Get Organized - No More Stacks!

I don't know what's gotten into me recently, but I have been on a mission to organize my classroom.  Although I'm not disorganized, I am a stacker.  Eventually, I need to file away everything in these stacks I've created and it takes a very long time.  This new school year my goal is NO STACKS!

The first grading period has just ended and I'm doing well with this so far.  Remember that motto, "a place for everything and everything in its place"?

How am I accomplishing my goal?  
Making more effective use of my teacher binder, which is very similar to the interactive notebooks/binders my students use, is helping.  My version contains the same table of contents, notes, homework, quizzes, tests, and bellwork as the student one.  I also have labeled tabs just like they do.  So what is the difference?  Basically, my binder contains a copy of each handout plus an answer key for each homework assignment, quiz, test, and bellwork.  At the end of each grading period, my plan is to transfer the original copies and answer keys from my teacher binder into a separate one to store until I need it for the next school year.

What else is helping?  
This year, I decided to give numbering assignments a try.  I've always been skeptical that this would actually be helpful.  I know teachers who post a numbered list of assignments along with the date each was made.  Students then check the list to see what makeup work they've missed when absent.  While this is great, my goal in numbering assignments was different.

I wanted to use the numbering system to keep my handouts organized.  Remember, no stacks!

Here's what I've done:
- I used a filing cabinet (one drawer for Algebra and one for Pre-Algebra) and hanging files with tabs.
- I labeled each file folder with a number or other appropriate label (notes, test, quiz, etc.).
- When I do my planning and copying (hopefully a week in advance), I put the copies in the appropriately labeled file and I'm ready to go!
- If a student needs an extra copy of something, it is easy to find.  I can consult my teacher binder if I don't remember the assignment number.
- I empty the files and start over with assignment #1 each grading period.

The red card stock serves as my bookmark!

My teacher binder combined with the filing system of numbered assignments seems to be working well for me.  I hope it can help you, too!

How to Help Middle School Students Like Math

What response do you receive when you tell someone you teach middle school math?  For thirty-two years, the response I get is always pretty much the same.  "Wow!  I don't know how you can do it.  I couldn't do that!  You must be really patient."  I jokingly respond that since I've never taught any other grade level, I don't know any better!

Maybe you do need a certain personality and a good dose of patience to teach and enjoy middle schoolers, but the rewards are worth it.

I feel that an important part of my job is to help students like math.  Of course, some of them already do enjoy it, but those are not the ones we tend to hear about.  I would dearly love to eliminate the stereotypically negative math jokes and comments I see much too often.  Math can be fun!

So, what can we do to make students want to like math?

Build Their Confidence

Provide opportunities for all students to experience success.  Praise them often both individually and as a class.  With students who struggle a lot or say they don't like math, celebrate small successes.  You may need to work one-on-one with certain students to make an impact.  Look for opportunities to do this.  Remember, pump up their confidence and find things to genuinely compliment.  Any small step of work you can focus on can help.  ("You really know your math facts!  Your steps are shown so neatly!  That was a tricky problem, but you made it look easy!  I have so many students who struggle with that step, but you did it perfectly!")  Many students say they don't like math simply because they aren't experiencing success.  After all, don't we like most things more if we feel we are good at them?

Have Routines Yet Mix It Up

This may sound like a contradiction ... however, middle school students need a balance of established classroom routines and engaging activities.  My students definitely have bellwork, note-taking, and homework procedures in my classroom.  However, the instructional activity, format of notes, and the nature of the bellwork varies.

• Bellwork:  Spiral Review, Problems Focused on a Specific Skill, Cut Out Notes, Pick Up Handouts, Turn in and/or Check Homework, Watch a Motivational Video and Write a Response, Pair & Share
• Notes:  Foldable Notes, Card Sorts, Graphic Organizers, Pre-printed Notes, Handwritten Notes, Cut and Paste Activities, Flashcards
• Instruction:  Traditional Modeling/Lecture/Discussion, Partner Activities, Readings, Video Lessons, Card Sorts, Games, Color by Number Activities, Puzzles, Cut and Paste Activities, Large Group/Small Group/Partner/Individual Work, Stations, Problem Trails, Gallery Walks, Projects, Digital Activities, Demonstrations

Use Manipulatives & Movement
Middle school students thrive on activity so any activity that involves movement of some type is always a hit with this age group.  Many of the suggestions above for bellwork, notes, and instruction incorporate movement.  Math manipulatives of all types are also wonderful for middle school students.  In addition to helping them visualize math problems, hands on objects often help them to focus.  I think that when their hands are busy, they tend to talk less, keep their hands to themselves, and stay on task better.

Let Them Have Fun
Yes, the middle schools years are often awkward.  Students want to be treated as adults, yet not.  They are often torn between wanting to be kids and grownups at the same time.  Is their education and schoolwork important?  Of course!  However, even adults like to play.  Middle schoolers who enjoy school will like school.  If they enjoy math, they will like math.  Incorporate games and humor into your classroom.  Students will remember that they had fun in math class and math will suddenly be infinitely more "likeable".

Let's make math the subject kids love most!

The Math Back to School FREE eBook for Grades 7-12 for the 2015-2016 School Year is now available!  

Welcome back to school, teachers! The teacher-authors of TpT want to wish you the very best as you enter this new school year. We also want to say thanks for supporting our TpT stores. Please note: Each page of the eBook features one freebie, a back to school teaching tip, and some a paid item as well. Have a great school year!

Making Seating Charts Easier

Over the years I have experimented with many ways of seating students and creating seating charts.  I am not one to seat kids in alphabetical order by last name and leave them in those seats for the whole year.  I like mixing them up once every month or two. 

A few years ago, I started assigning seats by numerically.  (It is a math class after all.)  It's quick and easy to mix kids up and tell them where their new seat is when I rearrange seating.  I simply wrote the desk number on a small piece of colored card stock and used clear wide tape to secure each one to a desk. 

The problem I have encountered is that they eventually get torn up, sometimes by accident and other times on purpose.  Students may write on the numbers or they just get "messed up" due to moving books and other materials around on the desktops.

Because I like the numbering idea in general, I am trying something a bit different this year.  I am putting the numbers on the backs of the chairs instead of on the desktops.  A young teacher I work with helped me think of this idea!  Thanks, M!

Here's what I did:

I bought these cute tags at my local education supply store.

I liked that they came in five colors.

I used a silver Sharpie to write the desk numbers on the tags.

Then I taped the numbers to the backs of the chairs.

I'll be interested to see how this simple change works out!

School will be starting soon and I know that teachers everywhere are getting organized for a new school year just like me!

Therefore, I am offering a flash freebie on Wednesday, July 29 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST.  (Sorry, you missed this one.  Keep an eye out for future Flash Freebies.)  Get my Organizational Classroom Labels: Bright Chalkboard Solids (Editable), usually priced at $5.00, FREE!  Simply visit this blog and click on the link that will be here. 

Click here for a preview.

Best wishes for a fantastic school year!

Jill

My Favorite Organizational Tip for the Classroom

One really effective organizational "trick" for the classroom can make a big impact.  For teachers, every minute saved where classroom management and clerical tasks are concerned is golden.  This system can be implemented for any subject area and at most grade levels.

I have used this particular student filing system for many years with great success.  I don't know where the idea originated, but it has been passed along from teacher to teacher in my building for a while now.

You will need hanging files and some sort of crate to accommodate them as shown in the photo below.  Each student in your class will have a file folder labeled with his or her name.  I use files of different colors for each class period and alphabetize student names within each group.  (Here's what I use for the name tabs.)  Some teachers use files that are all the same color with differently colored tabs.  

The No Work -  No Credit posters can be found here.

Students use the files to turn in assignments, collect graded papers, and pick up makeup work when they are absent.  Place these near the door and teach your students to check their file as they enter the classroom.  They always turn in work "hotdogged" (sticking up out of the file).  This is work I need to either grade or record.  Sometimes students do this as they enter the room.  Other times, we check answers together and then they file the papers.  Returned papers are "hamburgered" (turned sideways so they cannot be seen).  This is work for which I have already recorded scores.  

I "hotdog" makeup work for students to pick up which saves me time getting class started.  I use this editable makeup work form (FREE) and attach handouts to it as necessary.  Students "hotdog" makeup work as it is completed. 

Here is a makeup form "hotdogged".

Makeup Work Form with Daisies or Apple

Benefits for the teacher:
1.   Class time is not lost returning and collecting papers.  Although I thought it would take a long time for a whole class to file assignments, that hasn't been the case.   Some students are always quicker about completing tasks, others are slower, but it works out.  I do have ideas for preventing a potential backup at the files:  

• Girls file first, then boys or vice versa.

• Table/row 1 files first followed by table/row 2, etc.

• Students whose last names begin with A-G files first, then H-N, followed by O-Z.

• Have a task for students to do next (pick up a handout, put returned papers in notebook/folder, do bellwork problems, etc.) so no one is waiting with nothing to do.

• Turn to a certain page in their textbook or notebook.

2.   It is quick and easy to see if a student has not turned in their work by simply checking the files.

3.   When papers are pulled to be graded, they are already in alphabetical order.  (I was skeptical about this saving me time.  However, it does!)  Entering scores is much faster whether recording them electronically or on paper.

4.   "Hamburgering" the graded work goes very quickly and does not have to be done during class time.  No class time is lost by handing out graded papers.

I hope you find this idea useful in your own classroom!  Let me know by commenting if you have any questions.

5 Ways to Motivate Yourself & Your Students

Like many of you, I get excited about a new school year.  Yes, I get the same thrill at the prospect of buying brand new supplies that I always did as a student.  However, its more ... the feeling of rejuvenation and the anticipation of attempting to be a better teacher each year.  

Can I discover more effective and exciting ways to deliver instruction?  Will I be able to create a love of learning in even the most difficult to reach students?  How can I make my students understand the importance of education?  How can I move students toward setting and reaching their own educational goals?  

It is all about MOTIVATION!

You might think that after thirty years of teaching middle school math I would know exactly how to do this.  I wish!  However, I do have ideas.  I've narrowed a long list down to five:

1.  Be welcoming to your students and exhibit your own excitement about school.  Don't try to be their friend, but let them know that you are willing to listen if they need to talk. You don't want to be a dictator in your classroom.  Be easygoing and most will follow your cue.  Students will give you much more effort if they respect you.  Be firm, yet fair ... kind, yet professional.

2.  Talk to your students about the importance of education.  Most middle school students are not thinking about life after middle school, let alone after high school.  Remember that not all parents really talk with their children about how working hard in school right now, truly will effect their future education and opportunities for a career.  Students are developing work habits in school that will follow them for a lifetime.

3.  Create school spirit.  Middle and high school students still enjoy many of the same things as those in elementary school.  I know a math teacher who had his students create "I Love Math" buttons from paper.  Students who wore the button all day got extra credit.  They loved it!

4.  Make your assignments interesting and active.  You may not be able to do this every day.  However, students will be more willing to complete routine practice if everything isn't "routine".  Using task cards and problem trails are great ways to get students up out of their seats and moving around the room while learning.  Also, many big kids (and adults) enjoy coloring.   Maybe you can use one of these free activities with your  students.   Several of them are appropriate for early in the school year.

5.  Make a personal contact with each student and learn everyone's name immediately!  This really needs to happen during the first week of school if possible.  I know this is difficult with the number of students most of us teach at the secondary level.  However, it is important that students realize that you have noticed them personally and that they are not anonymous.  Have a brief conversation, complement them on their classwork, t-shirt, smile, ... anything!

In summary, make school fun for your students and have a terrific year!  After all, most of us would not be teachers today had we not had a positive experience with school. 

How do you motivate yourself for a new school year?