Five for Friday {May 1, 2015}

It's Friday!  And, oh how happy I am about that.  Today, I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to share some random glimpses into my week.

This time of year, I'm always gearing up for the fall. This means that I am busy prepping the materials that I know I will use when we go back in August.  It also means that I'm decluttering my room of all the build up that occurs throughout the year.  You know, all that stuff that gets thrown into files, cabinets, and containers.  On Wednesday, I was able to get my cabinets completely cleaned up.  I'll be honest, I don't let them get too messy.  #neatfreak  However, that doesn't mean that things don't get tossed in there along the way.  Now the cabinets are nice and clean and ready for a new year.  This is one of my cabinets.



Speaking of back to school prep, I also got my first week materials all ready for our return in August.  I am so excited to use these materials!!





I was ready for some new back to school resources, so I created my own!  This pack is called Return of the Nerds, and I'm so excited about it!  You can check it out {here} on TPT.


I made some major changes to how students access books in my classroom (inert sad face).  It's that time of year when the students are ready for school to be over. They know that summer is only 25 days away, and they can feel it (since summer like temps have officially arrived).  And, they are getting on each others nerves.  Our library area (a bookshelf) was quickly becoming the "let's make poor choices" zone. Long story short, my kiddos are no longer allowed to freely get out of their seats to get a book to read.  So, I decided to put the book tubs at the table groups.  I plan to rotate the tubs at the end of each day.  Let's hope this gets us through the end of the year.


My classroom library isn't leveled or organized an any particular way.  After years of organizing the books by category only to have the students put them away in the wrong tubs (like, ALL the time), I decided to just put them in tubs without specific designations.  This "system" works just fine for our purposes.  :)



The other day I walked past a student's desk and noticed that his pencil box was impeccably organized.  I mean, look at this!  He recently got a new box of crayons.  Maybe that motivated him to makeover his entire pencil box.  Anyhoo, this sight makes me happy.  I mean, seriously, he did a great job.  Now, let's see how long it stays that way.  Hehe.



I made my first Stella and Dot purchase. When the order arrived, I fell in love with the packaging and didn't even want to open up these adorable little boxes!  Don't worry, I did, but only after I stared at the cute boxes for forever and a day.


Don't forget to head over to Doodle Bugs and see what everyone else has been up to!


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12 comments:

  1. Love, love, love your Return of the Nerds Pack! The selfie feature is adorable.
    That student has the best pencil box I HAVE EVER SEEN! He needs two gold stars!
    Thanks for sharing!
    -Bri @ Knowledge Mobile

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    1. Thank you, Bri! His pencil box definitely caught my eye as I waked by. He was very proud of his organizational skills! Have a good one!

      Aimee

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  2. Hi, Aimee!
    As I read about your book baskets, I felt a sadness (really my blood pressure went up). I have a system, which is quite simple. Green sticker, green basket. Pink sticker, pink basket. But do the books get back to where they belong? Of course not! It's just too bad when kids get so out of hand that you have to take away privileges. Gets some rest!

    Stacy
    Made with Love

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    1. My system works great too! But, as I'm sure you're familiar with, the end of the year can be challenging and changes have to be made to ensure that things run smoothly. The kids don't mind the change (and think it's pretty cool to have the book at their fingertips), and so far, it has eliminated a lot of arguing and such. Now I can continue to be the happy teacher that I usually am!

      Aimee

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  3. I totally hear where you are coming from Aimee! We constantly need to adjust and readjust especially as the year draws to a close and the behavior goes on vacation a few weeks early. I am putting your table bin idea in my back pocket for a few weeks form now. I like it too because sometimes books get overlooked in the library, but in a small table grouping kids might find a book they never knew they loved!
    Deirdre
    A Burst of First

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    1. It's that time of year, isn't it Deirdre? Some years are better than others, but a little adjustment never hurts. I didn't even think about how rotating the tubs at each table would allow them to find those overlooked books. You're so right! The kids are really excited about having the tubs at their fingertips, there are fewer temptations to make poor choices, and everyone gets to read. It's a win-win! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. The only storage I have in my classroom is equal to the ONE closet you're sharing with us. Sadly, I could purge for DAYS and it would never look as nicely as yours does now. I will give it a try, though... as soon as all my friends are gone for the summer. 12.5 days and counting!

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    1. Oh Leslie, I feel for you! Teachers have so much stuff, and sadly, never enough space to store it all. I am very lucky to have two of those closets. I say, give the purge a try, you might surprise yourself! ;) Good luck to you, and happy (almost) summer! You are soooo close!

      Aimee

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  5. This time of year can be so hard for all of us! Even my kinders have spring fever! I'm sorry to hear your kiddos are having a hard time with respecting your books. The bins on the tables is a great idea. (I have those same bins and I love them! Super sturdy!) Good luck with the last few weeks! We are in the home stretch!
    Andrea
    Always Kindergarten

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    1. We are in the home stretch all right, Andrea! The days will pass by quickly from here on out. The tubs on the tables have been working like a charm! And, I'm with you, those bins are the BEST!

      Aimee

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  6. Nothing drives me crazier than a disorganized library. Maybe I should try your system :) I may not let them touch my books anymore... I can easily that mean hehehe
    Which ever child has that remarkable and organized pencil box, please kiss him/her for me. #mykindofkid

    Tania
    My Second Sense

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    1. You always crack me up, Tania! I always say, do what works for you (insert thumbs up emoji...because you know I'm slightly addicted to them). That organized kiddo truly knocked my socks off, and he was so proud that I noticed!

      Aimee

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