Mini Economy

Here is a great site on a Mini-economy.
Good resourse for teachers from Schoolastic.

Classroom management

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/classroom_organization.htm
This site has many links about classroom management. You might find it helpful.

Center Leaning

Oh, I go back to the tried and true. I have been working hard to get centers up and running in the room. Storage is such an issue for me in the Middle School. I don't want the room to look Elementary and I don't have the money to buy grand storage. Sigh....
My Center Topics include:

• months of the year
• days of the week
• Fall
• Winter
• Spring
• Summer
• hand writing, cursive and print
• ABC order
• time
• money
• Monthly Poster
• Craft Project
• Computer
• Puzzle
• Internet

Happy Valentine Day!

Don't Repeat the Same Insanity...

I believe it is critical to teach the classroom routine. It starts day one, and I move through the day, some times weeks, teaching as I go. It ideally cuts down on disipline issues and problems in the future...
I teach my behavior expectations.
I teach where things belong.
I teach organization.
I teach procedure.
I teach self-advocacy.
However, this year has been a challenge to put it mildly. I'm sure it did not help that my father became ill right before the holiday season. I had to be out for a week with him, and several other days for his appointments. Then the holiday madness began...
During my "WINTER" break, I thought about my return to school with dread, yes dread. I did not want the same things "bugging" me that bothered me prior to break. "I am the adult and I am the one with the degree." I reminded myself. It's my responsibility to match my instruction and approach to learning to my students' needs. (Not vice virsa.)
With a burst of energy, a ton of paper, some laminating, and word processing, I revisited some of my old practices. I also gave up on some methods that weren't working right now. (File them for later.)
We are starting new assignment sheets and some picture schedules. With that said, let the Center Stations begin. Oh, I also am making those really cool Mini-Offices. They are a great match for centers or work jobs.
Pictures to come soon.

Mini Offices

I just found this idea on The Teacher's Cafe, called Mini-Offices. Oh the possiblities are endless for my special needs classroom. It so difficult to have large reference areas, because the students are at so many ability levels....However how cool are these? More work for me. I'll post some soon. This idea is to good to pass up!

Behavior Plan

I started a new form of positive management this year. One, I get bored with the same one every year. Second, I have the students for 2-3 years and I don't want them to get bored. This plan is very visual and it matches the needs of my current students. I usually try a mini-economy, which I will explain in a different post. This year I opted for something much more visual and concrete. The students have small 4x5 charts, 20 points total, on their desks. After they get a point in each box, for a given row, they may move to that assigned island. For example, all the students started at the beginning of the "map". As they completed row one on the chart they moved to island 1. They progresses along the islands as they earn points, until they move to the treasure box. The treasure box follows island 5. Once they land on the treasure box, they may pick from a real treasure box full of classroom goodies. Since it take 6 moves to get to the treasure box, I give them a small reward after completing one 4x5 chart.

They get point for responsible behavior:

• complete work
• do your best
• be kind and a good friend
• hands feet and objects to self
• return papers and homework
• good scores on tests
• keep work area neet and orderly

At some point, I'm not going to tape the charts down. This will allow them to take more responsibility for their belongings. They will need to keep it in a folder or box. If it is lost, then they start over. I really believe in natural consequences. I tell the students all the time, "Your time in the middle school is about becoming a young adult. You are no longer a child." It's a difficult transition, but most of them really blossom.

Oh, Friday folders were a success. All of the students returned them today! *smile*