Classroom DIY: DIY Kinesthetic Shower Curtain Activities

Today I've posted how to make kinesthetic shower curtain activities on Classroom DIY. Shower curtain activities are great for any grade level, and nearly any concept you teach! I buy mine at the Dollar Store so that I can inexpensively purchase several and make different game mats.

You can check out the link here: Classroom DIY: DIY Kinesthetic Shower Curtain Activities

Need concepts/ideas? Here's a few to get you started...
1. Letter/sound identification
2. Number recognition
3. Shape recognition
4. Vocabulary/definitions
5. Math facts
6. Color recognition
7. Sight words/phrases
8. Jeopardy style games (if you are w/o the powerpoint or technology to make a techy version)
9. Trivia
10. Movement/Brain break choices

I hope you have had a chance to check out the Classroom DIY blog---it's awesome!! So many talented educators out there....I am honored to be a contributing author each month! Thank you all for your continued support and keeping up with us over there!

Home Away From Home

YAY! I am so excited....I'm working on making my own classroom decor set this year, and here's my newest project---welcome & name banners! I think these will be a great addition to my "sweet shop" decor theme. It makes me want to get in my classroom and get things decorated---but the 70+ degree weather makes me want to sit in the sun and read a book! I LOVE summer...and I love these little projects between chapters! 

Click photo to see this banner in my TN Shop! 

Here's my welcome banner in pink and lime green 

with an orange polka dot ribbon! 

Click Photo

AND...

Here's my name banner---in a matching pattern! 

Click Photo

I am excited to make use of these banners as a great big welcome to the students, parents, and staff that come in my room. As long as there is a sufficient learning/teaching in the classroom---there's nothing wrong with having things super cute and creating a personalized space that reflects your personality! After all, you are there at least 6 hours a day, and some weekend time usually--it's important to create a unique space that reflects who you are, your personality, and style! 

I love hearing when parents or administrators comment on what an inviting classroom I have created! It is one of my main priorities at the beginning of the school year...it sets the tone and atmosphere for the type of learning environment that I want my students to have. Their comments confirm that all the effort into my classroom decor has made them feel warm and welcome from the moment they arrived---exactly how I want my students to feel---then, we can start making it "our space".

A classroom is a community, a family, and home away from home---I like to make it an aesthetically appealing place for me & my students to be! Besides....I love decorating, and it's downright FUN! 

If you would like these banners---please visit my Teacher's Notebook Shop! 

If you have a custom order for a banner---I'd be happy to hear your requests! 

Enjoy making your classroom your happy home away from home this year!  

ABC Action & Musical Learners

I'm thinking about the beginning of the year, and starting right at the basics....well, just beyond singing the alphabet song! My Pre-K friends love to move around and use up as much space as they can. It's amazing how far they can stretch the block area, and inch their way around every possible point in my room. Luckily, I have the space! 

Here's a great ABC sequencing activity in which your little ones will need A LOT of space! These BIG circles can be put in order from A-Z, or a-z ---but tell them to "take it to the floor!". Work on the floor? YUP---it's right where they want to be...where everything is accessible, at their level, and they can crawl, walk, or scoot to grab their letters and put them in their place. 

This is activity is great for your visual / kinesthetic learner. But what about some of those other types of learners? You can set up the circles cake walk style----add some music---and voila! Your musical and auditory learners are intrigued as well. When the music stops...some or all of the children say the letter that they are standing on (or next to---if you don't want little shoes/feet all over your new game!). 

It may not always be easy to find an activity that focuses on a certain concept and includes a musical element for those who learn musically. That is the hardest learning style for me to incorporate into my classroom. I have no musical skill whatsoever---and it's definitely not MY learning style. But if you are stumped...here's at least one way (besides all those great music/movement Cd's) that you can incorporate letter/sound identification in your centers/stations: 

Find a xylophone & add letter stickers to it!  You can only fit so many letters on each xylophone...so you may want to pick up a few of them! (you could also use these for number recognition!)

Have a musical day!! 

A Sweet Summer Freebie!

Go ahead...it's Friday night---just click, download, print & enjoy! 

Have a fun weekend, everyone!

Bike...run....read!

Summer always leaves me more time for exercising, which is great! I've been biking, walking, running, and registered for a 5K Color Run!! I am super excited! I think it'll be a great experience for my 9 (almost 10) year old---and something fun we can do together!! 

I've been telling my son that I really have to prepare for this 5K. I'm not a distance runner, and it doesn't come easy for me for a variety of reasons. Don't worry, I'll spare you my violin and pity party. But really, I'm not even at a 10 minute mile right now....so it's time to practice, practice, practice. 

Tonight, we rode our bikes 4 miles. I wanted him to see how far the 5K will be. I figure if I keep practicing 4 miles, the 5K will seem easier. Anyway....yesterday I did a 4 mile practice RUN by myself (and it was brutal!)...tonight, the same loop on my bike felt so easy! 

I love biking, and it comes easy for me. I could ride a pretty good distance before it feels un-enjoyable, too hard, etc.

As I'm parking my bike in he garage after my ride, it occurred to me that biking vs. running for me is like reading for some of the children we teach. For the natural readers, it comes easy & it's enjoyable for a long period of time----like biking for me. For others, it may not be as natural, as enjoyable, and may not last long----like me on a run! 

You can see where this is going, and can probably infer that I've been reading this: 

So how does it all tie in---biking, running, and the Daily 5? Well....I'm reading this book and CAFE and liking what I read. It makes sense. I think the program may need to be tweaked for Jr. Kdg or Kdg., but overall---the gist of implementing A LOT of reading and writing time during the school day has won me over. I like the format, and the ways of building STAMINA! 

In the past, I've begun building my students' stamina from day 1 in preparation for literacy/math stations Debbie Diller style. Starting with 5 minute table rotations and working our way up to 7 minutes, then 10---and being in the full swing of stations throughout the room/hallway. Baby steps.

Daily 5 may be a new structure---but you essentially build stamina the same way. Little by little---starting with just 1 minute! In my case this summer---starting with just one mile! (I used to have a friend who had me running around our local lake (about 7 miles!)---don't think that I don't regret quitting that every time I get out there for a run these days! UGH! Back to baby steps. 

Just think...if I had kept up with running or even walking that distance, I would not be back to square one. I'd be comfortable going a longer distance---I'd have the stamina. So it makes sense that we start our students out reading to self just 1 minute, adding a minute each day if they can handle it, until the desired amount of time is accomplished. The children who are not natural readers, not easily drawn to reading to themselves, do not have a lot of confidence etc., need to be taught all the strategies, techniques, and given the tools & PRACTICE TIME to accomplish their goals (and your goals for them!). 

Don't be mistaken---I have always known that it takes time, effort, and practice to be a good reader. This is not news to me! But as a person that has always had it easy in the the area of ELA, and as a person that enjoys reading, writing, and cares about grammar, mechanics, and everything in between---it's easy to get removed from understanding how difficult and possibly unenjoyable it can be for some students. 

I'm going to spend my summer practicing to be a better runner, building my stamina (and hopefully maintain an exercise routine for good this time)...and spend my school year remembering that grumbles & moans that may escape from some students during ELA activities are just some students who aren't used to running the distance----YET! 

Vote for Classroom DIY

Hey everyone!! Classroom DIY, the blog I contribute to each month, was nominated in the 2012 Really Good Education Blog Awards by Really Good Stuff and is now a finalist in the Best New Blog category.  

Voting begins on Monday, June 18th and ends on Friday, June 22nd, 2012.  The blog in each category with the most votes will be the winner.

Winning bloggers get a $75 Really Good Stuff gift certificate, a unique badge for their blog, and a monthly column on Really Good Stuff’s blog, The Teachers’ Lounge.  

  Only votes received from 12:00am EST on Monday, June 18th through 11:59pm EST on Friday, June 22nd are eligible, so please start voting NOW (click the badge above)!!!! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

What's up for summer?

It's summer vacation....but as you all know, teachers never stop working! I'm already tossing around ideas, themes, and plans for next year. I bet you are as well! 


This is my first year selling items on TN and TPT....and everyone says the summer is the busiest time of all! I'm happy to see so many visitors at my shop(s) lately!! Thank you, Thank you! 


Here's something that I've recently created....and I have a few more *sweet* ideas up my sleeve! Keep checking in. 

What are YOU up to this summer??

Packing for Summer

I don't know about all of you out there, but every year, I have to pack up my classroom---for a variety of reasons.

• I share a classroom with the before/after school program and in years past, all the summer program students from all 5 elementaries were in my classroom all summer!! YIKES! Not ideal. This is the first year that they will not be in my room....and not in the building....so it's nice to not have to worry about that this year.
• Although I'm a contracted teacher like my other colleagues, I work in a State funded program, and thus they have their inventory and I have mine. We have to separate and inventory separately each year.
• I've moved rooms every year (except for the current school year!--I got to stay in my current room 2 consecutive years)----so I'm typically just used to moving and figure it's bound to happen again! Roll with it! :)
• ...And this year...the program I teach is changing, most likely to a part time position - and I would like to stay full time...so that means possibly more changes and a potential move within the building for me! I really have no clue yet. I'll find out sometime this summer.  :)

I have a friend of mine in another district that has to move her classroom (all her belongings)---home every summer. It can't even stay in the classroom/building. I did that ONCE....I didn't know where I was going the following school year and my entire classroom sat on a flat bed trailer in my garage until August! I am so thankful I don't have to take it all home each summer!

But....my point is....as teachers, moving and packing at the end of the year happens to all of us in some capacity. I have found a system that works really well for me as a PreK-K teacher with TONS of furniture, toys, and educational materials that I have personally purchased liked so many of us do! My system has made packing and un-packing pretty efficient---considering, packing and moving a classroom is no small feat----it's like a second home/apartment!

So....here's my secret. Ha! Ready? Invest in these....LOTS of these.............

That's right...Rubbermaid totes. Of course, I like them all matching!

This is a small stack of what I have packed thsi year. Last year, nearly 1/2 a wall was stacked and lined with these. Did it cost the equivalent of my first car I ever owned? Probably. But, when you have moved as much as I have (even within the same building), it's been worth the investment! I am able to keep everything so organized. Why do I need so many? Well---that's the key to staying organized and being able to un-pack and keep track of everything so efficiently. Read on...

You will see that I have labeled the tote with my last name, and at the request of my administrator, to mark it "personal property" so that if the program changes, or my classroom location changes over the summer...maintenance will know where to move my personal belonging vs. the program inventory.

The MOST IMPORTANT TIP that I have for you is to use designate a tote to each area of your classroom. Some of my centers use up to 3 totes. I label the lid to correspond with the classroom center that it contains. Here are my centers & what I label my totes (as you PreK-K teachers will be familiar with!)

• Math/Fine Motor
• Art
• Writing
• Science
• Dramatic PLay
• Listening
• Sand/Water/Sensory
• Library
• Calendar/Group Area
• Blocks
• Playdoh
• ABC
• Puppets/Props
• Music/Movement
• Puzzles/Games
• Teacher Area (Desk/Closet stuff)
• Teacher Resource Books/Theme Binders/Curriculum
• ...and of course, there are always random totes for spare clothing, bins/baskets/containers, etc.

So---I have found that packing my classroom according to centers makes un-packing really easy! In late summer, when I come back to school, I set up my classroom floor plan. I decide where I want everything (my teacher work area, tables, centers, bookshelves---everything!) before I un-pack. Then, I take each tote and place it in the center that it belongs with.

Fianlly, I can easily un-pack one center at a time---staying focused on that ONE center/area of the classroom until it is complete and I move to the next. It really keeps me on task and not distracted my starting one box that goes here, another that goes there, and so on. And, when I open a tote...everything is already sorted so that items are not taking me to various parts of the room hopping all over like a 5 year old with espresso and a new puppy!

I hope that this moving tip makes your summer move or end of the year check-out go as smooth as mine do now!

A Friday Freebie!

I'm pretty glad it's the weekend! Not that I have much planned...but that is sort of nice, too. One of my favorite themes to use when I am teaching is a beach/ocean theme. If I could have a house with ocean front property, I would be in pure heaven! It's nothing compared to my little 'ol town, which is currently soaked with cold rain and dreary days. I so needed to get my ocean stuff out and update it for a little bit of hopeful sunshine and cheer.

Lucky for YOU, I am jonesin' for summer weather pretty bad! I might even wear my sunglasses in a silent plea for the sun to show itself around here! Until I get the real deal, enjoy this fun Friday FREEBIE!

Play a little sight word SPLASH with your students....a fun little way to practice Dolch lists 1-4. You can also find Lists 5-8 & 9-11 in my Teacher's Notebook Shop!

ALSO----my new math and literacy packet, Oceans of Learning, is available, too!

TGIF, everyone!

See you back here tomorrow for Super Organzing Saturday!

ABC Baseball

Here's a really fun game you can play at the end of the year with your preschoolers, or any time of the year with older students (the big Kindergarteners!). When I taught Kindergarten, I used to play this game with one of my grade level teachers, and our classes loved the friendly competition, socialization, and added physical activity during the school day.

We all know that if there is a way to make a game out of learning, your students will buy into it---creating a highly engaged group of students with a high interest activity. All you need is the baseball letter match game (which is a complete set of upper and lowercase letters), a dry erase board & marker (or something to keep score), bases/home plate and an excited group of students!

ENTER FOR A GIVE-A-WAY ON MY TEACHER'S NOTEBOOK SHOP!

Starts May 31, 2012 and ENDS at midnight!

10 LUCKY WINNERS WILL RECEIVE THIS PRINTABLE----FREE!!!



Click Photo



So....once you have printed the baseballs, you will want to put a number (1, 2, or 3--to represent the value and what base they could run to) on the back BEFORE you laminate. It's up to you, but I put a 1 on easy letters, a 2 on more difficult letters, and a 3 on the letters that are typically most difficult for students to identify. Then, laminate & cut out.

Now, you are ready to take your students to the gym or outside for a game of ABC baseball! I found some great bases and a home plate at the Dollar Tree, but I've only seen them there twice in the Spring over the paste few years. You could always make your own, or borrow from your P.E. teacher!

Set up your bases and divide your class into 2 teams, or bring another class to play against you! You will not need any players in the field. Simply have your students sit on the baseline until it is their turn to "bat" (no bat needed, though!). The teacher is the pitcher! :)

Have your baseballs in hand, and call one student up to bat. They stand at home plate and you tell them if it's a single (1--1st base), a double (2--2nd base), or a triple hit (3---3rd base). Then, "pitch" the ball (show them the ball with the letter on it). If they identify it, they run to their designated base. Next batter, do it all again. Every time a player crosses home plate, make a tally mark for a run for your team.

The team with the most runs at the end is the winning team!!

Shake it up! How to vary the game depending on each child's needs. When you pitch you can:

* show only uppercase

* show only lowercase

* mix it: sometimes show a capital letter, sometimes show a lowercase letter 

* ask for letter sound

* ask for a word that starts with that letter

* ask for a word that ends with that letter

* only use the letters in the child's first name



I hope this game is a HOME RUN for your class!

Have FUN!

Classroom DIY

My new post as a contributing author on Classroom DIY is now up for you to see!! Click HERE to go check it out! There are so many great DIY projects, and more will be coming your way every day!!

SOS! SOS! Math Manipulatives

Welcome back to Super Organizing Saturday! SOS!

Is there anyone else out there that doesn't know what to do with all those math manipulatives? If you are an early childhood teacher, you definitely have A LOT of objects that you use for your students to practice a variety of concepts such as counting, 1:1, patterning, adding, subtracting, and more! It's not an easy thing to keep track of all those small pieces, or store them when you students are not using them.....UNTIL NOW!

I finally found a way that will work for me AND will look nice and neat whether inside a cabinet (which is where I keep my manipulatives) or on a countertop or bookshelf. This technique may work for you as well. All you need are some 5-drawer plastic units from Wal-Mart (they are cheaper there), chalk vinyl, and a chalk ink pen! Here we go with me and my chalk vinyl again. But if you've been keeping up with me, I DID order that 50 yard roll (and my 12 yard share) ----so I am putting it to good use already.

It was WAY easy, and is going to work like a charm! What do you think? Weigh in with your thoughts, and any other suggestions that you have for organizing your math manipualtives/counters!

Have a HAPPY MEMORIAL WEEKEND!!!

Dinosaur Math Theme Pack

Having fun with a spring Dinosaur theme?! I usually do some sort of dino theme that fits in with what we are learning because kids find dinosaurs simply fascinating! They love learning about them, and have tons of questions about how they became extinct, why they became extinct, and all the different types. 

And the end of my unit, I do a dinosaur DIG. A "real" one! 

Could I find any pictures of this? NO! I think they are on an old computer that I am yet to remove all my files/documents. Bummer.

Anywhoooo----if you want to have your own dino dig, just visit your local butcher! Yes, the butcher! They will probably be more than happy to hand over some very large cow bones for your little paleontologists! A very nice butcher will boil them or put them on a smoker to make sure that the bones are free of all meat and grimey stuff before you bring them to school. If not, just have them bag 'em up and have your ever-understanding and more than willing to help, husband, do it! :)

To be really effective, you have to arrive to school VERY early. I brought my paraprofessional partner in crime with me, 2 shovels, and we started digging holes all over the playground.Not very deep---but deep enough to make the kids work for it. Once that first bone is discovered, it kicks them all into high gear and they don't stop until I have to call off the dig! Have your camera ready for those very surprised, wide-eyed, looks when the children pull out those GIANT bones. They are big, and heavy, and so believable. There's no harm in a little embellishment, is there?!

To get your students ready for the dig, tell them a story about how long, long, long ago it was heard that dinosaurs roamed <insert school name here> school playground. Tell them you don't know if the stories are true or not, but you asked the principal, and s/he thinks it might be true and gave us permission to conduct a research dig! * I recommend telling them at the very end of the day when they are ready to go home, so that they don't go digging during recess or something. Then, when they return in the morning, they will be pumped up for the dig!

This dig will quickly become the buzz of the whole student population in your building! You'd be surprised how many 5th graders buy into the idea that preschoolers acutally found dino bones on the playground! Too cute!

Other tips for a successful dig

* Ask a parent volunteer to pick up the bones and/or bury them

* Get permission from your administrator so that they are on board and approve you digging up an area of  

   the playground

* Contact your butcher ahead of time, find out what day they slaughter (sorry, I know it sounds awful), and

   arrange to pick up the bones shortly after so that they do not have to have them sitting around long.

* Make sure the bones are in a plastic bag when you pick them up from the butcher, and when you dispose

  of them. They can be stinky---especially if they are smoked. They do attract flies/animals...just FYI.

* Count your bones (I had one for each student)...and double check at the end. No need for raccoons,

  dogs, etc. to invade the playground later on. Ewwww.

* HAVE FUN! GO ALL OUT---THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS EVENT!!!

Now that you are all pumped up...

Get your dinosaur stomp on with this AWESOME

themed MATH pack! 

Lots of great skills for all your little learners!

Pattern cards

Addition & Subtraction work mats w/ recording sheets for accountability

Counting Mats

"Go Stomp"

Memory

Number recognition

Number sequencing

AND MORE! 

Get it HERE!

Baseball Math Pack & a FREEBIE!

It's baseball season, and I love it! It's one of my favorite sports, so there's no question that I am thoroughly enjoying the fact that my kids are old enough to play catch in the yard, play on the community baseball teams, and like the sport as much as I do! It's so much fun. Here's 2 out of 3 of my little sluggers...



Just because it's baseball season, and you undoubtedly have some students who are on teams this summer, I've created a FREEBIE for YOU! Kids generally get so hyped up about team sports, and look forward to their game all day while at school. Integrate and corral that extra-curricular enthusiasm into your math stations!

Click below to grab your freebie and check out my PreK-K math pack as well. It's full of lots of great items that you may find useful in your classroom, too!





Get the 29 page pack HERE!



Get your FREEBIE Here!



Classroom Freebies- Manic Monday FREEBIE

I've linked up with Classroom Freebies - Manic Monday Freebies! YAY! There are a TON of great things, so I know you will find something you love!

Here is my FREEBIE to you! It will always be free right here! Come back and grab/download it any time.

Enjoy your summer (if you are already on vacation)---and hang in there if you are still counting the days! Freebie linky parties should make it a little more fun while you count down! :)

Webinar: File Cabinet Rebellion!

Join me, Keri Powell, and Tiffany Ouwinga - both elementary teachers devoted to organized and efficient classroom management and instruction-- for our new webinar this TUESDAY!! If you missed our presentation at MiAEYC in March...here's your chance to get in on it! Lots of great ideas to organize various aspects of your classroom at any time of the year. Under $20....register ASAP, as there are a limited # of attendees available! :)

We hope to see you May 22 (Tuesday) @ 6:45pm!

Register HERE! 

Just $19.00, and 45 minutes of your time for a jam packed session to jump start your organization! Good for any time of the year---but summer is nearly here, and you can really focus on your room!


~Keri 


Here's what teachers have said about this presentation:

D'Lynn

Keri,
I loved the presentaion at the MiAEYC conference! I have to say it was my favorite! You both did a great job and I am so excited to implement your ideas. Thanks for presenting and sharing your knowledge!

APRIL 1, 2012 9:22 AM 

Hi Keri!

I attended your session yesterday and it was AMAZING! Your presentation was by far the best of the entire conference. You and Tiffany are an inspiration: both as educators and organizing queens!:) Thank you so much for sharing your talents. I'm off to go work on labeling with my chalkboard vinyl! ;)
Sincerely,
Wendy (Preschool teacher)

Hi Keri,

I just wanted to send along a quick message to you and your colleague following today's presentation at MiAEYC. I was the consultant sitting in the front and am a self confessed organizational junkie! I loved your session and your energy. You ladies did a fantastic job! I promise to check out your blogs and follow...feel free to do the same since my contact info is below. Keep up the great work and thanks for the goodies today!

Taking a break!

I actually did some organizing in my classroom yesterday.....but did I take pictures? Nope....I forgot! *sigh*.

Today is a gorgeous day in Michigan, and I plan on spending it all outside with my family and perhaps doing a bit of crafting and painting that I've been wanting to get to. Everyone needs a break once in a while---and today, the teacher hat comes off!

Stay tuned....I have plenty more SOS! ideas and posts coming your way!! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Classroom Library---Get it together!

So, how do you organize your classroom library? How many ways have you tried, and how many classrooms have your scoped out looking for ideas?! Yep---been there, done that. 

Well, my dear friend and colleague, Tiffany, introduced me to the answer to our library prayers! I am so excited to begin cataloging all my books with my iPhone! To be honest, I have not yet done it. But, I have set up my account, and the reviews look great! 

Best of all, it's FREE!!!!!!! You know you all love that! If you get to this before I do, don't forget to report back on how you like it. I'd love to hear. And, I'll put in my 2 cents, as well! YAY! 

Measure It Out!

Toward the end of the year, many students are working on units of measure. If you're not, maybe you can find somewhere in your math stations to review measuring with this cute little activity, Mouse Measuring!

I dug this out, after not using it for a year or so, and it held the interest of their eager little minds just as I remembered! Whether you are working on measuring with non-standard units of measure, or standard units, this activity is for you! You can use it either way. I love activities that grow with the children---you know you are getting great use out of it!

With this game, you will get mice labeled A-R. All you have to do is laminate the mice, cut out, & punch a hole in the black dot and attach yarn of various lengths to make a "tail". Only one tail per mouse, of course! 

If you are working with preschool students, you may only want them to measure with non-standard units of measure and opt out of the recording sheet. There were certainly a handful of my preschoolers at the end of the year who could measure and then write the numeral next to the corresponding letter mouse. (i.e.: we used unifix cubes and if the mouse A was five cubes long, they could practice writing "5" by mouse A on the recording sheet). 

If you are working with older children who are capable of measuring, and then completing the recording sheet, go for it! 

Mouse B is 6 quarters long! 

To see this game in my Teacher's Notebook shop, click HERE! 

SOS! SOS! Super Organizing Saturday - Flash Drives

Do you ever use flash drives to store your documents and then go back to find something, and you can't find it because:

A. You forgot what you named the document...
B. There are so many items on the flash drive that you can't possibly sift through them all efficiently...

Unless you take the time to create folders, and name everything "just so"....there's a good chance your flash drive is a cluttered mess. Flash drives are meant to grab and go---no one wants to spend time organizing them, I know!

Not to worry---here's one way you can spend some time organizing your flash drives once and for all and then you'll be able to use these little devices in the most organized and efficient manner!! We're all busy people, efficiency is important! Read on....

You'll want to start with having a few flash drives on hand....and perhaps some 3-ring binders.

Photo borrowed from Google Images

I forgot to grab a photo of my own binders at school---so these will have to do. They look pretty organized! In my classroom, I use a binder for each of the themes or concepts that I teach. For example, I have binders for monthly themes, and a binder for measurement, etc. In the binder, I store any lessons, re-producibles, activities that will fit inside, vocabulary cards, and more.

THEN----I also have a corresponding flash drive that goes inside EACH binder. My #1 tip is that you only put related information on ONE flash drive. So----if I am working on my "Down on the Farm" theme binder, I will need a "Down on the Farm" flash drive, in which I only store documents and information pertaining to that specific theme. 

So---however many units of study, concepts, or themes you have....you will want that many flash drives. It seems excessive, and perhaps expensive (unless you grab for 4GB drives on SALE for $4.99 like I mentioned the other day). But once you get everything in its rightful place, you will be able to easily locate your documents to quick make extra copies, for planning, and staying organized and efficient! 

I also do this for any committees that I work on. Each committee that I am involved in gets its own binder, and a flash drive to sort out that information. If the committee work is not piling up high, you could combine them on one flash drive - provided you create a folder on the flash drive to keep the information separated.

Now---how do you keep track of all those flash drives floating around? EASY! They should not be floating around everywhere....you can place them right in the binder! Take a little velcro dot and place it on the bottom of the flash drive, and another velcro dot in the binder - and you've created a spot where the flash drive cannot get lost! OR---you can get this cute little holder HERE!

When you are planning, headed to your grade level meetings, taking work home for the weekend, or off to a committee meeting---simply grab your unit binder and all of the contents will be well organized and with you when you need it!

PS---this is a project that requires your focus and attention. If you don't use binders right now and want to begin, it is a big under-taking. You will want the summer to work on it!! It took me about 2 weeks to switch everything from my file cabinet to organized theme binders and to put everything on a thumb drive!

Ready for your binders to go paperless?? Even better if you are brave enough to let go of the hard copies! Check out LIVEBINDERS.COM! Grab some lesson plans from other teachers, or upload your own into a web-based "3-ring binder". Get organized "virtually" anywhere! :)

Will flash drives be on your Christmas Wish List or school supply list this year? Happy organizing!!!