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How to Create a Solid Classroom Management System: 10 Tips to Set Yourself up for an Amazing School Year
I used to struggle with classroom management. It was probably one of those things that required some experience, and I’m so so so grateful for my colleagues who gave me advice to help me out when needed. Without them, I would never be where I am today.
I want to be that person for you today - you probably came here with the question, “What can I do to make my classroom management better?” Well, here is some hope for you: it is never too late to put a system in place that works for you. Forewarning, however, if you started off the year weak in terms of classroom management, it’s going to be harder to get it back on track. Though it can be difficult, it’s not impossible.
How to Build Authentic Relationships With Your Students: 8 Tips That Can Make a Difference in Your Classroom
I remember, back when I was in college (go Bearkats!), my professors would constantly preach, “Relationships, relationships, relationships.” The same thing would happen in my first few years of teaching. The thing is, however, is that no one told me how to do this, merely that it was something to be done. Maybe they expected something magical to happen, I don’t know. So, I had to figure it out through trial and error.
“You can’t have a solid classroom management in place if you don’t build those relationships first.”
“Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.”
While these things are true, it did take me a while to figure out how to do this in my classroom in a way that was authentic. I understood the benefits; I just didn’t know how to go about it. Keep reading to find out a few things I learned.
How to Teach Prepositional Phrases in a Way That’s Actually Fun for Your Students: Paper Airplane Showdown
I am definitely in favor of making my lessons more interesting, especially when it comes to usually intangible things like grammar or sentence structure. I doubt I’m the only teacher to ever do this, but I came up with a fun way to practice prepositional phrases using paper airplanes! My kids went CRAZY for it, and they even learned a thing or two! I wanted other teachers to have this experience with their students, so I made this ready-to-go lesson so you can get started right away with this super engaging lesson.
Keep reading to learn about this activity!
Transform Your Classroom into a Carnival to Prepare for Testing - Skill Review & Test Prep
It can sometimes be a good thing to shake things up in the classroom and do things different ways. Rather than boring old test prep that will make your students snore, you should opt to do something a little more immersive and go to the carnival! Not literally, though - but with this test prep station and decoration kit.
I created this classroom transformation resource because I have a lot of fond memories of going to the carnival with my family, riding the rides, and wasting all my tokens on those rigged game booths
Why Book Clubs and Literature Circles Are an Amazing Resource for Your Classroom: Everything You Need to Get Started
Something I’ve been doing for the past several years is starting a book club/literature circle with my students. Most of them seem to really enjoy it, especially since I allow them to lead the group themselves rather than it be me who guides the discussion. I usually do this toward the end of the school year, as independent work expectations have been clearly established by then and, after end-of-year testing is over, the students need something to work on.
If you are looking for an activity like this to do with your students, keep reading!
Theme Park Classroom Transformation to Review and Prep for ELAR Testing
I think one of the only good things about testing season is that there are so many fun things you can do with it. One fun way I’ve come up with is a theme park classroom transformation! Whether your favorite theme park is Universal Studios, Disney World (or Disney Land), Six Flags, etc., this theme park transformation and stations will immerse your students into all the fun. (Although it is clearly more geared toward a certain animal… 😉)
Keep reading to learn more about it!
Grow Inferencing Skills With this Engaging Inferencing Detective Board Game - Perfect for Small Group or Stations
From my experience, inferencing is one of those comprehension strategies that is hard to grasp and can sometimes be difficult to teach. That’s why I came up with this Inferencing Detective board game, so my students can practice this skill in a fun way! You can use it for tutoring, small groups, guided reading, stations/centers, or even for a game day with your whole class.
All you need is a printer and some sort of tokens for game pieces, and you’re all set!
Keep reading to learn more about it!
Transform Your Classroom With This Editable Starbooks Coffee Decoration Kit
Need to liven up your classroom a bit? Do you want to decorate for a special lesson you’re doing soon? Well, how about a classroom transformation? Classroom transformations are always such a fun time, for both students and teachers, no matter what subject area. However, they can be a bit tough to set up, so I have the perfect thing to get you started - my Starbooks Coffee Decoration Kit. I’ve done it for a few years in a row now and it’s been a hit every time - my grade level team even wanted to try it in their classrooms, too!
Keep reading to see what all the fuss is about!
A Problem-Solving Activity to Try With Your Students to Reset Classroom Expectations
Recently, I came up with the idea of doing a problem-solving activity with my students to reset these expectations. My students this year are in 4th grade. Drama comes with the territory of teaching upper elementary, I’m afraid. So, doing something like this was very important to me. However, I didn’t want to just talk their ears off - I wanted them to interact. Read more to find out how I did it!
Glow Day Classroom Transformation, Decorations, and Station Activities to Prepare Your Students for State Testing
I’ve done Glow Day almost every year before state testing (except for last year, as I was on maternity leave), and it’s probably my favorite day of the school year ever. I completely transform the classroom and we spend an entire block playing games and preparing for the STAAR test. My kids have a blast and I have fun watching and interacting with them!
Although I personally use this to prepare for our state test, many educators have been purchasing this resource for use year-round. So, it’s totally feasible to use it to prepare for any test, or just when you want a fun way to review reading test taking strategies.
Keep reading to learn all about it!