Let me begin by saying that I have always been a very organized person. If organization is not your strong suit,
I would not recommend on taking all this one in one year!
Nevertheless, I hope to provide some insight on what makes my classroom run smoothly all year long. I teach six classes, about 180 students, and have four different classes that I teach (Spanish 2, 4, 5 and Academic Decathlon).
I would not survive without this system! I have to mention that my cooperating teacher for student teaching back in 2011 gave me the vast majority of these systems and ideas, so I'm forever thankful to you, Jen!
I would not recommend on taking all this one in one year!
Nevertheless, I hope to provide some insight on what makes my classroom run smoothly all year long. I teach six classes, about 180 students, and have four different classes that I teach (Spanish 2, 4, 5 and Academic Decathlon).
I would not survive without this system! I have to mention that my cooperating teacher for student teaching back in 2011 gave me the vast majority of these systems and ideas, so I'm forever thankful to you, Jen!
MINI WHITE BOARDS
My students use mini white boards all the time in class. My desks are in pods and each pod has four desks. I have a little bucket for each pod ($1 at Target). In the bucket there are four markers and four erasers. I bought felt and cut it into squares. Another, less labor-intensive option is to buy baby socks or kids socks and use those as erasers. The kids like putting them on their hands and being able to erase quickly during games. This system is really fast because the group just sends one kid to get the boards and markers and they are back in less than one minute. No more passing this stuff out to your whole class! |
STUDENT STATION / TURNING WORK IN
COPIES FOR THE WEEK
This table is key to things running smoothly for me. It is right in the front of my room next to my white board.
I have a file divider that I got at Office Max (like this, but they don't make the clear ones anymore) for each level I teach. Then I put my copies there for the week. There are five slots, so I can organize it by days of the week. I do NOT put assessments in here because kids would 100% steal them (haha)
This table is key to things running smoothly for me. It is right in the front of my room next to my white board.
I have a file divider that I got at Office Max (like this, but they don't make the clear ones anymore) for each level I teach. Then I put my copies there for the week. There are five slots, so I can organize it by days of the week. I do NOT put assessments in here because kids would 100% steal them (haha)
EXTRA COPIES
Every Friday, I move all of the copies from the file sorters (above) into these baskets which are over near my windows.
This keeps the front of my room more organized, and if a student needs a copy of something from the week before or a few weeks ago, they know to look here.
This is also helpful because I have a lot of super motivated kids that will grab notes from a higher level class and begin to teach themselves more advanced stuff. They know they're welcome to look and see what other classes are learning!
This keeps the front of my room more organized, and if a student needs a copy of something from the week before or a few weeks ago, they know to look here.
This is also helpful because I have a lot of super motivated kids that will grab notes from a higher level class and begin to teach themselves more advanced stuff. They know they're welcome to look and see what other classes are learning!
COPIES OF ASSESSMENTS
I keep assessments in filing cabinets that are behind my desk and usually locked, rather than out with other copies. I have a drawer for each level, and then I have hanging file folders in each drawer. There is one folder for quizzes, one for retake versions, and one for differentiated versions, I also keep the keys in here so if I do not change the assessment from year to year I don't have to remake the key!
This is helpful when you have students who come in to make up missing assessments, because you waste no time trying to find the quizzes. You always know right where they are!
This is helpful when you have students who come in to make up missing assessments, because you waste no time trying to find the quizzes. You always know right where they are!
WORK TO BE GRADED
After students turn an assessment in, I always go grab them all from the Entregas basket right away. I only have one basket for handing in work, for all six of my classes, because I immediately grab the completed work and everything goes directly in the folder for the class. I use folders because they are easy to take home, and I prefer the plastic-type folders because they hold up better! This holder from Target is great for keeping everything organized.
After students turn an assessment in, I always go grab them all from the Entregas basket right away. I only have one basket for handing in work, for all six of my classes, because I immediately grab the completed work and everything goes directly in the folder for the class. I use folders because they are easy to take home, and I prefer the plastic-type folders because they hold up better! This holder from Target is great for keeping everything organized.
WORK TO BE HANDED BACK
Once I have work graded and ready to go back to students, I put it in the file tray for the class. This way when I look over, I am reminded that I have to pass back quizzes etc. to the class.
This also helps because when you're grading random late work, re-takes, make up assessments, etc. you have somewhere to put the paper as soon as it goes in the grade book.
This also helps because when you're grading random late work, re-takes, make up assessments, etc. you have somewhere to put the paper as soon as it goes in the grade book.
ASSESSMENT FOLDERS
When I pass back work, I ask two students to go back and grab their assessment folders for the class and pass those back at the same time. I have a file box for each level (I have two boxes for Level 4 because I have three sections). They're on sale for $5-7 normally at Office Depot and Office Max.
Each student gets a manila folder and writes their name on it. ALL of their graded work goes in here all year (we only grade summative assessments in my district). They have a portfolio of all their quizzes and tests, and students cannot take their assessments or folders out of the room.
These portfolios continue with them to the next level, but on the last day of school I ask them to select only their best interpretive, presentational and interpersonal assessments to go on. The rest are recycled!
If you have questions or comments don't hesitate to comment below!
Each student gets a manila folder and writes their name on it. ALL of their graded work goes in here all year (we only grade summative assessments in my district). They have a portfolio of all their quizzes and tests, and students cannot take their assessments or folders out of the room.
These portfolios continue with them to the next level, but on the last day of school I ask them to select only their best interpretive, presentational and interpersonal assessments to go on. The rest are recycled!
If you have questions or comments don't hesitate to comment below!