Google Keep... the Gamechanger!

Screenshot of Google Keep on my Computer

When I was going through my Google Certification I remember doing a module on Google Keep. However, at the time, I didn't see the value in the application. 
Then I ran across a Tweet on Twitter where someone was sharing about it. I decided right then, I needed this Google Application in my life! Opening this new school has been an absolute whirlwind! When I tell you I was NOT READY... I was NOT READY! So this came a time when I desperately needed to "get my life togetha". 
A teammate commented that I seem "to be on top of things." I told her it was definitely an illusion cause I most certainly am not, but, I am much more organized with this app. 
I love the fact that I can have it on my phone and on my computer and it updates in real time. When ever I think of something I'm either near my computer or phone so it works out, I add it to a list and keep it moving. I review my lists daily to see what I can check off and what I need to check off. 
Now... I chose to purchase these cute little Google Keep Headers from "a small world called kindergarten" however she has a free set that you could use as well. With the paid set she gives a template to create your own and that's what I did with my Weekly Tasks. I have it "pinned" at the top and each week I check off my weekly tasks as I complete them and then over the weekend, I uncheck them and start all over. 

So if you're looking to get your life organized, I totally recommend this Google App. Do you need the cute little headers? No. But they make me happy when I see them so it was worth it for me!

Made It Monday 7*31*17

This week's Made it Monday is about how I intend to organize my chapter books this school year. While my picture books will still be in bins with labels, I wanted a different approach for my chapter books. 

I ran across a pin on Pinterest...

And quickly decided that this was how I wanted to organize my chapter books. There are many different ways to use these labels, but I decided to organize them by series as opposed to reading level or alphabetical order. I used the PowerPoint template and created text boxes over the color squares to label them by series. Then I had OfficeMax print it on 11x17 cardstock and had it laminated. This will be taped on the end of the bookshelf for reference. I purchased the Avery 8160 Labels and had OfficeMax print the colored sheet file onto the labels and since I had my EllRay Jakes books at home (I purchased them from Target this summer for $4) I labeled them as an example. So instead of my chapter books being in bins this year, they will be placed onto one bookshelf with their spines out grouped by color/series.

Hop on over to 4th Grade Frolics for more Made It Monday ideas!

Classroom Library Rainbow Book Spine Labels

Avery 8160 Labels

Word Work Drawers

 

My creativity has been in overdrive this summer. I had this idea while waking up this morning. I scored some great Word Work Activity Cards from Cassie Dahl on TpT yesterday. They are no-prep might I add. 25 different activities for students to do during word study. I've seen the large 10 drawer carts devoted to word work and I have one I could use for that purpose but to be honest I didn't need that much space for this activity. Then I thought about the Mini Drawer Labels from Learning in Wonderland and thought... I can use a mini drawer organizer for that purpose.  And so this idea was born...

 

Earlier this summer, while blogging about my Long Range Plans, I discussed how word study looked in my classroom.

 

"Word Study- This year I did something different thanks to my team BFF. Instead of 2 or 3 word study groups I had 5. The Monday Group, Tuesday Group, Wednesday Group... you get the picture. I only met with one word study group a day and all students were on a 6 day cycle. If I introduced the sort to the Monday group, they would take their test next Monday. So it took 2 weeks to introduce and assess all five groups. The Thursday Group's 6 day cycle looked like this:

• Day 1 (Thursday)- Sort Introduction with teacher, highlight features on word cards.
• Day 2 (Friday)- Cut words out, sort, record in Word Study Journal
• Day 3 (Monday)- Sort, record in Word Study Journal
• Day 4 (Tuesday)- Sort, record, word hunt (searching for words in literature that have the same spelling feature)
• Day 5 (Wednesday) Sort, glue
• Day 6 (Thursday)- Word Study assessment with teacher. "



 

I still intend for each group to be on a 6 Day Rotation, it's just now they'll have more word work options. As you can see my drawers are labeled Word Study, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4. I'll look through Cassie's packet and pick out 3-4 activities for each day, I'll run Day 1 activities on orange colored paper, laminate, cut and place in that drawer. Day 2 on yellow paper, Day 3 on green paper and Day 4 on blue paper. In the top drawer I'll keep miscellaneous activities for early finishers or any word work supplies they may need for an activity... haven't really decided yet. So the new schedule will look like this:

• Day 1- sort introduction with teacher, highlight features on word cards, choose activity card from day 1 drawer to work on
• Day 2- cut, sort, record, choose activity card from day 2 drawer to work on
• Day 3- sort, record, choose activity card from day 3 to work on
• Day 4- sort, record, choose activity card from day 4 to work on
• Day 5- sort, glue in journal
• Day 6- assessment with teacher

I've added links above for each resource I used. Cassie Dahl's No Prep Word Work Cards are only $3.00 and Learning in Wonderland's Organization Labels are only $4.00. Learning in Wonderland also included this information about the mini drawers. I purchased mine from Wal-Mart. The 3 Drawer Organizer was about $5 and the 5 Drawer Organizer was about $9.

Celebrating Success

I was a little excited when I received my Virginia Journal of Education February 2015 edition and saw that my blog was featured in the issue! They had contacted me a couple of months ago and asked me about it but I honestly didn't think I'd make the publication. I belong to an entire group of VA Teacher Bloggers and they could have chosen anyone else but I'm humbled they chose to spotlight me.

Report Cards are finished and I have stack of papers that I need to start grading for the 3rd quarter. I can't believe that the year is half way over. I'm certainly living the dream this year. I have 21 students on Honor Roll and I also have 20 students who have met the reading benchmark for the year. Don't pinch me... I don't want to wake up!

Valentine Goodies for my homies!

So I am a huge gift giver...I show love and appreciation by giving gifts. I can't wait to surprise my friends with this box of love! I ordered mini zipper pouches from Thirty-One and had the Heart Icon embroidered on them. I also ordered some Thirty-One notecards from my business supplies catalog and their heart shaped nail file. Then I went to Target and picked up some gift-cards and treats. I got the Chinese Valentine Box from Walmart.

Oh Snap Pockets

Loving my Oh Snap Pockets from Thirty-One! Still need to buy at least one more, just not sure what I want it to say... Intervention or Comprehension.

Double Duty Caddy

I'm also loving my caddy at my reading group table. I keep the leveled readers, lesson plans and reading folders in mine.

Stay tuned for a February Giveaway!

Organization: Teacher Supply Box Part 2

So I finally got my brother in law to spray paint the navy blue tool box black. I used pink and green scrapbook paper and used the font Tan Patty to create my labels.

Here's a link to my previous post http://jessicaywinston.blogspot.com/2012/06/organization-teacher-supply-toolbox.html?showComment=1340571205166#c7791477303761561868

Organization: Teacher Supply Toolbox

Another Pinterest inspired idea... I got the directions from Mrs. Rojas's blog. She lays out step by step directions for making a toolbox for yourself. This one is for a teammate who I love dearly (she's always cooking me up something good!) but needs a little help with organization. I gave it to her yesterday and she was THRILLED. You buy the 22 drawer Stack-On organizers in Lowe's for about $17. I found some scrapbook paper in my collection that I thought matched the toolbox. I created the supply names in a word document using CK Retro Block. I cut out the labels and glued them to the pieces of scrapbook paper. To create your own labels you would need 14 labels that are H 1.38" x W 2.00" and 8 labels that are H 2.12" x W 4.25". Then attached the pieces of scrapbook paper to the inside of the drawer using Scotch Double Stick Tape.

I ended up going back to buy another one for myself but I bought some black spray paint that you can use on plastic. I found some cute green/pink/black scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby for my labels. When it's finished I'll be sure to post pictures. If you want more ideas you can google "teacher toolbox lowes" and look at the images. There are some real cute ones out there.

So do you think you'll make one for yourself?