Bright Idea: Laminated Paper

Hey everyone!

I am excited about my bright idea this month. I'm sure it's been done before, but I became a little obsessed with....

All I did was take a paper (well three papers for my three classes at the time) and run it through the laminator. Yes, they are too big so there was a little overhang on each end I trimmed off, but not too much, so I'm happy. Excuse the poor pics, I used my iPhone and not my pretty camera lol. #donttrustthekids

Even the kids noticed that I was using "plastic" paper and thought it was fun. Why use it? I had limited white board use and in that space, I just had an easel at the carpet. I could hang up the chart, write on it and then clip it to a pocket chart for display.

Yes there is a wrinkle, but it's ok.

With my crazy schedule, I often started the anchor chart with just the basics since I wanted the kids to help me fill in the charts.

Some charts I used all week and some were just that day. I didn't want to waste a bunch of paper, so I thought this would be a good route to go.

To clean, I used a baby wipe. Easy peasy (lemon squeazy).


And then I got struck one day with another idea of how to use these laminated papers. Group time!

Just divide the paper  into sections (hopefully a cleaner paper than this hahaha) and then you could tell each person to solve a certain equation or each show a different way to get a product. You could then easily display these for the lesson on the board.

If you enjoyed this bright idea, please consider joining me on Facebook or Instagram for more great ideas!

Check out the other people linked up for even more ideas.

An InLinkz Link-up

3

Changes

Hey everyone,

If you follow me on FB, you saw a post last week that was cryptic, saying that big things were happening on my end.

As you know, I accepted a long term doing ESOL and math interventions. I was just getting settled in my routine when I was thrown for a loop. A huge loop. #lifechanging

I was pulled into the principal's office and the door was shut behind me. Thoughts went through my head and I was thinking, " I know I've been doing a pretty good job this first week!" He asked a few questions and about 10 minutes later, I walked out of the office in a confused state. I may have been grinning like a loon or just in a dazed state (it's all a blur), because I got a few crazy looks and a few, "Are you alright?" and a "What's wrong with you?"

Some crazy stuff happened and I won't go into the details as to why/how and what for respect.... but I think my blog name should now be "Journey of an {Ex} Substitute Teacher".

You are reading the blog of a third grade teacher!  

12

Substitute Preparedness: Setting

Hey everyone!

It's that time again!

Upcoming holidays and events:

• Sep. 26 -Johnny Appleseed Day
• Oct. 1-31 National Bully Prevention Month
• Oct 5-11 National Fire Prevention Week

Teacher Tip: Come up with a substitute agreement with your class. How will they act with the sub in class? What will be the consequences/rewards for behavior?

Sub Tip: You're still fresh in subbing. Make sure you're taking time to yourself too so you won't burn out.

And here's the freebie for the month, setting!

Just click either picture to grab it!

0

What I'm Up To...

Hey everyone!

Ok, I can spill it now, but I have to preface it with a confession. I'm about to get real here. First things first, I'm the realist #imsofancy... lol

In all seriousness,  I wasn't going to sub this year. It's ok if you gasped, I think I gasped myself when I finally decided. Which was two weeks before summer vacation. Part of it was that I just wanted to focus on TpT. I love creating resources and just wanted to see what would happen if I dedicated more time to it.

Then another part of me worried about the whole money issue. Would I be able to survive? Would I get bored? I thought long and hard and said a few prayers. And did a lot of think and self reflection. I was good with the decision. I had finally made peace. Then in the middle of August I had a phone call. A 6-8 week sub job. I politely declined.

Then a few weeks later, another school called. They said they had a proposition. A sub job of sorts. Yes, they knew I wasn't subbing this year but to let me hear them out. I said ok and they said they'd call back soon. Well the next day, they called saying that they needed me until January in one position and could I please come to staff development that Tuesday. And then school starts the Tuesday after that. People, I had annual camping plans.  Which would mean staff development Tuesday, leave for camping Wednesday and come back Monday. Then school start the next day.  Can we say stress? Anxiety? Nervousness? Not to mention I was still waiting for my teacher license renewal to be processed so I had no license? Gah! ( It went through and I have it now)

So what am I doing this year? I don't have an exact title. I'm teaching ESOL. I'm also doing math intervention. PLUS, I'm possibly going to teach tech!!!!


Today was the first day and it was crazy but good! I'm sharing my room with one other person, plus the person I'm taking over for is still there this week., so I don't really get to decorate it. I might get to add a few touches next week (after the dude leaves haha).

This is to give you the gist of it. I'm in a portable and you walk in and this is what you see. People, I am THRILLED I have tables and chairs. THRILLED. They only had one table last year, so this is amazing! I won't use this as much, but I'm glad I have it.

This is where I will do most of my teaching. The kids sit here most of the time.

The rest of the room is "dump" room and my desk and the other teacher's desk. Not beautiful, but it's mine! And I'm  not teaching out of the music room or computer lab like the other teacher, so I'm grateful. Really, I am!

Yeah, it'll be interesting for sure. And then what happens after January? Well, we'll see. Maybe then I'll do TpT from January on. Or another long term pops up :)

6