Friday Freebie (on Saturday......)

My district teaches the Everyday Math Curriculum. I use a Smart Board in my kindergarten classroom. I created a set of Smart Board files to enrich the EM Math Lessons for Unit 1. Click HERE for Section 1.

Become a FOLLOWER to be notified when more Math Sections are available.

Happy Teaching!

Patsi K in MN

www.abc123kindergarten.com

Clutter Free Classroom Step 3 - Purge

P.U.R.G.E - verb -  physically remove (something) completely

That's the task for this week. I do feel like I am always purging in my classroom. I should follow the rule of bring something in, take something out. However........... So I set out to purge as soon as school dismissed. My teaching partner of 8 years was laid off due to declining enrollment, so as she closed up her Kindergarten classroom we inventoried curriculum, furniture, supplies and equipment. Some will be stored until we add a classroom back and some we shared, so I will store so that I have access to it. BUT THAT MEANS I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I REALLY NEED, USE, ETC. ETC.

This is the back corner of my room. At the beginning of the year I was very excited to use this back wall for vertical storage. I tucked my desk against the wall, created a nook with shelves and added my teaching table. BUT I'm a piler and the piles took over. So what I liked was the storage, that my desk was not in the way, that I had a place that was not accessible to students. What I need to change: Prioritize. Not everything needs to be out all at once. I need an "off-site" storage location for the materials that aren't in use. Maybe my storeroom at home (inconvenient), somewhere in the school (not going to happen), purge what is behind closed doors and make room for storage things there (BINGO!).

Enter the 2 big garbage cans on the right side of the picture - I filled 6 like that. Oops! I forgot to take a picture of that. 

I choose to purge as I packed my room up for summer. Do you have to do that? Put EVERYTHING somewhere so that the custodians can come in and clean and polish the floor? I love how clean and shiny my room gets, but I really feel like I just get everything in place during the school year and then WHAM! pack it all away. That is a good way to purge though and I was forced happy to put everything where it belonged and toss 6 garbage cans full of whatever.

When I locked the door the last time I was there, this is what I looked at:

A CLEAN SLATE. I wish that I had a picture of what is just to the right - it is floor-to-ceiling containers that will need to be organized into stations, centers, themes and trash. I do this big job about every 2 years, but it never seems to be just right. So that is the task before me........... Good thing I love stuff like this! I love 'clutter-busting' books like the ones in this widget below.

(If you are reading this on a feed, visit the blog site to view the list.)

Comment and let me know your favorite clutter-busting books - I LOVE reading them, especially if they are in KINDLE form (less clutter!)

Happy Teaching!

Patsi K in MN

www.abc123kindergarten.com

Clutter Free Classroom Step 2

Ok - I know that I am REALLY behind on the project timing - I am working on 'my time'! I had every intention of following the Clutter-Free Classroom's timeline - I REALLY DID! BUT........... let's see, LIFE got in the way! :O) 


So I have done the work and will share it with you as I put my classroom together for fall. Right now the custodians are working hard to make my floor shiny and my carpet fabulous, I should be able to have access again to continue my purge next week.

Task # 1 is in an earlier post titled TRANSFORMATION


Task # 2 is to share my plan - here it goes!


Why do I want to get organized? Good question.......

More time for important life things

Less stress

Enjoy the moment more easily

Be prepared for the unexpected

So I can smile more

More focused teaching

MY PURGING RULES:

1. ask myself – 

• WHY do I have this? 
• WHAT is it’s purpose? 
• Do I NEED it? 
• Is it here because I am AFRAID of what will happen if I don’t have it? 
• WHO else can use it? 
• Is it TRASH? Is it WORTH storing?
•  

2. Have I used it in the last 2 years? If answer is NO, then WHY do I still have it?

3. If I keep it, WHERE will I store it?

4. Did I buy it at a garage sale? Can I DONATE it back to good will?

5. Is it used DAILY?  WEEKLY?  MONTHLY? ONCE A YEAR?

6. Is it 

• TEACHER RESOURCES? 
• TEACHING TOOLS? 
• STUDENT MANIPULATIVES? 
• WORK STATION TOOLS? 
• CENTER TIME TOOLS? 
• CONSUMABLE?
• EASILY REPLACEABLE?

THE ULTIMATE GOAL – ONLY HAVE THINGS IN THIS SPACE THAT ARE NEEDED AND USED!

Let me repeat that: ONLY HAVE THINGS IN THIS SPACE THAT ARE NEEDED AND USED!

Happy Teaching!
Patsi K in MN
www.abc123kindergarten.com
www.clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com

LOTS of Apps List!

I LOVE to find new apps to explore - Go Crazy and CHECK THESE OUT! Happy Clicking!

IF YOU HAVE SOME FAVORITE APPS PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO ME! I’LL ADD THEM TO MY LIST!

Did you know that iPhone and iPod apps work on the iPad? BUT iPad apps don’t work on the iPhone...... AND if an app is UNIVERSAL it will work on either one. Just thought you might like to know.

If you are new to apps, here is a quick run down.

*”Apps” here are referencing little programs to run on Apple gizmos

*Apps do not run on a computer - only on iPods, iPhones and iPads

*The iTunes store is the place to get ALL the apps - 

some are free and some have a price tag

*Apps are downloaded and stored in the iTunes software

*You manage your apps and devices through the iTunes software - even if they are not on your device, they are still in iTunes. So YOU CAN SWITCH THEM UP on your devices and your little people can only access what you have synced at the time! 

Nice to know :O)

Happy Teaching!
Patsi K in MN
www.abc123kindergarten.com

Sensory Table Ideas!

This link will take you to a great list of ideas for your sensory table. In my classroom, the sensory table is a center choice all year. I switch out the contents about every 2 weeks. I store the materials in a tower of tubs. Now I need to make a master list of sensory table contents that match my curriculum!

SENSORY TABLE LINK

This looks like a great resource from Amazon.
 

If you have ideas that work great in your classroom, please share!

Happy Teaching,
Patsi K in MN