What the Teacher Wants!

Earth Day Mini-Unit {freebie}

Did you know that Earth Day is one month from today {April 22nd}? In honor of Earth Day I've created a free mini-unit and our class is "going green" {your class can too! This is a multi-grade level unit}. This unit is full of Earth Day topics such as reduce, reuse, recycle, pollution, mother earth, and more!

You will find activities for:

*Math

*Science

*Writing

*Centers

*Art

*Reading

Here are just a few of my favorite things...

This little guy is my favorite!

This is a tin foil statue made from recycled foil!

Monday Management - Expectations

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!

The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher

Have you ever read this book? It was our required textbook during my methods of classroom management class in college. I absolutely love this book and read it EVERY year before school starts.

I love how this book illustrates how important the first couple hours/days/weeks are to a successful school year.

This past year, before I began the year, I created a Powerpoint with all my rules, expectations, procedures, etc. Then, I spent the first couple days of school going over the Powerpoint so my students knew exactly which behaviors I expected from them.

It was also very helpful to go over this Powerpoint after my students came back from Christmas break, and I also plan on going over it again after spring break.

If you'd like to view my Powerpoint,
click here:

I know there's no way anyone could use my exact Powerpoint since we all have different rules, expectations, rewards, consequences, etc. But feel free to use whatever you can.

Here are some examples of the things I've included:

Just wondering... which rules/expectations/procedures/etc are most important to you?

* * *

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

After getting many requests for an editable version of this PowerPoint, I have recently created a new and improved (and EDITABLE) version of this resource. It is available in my TPT store by clicking here:

For a fun way to motivate students to have good behavior, please check out these cute behavior incentive awards:

Winner, Winner!

You've just won a $100.00 gift card to The Container Store and we'll be contacting you shortly!

Thank you to everyone who entered!!!! Ok, I know some of you are a bit bummed. But, did you know that The Container Store offers a %15 discount to teachers {in stores and online}? Click {here} for more information! And here is something to cheer you up... What the Teacher Wants always offers their tips, downloads, and resources for free. Just remember...we {heart} you!

I spy... {time}

This is a game to practice telling time. It can be used at ANY level because I have left the clocks blank for you to write in. Copy the blank clock 12 times on cardstock and laminate. Write with a vis-a-vis (or sharpie if you want it to be permanent) the times you are working on along with a letter of the alphabet (A-J).

Put the clocks around the room and have your students walk around with a clipboard "spying" the analog clocks and writing the digital times on their recording sheet. Easy, peasy, lemon, squeezey {mac and cheezy}!

Management Monday- Handwriting

I have a little sneaky motivator in my classroom that I use to help the students with their handwriting. If I notice that they do a great job and they are really working on forming the letters correctly and taking their time, I will give one student a "Neat Treat"--Well, I actually don't give it to them, I leave it on their desk and the note says that it is from the Handwriting Fairy. The Handwriting Fairy leaves the neat treat on their desk and they student finds it when they come to school the next day. And the crazy thing is...Mrs. Smith didn't even see a thing! They love getting a treat, especially when it's from a fairy! It's an automatic motivator!

I put the treat on their desk along with some "fairy dust".

Click {HERE} to download the "Neat Treat" labels!

What do you do to motivate your students to have good handwriting?

Website List

Language Arts:

Math:

Science:

Social Studies:

Health:

Other:

Just for Fun/Misc:

For Teachers:

Everything! (Portaportal)
Internet 4 Classrooms

*Please Note:*

As you give me your ideas, this list will grow.

Thanks in advance! :)

3D Leprechauns

There is the cute, artsy 3rd grade teacher at my school {Mrs. Coyle} who did these HILARIOUS {made me laugh out loud} 3D leprechauns. I just have to share:

Here is the how to:

Give the students a 12" circle pattern to trace on a 12X18 manila paper.
They cut into the center (vocabulary: radius), overlap until a nose appears.
"Leftover" manila paper is used for the ears. (Make sure they have points!)
Students can choose yellow, orange or brown (9X12) for the hair, etc.
                    Each gets: 9X12 green (for the hat)
                                      4X6 red (for the mouth)
                                      4X6 white (for the eyes)
                                      2X3 blue (for the eyes)
                                      3X3 yellow (for the buckle)

What do you think about these little darlings?