Free is the price for meeeee!

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Getting My Life Together...

Can Anyone Relate?

Have you ever had one of those moments where you just know you have to get your life together or you're going to fall apart? Let me tell you about one of those moments that I had not long ago!

It was a typical morning, and I was already feeling the pressure of the day ahead. With back-to-back classes, parent emails to respond to, and an IEP meeting scheduled for the afternoon, my mind was racing. As I sipped my coffee, I realized I had misplaced a crucial document for the meeting.

Frustration set in as I rummaged through piles of papers on my desk. "There has to be a better way," I thought. And I was right. The next day, I sat down and decided it was time to get it together. The result of this come to Jesus meeting with myself was an IEP checklist with step-by-step reminders for before, during, and after the meeting.

Since then, this checklist has been a lifesaver. Now, I no longer scramble to find documents or remember every detail. Here's how it works:

Before the IEP Meeting

Preparation is key to a successful IEP meeting. This checklist helps us gather all necessary documents, contact team members, and ensure that all evaluations and assessments are up-to-date. By following the checklist, we can approach the meeting with confidence, knowing that we're fully prepared.

During the IEP Meeting

The checklist provides a clear framework to follow during the meeting, ensuring we cover all essential points. From reviewing student progress to setting new goals and discussing accommodations, this guide helps keep the meeting structured and productive.

After the IEP Meeting

Post-meeting tasks are just as crucial. The checklist reminds us to distribute finalized IEP documents, update records, and communicate any changes to relevant parties. This way, we can maintain accurate and timely documentation, which is vital for ongoing student support.

Why You'll Love This Checklist

• Saves Time: Streamline your IEP process with a simple, easy-to-follow guide.
• Reduces Stress: No more worrying about forgetting important steps.
• Improves Efficiency: Stay organized and on top of your responsibilities.

Using this print-and-go IEP checklist, you can navigate the IEP process with ease, ensuring that you provide the best possible support to your students.

Stay organized, reduce your stress, and enhance your efficiency with this indispensable resource. Grab your checklist today and take the first step toward a more manageable and effective IEP process!

 GET YOUR FREE CHECKLIST HERE!

Surviving a Case of the Holidays

If your classroom is anything like mine, then you and your students are experiencing a MAJOR Case of the Holidays! What exactly is a "Case of the Holidays?" you ask. This is that time period when everyone is on autopilot. They are burnt out, tired, and ready for a break! During the weeks leading up to the holidays, engagement and motivation are at an all-time low. This can create a classroom management nightmare! Trust me-- I've been there. 

After years and years of just plodding along through the prepackaged curriculum my district offered, I had enough. (No shade to my district, they allow us the autonomy to choose what we use).  I just thought that curriculum in the box was the way to go... until I realized that wasn't the case 100% of the time. It definitely wasn't the case as the pumpkins, turkeys, and reindeer started coming out to play! I knew I had to find some way to keep my students interested in learning without sacrificing the rigor of the standards.

My solution? Targeted, skills-based, HIGH-INTEREST close reads. 

My current favorite tackles the topic of Pop-Its. Are they a fidget or are they a toy?

 After annotating the text and answering some guiding questions along the way, my students were able to demonstrate their comprehension through a series of selected-response items, a constructed response, and finally an essay. Before writing our essays, my classes divided up and argued their stance. My kiddos had the best time debating this issue. 

As an added bonus, we played a fun paper version of the Pop-It game and did a coloring sheet to review facts and opinions. Y'all, I'm not even kidding-- they begged to work on this each day. The Case of the Holidays was CURED!!!

What's the moral here? Engagement doesn't have to be hard. All it takes is a little creativity and you can relate any standard to the interests of your students.

Want to cure your students' Holiday Blues? Check out the full resource on TPT. 

Pop-It Fidget High-Interest Close Read 

More of my GO-TO resources for increasing engagement: 

Scrunchies Close Reading

Anime Close Reading

 

Saying Goodbye to the DOLLAR Tree

 Bye, Bye, Bye...

When I heard that the Dollar Tree was no longer going to offer all of their items for $1, I thought for sure it had to be fake news. Sadly, the story was legit. Dollar Tree will soon be the $1.25 and up Tree. I can't tell you how many things in my classroom have come from Dollar Tree. Baskets, puzzles, toys treasure box items, pocket charts, and so on... ALL FOR ONE DOLLAR! The "Teaching Tree" area of their stores has been such a life saver for so many of us. I am absolutely heartbroken to see this come to an end. 

What do you think of the new price increases?

Anchor Charts Anchor Learning

 

Anchor Charts are probably one of the most powerful teaching tools I use. I know it may seem a little silly, but it is unreal how often my students reference my charts. 

Anchor Charts capture the main points of a lesson. They reinforce key ideas and concepts. They are visuals that your students can reference at any time, thus they build independence and confidence. Anchor Charts are a means of scaffolding instruction and making thinking visible. Visuals are absolutely essential, especially with our younger students. When used correctly, Anchor Charts will transform your classroom,

KEEP SCROLLING TO GET A FREE MINI ANCHOR CHART FOR YOUR CLASSROOM.

Anchor Chart Tips:

1. Don't Over-Do it. Resist the urge to make an anchor chart for everything. "Over-Charting" actually can have a negative effect on your students. Too many charts can be a distraction, especially for your students with ADD or other sensory processing disorder.

2. Keep it Simple. Don't try to put your whole lesson on a chart. Too many words/images and the meaning of the chart is lost. I am SO GUILTY of dropping the ball on this one. It can be challenging to decide what to put on the chart. Lately, I've been sketching out my charts before taking them to paper. (ESPECIALLY since I moved to a district that doesn't provide supplies such as chart paper).

3. Make Charts Your Students Can Actually USE. Avoid charts that reinforce concepts your students aren't struggling with. Avoid charts that aren't meaningful, no matter how cute they are. (Yes, that hurt my heart too, because Lord knows, I LOVE cute).

4. Keep Them Current. Don't change them every day, but when you change skills or topics, change your charts. Keep the charts aligned with the teaching. I change mine out pretty often, and I'll be honest there is a little of extra work on the front end of the process. However, the end result is worth it. 

 ***PRO-TIP: Grab a clothing rack and a set of skirt hangers. Organize your charts and use them year after year. I don't suggest laminating them because the glare that is created can be a real pain.  I actually got lucky this year, and my classroom has built in cabinets with bars for hanging coats. I use those for charts, but before this year, the garment rack was a life saver. Here are the links for my favorite garment rack and skirt hangers. I think any will do just fine. These just happen to be what I loved. 

Garment Rack                                

 

Skirt Hangers

Grab Your FREE Mini Anchor Chart HERE

Visible Learning Snapshot

Implementing Visible Learning probably sounds like a daunting task. After all, you've already implemented every other fad that's ever come along in education. Why should you try one more? You should try ONE more because this one actually WORKS!

Visible Learning is:

• Research based.
• Proven successful when implemented with fidelity.
• A Game Changer!

Visible Learning is NOT:

• A packaged program.
• Something you can do every once and a while.
• A gimmick or fad.
• Something you can implement overnight.

3 Key Components of a Visible Learning Approach

1. Clarity- Explicitly define learning targets and success criteria from the start. Familiarize students with the steps to success. How? Post learning targets and success criteria. But, don't just post them. Actually USE them. Reference these throughout the lesson. Tie each activity back to the learning target. Students should be able to see how an assignment or task as part of their learning, not just work to do.

2. Ownership- Students are in control of their learning. Children should be able to explain what they are learning and how they will know they've got it. Students should be able to self assess their progress.

3. Mindset Shift- Use student understanding as a measure of your teaching, not of their learning. Continually refine your teaching methods based on data from your students. Listen to their needs, recognize what needs improvement in your instruction, and notice what is working. 

Visible learning has transformed my classroom. I encourage you to give it a try. You'll be amazed at the results.

Snag one of my favorite Visible Learning Tools by Clicking the image below.