How Do You Rule?


I remember after I signed my first contract I went straight to a teacher store and bought some decorations for my new classroom. I was SO excited! One of those purchases was a packet of Classroom Rules Posters. They were colorful, cute and cheap. Just what I needed right?? Oh I was so WRONG! I posted them on a wall that seemed pretty useless to me...it was kind of like wasted space so it was PERFECT for those rules. I introduced them to my students the first day of school and that was it...we never talked about those posters again...

Throughout the years I have learned several things about Classroom Rules.

     LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
I still remember the place where I posted my classroom rules my first year teaching and I can't help but chuckle... what was I thinking?!?!
You should make sure that your classroom expectations are posted in a place where they are visible during the ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR. I'm talking about a spot that will make it easy for you to refer back to whenever you need to.
Personally, I like posting my rules posters by the door. Our door is also next to the main wall where students are facing. My students always know where to look when we review and discuss our rules. 


Make your Classroom Rules POSITIVE
When we come up with our discipline plan it is very common to see the word DON'T in each rule. Don't talk. Don't run. Don't be a bully. Don't stand up.
But in reality we should be doing the exact opposite. Make your classroom expectations/rules look positive. Communicate to your students what they ARE allowed to do instead of what they're not... trust me, you will notice the difference! This year I will use my Classroom Rules in English and Spanish
I particularly love these because it uses words like "our classroom" and it tells students about what WE do instead of what we don't do. 




Talk about them the first day week of school
Ok So you've heard many teachers say it... the first weeks of school are the MOST important ones...and they're right. This is when we teach our routines and expectations. It is JUST AS IMPORTANT to teach your students about what to do when they are done as it is to teach them about raising their hand to speak. During the first week of school I have to remind myself to be a lil firmER when reviewing our rules. I make sure that all my students know whats expected from them.

Make it fun and break it down
My first year as a teacher (I know I keep referring to this but I have learned soo much since then!) I remember I made a list of all my routines and all my expectations. The kids came in, sat down, I introduce myself and began talking and talking and talking about rules and routines. I still remember the look my kiddos gave me. It was just too much! Fast forward a few years... on the first day of school I explain the expectations and we do a small activity to go with it. You know... allow your students to get up, move and practice it. Have volunteers show you the right and wrong way to do something. Believe me, it will be more engaging for everybody and your students WILL remember!

Keep reminding
Last but not least DO NOT forget about your rules after the first week of school. I like to remind my students at least once a day. We usually talk about our expectations when we are lining up for lunch or to go home. ALWAYS refer back to your classroom rules visuals.REMEMBER: if you forget, they WILL forget. 


Now tell us... how do you implement your classroom rules?



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TPT Seller Challenge - Week 2 - Dare to Dream

Hello friends! Welcome to Week 2 of TPT Seller Challenge. I am loving this week's topic "DARE TO DREAM". It's been fun reading everyone's dreams. 
During the time I have been a TPT author I have learned so much! TPT has  done so much for me already and most importantly... it allows me to DREAM. 

So these are just SOME of my dreams!


1. PAY OFF DEBT
So I'm a lil embarrassed to admit... I'm in debt...I know I'm not the only one right? The husband and I are working very hard to pay debt off and stay debt free. It will probably take a while but thanks to TPT we are closer than we used to!

2. BUY A HOUSE
Well this one kind of goes together with #1. We are sooooo ready to have our own house but we are trying to be smart (UGH!) and save up as much as we can for a down payment.

3. ADOPT
This is DEFINITIVELY the dream that is closest to my heart. We have always wanted to adopt a child and I would like to do it sooner rather than later. I am hoping that TPT will help pay for some of those adoption expenses. 

So what about you? Do you have any dreams? If you haven't already done so I DARE YOU TO DREAM! 
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End of the Year!

I know I am SUPER late to the end of the year fun but I still wanted to share with you what I did for their end of the year gifts! I think these gifts have been my favorite so far...

You must know that I LOVE getting stuff for my students... I pretty much do it all year long... BUT I also love a good deal. I am constantly trying to save pennies and shop smarter... Last year I went to Target (gotta love Target) and they were having an end of summer sale! I found these lil treasures on the clearance aisle so I bought 30 of them for the end of the year gift :)!


 You should have seen the look my husband gave me when I walked in the door carrying 30 of these...I told him I knew it was only SEPTEMBER but I was going to need them in JUNE... he didn't seem to understand my logic lol...


At that time I still wasn't sure EXACTLY what I was going to do with these but I would definitively use them! Then I saw this post from Amy Lemons and decided to go with her idea and make some goodie bags! 


First I made some cute tags to go with the scented bubbles of course :)... 

I bought each of my kiddos a different book... I explained to them they were different because we got to know each other very well the last year and they are so special to me that I knew exactly what each of them likes! I think this was their favorite part... realizing that I KNEW all about their interests and favorite books. I like to take the time to do an individualized gift every year because many of my students don't receive any Christmas or birthday presents and I know that this makes them feel special! 


I included bubbles, a book, "I'm ready for third grade" book, and a pencil. 
What do you think?? End of the year gifts don't HAVE TO BE expensive!

Now I'm off to keep working on my classroom decor for next year :) I gotta get my classroom rules printed and laminated!! 

If you're still in school I hope you have an amazing end of the year...If school is out for you...ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!! 




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Pool Party Blog Hop!!

Hello all! This week we are celebrating with a blog hop! I'm super excited to be participating and even more excited to have you join us!! 



There are 3 AMAZING packs you could win!! All you have to do is visit The Education Highway and join us for some fun!! Throughout the hop you will find great ideas, freebies and much more!

Use this ebook to help guide you through the hop!
But before you do that... I wanted to share some amazing and quick summer ideas! I know I will be trying a few of these! Check them out! 



You can enter for Giveaway pack 3 here!





   


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ENJOY!!
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