First Day Bingo

This is a First Day Bingo document I created to play around the first day of school. Or more realistically, the second, The first day at my school is full of filling out forms! No time for fun games. The students have to go around the room and get someone to sign their name to a square. My rule, because I have 30 students per class, is no more than two of the same name on their card! This gets them interacting with everyone.

Here are some tips for making the first days go smoothly:

  1. Have your name and subject outside your classroom, and a roster. Students want to know they are in the right place before entering the room.
  2. Have assigned seating. Kids are nervous. They are scared about coming in to your room for the first time. It’s even more nerve wracking if they have to make a decision about where to sit.
  3. Assigned seating also helps you quickly see who’s missing, and helps eliminate students being in the wrong place. Students dread that ominous teacher screaming out roll call, only to learn their name isn’t on the roster and being sent out.
  4. Have an activity for students to work on while they are waiting. Even if it’s something simple like a word search, something to occupy them while you get other stuff done is a good idea. This way, the class is managed the second they come in.
  5. Gallon sized ziploc bags are on our supply list, so students inevitably bring these the first day. If this is not on your list (and it needs to be, and I will explain later why!), go buy enough for your class for at least that day. All forms that students need to take home with them needs to go in these ziploc bags. I also write their name on their bag. If a student is absent, I make up a bag with their name on a post-it (so I can re-use the bag if the student doesn’t show). 
  6. Speaking of supplies, figure out where you’re going to store all the supplies students bring on their first day. I picked up some cheap banker’s boxes from Wal-Mart, one for each supply on the list. Items are stored in the boxes, the item written on the outside, and stored for the time being. Students write their name on all their supplies, and toss into the appropriate box. Later, after lockers are assigned, they have two options: they can keep the supplies in the boxes or transfer to their lockers.

Hopefully those are enough tips to get you started thinking about your first day of school!

This is how make-up work has been handled in my classroom in the past. I only have one corkboard though, so I have been less than thrilled with this system, although it works great. I just hate to use my one bulletin board for something as boring as make-up work! I made pockets out of a sheet of construction paper, taped it on three sides, leaving the top open. Using my cricut, I cut out letters and glued them to the construction paper. Those are the last names of the four homerooms. As I take roll for each class, I write the names of the absent students on my notes and hand-outs and pop them in the folder. Students know if they have been absent to check the make-up folder for their work. They have 3 days to turn it in, if it was for a grade.  For the new year, however, I have decided to do something a little different. I want to reclaim my lone bulletin board, and came across this idea on pinterest. I think making this and adding the homeroom names and hanging it somewhere would be a great idea. I don’t have a sewing machine, but maybe if I laminate and staple the folders together it would still work? I also will just use cheap manila file folders and cover in scrapbook paper. That would make this project even cheaper. I am also going to implement this (edit as you need) worksheet, and designate someone in the class to be in charge of filling it out. I always have students ask me what we did or if this worksheet was for a grade, etc. So I think having a description of the previous days activity, added in with the work, will really streamline my make-up work process. Finally, reading through the comments gave me another idea. If I made two more, I could have one for turn-in work and one for graded work. The wheels in my brain are turning!! So, hopefully this will get your brain working with ideas for make up work. If you are a new teacher, it is imperative you have a system in place before the school year begins, because you need to introduce it with your rules and procedures. Reblog and share your ideas for make up work!
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This is how make-up work has been handled in my classroom in the past. I only have one corkboard though, so I have been less than thrilled with this system, although it works great. I just hate to use my one bulletin board for something as boring as make-up work! I made pockets out of a sheet of construction paper, taped it on three sides, leaving the top open. Using my cricut, I cut out letters and glued them to the construction paper. Those are the last names of the four homerooms. As I take roll for each class, I write the names of the absent students on my notes and hand-outs and pop them in the folder. Students know if they have been absent to check the make-up folder for their work. They have 3 days to turn it in, if it was for a grade. 

For the new year, however, I have decided to do something a little different. I want to reclaim my lone bulletin board, and came across this idea on pinterest. I think making this and adding the homeroom names and hanging it somewhere would be a great idea. I don’t have a sewing machine, but maybe if I laminate and staple the folders together it would still work? I also will just use cheap manila file folders and cover in scrapbook paper. That would make this project even cheaper.

I am also going to implement this (edit as you need) worksheet, and designate someone in the class to be in charge of filling it out. I always have students ask me what we did or if this worksheet was for a grade, etc. So I think having a description of the previous days activity, added in with the work, will really streamline my make-up work process.

Finally, reading through the comments gave me another idea. If I made two more, I could have one for turn-in work and one for graded work. The wheels in my brain are turning!!

So, hopefully this will get your brain working with ideas for make up work. If you are a new teacher, it is imperative you have a system in place before the school year begins, because you need to introduce it with your rules and procedures.

Reblog and share your ideas for make up work!

My First Freebie!

I recently taught a lesson as a teacher demonstration at the writing workshop that I’m attending this summer.

It was pretty popular, and I decided to share it with you! I don’t very often create my own materials, but I needed something very specific for teaching several of the research standards.

I will probably repost this eventually, because I want to go through all the steps of writing a research paper with you. But for now, let this suffice as my excitement for having so many new followers! Feel free to edit, share, and use as you see fit.

This ppt is based on creating source cards and notes for writing a research paper. It fits along with the following standards: 

0601.3.16 When other sources are used or referenced (such as in research, informational essays, or literary essays) adhere to the list below.  

• Acknowledge source material (e.g., list sources). 

GLE 0601.4.2 Gather relevant information from a variety of print and electronic sources, as well as from direct observation, interviews, and surveys.  

GLE 0601.4.4 Write a research paper, using primary and secondary sources and technology and graphics, as appropriate.  

0601.4.2 Take and organize notes on what is known and what needs to be researched about the topic.  

0601.4.3 Focus on relevant information and/or theories.

0601.4.5 Choose among sources provided and those found independently based on the usefulness, credibility, and reliability of the sources.  

There are more, but I think five gives you a good start! Click on the arrow next to the title to be taken to Google Docs.

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