Make your own dividers!

Two lovely ladies have asked how I made my own dividers for my many teacher binders. I wanted to clarify. I know it is super easy to go to the store and buy dividers, but I had time and was feeling crafty. That led me to open up PowerPoint and try to make my own dividers.

I love these dividers. They are circles and you can see more at a glance.

Hop on over to my blog to see how I made my own dividers and for a short tutorial!

Simply 2nd Resources

My DIY Summer

Like many of you, I decided to make this a DIY (Do It Yourself) summer. I linked up with 4th grade Frolics "Made It Monday" linky party, so come on over and see what I made-- my own dividers for my plan book and much more! Then you can follow the link to MANY other cool projects for inspiration!!

http://emilystuff.wordpress.com/

Parent Contact Information Cards - FREEBIE

Hi everyone!  Recently I've gotten a lot of requests for my Parent Contact Information cards (originally posted on my classroom website), so I am posting them to make sure that you have them if you want them.  These are cards that are printed on 4x6 index cards that you can keep in a large index card box or in the large index card holder.

Click on the picture to get your freebie contact cards:  (Please let me know if you have any problem accessing them.)

Handling Students' Finished Work

Hi all! Denise here from Sunny Days In Second Grade!
When I first started teaching many moons ago, I learned pretty quickly that if your organizational skills were subpar, you were in for a world of trouble. One of the things I struggled with the most was managing students' finished work. I tinkered with various methods, like mailboxes and file crates and just handing  it back to them when I was done grading with a wish and a prayer that it would actually get home to the parents somehow.

After many years and many methods, what I'm doing now seems to work better than anything else I've tried. Just thought I would share in case any of you struggle with this like I did. Man, where were teacher blogs and Pinterest when I started teaching? Oh, that's right! They didn't exist yet! Seriously, I did not even have a phone in my classroom when I started teaching, let alone internet access. We didn't have to chisel our lessons in stone, but I did have an actual chalkboard. I am making myself sound oooooold, but it's not like we had to hide from dinosaurs at recess or anything. {I'm 41 for the record. How did that happen so fast??}

Anyway, I digress. Back to organization. I've listed six easy tips and some freebie downloads that might help you if you're struggling with the task of getting student work home in an organized way. Stop by the blog and have a look!

BeBe sure to stop by my blog this weekend. 

I'm having a contest that you won't want to miss!

Too Much Paper?

Have you ever felt like you are buried in paper at school ... then you go home and your entire kitchen table is covered with it?  Yeah, me too!


Let me show you how I solved this age-old problem with a folder, heavy-duty page protectors, and dry erase markers.

Here are my folders with my Daily 5 checklist.

See some of the other items I use in my folders to keep the paper organized and off of your desk!

Rockin' Teacher Materials

Classroom Organization Giveaway!

In two weeks, I officially report back to duty with professional development at school... and then, on September 6, my year with kiddos begins!

If I ever get a class list (*fingers crossed for SOON!*) I'll really be able to start getting ready... my first order of business is always my monthly grid booklet. I use these to keep track of homework, money or notes being turned in, and all sorts of other goodies!



Click the image above to head on over to my blog to sign up for my giveaway... three lucky winners will get a free set of my monthly check off charts! Hurry! I'll choose the winners randomly on Wednesday!

Do you have an easy tip for staying organized? I'd love to hear it... you can leave me a comment here or on my blog to share... if you want to enter the giveaway, please be sure I see you over at my blog!

:)
Christina