Lil' Busy Bee!

I can't go back in my classroom until the week before my babies come back! I am SO jealous of all of you teachers that are already back in your room. Not because I'm that ready for summer to be over, but I just hate rushing at the beginning of the year. I would rather spend a few hours each day for the next few weeks than pull those 12 hour days the week before. :(

Since I can't go in, I've tried to be as productive as possible. :) I ran out of ink AGAIN today, so I didn't get as much done as I wanted, but I did get quite a bit done. :) I thought I would share all of it...I think most of it is at my TPT store for free, so if you like what you see, go and grab your copy!!

First things first, my behavior chart! Last year, I did a baseball one, and I was awesome! It went like this:

Grand Slam

Home Run

RBI

Good Game <-- Everyone starts here 

Strike 1

Strike 2 

Strike 3

Of course, all of the positive ones had pictures of the Rangers and all the Strikes had pictures of Yankees, hhahaha. :) Fortunately, my littles didn't completely get it! I know it seems like that's a lot of choices, but my kiddos last year were a HAND.FUL. I had 12 babies that had some sort of special need, and a few more that were on their way! Plus, the whole class was just WILD! So, in order for them to be successful, they needed LOTS of opportunities. It meant that I could give quick warnings when they needed it, without them ending at the very bottom with a consequence. For most of them, that worked. :) This year, I just felt the need to keep with my theme! So...here is my Wild Animal Behavior Chart. Get ready to be amazed by it's cuteness! :) 

The other thing I added is the little colored dots to each card. This way, they remember what color to add to their chart. Of course, our 6 weeks behavior charts have a key at the top for parents. :) Their clips will all start at Right on Rhino (that's why it's bigger). The cards are at my store, and I just glued them onto Zebra paper. :) 

Here are a few forms I made to help me! Don't tell anyone, but a few years ago, I actually lost the sheet that had their car numbers on it! Eeek! At my school, we give each parent a number and they have to have that number to pick their kiddos up. It was a MESS figuring out all of their numbers. So, this year, I made sheets that will match my teacher binder perfectly, and will make their home there at Meet the Teacher. I also added a Birthdays page, because that's also something I am not the best at. :) This way, it's in my binder and always at my fingertips! Finally, I made a student/parent info sheet.

 All of those are in my First Days in First Grade Packet. :) 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Days-in-First-Grade-Packet

And THIS is what I am SOOOOO excited about this baby! I made generic voice level cards, but I decided that they just weren't cute enough, hahaha. :) I decided I need some animal themed ones, and it took me a few hours to come up with the right sayings/clipart, but thanks to a little Diet Coke and some clipart from Scrappin' Doodles, I came up with THESE!!! 

 Roar like a ion is for outside...or in P.E. :) 

Talk like a Parrot is for normal classroom voices, like indoor recess, group work, etc. 

Squeak like a mouse is  whispering...partner work, workstations, etc. 

Silent as a Sloth barely ever happens in my room (I like it that way), except when I or a firstie are talking, when we need a few minutes to cool off, or when we are in the hallway.

And the arrow I just cut out of paper to show where we are. I don't think it's enough to just tell them situations to use each in, so I made a little sort for us to put on a Tree Map anchor chart for the beginning of the year. This will be a 1st or 2nd day activity for sure! I tried to come up with as many scenarios as possible, but hopefully they will have some great ideas to add! They always come up with the best ideas! :)

FINALLY, one of my favorite management tools! I really, really try to do as much planned ignoring as possible and just totally dote on firsties that ARE doing the right thing. One thing I try to teach them is just the importance of being nice...similar to being a bucket filler! I LOVE that, and hopefully will get around to that soon! Until then, we use this Sweet Things chart. :) Each time I see a firstie doing something really sweet (when they do NOT know I am watching), they get to add a cupcake for being so sweet! Usually it's things like compromising during workstations, letting a friend get in front of them in line, or giving them a compliment. Last year, a few of my sneaky little friends tried really hard to do something nice and look at me, hoping for a cupcake. :) I try to just do it for the times they are not doing it for the reward...just doing it to be "sweet." At first, it is empty and I will add velcro dots for easy assembly. Once it is filled, I bet you can guess what happens! Something SWEET!! :) Last year, I think I always did cupcakes because they are easy, haha. We actually only filled it up 2-3 times, which makes it even more special! 

If I learned anything tonight, it's that my iphone camera STINKS! I will have to start using my real camera from now on. :) I hope these things are helpful to you!! Don't forget to snag your copies!! 

Happy Wednesday! :) Click on the pictures to grab your copies!!