It's Been A While

So, after looking at my last post (way back when) I realized I needed to catch you up on a few things. First of all, I've been busy. I started grad school, then found out I was pregnant WITH TWINS, and now I am on bed rest. I will have plenty of time to write and post now! We did a few fun projects this year that I will post later. Hope you are all doing well!

The Things Kids Say...

This has been an interesting week. Here are two of the following conversations I've had in class:

Convo 1
Me: "Your comma goes after every three digits."
Student: "So my condom goes right here?"

Convo 2
Me: "Can someone tell me what remainder means?"
Student: "It's this thing you have at church that lasts forever."
Me: "I think that's revival actually."

My students are HILARIOUS, but also super unorganized. That's why I decided to color code EVERYTHING. It works well because the teachers the students pull out to do the same thing. I posted a large picture of my (free) shelving unit from Lowe's. Here is a closeup of my magazine files with the labels and color coordinated folders. The labels for the folders on the Second Week of School post.

I also have started posting a Quote of the Week outside my classroom door. It's fun to watch teachers and students alike stop and look at what I have up. I've even had a few ask me about the books the quotes are from.

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Second Week of School

Phew! Last week was super tiring! I didn't make it home til after 5:00 every night, and with church and the husband, it was hard for me to get on here and post. I have learned a lot about my kids in just six days, and I am very excited about the upcoming year. All of my students have one primary disability, while some have a secondary disability as well. Teaching will be challenging, but I know these kids are a lot smarter than their IEPs may lead me to believe. One thing I have done this year is set up color coded magazine racks for Math, Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies and Science folders. The students have a color coordinating folder to match. If they don't finish something, they simply put it in their folder and pull it out at a later time. It's worked well this week. What do you do to help your students stay organized?

Labels for the folders are below. They are 3 1/3" x 4".
Folders

Classroom Bingo

We played this version of Classroom Bingo today and it was a hit! The students loved it and we found out a lot about each other. What do you like to do on the first day with students?

* I have updated the embedded document to include two choices. One could be used for younger students, and one for middle grades.

Class Bingo

IEP Checklist and Behavior Log

In the state of Tennessee, we are required to document all Special Education hours, modifications, accommodations, etc., for our SpEd students to legally qualify to take the TCAP MAAS (modified version of our state test). I created an easy checklist to hand to my curriculum coordinator that notes the SpEd hours, subjects for acc/mods, and other important info. Feel free to use if you like. I also created a behavior log for my class. I teach middle school, so smileys and colors don't work as well for me. I wanted something handy for each kid that I wouldn't have to print off every week. Check it out too!

 Behavior Log

* Since I have moved, I have updated the IEP checklist to include different information. The new version can be found below. I hope it helps you!

IEP Checklist

Bulletin Boards

I can easily become overwhelmed with what to put on a bulletin board, and this year was no exception. I still have one blank space, but I have decided to use it for displaying the state standards we are covering. One board is information only, and the last board is a "Proud Wall." Not every student makes an 'A,' so I've left a board open for students to display ANYTHING they are proud of: work, pictures, drawings, etc. What do you like to put on your bulletin boards?

Back to School

Tomorrow begins another new school year! We have a week of inservice before the students return and I hope it is enough time to prepare for the upcoming year. I don't know what I've been doing all summer, but it surely hasn't been schoolwork. Some of the resources I'm excited about implementing this year are a Mathematician's Notebook and my newest purchase "730 Daily Math Warm-Ups." My special education students often struggle with math. Do any of you have that problem? What do you do to help them learn?