KNIGHT Books

Like many other teachers, I use organizational folders for my class to help communication from home to school.  Our school mascot is the Knights.  So one of my dearest friends came up with the acronym Keeping Necessary Information and Goals Handy for Terrific Students.

In the past I had been using a 1 inch binder.  This year I am going to use poly folders.  The 2nd and 3rd grade teams at my school have ordered Nicky Folders.  These have got to be just about the coolest folders we have ever come across.  They already have built in pockets, so there is no need for getting page protectors etc.

I have made some labels using Avery 5126 Shipping Labels that I will stick on the front.  I then usually use standard labels on the other pockets to include Important Papers, Daily Behavior, Nightly Reading, Spelling, and Work to Keep at Home.  I also think that I will need another label to place all of the current events going on and call it What's Happening.  I will put Our Monthly Calendar, Cafeteria Menu, and current Newsletter here.  In the past I also had used a zipper pouch, but I'm not quite sure how I am going to do that one.  I may just use some velcro on the top of the first pocket and place a label that says Lunch Money etc.  I haven't actually gotten my hands on these awesome little folders yet, so I'm waiting to see how everything is going to come together on these.

Here are the KNIGHT Rules
Knight Rules

Here is my KNIGHT CONTRACT
KNIGHT Binder Contract

Here is an example of what my labels will look like on the front of each KNIGHT Book.

Isaiah’s
KNIGHT BOOK

Keeping Necessary Information and Goals Handy for Terrific Students

Mrs. Au’s 2^nd Grade

If you want more information on these organizational binders/folders here is a great starting place to check out! 

If time allows, I'll try to post a picture of one once I get these folders completed!

Study Ladder

I recently came across a new site for students called Study Ladder.  I got into the program and it appears to be really great.  It has activities all across different curriculum's for each grade level.  It also has interactive activities for a white-board.  The best part is that it is currently free!  Click on the picture below to check out Study Ladder.

Word Study Games

All summer long I have really focused on stepping up the way I teach math.  I read Debbie Diller's Math Work Stations and have made a ton of activities for my math stations.  Now that my math is all prepared and ready to go, I have been spending some time making sure my Literacy Stations will be just as engaging for my students.

Beth Newingham is just about one of the most inspiring teachers that I can think of.  When I taught 3rd grade I was a top stalker of her website.  I recently came across a post on her blog about Word Study.  She has many games that you can download and make.  These will go perfect with my Word Work Station.

Click here to see her post about Word Study activities.

Matt Damon Speaks up for Teachers!

Just wanted to share this video that Matt Damon spoke about recently. It is awesome!!

THANKS AMY!!

I just wanted to do a shout out to one very talented lady, Amy Lemons!  She is just about one of the sweetest people you could come by!  Just reading her blog will absolutely inspire you!!!  I spend a great deal of my time these days chasing a two and a half year old daughter and don't get very long pockets of time to work on projects.  Recently I asked Amy if she could make me some Literacy Station Cards.  They turned out so cute!  If you are not a follower of Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons you should really look into her blog.

Click here to see the adorable literacy station cards she made me!

Setting up my classroom

Last week was the first week we could begin working in our rooms.  I worked my little tail off last week trying to get my classroom ready so I could go out of town with my hubby and daughter this week.  Registration is August 11th, and school starts on August 15th here.  I am almost ready!!

I gave up a teacher desk about 3 years ago.  This is my area.  In the right corner I put most if what I need.  Behind my table is our popcorn word wall, Bucket Fillers, and our Job Board.  I will also put up our classroom expectations and our clip chart here too.

Bucket fillers and my Hollywood Job Board.

The classroom library.  I was very excited to get new baskets from Dollar Tree.  These were bigger and perfect for holding story books.

This will be the PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) board for Reading and Math. 

Here is our calendar and meeting area.  I'm also excited to have this big metal locking cabinet.  All classroom teachers in my building each got one of these.  I will put my document camera and laptop here.  We were also lucky to get our InFocus machines mounted this summer with wiring behind the cabinet to hook everything up.  I will attach my Mimio to the wall and be all set to use my technology.

View of the back wall and student desks.

I will have my math and literacy stations listed here on the pocket chart.  I'm a little nervous about this area, as we have been told that the sink and bathroom which is through this door, will be remodeled in August.  Yikes!!

This is my homeworkopoly board.  I will also house my math stations in the cubbies here. 

Here is our computer station.  I also have degrees, daily schedule, and Star of the Week on this wall.

Here is a view right inside my door.  I have my student cubbies here and some of my favorite books in the bookshelf.

Look who popped in today!  This is the area for daily attendance.

Now that I got most of everything set up, here is my darling daughter posing for a picture on our trip.  Next week it's back to work for me!

Cool Timer

A while back I remember seeing a post from Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons about using Cool Timer.  It's a timer that you can download on your computer and display with your Infocus machine for the whole class to see at a glance.  I am very excited to give this timer a try!  I used to be very good with time, but in the last few years it has become a struggle to make sure that we have picked up and are ready to get out the door in time.  I also think this will be great for transitions.  It will help all of us be accountable and better time managers.  Click on the picture to download Cool Timer.