Day 4 Taming the Wild...Freebies!

I totally missed out yesterday because I was so sick! I couldn't believe I wasn't feeling well so soon into the school year! Oh well, at least I am feeling a little better today. For teacher week day 4 we are suppose to talk about taming the wild aka classroom management! 

The first thing I have to say about management is that you have to have structure and teach your students routines. If you take the time to do this now, at the beginning of the year then you won't have nearly as many behavior problems. I posted a couple of days ago a good list of routines to remember to go over with your students and how to explicitly teach them. 

Click here to check out the post and get the freebies!

One of my favorite routines to teach is "standing in line!" I have my students repeat a cute jingle after me to get themselves ready to leave the classroom. 

Click the picture to get your free copy!

For the first time last year I had some type of behavior management system in place in my classroom. In years past I wasn't quite ready to tackle that and keep up with it all. For table groups I used the BRAVO board. Each table got points all week and the table with the most points at the end of the week got to pick out of the treasure box! You can see my BRAVO board in this picture: 

As a building last year we decided we were all going to use clip charts...which I LOVED! The kids were accountable for their own behavior and they were able to see how they were doing all day long. At the end of each day the students colored on a calendar in their homework folder where they ended up. At the end of the month they had to have so many "good days" to get an extra recess, movie time, etc. We made the number of days they had to get more and more throughout the year. You can see the clip chart I created in this picture: 

Click here to download my free behavior clip chart!

Also something else that I have to say has definitely helped with behavior is being ORGANIZED! I always make sure I have everything ready for the kids, therefore they don't have very much down time throughout the day. This limits behavior problems and makes our day run smoother! 

Day 2: Classroom Digs

Well as you know from yesterdays post, I am not in a classroom this year. I am still working on my office...it is a little crazy right now. (we are still living with parents, we move on Aug. 28!!!!) I wanted to share with you what my classroom looked like last year because I LOVED it!

It started like this...

Click on the picture to see how it turned out!! 

Since I don't have my own classroom this year I wanted to share with you what I would have done if I had a classroom. 

Theme: Dr. Seuss!!

I have had the same theme (bugs/bright colors) for the 3 years I have been teaching. I would have been time to switch it up! Here are some of my favorite Pinterest projects I would have/will do someday for my next future classroom: (p.s. I have a secret board of all my next classroom ideas on Pinterest...shhhh)

Make sure to link up at Blog Hoppin' to check out some other GREAT classroom digs! 

Let's Talk About Me...Meet the Teacher

 I am going on my third year of marriage to my best friend, Brad. We started dating in high school and have been together ever since...it will be 10 years in November!! Time flies when you are having fun! Here are some pictures from our wedding and honeymoon to Hawaii:

We  loved Hawaii so much we went back the year after we got married!! 

 Someone else who is very important to the both of us is our little baby Bentley!! He is now seven years old and he is our world! 

 Someone who is  very, very special to me is my mommy! She is one of my best friends!

 As you know this year I will not be teaching in a classroom, which I am excited and sad about. I will be the elementary math instructional facilitator. So instead of organizing my classroom, I am organizing my office. I don't have pictures quite yet, but I will post them when I get everything cute and complete. 

One thing I love about the school district I work for is that it has such a community feel. Since I have been there I have created great friendships! I love how everyone knows everyone, it just makes life easier! I also am very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given. Here is a picture of some of my crazy co-workers who I now call my friends! 

Here are some fun facts about me:

1. I am the oldest sibling, I have a younger brother

2. I went to college where both of my parents did

3. I have broken my left arm twice

4. I have had twenty teeth pulled (I have a small mouth)

5. I love to walk

6. I love reality t.v.

7. I can't have dairy products

8. I love crafting/decorating

9. I love the snow and winter (cute boots duh!)

10. I have wanted to be a teacher since 2nd grade! 

Click up over at Blog Hoppin for Teacher Week 2013!