Binder Cover Galor!

As teachers we all know how organization is key.
My favorite organization tool would have to be the durable 3-ring binders. :)
Happiness settles into my heart being able to whole punch and organize all my information in binders I can keep at hand's reach in my classroom.
Your principal walks in and asks for your lesson plans, no problem they are clearly labeled and up to date! You need to show your Data Analyst your current benchmark scores, yep they have their own binder. You name it, you can make one!
The success to a binder collection follows:
1. Keep them Clearly Labeled
2. Purposeful, there is a clear purpose behind each binder
3. Updated binders (Every 3-6 weeks)
4. Manageable, make sure you don't over do the binders, some can be combined
5. Make them your own! Don't use a Behavior binder if you log your behavior else where, make it your own!

Tada! This is my beautiful creation for the 2014-2015 school year! 

Classroom Theme?!

Who else is new to the profession and noticed how veteran teachers managed to accumulate all kinds of neat decorations/activities that help create that ultimate classroom culture? Classroom Themes!

I know the importance of a classroom culture, I loved having my little scholars feel so great to walk into a classroom that would occasionally surprise them with a new door decoration or anything relating to the new theme. This year, I would LOVE to be able to embrace a theme of my own.

My school has selected a theme: Lights, Camera, Academics! 
Sure this theme gives itself to an awesome Hollywood theme. Red carpets, film strips, awards, stars, director chairs etc. Being my prom 2008 theme, I can come up with PLENTY.

http://www.mardel.com/assets/item/large/1946953.jpg

My question is whether or not I am motivated to embrace the school theme completely OR embrace a theme all of my own from my door in, and stick to the school theme from my door out.

Any thoughts?

A Teacher's Summer

The sun stays out late, the alarms are turned off, but that doesn't mean a teacher takes the whole summer off.

I've been in trainings and still have one more training to attend before making any decisions involving enjoying my summer.

As a 2nd year teacher, I have plenty that I want to adjust and change for myself and to better improve my teaching. Which teacher doesn't want to improve? Make things easier for themselves and make their students' learning experience better? That is the square I find myself standing in.

My mentor brought up a good plan, her suggest was as follows: take advantage of your training days - plan around those days. When you go home, relax. There is a reason why teachers have the sumer off.

With that said, let me share what I have accomplished and how.

• Math Lesson for the first week 
• During math training, the best way to check for understanding is to be able to apply it. I applied my new found skills by sketching up my 1st week's lesson plan. Not only did I complete it, but I had the Math curriculum writer look over it. :) That's winning. 

ORIGO is the new Texas adopted Math Curriculum. AWESOME! I love their additional support and resources, did I mention it's all ONLINE! WOOOOOOOOOOO! 

• Grade Book Page 
• After completing my Math lesson plan for the 1st week, I realized I'll have 3 grades for Math the first week, I need something to put that down in! Check out Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) for great resources for every need! 

• Homework Log
• My Math lessons include 4 Math homework assignments, which made me question what I could use to log homework. Once again, TPT came to the rescue with great ideas! Check out my awesome Homework- Weekly log! :)

• ClassDojo
• I'm sure many of you heard about it, many of us wonder about it. GET IT! It'd best to have it at hand and decide not to use it, than to start the first day of school and not know where to start. It's monster theme might happen to go perfectly with my new classroom theme (COMING SOON!).  The application/program can be shown to students, has links to share with parents and did I mention it has monsters! Check it out for yourself!
  http://teach.classdojo.com/#!/launchpad

So, do take a summer off, but if you must - there are simple things that can keep you on-track. Happy Summer my friends! 

The Beginning. Big Goal.

Miss Cindy Lou's 123s and ABCs

As a 2nd year teacher there is much I have learned and much I still look forward to learning. Embarking on this journey, I've come to the conclusion that it's best to be able to reflect on all my accomplishments and the process of teaching.
My goal is to be able to reflect, share and network through the use of a blog. Cheers to starting a new habit and hopefully enriching myself and others along the way.