How To Salvage Broken Clipboards

A year ago I bought a class set of clipboards for my class. I love the option of going outside to work or allowing students to work anywhere in the room so clipboards were perfect! Unfortunately the clipboards weren't very sturdy and the top clip didn't stand a chance against my students. I draw your attention to exhibit "A" below.

So this year instead of buying a new set of clipboards (which would likely end up like the ones above) I decided to salvage the broken ones. Here is what I did:

Step 1: Use a chisel and hammer to break off the remains of the old clip.

Step 2: Flip the board over and remove the left over metal. I just wedged the chisel under and popped it off, some did require a quick tap with the hammer.

Step 3: Buy and attach cut clips to hold paper. I used chip bag clips from the Dollarstore. :)

 Well that's all for now, I'm off to Pinterest to look for a way to pretty up my clipboards :)

More Than Name Plates!

I was perusing some nameplates the other day on Teacher Pay Teacher and I had a "light bulb" moment! Name plates can be more than just a name! Some include number lines others include the alphabet ... so what little extra could I include? Here is what I came up with...

I know what you're thinking "You came up with adding a picture of Yoshi?!?", but stay with me for a minute. These name plates are strategically colour coded! The 6 colours of patterns divides the class into groups of 5 and the Yoshis divides the class in half! Now I can quickly group the class without the hassle of numbering them off! I'm pretty excited to get them onto the desks and try them out. :)

Group Bins!

Have you ever had trouble with markers, pencil crayons and scissors magically disappearing in your classroom? I am not sure how it happens, but my supplies always magically disappear (My classroom is like the Bermuda Triangle for school supplies)! So to try and curb the disappearing supplies I have decided to implement group bins. I have colour coded the bins and all their group supplies using fun and colourful duct tape! Then at the end of the week I plan on giving points to the groups who still have all of their supplies. If they do really well and nothing goes missing or ends up unclaimed on the floor than I plan to include bonus supplies like glitter glue, and scrap booking scissors. :) We'll see how it works out soon enough!

 Here is how the bins look so far... a little sparse because most my supplies are still at school, but you get the idea.

       

                                                I love the minions from Despicable Me!

                                                                     

                                     

                                   

Great Summer Read!

As of yesterday I finished reading my first ever e-book! Honestly, I was a bit apprehensive about reading an e-book at first because I enjoy everything about books. I love the texture of the pages, the smell of the book, the feeling of when you finally have more pages in your left hand than in your right hand. All that to say I was pleasantly surprised with my first e-book experience. This wonderfully written book "Connected From the Start: Global Learning in the Primary Grades" by Kathy Cassidy included hyperlinks that led to videos of her students, samples of their work and useful websites. What an interactive read! If you have any free time this summer I definitely recommend it. "Connected From the Start" has great ideas and tips to help you start getting your classroom "connected". I feel that I should give one disclaimer though . . . do not read this book if you are not ready to get back into "teacher mode. It is one of those inspiring reads that will get your mind racing with all the wonderful opportunities for learning you can include in your classroom. :)

Ma famille

I decided to snap some pictures of our bulletin board before I took it down today. These are our "Ma famille" posters. Students had to write 5 sentences describing their families using appropriate masculine/feminine adjectives and possessive pronouns (mon, ma, mes). They did a really great job and I love how they made it their own! I had students make their families as robots, mermaids, cats, royalty and others who decided that they would like to add an extra pet or two! I love how allowing the students to have creative liberty helps them buy in. :) The projects are actually pop outs, which look best displayed on a shelf or counter. Unfortunately counter/shelf space in my room is hard to come by so I had to use the good ol' bulletin board.
(Random unrelated thought that just came to mind: I bet that one day bulletin boards will be replaced by ginormous digital picture frames. Could you imagine how much easier that would be to "tear down" in June and set up in September?! Plus it would be so easy to switch your borders that I would actually change the theme seasonally like those crazy primary teachers! ;)

I know it's a little last minute, but does anyone have any ideas for a creative mother's day project?

Teacher Appreciation Sale!

Thanks to Zip A Dee Doo Dah Designs for the awesome sales poster!!!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Fours-Next-Door

Happy Teacher Appreciation week everyone! In honour of how hard all of you teachers work The Fours Next Door are having a 28% off sale! Why not take the night off from planning and treat yourself instead? Don't forget to use the not-so-secret-code TAD13 when purchasing items :) 

I came across this poster and thought that it was appropriate for teacher appreciation week. Enjoy:)

My Top 5 Keepers!

I not sure if it's just me, but this time of year I tend to get a bad case of the "Shoulda, Woulda, Couldas"? You know when you think about all the things you should've would've and could've done. Well, I've decided that the best antedote is to think about all the wonderful things we did and I will keep for next year. Sooo I've compiled by top 5 favorites and here they are:

1) Owl pellet dissection
I know it seems gross, but the kids love it! They are always so skeptical and afraid to touch it, but once they find their first bone you can't stop them from digging in!

I wish I could show pictures of their facial expressions. They're priceless!

2) Daily 5
It was our first time implementing Daily 5 in English and French class! Why didn't I do this sooner?!?

3) "Les pinces"
After Christmas I started using "les pinces" as a motivational system for students to speak French and boy does it work! It works like one of those baby shower games where you wear clothes pins and if you say one of the "buzz" words (usually baby, bottle, boy etc... at showers that is) then the person who heard you can take your clothes pin. Our "buzz" words are English words ( I do 3 English consecutively as not to stop all communication.) At the end of each double period students get to cash in their "pinces" for classroom money! I also make my "pince" worth a lots of class money so always listen closely hoping to get my "pince". It's also a great way to keep me accountable to only speak French. :)

4) At home reading program
Just after March break we launched a French at home reading program, which has been very well received by the parents!

5) Kidblog
My students have made French kidblogs this year for  and they are really enjoying themselves. They are so motivated that they even make posts at home! It's an awesome blog platform that is students friendly and safe definitely worth checking out!

I feel much better now :)