Time Savers! {Blog Hoppin’ Linky}

So, I’m not really one to talk about time savers, because I am kind of a last minute kind of gal.  I’m usually running late or behind on things.  Procrastination is my business.  Most people are surprised when they *think* they see the organization in my classroom (just don’t open the cupboards), and I tell them that I am SO not organized at home.  I wish I was, but the mornings {and evenings} are usually quite hectic and we are all running around in different directions.  We are organized in our “own” way.

Right?!

One of my biggest time savers at home is my calendar on my phone.  It’s a free one called CalenMob.  All of our calendars are synced in Google Calendar, so both my husband and I are able to see anything that is going on for each other or for the kids.In my classroom, I DO try to keep some things organized to save on time. (Even though I am usually running around at the last minute!) I have my center organization down to a “T”

I keep all of my response papers and center pieces like this:

So, when the new theme rolls around, I just grab the tub and it has all of the center pieces ready to go for me.  I also keep the blacklines in there as well. 

I keep all of my thematic books in the same spot – in labeled tubs.

And anything that doesn’t fit goes in these bad boys:

For my small group work, I keep everything I need for each group in a tub:

And I use one of these mini 3 drawer organizers to store any little pieces that I might use (elkonin boxes, sight word cards, dry erase markers, finger pointers, etc.)

I realize that this might “look” organized, but these are pictures on a good day! Ha!

;)

Click on over to Blog Hoppin’ to see other teacher time savers!

Thanksgiving Fun! {Photo Overload!}

I usually share my activities AFTER the holiday is over..doesn’t help you too much does it?  So, this year, I decided to go through my photos and pull together some ideas that I have used over the past few years.  Maybe you’ll actually be able to use some of them before the holiday is over, right?!

But, first, I’ve just finished updated my Let’s Talk Turkey unit from a few years ago.  It’s an oldie, but a goodie!  If you’ve already purchased it, head on over and download the updated pages.  If you haven’t purchased it, you can download a copy while it’s on sale!

Here goes….all of the next few ideas are in my “Let’s Talk Turkey” pack.

All of these next ideas are from Kim Adsit’s Terrific Turkey pack.

The next few activities are ones that I have been doing in my classroom for years.  I wish I had these in a packet or available for download, but I would have to search and search on my computer to have them (if I even still have them!)

Some literature response activities:

The next few ideas came from The First Grade Parade:

And these were from a predictable chart we did:

And of course, we LOVE our undercover turkey project!

Phew – I hope that helps your planning a little bit!

I’m just finishing up a collection of fix it sentences for literacy center/daily five time.  I hope to have it finished and posted tonight! Stay tuned!