Cool Library Organization Tool

Classroom libraries can be tough to manage. This is especially true when you have students shopping from them to fill their book box, but also choosing Just Right books to take home. In helping teachers organize their classroom libraries the last two years, conversations have gravitated to how they manage who has what book. The general consensus seems to be that lower elementary teacher's books typically stay in the classroom, while upper elementary teachers find students wanting to take their in-school reads home. And why not? If they're hooked, we want them to keep reading and finish so they can jump into another great story. So in my travels of trying to solve the check-out dilemma, I came across a really great resource.

BookSource's Online Classroom Organizer-First of all it's FREE! It's a web-based program that allows you to:
-import titles from a BookSource order
-add your existing titles
-import a student roster
-allows students to check out and return books  AND 
-will even run an assessment report on a student that includes their title activity.

They have even put a video on their homepage to tell/show you how this works. Click on the link above or the logo below to take yourself to this awesome find.


Check back for pictures and discussion on how we actually organized many libraries in our K-5 building!
For those of you like me who are wrapping up Day #2, GO TO BED EARLY:-)

iPad Apps Worth Buying

So, we went on a family vacation at the beginning of August and I guess I never came back! I got called out on my lack of posting by one of our first grade teachers who over the summer discovered the awesomeness of blogs...so now I've got to stay on track (Thank you T:-)

We are truly blessed to have an incredible PTA who helps to fund our growing need and desire to have current technology in our classrooms. Not only did they help us to get an iPad cart stocked with these incredible tablets at the end of the year, but have managed to get EACH teacher an iPad that they will be able to keep in their room to use on a daily basis. So with incredible news, I knew I finally had to post my list of "Must Have" apps.

mSecure ($9.99) The one stop place to put ALL of your passwords and logins. It's password protected and VERY easy to use.

Pages ($9.99) The best word processing app!

Noteshelf ($5.99) A great app for note taking when you want to separate your notes in their own notebook...staff meetings, district meetings, ideas, etc. You can insert text & photos,  or use your own handwriting.

Everyday Math Apps ($0.99-$1.99) Get your favorite EDM games played in the classroom as an app! Search McGraw Hill for these. And FIVE of them are FREE now by going to this link http://techinspecialed.com/2012/04/25/5-everyday-math-apps-from-mcgraw-hill-school-education-group-are-free-download-while-they-are-free/

Math Splash (FREE-$9.99) This is an awesome math app! Geared toward students by grade level (Gds 1-5). Download a specific math strand OR, the entire curriculum. Great app to differentiate for students or your own children. (This has been our math practice for the summer)

Storybuddy 2 ($4.99...ON SALE NOW) Storybuddy 2 allows you to insert pictures taken on your iPad or draw your own to illustrate a story. This version also has a READ TO feature...sweet!

Casey's Contraptions [Amazing Alex-new name] ($2.99) This is a great physics app. Learn the ins and outs of physics through game play.

A Monster Ate My Homework ($0.99) Another great physics/strategy app.




Ok, my list can go on and on, so I promise I'll do another post with more great apps. In the meantime, if you're looking for something specific, let me know.

To help keep track of the apps that you want, download AppShopper for FREE! You can create a wish list and it will let you know when the apps you have or want have been updated or when there is a price decrease.

Several developers are running sales or temporarily marking apps FREE in honor of teachers returning to school. Search using the Education filter to find some of these great deals.

Happy Shopping!

Teacher Top 5 "Must Haves" to Start the Year

I'm a little late to the party, but I had to join this Linky Party. Rachelle, from Life Is Sweet...In Kindergarten started this Linky Party to give new teachers an idea about things they should consider having to start the year. This is right up my alley for two reasons, #1- I LOVE school supplies and could spend hours in an office supply store , and #2- I love passing on fun "finds" to my fellow teachers:-)

So here it is, my "Top 5 MUST HAVE Supplies"

1. Every teacher needs a WIDE range of markers to make their Anchor Charts POP! My favorites are the Sharpie Markers. I LOVE the retractable ones, but the Fine Point and Chisel Tip are hard to pass up too. I was introduced to the Elmer's Project Popperz Permanent Markers last year and they have quickly become another fav! (I even gave these as a gift to one of the new teachers I worked with last year).

2. Sticky Notes are the BEST things ever, but the BIG ones are great for PD, group projects and they're so big, you can cut them to shape if necessary-think hundred chart puzzles and big books.

3. Along the same lines are the pads of Sticky Pad CHART Paper...no more "elementary twist" on the backs of regular chart paper.

4. BLUE Sticky Tack-no other color stays up ALL year long. We haven't figured out why, but the white and yellow versions just can't "hang" with the blue! There are several companies who make blue and usually an office supply store, or Lakeshore Learning carries them.

5. Fun File Folders! I've admitted to my Vera Bradley addiction (so yes, I have a few file folders in Cupcakes in Green), but once again, Staples and Office Max are my go to stores for some awesome designs. You can find a pattern (or two) to fit your classroom theme. I actually use a couple of different ones to help me organize all the data I keep by grade level and subject. These are from Staples and Office Max...

So there you have it! Things I like to have. One other that I would add, would be a three ring binder that I really LOVE! Office Max usually has an incredible selection:-)

Friday Freebie on TBA

Check out all of the Friday Freebies on TBA! You'll find It's All Elementary there!

TGIF!

My Prep Work Means Freebies!

A huge part of my job is organization. As our teacher's get ready to start meeting in grade level teams come August, I send out a Curriculum Map to each team. The one they receive has our PD and late start days on it, as well as, when assessments are to be given and completed. This helps those teachers who are changing grade levels or our brand new teachers be on the "same page" as their veteran teammates  as they go through the school year and provides a basic framework for the team. If you would like a generic version of this template, click on the image below to grab yours.

I have a small Vera Bradley obsession (once again, THANKS KELLY!) and so my room is actually decorated in the Baroque colors...black, white, gray and citron. So, to help keep me organized this year, I created some very cute black and white calendars. If you'd like a copy for yourself, feel free to download them by clicking the image below.

An Award? So Exciting!!

I am so surprised and excited! It's All Elementary was given The Versatile Blogger Award by Amy Grout from Adventures in Teaching. Thank you Amy!

 

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their site.

2. Include the award image in your post.

3. Give seven random facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 5-10 other bloggers for the award and include a link to their site.

5. Let bloggers know they've been nominated.

Here are 7 Random Facts....

1. I love chocolate (who doesn't?!?)

2. My next door neighbor is one of my best friends.

3. I LOVE Vera Bradley.

4. I HATE snakes.

5. I love watching my sons play flag-football.

6. Christmas is my favorite holiday.

7. My husband is to blame for my Starbuck's addiction:-)

And the nominees are...
1. Calling Plays in 2nd Grade
2. 3rd Grade Gridiron
3. A Place Called Kindergarten
4. Cooperative Learning 365
5. 2nd Grade Math Maniac

Time? It Got Away From Me! (& my 1st FREEBIE!)

So, summer is now in full swing. Baseball has started (Coach-Pitch and tee-ball), my summer reading "stack" has been gathered, my home to-do list keeps getting longer...and I've started on the many teacher resource projects that were put off until, well, NOW!

My first project was to create a writing organizer that included a mnemonic and visual aide. This is based on Patricia Naughton's "Picture It!" The organizer is meant to be used for K-2, so the lines are larger and I may have to create a second series with smaller lines for those more capable writers in first and second grades.

 

This is the first resource I've ever created for a teacher that I've posted on my blog, so I guess it's my first FREEBIE! Click on the picture above to download your own copy.

Keep checking back...there is MORE to come in the near future! (Hint...you may be seeing more of OUR work soon:-)