5 Quick and Easy Management Tips to Start the School Year!

I almost did it!  I ALMOST stayed away from my classroom until August.  But then, my boys (Tyler-almost the dreaded 16 and Trever- 12) decided to get themselves grounded…  I won’t go into that but no, they aren’t always perfect angels… Lol!

So, when we have those days where they are at your beck and call, we might as well take advantage of it!

So, off to school we went.  Unfortunately, neither of my boys enjoy helping me at school.  I never got that little girl that would have wanted to go to school with mom and “help” like I did with my grandmother.

Here they are, spray painting my book shelf.  This shelf has seen better days BUT it’s still pretty sturdy!

Here it is finished but I didn’t put stuff back on it yet.

I just realized I forgot what I wanted to say- why did I start talking about August?

GOT IT!

Since I did go in (a little early) I am now in the mode.

You know what I’m talking about…

I can’t seem to shut it off!

I’m sure many of you are getting in the mode too!  I’ve seen a lot of people who are starting back very soon- like next week!  Sorry folks- but I’m glad I’m not there yet!

So to help get you ready for another year I thought I would offer you some SIMPLE and EASY management tips that I use and couldn’t do without!

Seriously, I did this for the first time last year!  Kids are ALWAYS coming and going and to be honest, I don’t have a clue who needs to leave and when half the time!  I set an alarm for all of my reading, math, speech, special ed., and LEP kiddos when they need to leave.  Title I teachers and speech teachers would be calling me 10 minutes after the kids were supposed to be there because I forgot to send them.

NOT ANY MORE!

I set my phone alarm for about 2 or 3 minutes before they are supposed to be there.  The kids learn and just know who goes and when- it is a BEAUTIFUL thing!

Here is a new one that I am going to try this year- I bought 4 small garbage cans from The Dollar Tree.  I can stack them inside one another and keep them on one of the bookshelves.  When we cut things, I am going to have my teacher helper get the cans and give one to each table.  When they cut, they can throw their scrap paper into the trash can instead of 20 kids constantly heading to the regular trash can.  Gonna give it a shot!

3. 

Do you use Hand Signals??  I just started this a couple of years ago and will NEVER not use them again.  I know… never say never… but I’m fairly certain.

I started out with 5 hand signals and honestly, the kids would do one and then I wouldn’t remember what it was so I would have to look at the chart and it was really annoying.  I had too many- it didn’t work for me.  So, I went down to 3.  Simple and easy- I have them for free in my store if you want them.

4.

Again, for the first time last year I let the kids refill their own supplies!  I realized that I was the glue stick, dry erase marker, and eraser queen!  NO ONE was allowed to get into my supplies except for me.  I’m not really sure why I was like that- it’s so much easier just giving them the responsibility of taking care of it themselves!  If their dry-erase marker runs out, throw it away and get a new one.  If  you need an eraser, just go and get it!  Brilliant, right??  **In this picture on the right I have 4 small crates.  They are for dry-erase markers, erasers, glue sticks, and scissors.  Yes, scissors, because even though they SHOULD have a pair in their desk it seems that they always magically disappear!

5.

Last one- seriously how many times do kids ask for a band-aid.  In the past I had tried two different things:  1.  Basically nobody gets a band-aid UNLESS there is actual blood- paper cuts don’t count.

2.  Bandaids seem to make “things feel better” so just give it to them.

I really didn’t like either method… so now they are RESPONSIBLE for the Band-Aids and I’ve made myself have the attitude of not really caring about it.  We have a talk at the beginning of the year about it.  Basically, I tell them the purpose of a Band-Aid (LOL) and then I leave it up to them.  If they think they need one, they just go and get it.  Problem SOLVED!  They just go to my Teacher Toolbox (from Erica Bohrer’s EdVentures) and get one!

I also have some other great news to share!  I was just featured on the TPT Blog!  Go and check it out if you haven’t seen it- just click on the picture!

I wish everyone a great school year!