Back to School Tips & Tricks

This week has been CRAZY busy with the beginning of school! I have to say, it took me about 15 minutes to fall in love with my new bunch of 2nd graders! I know it's going to be a great year!!!


I wanted to share a few things that have made my classroom-life much easier! Check it out! 

Glue sponges!!!!! The answer to the always clogged glue bottles! Find directions on how to make these over at Kindergarten Smorgasboard! Seriously- best idea EVER! 


Tape the bottom of the crayon boxes before school starts! This eliminates the mid-year/January crayon spills all over the place!! Eeeek! 


Zip tie the desks together!!!! This'll keep all in nice, neat rows!!! (Just the way I like 'em!) ;) 


MAGNETIC TAPE!!!! Yes please! This was an impulse buy at Lakeshore and it really works!!! I used it on my door for our class helpers board!


(I'll add their names to the airplanes as soon a I can!!!) 

Do you have any handy BTS tips!?!? PLEASE please PlEaSe share in the comments below!!!!! 

I'll be back soon to {finally} share pictures of my classroom! I promise! :)

Have a great weekend! I know I am!!! 


10 comments

  1. First off- your picture with your kiddos is adorable! Second- why, oh why, I did I not ever consider taping the bottom of the crayon boxes at the beginning of the year. Duh! Brilliant! It always amazes me that those boxes only seem to ever last for maybe TWO uses. I usually just have my kiddos dump them into Ziploc bags... this would be much easier. Ounce of prevention? Something like that :)

    Happy new year!

    Kate
    Purely Paperless

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    1. I have my students bring a plastic travel soap container. The crayons fit perfectly.

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  2. Love your tips! I've seen the glue sponge on Pinterest before so I'll definitely have to try it out. Also love the tip of taping the bottom of the crayon boxes. I can't tell you how many times we've had crayon spills.

    Jordan
    Team V's Second Grade Fun

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  3. I love love your airplanes! I also need to get some zip ties so they stop moving their DURN DESKS! :)
    -Melissa

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  4. Hi Sandy - I need to get my hands on some magnetic tape. That looks awesome! Glad your first week was awesome! xoxo
    Vicky

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  6. I found that taping the tab outside the crayon box is even more effective. Then I avoid the issue of that getting bent and it being hard to put the crayons in the box.

    I use plastic money as a reward system in my class. After way too much time being wasted cleaning up spilled money, I decided something had to change. Then I had one of my more brilliant flashes of genius, if I do say so myself. Coins up to the size of quarters fit nicely inside those no-spill paint cups. Now when the money cups get overturned, only a few coins, if any, spill.

    I started using zip ties on my desks last year. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

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  7. I found that taping the tab outside the crayon box is even more effective. Then I avoid the issue of that getting bent and it being hard to put the crayons in the box.

    I use plastic money as a reward system in my class. After way too much time being wasted cleaning up spilled money, I decided something had to change. Then I had one of my more brilliant flashes of genius, if I do say so myself. Coins up to the size of quarters fit nicely inside those no-spill paint cups. Now when the money cups get overturned, only a few coins, if any, spill.

    I started using zip ties on my desks last year. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

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  8. You can also use a coffee can to keep desks together in a group. Just put middle 4 legs in the can, keeps desks together and no pinching of fingers between desks. If a student needs to be moved, you lift up the desk and move, the rest of the group stays put.

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    ReplyDelete