More great ideas that cost very little...

I have three things that I want to focus on this year as far as my classroom set-up and organization.

First, I want my tables to be neat and organized. I want my students to know that everything in our classroom has a home.

Second, I want my students to be able to work independently and in pairs. This is hard in a classroom of 18 kindergarteners because it seems no matter what I do they end up sitting right next to someone else or a group other than their own. So, the goal is to make work stations very clear but also flexible because I do not always have the same number of kids in each group.

Third, I want my students to know exactly what they are allowed to do when they have completed their work. Again, this is difficult in kindergarten because finding activities that are truly self led can be challenging!

The GOOD NEWS, day two of my blogging I have solved all three of the above problems, thanks to some other people and their great ideas! So, here goes!

My student tables this year will feature premade icing containers. Simply wash the container, cut pencil size holes in the lid and you have inexpensive pencil holders that if knocked over will not create a distraction for other tables! If you really want to get fancy, attach a strip of velcro to the bottom of the canister...it will keep the canister in place but allow you to take it off of the table for bigger projects! Messy tables no longer!

On to how to keep those squirmy kindergarteners in one place...HULA HOOPS! That's right, when you have a folder center or workshop where students can work on the floor, put them in a hula hoop. This will keep each pair or individual in their own space. So SIMPLE...but yet SO good. For more great ideas like the Hula Hoops and Icing containers visit http://patricia_f.tripod.com/tips.html and http://www.kidschalkboard.com/.

And for that time when students have a few minutes of down time...chart folders. A binder filled with charts and laminated pages which students can take out whenever there is downtime. These charts could change throughout the year or be added to as students learn more skills. And the final idea, a digitial picture frame to flash sight words, letters, or numbers. The frame will hang on the wall in the front of the classroom. It will be a constant activity for my students when they have finished their work. (Thanks to www.teachertipster.com for these awesome ideas:)!)

I can't wait to get into my classroom to start setting up for this school year. It will be exciting to see how these organizational changes will enhance the learning my students do.