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Classroom management is one of those topics that never gets old with teachers. It is how we maintain our sanity from day to day. Here you will find some of my favorite tips and tricks.
Turn-In Bins
Some of us are blessed with a natural gift for organization and tidiness. Others of us, well . . . aren't. I would venture to guess that most teachers struggle in the world of organization simply because we have SO much paperwork and SO many students to take care of. These 'turn-in bins' were the answer for me. I teach students to turn in their work in the appropriate drawer from day 1 and on. It helps me immediately organize papers by class period and prevents student work from getting lost on my desk. I purchased them at Wal-Mart and they are perfect for standard-sized papers.
Student Folders
This post goes along with the 'turn-in bins' above. I think I started using these bins in my second full year of teaching and I doubt I will ever stop. Not only do these crates of students folders keep me organized, they are a huge time saver. My favorite things about them include:
1. The crates are always on sale at Wal-Mart at the beginning of the year and usually come in a variety of colors.
2. As I pass out papers during class, I put the same papers in the folders of students who are absent. When the student returns to school, they already have their make-up work!
3. I can pass back graded work directly to the folders at any time - much more efficient than passing them out during class.
4. They're portable! Though it may not be our favorite part of the job, every once in a while you just have to take the grading home. Just grab a crate and go!
Bathroom Passes
These are one of my favorite CM tricks! I hand these out to students once a grading block. If the student needs to go to the restroom or water fountain, they must turn in a pass. At the end of the block, any left over passes can be turned in for 2 bonus points per pass. This is an easy way to encourage students to 'take care of business' before or after class. Click on the image to download the template.
Cell Phone 'Jail'
The Cell Phone Jail is new for me this semester. It is also known as Electronics Lock-Up. It does not discriminate, if your gadget has a power button it is at risk for a stay in Cell Phone Jail! This has made my life SO much easier; it is a no-fuss, easy to track solution to issues with electronics. If I see a student trying to sneak in a text, I simply walk over to them with the jail and they place their phone in. I have had zero arguments so far. Most of the time I don't even have to say a word - they know what to do. Inside the jail is a simple log sheet for keeping track of offenders. I know that every school will have a different policy with regards to electronics, but the Cell Phone Jail works for me at my current school. Click on the image to download the log.
Page Protector or Life Saver?
This particular idea evolved from something that I saw on Pinterest originally. But I think one of my co-workers really improved it when he suggested using page protectors instead of ziplock bags. With some duct tape and page protectors, you can make your life (and your bulletin boards and displays) so much easier! In no particular order, my favorite things about this trick are:
1. No more stapling or taping!
2. It is incredibly easy to change out the vocabulary on word walls.
3. It gives your boards and displays a 'laminated' effect.
4. It protects your printouts, posters, or student work from wear and tear!
5. You can store extras or other options right in the page protector. (I keep my 5 units of US History up year round, I just switch the current topic to the front.)
Flip through the slide show to see some examples.
Don't have a fancy wireless presenter? Buy an inexpensive wireless mouse.
At my last campus each teacher was given a fancy wireless presenter for PowerPoint presentations. It was awesome! But, when I moved to Virginia my new school didn't have them. When I went to Best Buy to acquire one I discovered that they can get rather expensive. So, I bought an inexpensive wireless mouse instead. It does pretty much everything the fancy wireless presenter does and for only $15. Having one or the other is a classroom must-have for any teacher who utilizes a lot of computer presentations. You don't want to be stuck in one area of the classroom during videos or lectures. The wireless presenter or wireless mouse allows you to move about the room to keep students on task and provide help and support. Click on the picture to the left to see a wireless mouse on Amazon for only $5!
