Number Order

     I don't know about you, but I assign my students numbers at the beginning of the year.  This number order is alphabetical by their last name (as this is how my roster is listed), but if I gain additional students during the year, I do not renumber everyone, I simply assign them the next number in our list.  Using student numbers is essential for me because it helps me to make sure that I have everyone in my line when we are going somewhere, it helps me make sure I don't leave anyone out when I am making plans for the class, when I'm creating guided reading groups, etc.  I'm sure there are lots of other ways to use student numbers that I would love to find out about as well!
     Student numbers can also be useful teaching tools.  I often call students to turn in assignments, check their cubbies, come to the carpet, etc. by their numbers.  After the first few weeks of school, I start to ask my firsties if they can find a pattern in the numbers that I'm calling--turning a simple management task into a learning activity.  It makes teaching skip counting and even/odd numbers easier to teach because the students are familiar with these concepts from our daily routines!
     Using numbers instead of names is also budget savvy.  By using numbers to label cubbies and file folders, I can reuse them from year to year because I will always have a number 8, but I won't always have a "Suzie".  I have a stack of file folders that I keep for students' graded papers, tardies/doctor notes, and, of course, their cubbies--all of which are labeled with numbers.  I have been using them for several years now with great success and they're all in good condition.
    My number is up to 24 this year--wHeW!!!  While I have never had a number quite so large before, I truly am enjoying teaching these 24 little cuties.  They are a great group of 6 & 7-year olds!  What are some ways you use student numbers in your class?

What's your label?

     The 3rd quarter just began for our school district and, while I love seeing the growth and progress that my students have made since the beginning of the school year, I do not love doing report cards.  I think a big part of it is just that I have more students this year {24 to be exact!} and this OCD girl takes forever to finish those lovely little summaries for each of my kids!  I am seriously neurotic making sure I checked everything off and filled in the correct boxes and number of absences & tardies, assigned the right grades to the right child, etc.   It is MADNESS!  Thankfully, I finished my report cards, had them turned in for checking & approval on time, and got a compliment that they were neat & thorough.  Woo-hoo!
     One of the things that has made report cards much easier for me is using labels to type comments.  We still do handwritten/paper report cards and writing through 5 layers of paper for 24 students is not my idea of fun.  Using labels to type in comments for each of my students allows me not only to write more about each child in the tiny comment space that is provided, but it also saves me some major hand cramps.  Seriously.  I use address labels {30 per sheet} and simply type in my quarterly comments for each student and then print out 2 copies of the labels {one for the master copy of the report card and one for the parent copy that is sent home}. It looks more professional as well.
     Another way I started using labels this year is for making notes about students during lessons.  I keep a clipboard on my desk and attach 3 pages of shipping labels {10 per page}.  I write each child's name on a label so that it is ready whenever I need it.  During our lessons, I will grab my clipboard and just make a few notes about certain student's progress/strengths/weaknesses with the subject material and follow it with today's date for record keeping.  I definitely do not get enough time to do this with every student every day, but I try to make notes at least twice a week.  It's a great visual so that I can see which students I have a lot of information about and which ones I need to get to know better.  When the student's label is full, I simply stick it on the back side of one of the guided reading papers for that child and put it in his/her file.  Now I have some great documentation for parent conferences, referral meetings, and my personal teaching information!
     How are you using labels in your classroom?

Hello, my name is...

     Since this is my first OFFICIAL teacher blogging post, I thought it was fitting that I introduce myself!  My name is Katy Bordes and, among many other things, I am a first grade teacher.  I have been teaching first for the past 5 years and, although I was terrified nervous to begin teaching this grade level after previously teaching 2nd and 3rd grades, I have found that 1st grade is my absolute favorite so far!!!  I have a passion for reading and all things ELA & since that is such a huge part of what first grade is all about, it is a great fit for me.  Not to mention that I'm a busybody "mover and a shaker" myself, so this age level is perfect for my taste!
     I think it is important for a teacher to be organized, but especially teachers of young children.  While I'm always looking for ways to improve, I feel I have a strength in organization and being creative.  I have tried many different systems and have found a lot of success with pieces and parts of all of them, so I decided to start this blog to share organizational and crafty tips with other professionals out there as well as to gain insight from your ideas and comments!
     Today I'm sharing some pics of my classroom that I took at the beginning of this school year....obviously I went with a carnival theme!  I LOVE this theme!  So versatile :)

This is my teacher/small group work area.  It is similar to how I've set it up for the past few years, but I added the Monday - Friday magazine boxes this year for keeping my copies organized.  It has been a lifesaver!  I found this organizational idea from the Clutter-Free Classroom blog.  She is chock FULL of amazing ideas for organizing your classroom!  You can find a link to her awesome blog here:

Clutter-Free Classroom

This is my first year using all tables instead of desks.  I bought these tables from Lakeshore Learning through a Donor's Choose grant that I was awarded last year.  They are nothing short of amazing for organizing and managing my firsties....absolutely in.love with them!!!  (FYI~the little white pieces of Velcro are for their name plates that I hadn't attached yet due to anxiously awaiting my class roster!)

This is my library and cubby area.  If you do not have mailboxes or a cubby system in place yet, I would strongly advise you to start using them!  They keep all your students' papers organized and teach the students to be responsible for their own materials!  My cabinets have a double use...one for storage and I also use them to display my word wall.  They are in a perfect visual spot for my students, thus cabinets = word wall!

Going along with my carnival theme, I used some plastic balloon party decorations that I found at Hobby Lobby to label my tables.  I simply created and printed out Table 1, Table 2, etc. on white cardstock, attached it to the end of the balloon ribbon, and voila! my tables are labeled!!!

I hope you've enjoyed my short little classroom tour and stop by again soon for the next classroom organization update!