Classroom Ideas

Alphabet Labels Round Style April 2014

I wanted to make some simple alphabet labels to go with a word wall that I am currently making. These cute round labels are perfect for the Pre-K-1 classroom or home environment. 

Click on the images to see more.

You could laminate and magnetize each round label and place them at the top of your whiteboard or you could use them to label your library book bins.

You could also use them for simple alphabet sorting activities.

If you know me, then you know that I made for bottle cap activities and games.  Ask your children to bring in bottle caps by holding a simple table competition, you will collect loads this way. Write sight words or vocabulary words on the top of the bottle lid with aSharpie and invite your children to sort them. 

Here's what one page in this file looks like. 

Click here to see our Alphabet Labels Round Style.

If you would like to see more of our blog by following us, please click here. 

Font used in images in this blog post are by Kimberly Geswein Fonts. 

Look what our Facebook Fans have been doing with their Classrooms {classroom displays}! February 2014

Our Fabulous Facebook fans are a talented bunch. They are always there to help others out with ideas, knowledge and wise experience. It sure is a wonderful community to be a part of. I certainly do feel grateful to be a part of it! 

I value my Facebook fans in many ways so I asked them to show off a bit of their classrooms.

Yesterday I asked them to share a display of their classroom. Thank you to Kammi who sparked the idea by sending me a photo of her room (see first image below). 

Click on each image to go to the actual Facebook post on our page or click here to go to our feed then scroll down to February, 2014. 

You should see what how busy these teachers have been. Where do they find the time? Many commented that they spend at least a week in the break preparing their classroom's. 

One teacher commented that her husband and father built a library loft. It really wowed me and I am just so impressed with the images that I thought I would included them here. As the post grows, I will add more images here.

If you would like to have one or more of your classroom images featured, drop by our Facebook page (Clever Classroom), go to the thread, or justclick here for the direct link, upload an image from your mobile device or PC using the little camera icon in a comment under the post. Please read the little disclaimer in the Facebook post. 

I'm so sorry if I missed anyone. I will add any newly uploaded images throughout the week. 

Update - We have had some more of our fans upload their images. Thanks everyone, these are just brilliant. 

To read more about each image, go to the Facebook feed as our fans have described this part of their classrooms. 

---------- Click here to upload your image(s) and comment in the Facebook post. ----------

By uploading your images to our Facebook page, you are also granting permission for it/them to be pinned to Pinterest by myself or others. 

Here are some of the board, I will be pinning these wonderful images to:

My Blog Posts - Clever Classroom

Dr Seuss Resources and Activities

Classroom Organization Ideas

Bulletin Boards

K-2 Holiday and Seasonal Ideas and Resources

Reading

Collaborative boards that I contribute to:

Educational Blogs and Blog Posts

Top Teachers Smorgasboard

New Teachers

K-2 Reading & Writing Ideas

You might also like our:

Just listed in our TpT store.

Fonts in header image by Graphics From the Pondand Kimberly Gewsein fonts. Clip art in header byKrista Wallden.

Storing Magnetic Letters January, 2014

I consider magnetic letters one of the most used and practical teaching tools I have ever purchased. 

I have several containers of them in upper-case, lower-case and also a few boxes of numerals!

I have two sets of magnetic letters (plus back-ups). The first set is my set that only I can use!

This tray sits at the front of the class in the easel for easy access. I also have a lower-case set going across the top of the whiteboard on the easel. I purchased this tray (called inserts for storage trays) over a decade ago from Elizabeth Richards, click here to see this product. 

I use my set during guided reading, word work, spelling words demonstration and word or sentence work that needs to be modeled. 

The second set is for students which I have always stored in pocket charts. I came across a kind of pocket chart that had both back and front. I have capital letters on one side and lower-case letters on the other side.

My friend gave it to me for my accessories but I noticed that it had more than enough pockets to hold my magnetic letters! I found it over at Pink Lily.

The hanging storage is practical as it is portable and ideal for groups and teachers who move from classroom to classroom. 

This set of magnetic letters belongs in near the writing and word work area.

Here are some other ideas to help you organize your magnetic letters.

I found this storage system on Amazon. Click for the Pinterest link here. 

Mrs. Wheeler uses a storage caddy that she found at Michael's. Read more here. 

Hobby Lobby has this storage system with 46 compartments. Click here to have a closer look. 

I also use my alphabet cards to place behind the pockets, to help little ones remember where they go!

You can find the initial sounds cards in my store (download) in either of these three resources:

Alphabet {initial sounds} Posters, 

Cards and Desk Strips Bundled

Initial Sounds Bottle Cap Center

Beginning-Initial Sounds Alphabet Cards

10 of our Most Popular Classroom Set-up Resources have been Bundled and Discounted - August, 2013

Our most popular (x 10) classroom organization essentials have been bundled up into one file and discounted for you. 

Here are the files included in this huge download:

Click here to see more about this jam packed file.

You might also like our free:

Back to School Memory Book and a Freebie July, 2013

If you are looking for some morning work for your new class and want your students to begin the year documentation of their new adventure in their new grade then this download is for you!

This resource has been designed to help grade one and two students transition smoothly into a new school year. Teachers should aim for students to reflect on their time away from school, their new learning environment, their background and their learning potential. 

It will be half price for the first 48 hours, so you can grab it for just $2.50 in our TpT store. Don't forget to also download our free Polka Dot Name Desk Strips here on our blog as well. 

Click here to download your free Polka-Dot Name Desk Strips.

Click here to download the preview of our Back to School Memory book

You might also like our:

or our:

Delightful Desk Strips ready for Back to School - July, 2013

I love me some desk strips! You might call them desk mates or something else entirely! they are those strip[s that you laminate and or contact to student desks.

Over the years I have purchased desk strips and also made my own. I love designing my very own strips but I must say, for one little old page, it takes a long time. I have two on each page, so that they fit on a desk.

They are great as a ready reference for both reading and writing.

I have added many of my desk strips to my TpT store. 

You will find desk strips for K-3, all sold separately for $1.25 each, bargain!

Here are some of my fav's that might help your students this year. 

Kindy Classroom Desk Strips - Desk Mates - 3 pages

Initial/Beginning Sounds Desk Strip - 1 page

What I need to begin work desk strips/desk mate - 1 page

Beginning Blends Desk Strip - Desk Mate - 1 page

Digraph Desk Tag - Desk Strip - 1 page

You may also like our: 

in our TpT Store.

Clip art in header image by Melonheadz Illustrations and Red Pepper Papers.

Classroom Organization Super Mega Pack - July, 2013

Classroom Organization Super Mega Pack

I love making classroom organization resources and am passionate about having an aesthetically pleasing classroom. 

This is the biggest bundle I have ever made and assembled. This resource took over four months to create and I I'm so excited to show you. I hope it saves you some time and is a cheery addition to your classroom this year.

To celebrate all things back to school, I have taken 50% off this huge bundle just for August.

With over 1150 pages and 76 files all combined into one, you will love how organized your classroom is!

For a closer look at the files, you can download a free preview here.

Here are some more images of our super cute pack.

Click here for a list of the resources in this file.

This file will help you with the areas in your room, label objects, communication signs. There are also various words walls for literacy and mathematics as well as birthday charts, color posters, book covers and labels, desk strips, supply labels, book box labels, job cards, routine/schedule cards, seasons cards, number and alphabet posters, manners and social skills posters and so much more!

You might also like our social skills book list post.

Blank Themed Classroom Labels to Set up your Classroom - July, 2013

According to an article entitled: An Environment that Positively Impacts Young Children

By Rebecaa Isbell, Ed.D the child tries to make sense of their environment by attempting to organize visual images and concrete objects into a meaningful system of understanding. Click here to read more. 

We have all looked through the eyes of a young child to see how we can best organize space and the learning environment.  Organizing your classroom with workable systems and generally dressing up your classroom is easy and fun to do. Many teachers do this with a general classroom theme.  I loved  developing workable areas with systems that developed autonomy and decorating my classroom. I always took pride in how it presented to students, parents and staff and aimed to have a welcoming environment. 

There are so many places to find inspiration and one of my all time favorite places to visit is Teaching Blog Addict. Ashley posted loads and loads of classroom pictures from dozens of teachers. They are mostly themed rooms and if you're like me, you will love how organized and inviting the classrooms look. Click here to have a peek!

 I designed these cute blank, classroom labels to brighten up the classroom. I love the idea of these because you can easily print and laminate the pages and write on them using a dry erase marker. Please note that these files are not editable and you will need to print them off to write on them. 

You can organize different parts of your room or just use them for parent communication, the ideas are endless. Here are some ideas on how you could use the blank labels.

Label shelving.

Students can use these to practice writing  focus words, sight words, spelling words or other lists. 

Label book shelves.

Segmenting words using our Big Word of the Weekresource.

Display Weekly sight words or spelling words.

Classroom focus wall to display concepts, skills and strategies being taught in all subject areas. 

Use to record directions in small groups.

It's also easy to store them in a folder so that they are ready to when you need them.

The Beach Themed Blank Labels are free in my TpT store and I also have a few more priced themed labelsthat might go with your chosen theme.

Blank Ocean Labels

Teacher's feedback: Love them! I'm a first year teacher so this really helped me out!

Blank Owl Labels

Teacher's feedback: Loved these! Can't wait to use them in my room next year! They were just exactly what I was looking to use!

Blank Jungle/Safari Labels 

Teacher's feedback: My second grade class looked amazing...thanks to this theme!

Jungle Monkey Blank Labels

Teacher's feedback: Easy way to label my room, and the perfect addition to my monkey/jungle theme.

Bees, Bugs and Mini-Beasts Blank Labels

Teacher's feedback: Perfect for what I need to make my classroom fun yet functional! Thanks!

For more classroom ideas you might like our:

Classroom Organization Pinterest board.

Our Classroom Organization category in our TpT store.

Top Tips for New Teachers from our Facebook Fans! July, 2013

I often have emails and messages from teachers who are turning down a new road into 'real teacher' street. I often get asked about what resources they would recommend ..... Where do I start with that question? I also get asked a lot about managing the classroom, paper work and where to start. 

I know that teachers themselves are the best resources to help new teachers. Along with being thrown into a classroom of insatiable, energetic, vibrant and well let's admit it, challenging dispositions! 

Teachers by nature are a helpful bunch, always willing to offer up ideas, advice, experience, wisdom and tips. I wanted to highlight tips and perspectives from experienced teachers and thought this might be a microcosm of the bigger world. I know that myFacebook fans are always so helpful so the meeting of these ideas birthed a collection of helpful tips for new teachers. 

I have collated the tips as a free file for you. They are helpful and some are a bit funny too!

Here are some of the comments to the question posed on out Facebook page: 
What are your one or two top tips for new teachers?

~ Be happy in your job, whether its day care, teaching, home school, vacation care- whatever. Love what you do and your practice will reflect you.
~ Have FUN with your students! Show them learning is fun & a life- long journey. They'll remember you & appreciate this life skill you have taught them.
~ Every day is a new day. Learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow, but be present in today. Pay attention to the non-verbal aspects of your students as much as to what they say.
~ At the first of the year-get it clear in your mind what you want the children to do when they follow your instructions (what does it look like to line up, put away backpacks or sit at the table?) Do you need to rearrange the room to accommodate what you have in mind?
* Read further to find out how you can access all 34 of the tips our fans left. 

I then took all of the responses and summarized them to form 17 top tips. As I read and collated the tips, I noticed several common themes and decided to write them down as I read each response. I thought that organizing them into a poster could come in handy and it is also an easy way to grab the tips at a glance. This poster could be used to discuss alongside professional goal development for the new kids on the block.

You could use the one page poster as a handout with any new teacher orientation programs that you have running at your school. It could also be a poster display in your staff area. In any case, I just hope that it helps. 

~ Oh, and I didn't include my tips which would be:

1. Develop systems that work for you around expectations, routines, lesson implementation, organizing your 'stuff', how you plan... the list goes on.

Develop social skills including expectations from the beginning and be consistent with them and share your reasoning for your approaches with your students.

By clicking on the image above, you can download the file via Google Docs.

You might also like to follow this fantastic Pinterest board that Erin Wing runs called 'New Teachers'. The board has over 585, 000 followers and 140 contributors with strong educational backgrounds.

If you would like to keep up to date with our posts including freebie, you can follow this blog with Bloglovin or via email (see left).

Thank you to Mel over at Graphics from the Pond for her wonderful stick kids clip art. 

Getting your Classroom Library Organized ~ June 2013

I love books and I love to organize. I need students to have a sense of autonomy within the classroom and thought that these Book Bin Labels were the perfect thing.

Do you organize your classroom library under headings such as classics, alphabet, number, farm, zoo, outer space, magazines, songs, pets, science, insects, family, bears, health transport and so on? If so, then you will love our 

Book Bin Labels for the Classroom x 60.

Use small, plastic storage containers to sort books based on categories.

I know that many teachers fund their own classroom library and here are some ideas on where to find affordable books.

1. I like to visit yard sales and offer price to take the lot off their hands. You are more likely to get a cheaper price if you offer to take the whole pile!

2. Thrift stores or second-hand stores always have a pile of books that have been pre-loved. I spend hours looking through these stores and you will be surprised at what you might find.

3. Dollar stores tend to have cheaper books and I'm always on the look out for audio books for my personal collection too!

4. Look out for book sales close by or online.
I love finding bargains on Ebay and Amazon. I find that if you search for auctions (if you're into that) and I usually type in 'children's books' and sometimes also lots, bulk or bundle. If you search local to you (click local), you may be able to pick up the purchase and save on postage (you will need to see if the seller offers this option).

5. I also ask friends and family from time to time, if they have any books that their children have outgrown and don't want any more. They are usually very happy to give them away.

Be sure to pop a washing basket or old box in the back of your car to help you get them home.

You might also like this freebie for your guided reading book boxes or for your calendar.

I hope these resources help to organize your books for your students.

~ If you would like to see more of our classroom organization resources, Clever Classroom has a huge category dedicated to these resource. 

~Classroom Organization~

I'm passionate about being organized and loved making these resources!

FREE Blank Borders and Displays Classroom Organization Resource ~ May 2013

Here are some free borders that you can print off and laminate and then write on with a dry erase marker. 

These posters will help with communication with children, staff and parents whilst brightening up your room. Click here for the free download.

You may also like to download more of our freebies in our TpT store. Here's the link to the 'Freebie' category in our store.

Revising our Classroom Attention Grabbers from our Fantastic Facebook Fans! May 2013

At the end of February we asked our Facebook fans what their number one, go to attention grabber was in their classroom.

The response was amazing and several of our fabulous fans requested that I compile the ideas into a download, so I did. It is available for free in our TpT store - Clever Classroom.

It seems that many teachers (3, 649 of them) love your ideas too!

It is time to revisit the ideas and update them.

If you have an attention grabber that works well in your classroom, please let us know about it by leaving your idea in the comments below. By leaving your idea below, means that you are happy to have it added in our download to share with teachers from all around the world (your name will not be added).

FIRST, download the free file (click here) to to see what ideas you might like to adopt and if your idea is already noted.

Then come back here and add your attention grabber in the comments below.

April 2013 Introduction

This is a brand new blog, so I am working hard at adding robust posts and information on the pages you see in the tabs down the left side of the blog.

Be sure to come back for posts on great classroom management and organization  

Until then, you might like to visit our Good Ideas or Social Skills pages on this blog.

~ You might like:

Owl Themed Blank Classroom Labels - 48 pages

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