Why Didn't I Think of That!?!?!!?

It's been two+ weeks of school!!! And I am exhausted. And I feel so disconnected from the blogging world! I haven't had time to catch up or write posts or sit down or eat! Yikes!!! I feel terrible about my bloggy buddies who I've neglected these past few weeks! I'm so sorry!!!! 

Other than the heat here in SoCal and the exhaustion from the beginning of the school year ;-) we're doing great and starting (starting!!!) to get into a routine. 

Here are some things thanks to my amazing boggy buddies and Pinterest that have made my life so much easier!!!


Check it out...

X Marks the Spot


I've eliminated the kiddos' constant need to bust into my small group time with this. I am working on teaching the kids that if they need help or anything while I'm at my small group table with a kid, they need to ask their table for group for help. Here are my rules for the X

1. Only one kid at a time on the X.
2. While waiting, no talking! (Or flailing your body around like crazy. Or making noises. Or whistling. Geez!) 
3. I will call you over when it is convenient for our group. 

We also talk A LOT and REPEATEDLY about acceptable reasons to stand on the X. To tell me your cat threw up last night is NOT an acceptable reason. If you are bleeding or are about to throw up are

Homework Turn In 


I must thank my bloggy BFF Lisa at Fourth & Ten for this magnificent idea!!!! The kids turn their homework in here first thing in the morning according to their class number. I can quickly see who has it and who doesn't. The key here is quickly!!! MUCH easier than pulling it all out of the turn in tub, sorting it, checking it off, etc. This has eliminated at least 10 minutes of wasted time out of my days! That's 50 minutes all week!!! Love it!!! Thank you Lisa!!! You can find the chart HERE. And the cute numbers are from Kristin at Ladybug's Teacher Files. You can find them HERE

Lining Up


Duh!!! Now they know where to line up!!! And they're actually in a straight line!!! Yipeee!!! The original pin for this doesn't link. Was it your idea!?!? If so, please let me know so I can personally thank you!!! Here it is: 

                                                                                    Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Sandy on Pinterest


No more mess for us!


Whoever thought of this was also brilliant! These little trash cans (I found at the Dollar Tree!) have saved us from HUGE paper messes all over the floor! And from traffic jams around the trash cans!!! (We were working on Hadar's School is Cool activity! You can find it HERE!) And now, of course, I can't find the pin. If this was yours, PLEASE let me know!!! :)

What are some things that have made your classroom life easier lately!?!?!

9 comments

  1. I love your time saving tips! One thing more that our school does is has the kids line up in ABC order every time. This cuts down on cutting, arguing, and wasting time. You are allowed to put the student of the week in front or reverse your order z to a, but we all have found this order to be very helpful
    Patty
    2ndinline.blogspot.com

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  2. I also tell my kids that an emergency (reason to interrupt small groups) is if you are bleeding or throwing up. So gross, but they get it!

    I've started using the table top trash bins during projects this year and I love them! I have a designated trash dumper at each table which makes the transfer of scraps to the recycle bin pretty efficient.

    Aimee
    Primarily Speaking

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  3. Love the trash cans!!! Our K teachers do this too and I really need to go pick up some trash cans now! Flat Tree here I come!
    Lisen
    www.wearesecondgradesmartypants.blogspot.com

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  4. My kids know that interrupting is only okay if it's a B-Mergency- Bleeding, Barfing, or Bathroom Emergency!

    One of these days I'm going to make a cute sign for that with a bee :)

    Love this collection of ideas! Great idea for a post!

    Jenny
    Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

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  5. Oh my gosh, Sandy. There are so many great ideas here! I'm loving the straight line. I have asked myself (and them) daily - why can't they stand in a line??? The homework turn in thingy is BRILLIANT!

    So OVER the heat right now! :D

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  6. BFF...is that a laundry stand or actual pocket chart stand? Having mine on the door just isn't working out. It's a little bit too crowded! You know how teeny tiny my room is! :)
    Lisa
    Fourth and Ten
    Like Fourth and Ten on Facebook!

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