Monday Made It: Aug. 5

I can’t believe it’s already August!  Where did the time go?!  This is probably my last Monday Made It post for awhile.  It’s time to get all my previous projects together and set up my classroom.  Hopefully, I’ll have some classroom pics to share soon.

New project…
I made shelf markers out of paint sticks.  I got this idea from Mrs. Jones Teaches and I’m hoping it will help keep my classroom library more organized. I assign my students numbers each year.  The plan is for the kids to use “their” shelf marker when selecting a book. Not only will the kids know where to put their books when they are finished, but I will also be able to tell with a quick glance who has a book checked out.

Mrs. Jones’s shelf markers are definitely cuter than mine but I’m starting to feel the pressure to finish up with the crafty stuff so I can get the room put together. 


Another new project…
Lots of people have been adding READ signs to their classrooms.  I LOVE every single sign I’ve seen.  However, I decided to be a little different.  I created a TRY sign.  I want my students to remember to keep trying.  Sometimes things get difficult but you can’t succeed unless you TRY.


Old project…
I made this last summer but I’m sharing it anyway.  We do A LOT of cutting and gluing in my classroom.  That causes A LOT of trips to the trash can and that causes A LOT of commotion.  Last year I solved that problem by putting mini trash cans at each table.  It worked really well for me.  These are cheap pots that I bought at Walmart and decorated by adding fabric.


I can’t wait to check out what everyone else has been up to.  Have a great week!

5 comments Classroom Decor, classroom management, Monday Made It, organization

Organizing Journals **Update**

Remember my post a few days ago on organizing journals and notebooks?  If you need to refresh your memory, click on the picture below.


I had some requests for the table of contents headers in addition to the tabs.  So, I got my act together and bundled the two together in an editable PowerPoint file.  Even though the included text is for organizing a math journal, you can change the text to fit ANY subject.



This file can be found in my TpT and TN stores.  However, I will be giving away a free copy to 2 lucky winners.  Just leave a comment below and I will have a random drawing this weekend.  Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you’re a winner.


If you liked the label I used on the cover of my journal, click the picture above to get a FREE copy.  Whether you call them journals or notebooks, there’s a label for you.

I hope you’re enjoying the 1st day of August!

5 comments journaling, notebooks, organization

Organizing Journals with Tabs

I’m linking up with Ladybug’s Teacher Files and Fun in Room 4B for their Optimum Organization linky.  It’s pretty ironic that I would have an organization tip because I really try to be organized but it doesn’t come easily to me. 

For years I’ve used interactive math journals in my classroom.  I’m hooked and I’m sure I’ll use them forever more.  My students are encouraged to use their journals as a reference.  I mean, that’s why we put all the effort into them, right?? But the kids sometimes have trouble finding what they need when they need it.  We put so much into our journals that the table of contents gets overwhelming even for me!  The picture below shows just part of last year’s table of contents.  See what I mean?


For this next school year, I’m going to try something a little different.  I decided I would divide my math journal into sections with a separate table of contents for each section.  I’ve done something similar with our writing journals in the past.  Here’s the prototype I’ve been working on.


The table of contents is less overwhelming.  Kids shouldn’t have a problem skimming and finding what they need.


One problem I think I’m going to run into is that many kids aren’t going to know which section to look in.  I added details to the section headers to help out.  Underneath “Measurement” I included all the topics we cover.  I also plan to reinforce which category each skill falls into as I teach the skill.


So far I’m happy with my prototype and I’m looking forward to trying this out.  Have any of you ever sectioned off a math journal?  How did it work out?

For those of you who are interested in using tabs, I’m offering a FLASH FREEBIE for this set from my TpT store.  This is a zip file that includes an editable pdf file and a Word doc.  Hurry over before time runs out.

Have a great weekend!

2 comments journaling, math, notebooks, organization