I could talk about teaching all day. I never really tire of the subject, though I may tire of the process. I'm pretty lucky and blessed (not hashtag blessed, real blessed) to be able to pursue a career I actually love, because many don't get to do that. Here's some tips and tricks that are from an ever-expanding list I'm compiling on the subject (i.e. an ebook).
+Hook labels.
I never labeled hooks in Alaska and this was the exact same set-up I had there. In Missouri, I had cubbies, so those were labeled and then last year I labeled hooks because I was in the habit from Missouri. Use numbers, not names, so they can last more than one year. I covered these in packing tape to keep them on the wall. Last year I stapled them because it was a different kind of wall material.
+Supply boxes/bags.
(see above) My hack for meet-the-teacher night. Give kids a place to put their stuff and your life will automatically be made easier. It worked REALLY well. I put a detailed instruction list on each desk too, and parents and kids followed it.
+"I'm Done" sticks.
I've never tried these before, so we'll see how it goes. I don't know if I'll push them or if the kids will want to use them or if they'll get stuffed away so like many of those grand ideas we have in August/September. They took about 3 minutes to make and were essentially free, so they can take up space for awhile. I have way too much shelf space this year.
+Borrowing pencils.
I'm really weird about pencils. Specifically, pencil-sharpening. The only way, I've found, to combat the issue of kids wanting to sharpen pencils all day is to come down with an iron fist from day one. I got lucky this year and have a great hand-crank sharpener on the wall. Electric ones are unreliable anyway. And it's better if you take away the novelty of electricity.
These are my pencil rules.
I decided I'd give them the option of mini-pencil sharpeners until someone sets an example and the inevitable (a pencil shaving explosion) occurs. That way, I'm not mean; I'm reacting to what they've done in a constructive way.
As for the borrowing of pencils...I don't lend pencils, ever. I constructed this little set-up and then I thought, "Eh, now they can't use the erasers..." because of the popsicle stick. But the point is that this pencil should not be something they're comfortable with. They shouldn't get to use it. They shouldn't have access to that eraser because then they'll want to keep the pencil. They all have separate, bigger erasers anyway.
The most pencil issues I've ever had came the year I taught 2nd grade and it was a daily struggle because they were pretty young. In Alaska, I started the rule of "no pencil sharpening" because we had an electric sharpener and they'd try to do that when I was teaching. I've stuck with my pencil philosophy ever since. My response to a kid with a pencil conundrum is always "Find a friend" because kids are usually willing to let others borrow a pencil. Then the lender will smile at me, because they assume it puts them in my good graces. It's cute.
+Routine slides.
I have found that it's easiest to lay out my expectations in the clearest way possible. That way, there's no confusion and I have a go-to copy of "this is what we do during...{insert specific time of day}". I wrote up the rules/procedures and put them on Google slides so I can project them during the day. I also printed a copy to put in the sub binder.
Sometimes just getting your ideas out and into word form will make things so much simpler. It's also much simpler when the kids can refer to a slide on the board in front of them when they forget a procedure.
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If I had more time, or if it wasn't 11pm and I just now wasn't finishing the stuff I needed to get done for tomorrow, I'd find some pictures to insert. You all will just have to make do. Hopefully I'll get my act together next week. No promises.
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