labels based on need or design.

  

Overall, I am pleased with the final result. The chair pockets are everything I have been looking for, but at just the right price (FREE)! I really hope this post inspires you to venture to your nearest Home Depot and try out a set for your own classroom.

Setting New Year's Resolutions

As teachers (or at least this one), I am always setting resolutions and goals for myself. I am constantly looking (aka pinning) new and better ways to organize, manage or improve my life, classroom, etc.

January is a natural time of year to begin setting resolutions for the new year...therefore, I feel I must link up with Teaching Madness and Teaching with Moxie to share some of my New Year's Resolutions.

I am really trying to keep it to a minimum, so here goes nothing...





My Classroom:
This year I am dedicating my time to improving my planning skills. I have great organizational skills and ideas for my classroom, but I am not always so great at planning my thoughts that far in advance. I would really love to make an effort to complete my plans 2 weeks at a time.

My Life:
My life is truly great, but I have really begun to let my house, time management, and relaxation go to the wayside. My true goal is to manage my time better. I would like to come up with a consistent routine for housework, grocery shopping, laundry, blogging, etc. I would like to prepare my lunch and school outfit the night before, as well as devote 15 minutes to picking up the house. I would also like to allow myself at least 30 minutes of quiet reading before bed time (The finance gave me a brand spankin' new Nook for Christmas - I must put it to good use). With the right routine, I truly think I can manage it.

My Blog:
Improving my blog is truly a big goal for me. I would love to create my own linky party, organize my 1st giveaway, and create an organized schedule for blogging. When I began this blog, I was overwhelmed with my masters program and life took over. With some of those milestones complete, I can now devote the time this blog needed!

Now that I have confessed my goals, check out some of my fellow bloggers' goals (maybe you will be inspired to put your goals into words, as well).

Chair Pocket Project (Part 1) & Freebie

Let me begin by saying "Thank You" to Sharon from Teaching with Sight for officially welcoming back to the blogging world! Your support is so appreciated and I will be emailing you with a sweet treat as my Thank You to you!

After blog stalking and exploring many Chair Pocket options, I settled on Home Depot Chair Pockets. I was most inspired by Ladybug's Teacher Files 2 part chair pocket project. Her advice and thoughts gave me the courage to attempt this project.

Part 1 of this project was to create labels and purchase the Home Depot Nail Aprons (Feel free to click on the image below to learn more about the Home Depot Nail Aprons and check you store inventory) . A few days ago, I popped into my nearest Home Depot in search of the nail aprons. I found the nail aprons with help from an employee, who ultimately ended up donating the nail aprons to my classroom. I will be sure to send my thanks to such a caring and supportive store! (Home Depot - I hope you know that your donations are what keeps the teacher world going!)

After purchasing the chair pockets, I was eager to create labels to cover the Home Depot logo...it really isn't my style :) I settled on the design you see below...

In honor of the end of my hiatus, you can pick up my Editable Home Depot Chair Pocket Labels for FREE!

I am linking up with the Teaching Blog Addict's Freebie Friday! It's a must see blog filled with so many amazing freebies!!

Stay tuned for Part 2...

MIA and so much more!

Wow, it feels like forever since I last posted a meaningful blog post. So here it begins...

First, I must begin this post by mentioning how saddened I was to discover the news about Sandy Hook Elementary. Those events struck me to the core and reminded me how precious life is. I am a teacher and everything I do is for those beautiful, little children. The events reminded me, that while some days are challenging than others, these children offer so much joy, love and hope. My prayers and thoughts are still with Sandy Hook and I recognize that the recovery has truly just begun.

As some of you may have noticed, I have been MIA for quite a few months. My apologies. When the school year began, I was swamped with 3 online masters courses, 1 reading specialist practicum, 10 second & third graders, 1 reading specialist MTEL to pass, and 1 wedding to plan. With all of that,  something had to fall by the wayside...unfortunately it was this blog.

However, with the new year upon us, I am ready to re-enter the world of blogging. I have finished those 3 courses and 1 pracitcum. I have a mini-vacation from my those joyous second and third graders. I have passed my reading specialist MTEL (this was my Christmas gift to myself). The 1 wedding to plan is still a work in progress (7 months away to be exact).

With other some of duties completed, I have taken to the time to start a product I have been dying to create. I am making a large States and Capitals bundle, but I am breaking it into smaller Regional Packs.

Let me introduce my first completed pack..........

Ta Da! I am so proud of myself!!!

I am really looking for 2 interested teachers, who would be interested in reviewing and editing my pack. Feedback is so important to me and for those interested parties I will be providing you with a FREE copy!!

If you are interested, please email me at cdeherrera526@gmail.com, comment here or message me on Facebook!

I am so happy to be back and I want all of you to know you inspire me, each and every day!

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary