Emergency Sub Plans

Many teachers refuse to work on school stuff in the summer.  Some teachers love to do school projects in the summer. Some of us are in the middle somewhere.  I see too many posts with strong opinions either way. Who cares what others do???  Personally, I do nothing work related in June, and then in July I slowly start thinking and planning, but it is minimal until I actually go back.  

Except for one project-emergency sub plans. 

Every summer I have worked on these- trying to tweak them by pulling activities from here and there. These are genuine emergency plans in the event that I cannot get anything ready in time for school.  But then, I stumbled upon an awesome resource on TpT, where Melissa Moran designed an entire day's worth of activities around one read aloud.  The beauty of this is she has multiple options for different books.  The format is exactly the same for each packet.  Why is this so great?  I spent a good chunk of time using her resources for The Very Hungry Caterpillar to make detailed emergency plans.  After that, I was able to make a second, third, and fourth set quickly by plugging in the same activities, but for different books.  In no time, I had four days' worth of plans ready to go!

I am going to USE these this year.  If I wake up sick, I am not going to spend an hour getting sub plans ready for what was supposed to happen that day.  If I am sick the night before-same drill.  I am just going to be sick, knowing these are all ready to go at any moment.  

Click here to access her packet for If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Below are some examples of my template that I just change a few things based on the book that day. 

Chrome Book Charger Hack

 

This isn't my original idea.  Saw it on IG and had to try it.  Lifesaver!

I ordered a multipack of washi tape with several colors. The washi tape needs tape around it to keep it on.  My kindergartners needed zero help using this and now all the Chrome books are charged every day.  My only tip is not to put two similar colors next to one another. 

Leader in Me Leadership Notebooks

 

Our school is a Leader in Me school, which I LOVE.  We start our leadership notebooks in kindergarten one tab at a time.  First up is the "Myself" tab. One thing we will have the kids add is a monthly self portrait with name writing.

We put sheet protectors in three ring binders, then the students add their work. They were pretty excited about it!

Self Portraits available on my TpT store for $1.50. Click here!

Leadership Notebook Cover and Divider Pages are free on my TpT store.  Click here! 

All things Class Dojo

For years I was told, "Try Class Dojo!" But I didn't do it and I wish I did the first time I heard about it.

I love Dojo for two main reasons:

1. It is motivating for kids and so fun for them.  

2. It is an amazing parent communication tool.

What do I do with Dojo in my kindergarten class?

Kids get points for all sorts of things like working hard, kindness, and initiative.  Every Friday they can shop at the Dojo Store or save their points. (My Dojo store menu is below).  My Dojo store changes throughout the year to keep it exciting!  For example, I might grab a box of popsicles then add them to the store as a "flash sale." 

I do the Dojo store for my morning meeting activity.  Toward the end of the year, my students see how many points they have and determine what they can buy.  Awesome for number sense.

I DO take points away because I think it's important to be transparent with parents: it's not always positive in class.  I do this in private.  I add a note to it when possible, but not always.

I use random Dojo ALL THE TIME.  It is a great management tool. If you aren't familiar with it, it picks a kid at random.  If that kid is on task, ready, etc, I give them a point. I pick my student of the week with random Dojo.

I assign groups through the group maker.  Takes ten seconds.  You can pick how many kids per group and it automatically assigns them.

There are tons of other resources, but those are what I primarily use. 

How do I use it with parents?

I post a ton of pictures and videos on Dojo. It is easy and not time consuming at all. Parents love seeing glimpses into their child's classroom.  It builds stronger teacher-parent relationships.

I post a weekly parent video (I try to keep it under three minutes) with important things for parents. I pick very important topics or things that are easier to explain on a video.  Parents are very receptive to this and I get really positive feedback. For example, ahead of conferences I sent home their conference forms.  My video went over what each item was so I don't have to spend time at conferences explaining it, thus having more time to talk about the child specifically or the parent concerns. 

I print point reports periodically for parents to see how their child is doing with behavior.  This can also be a huge help to your school's MTSS/RtI process. 

Using Google Sites for Classroom Policies

 

A few years ago, I changed from handing out paper copies of my classroom policies to a Google site.  I am NOT tech savvy at all and this was easy and fun.  I don't update it during the year (because I know my limits with work-life balance), but it is a resource for families to access, especially at the beginning of the year when they have lots of questions and worries.  I keep it simple.   I have been told it is extremely helpful to parents!  Win! 

To check out my classroom site, click here. I watched a couple of Youtube tutorials and I promise you it was easy.  

My Magical Choices by Becky Cummings

 

I love books.  I LOVE BOOKS. This is a great read aloud for our young kids at the beginning of the year.  Some of my favorite pages are "I choose to be calm."  "I choose to be patient."  "I choose to be friendly." "I choose to be a good sport." I usually break this book into a few days.  Thinking of some projects to go along with it.  Stay tuned.....

Starting Kindergarten with Pete the Cat

This is my 20th year in kindergarten, and I have always used the typical read alouds to start the year like The Kissing Hand, Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, The Pigeon Goes to School, etc.  Last year, we really got into Pete the Cat mid year, so this year I have tried starting with it and I will probably continue until I retire. 

First, the kids love it and love to sing along and talk with the book, "GOODNESS NO!" they all say.  But what has been great is how Pete doesn't get upset over things.  He says things like "It's all good."  Fast forward to our first art project and one of my little girls made a mistake.  She looked at me and, as if on cue, said, "It's alllllllllll goooooood." Kindergartners often get upset over every little thing, so the theme of Pete will hopefully carry us through these first few months!

We read (and watched a video) for Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes.  Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes, and Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. 

Have You Filled a Bucket Today

Have you Filled a Bucket Today is one of my favorite books for kindness.  Kindergartners really relate to this concept.  I am posting my anchor chart to show that not everything done in classrooms is IG perfect.  We can still just sketch out a picture without fancy lettering, gorgeous borders, or Astrobrights!  The purpose is to have something to reference in class. Bam. Ten minutes and it's donen (okay, maybe fifteen).  

Click here for a free PDF of the hearts and stars. 

Student Gifts

At my school, the kids come in for a 20 minute one-on-one "meet the teacher."  The sole purpose is to build relationships and reduce student fear/anxiety.  Since my class is the "Rainbow Room" at my school, before I let the kids have this candy, I ask if they think it will help their brains remember we are the rainbow room to help them always find the right classroom.  So far, only one kid thought it wouldn't help at all! 

The gift tags are a freebie on my TpT store.  Click here to download them.   

Rainbow Word Wall

My classroom is classic rainbows.  Not really IG worthy, but I really love my yellow and sky blue word wall.  I made these toppers after being inspired by a teammate's classroom that IS IG worthy.  Old dog trying to learn new tricks. 

Click here to buy the headers for only $1.50 at my TpT store.  Your purchase means so much.  I try to support smaller TpTers any chance I get, but also love the big dogs like Moffat Girls, Educlips, and A Cupcake for the Teacher. 

  

Kid Interviews

At our school, we have two days where kids come in one-on-one to meet the teacher.  The goal of this is simply relationship building.  I love to ask kids a few simple questions and take their pictures to practice their names ahead of day 1.  It helps SO much!  

The interview sheet is free on my TpT store for kindergarten and first grade.  Click here to download it from TpT. 

Sending a Video to Kids

Buy the book on Amazon here! 

     

I saw this book at the store and thought, "I should read this to my kids BEFORE they even get here."  Remote teaching helped me to get over my insecurities with seeing myself on video, so I just went for it.  I filmed myself reading the story to the kids and gave parents the opportunity to help their children to write me back.  I love the randomness of what they want to tell me.  I was told some students watched it 10+ times and were "mesmerized." That helped me remember how little and sweet my kindergartners are and how important my job is. I used some of the student names while reading the story, which was also super special for the kids.  "I wonder if Nolan likes to paint?" Some ideas fail, but this one was a win. 

Buy the book on Amazon here! 

Before and Not After

This is what I walked into in late July.  Lots and lots of furniture to move and boxes to unpack.  But I am not adding an after photo.  My classroom isn't Instagram worthy.  My theme is rainbows, but it's basic.  This year, as I set up my room the only thing that I told myself was "function."  As much as I want my classroom to be as beautiful as the ones I see all over the internet, it's just not my strength or in my budget, and I am okay with that. 🌈