TEACHER...I'm DONE!

Do you hear from your students, "I'm done!" while the other students are still working hard?  You know that if you don't find something for this friend to do {AND FAST}, it could be bad...that student gets bored, starts talking to others, starts doing something to distract the other...ugh!  

That's why in my room I like to be prepared for moments like those by having an "I'm Done" bucket of stuff.  I want this to be beneficial to the students who are completed with their work, not just a time filler so I came up with this.

When a student is finished with their work, they quietly put their work in the basket and go to the "I'm Through...Now What To Do?" box.  They keep track of which envelopes they have done and not done by using their checklist.

They grab the envelope that they need and take it quietly back to their desk to work on.  On the pocket of the envelope it gives them the directions of what to do in word and picture form.  Inside of the envelope are the recording sheets to complete the task.

In this case, the student has already done envelopes 1 and 2 so they would need envelope number 3.  

Students then keep their completed pages in their pocket {see pictures below} which they just keep in their work in progress folders.  At the end of the month, it gets stapled together, I look at their packet and review what they missed with them, and it goes home.  At the beginning of the month, I put all new envelopes in the box and the process repeats.  

 

“I’m Through” Pocket:

It is simply a 12” X 12” piece of scrapbook paper or construction paper that I folded in half, put a label on it, stapled together, and cut a small wedge out of.  I also laminated them so that they would last for the year.  Each month the pockets are cleared out and taken home to begin the new month.  We attach the tracking page to the stack and staple it together.

I keep my materials organized by putting it all in zip lock bags.

 I put the originals in there as well as the envelopes so when the new month comes around, I grab the bag, make the copies {there are 2 recording sheets per page}, put the copies in the envelopes and put them in the box.  Another month's worth of stuff done in about 5 minutes.  Easy!

Don't want it as a "I'm Done!" box?  That is OK!  These work great for small groups, centers, tutoring, interventions, RTI practice, bellwork/morning work, etc.  The skills get harder each month and continue to spiral.  It should be a review of what they have already learned/know!  Each kit {except for August} comes with 24 envelope tasks.These are great for independent first grades, high kinders, or low second graders.

There will be a packet for every month *except for June and July*.  I have uploaded August {a brief sample}, September, and October.  More will be coming soon!

BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!  

You can start getting this ready by downloading my FREEBIE *August* "I'm Through...Now What To Do?" kit by clicking the picture below. 

Don't forget to leave me feedback, comments, questions, etc.  Also, don't forget to check out my September and October kits as well! 

Happy Classroom Management,

Coconut Cutie

Spring Break FREEBIE #6

Ok friends, how many of you have students that rush through their work, forget vital steps like putting their name on it or date, skip things completely, OR, heaven forbid, all of the above! Come on, raise your hand, you know you do!!! I can't count the number of times I have come to a paper to grade and IT DOESN'T HAVE A NAME ON IT!!!! It blows my mind y'all!

Well, I have come up with a little reminder posters to {hopefully} help eliminate that problem. It does require some training, but it has helped most of my students to turn in quality work ***with their name on it*** :0) We know it as "Smiley Work". This is a "go-back-and-check-your-work" type poster.

Here's how it works:
Students will draw a mini smiley face at the top, right hand of their paper by verifying their work. {I even make this a possible point or bonus point if it is done correctly}

*They verify that they put their name and date on their paper-if it is done, they draw a circle. If not, this is a reminder to put it their info on their paper and then they can draw a circle.

*They verify that they followed the assignment's directions. This may mean that they need to look up at the the paper and reread the directions, or look at the board to view the directions - if this done, they draw one eye.

*They verify that the work is complete. This involves checking the page to make sure that all blanks are filled in, or look around they desk to make sure that they have not lost/forgot any cut/sort pieces, etc.-if this is done, they make another eye.

*They verify that they did their best work, meaning good handwriting, quality not sloppy copy work-if they did this, the draw a mouth.

*When all of the verifying is complete, they show they are ready to turn in by decorating their smiley face with hair and ears then turn in the work.

One of the first things that I check before grading a paper is to see if the Smiley face is there. If it is not, I call the kiddo back over before grading it to have them complete it. This allows them the opportunity to correct things one last time. I also take points off it the smiley face is completed, but I can see that they did not verify the work.

In sticking with with "smiley face" work, I also have a poster on my writing bulletin board that includes a "Smiley Face Writing" poster that I thought I would pass along with you too!

It works the same way as the other poster, but this time they are verifying their writing. This is used before teaching the editing process but this helps them to understand that later.

*A circle for name and date {that stays the same}
* An eye for capitalization
*An eye for punctuation
* A nose for spaces
*A mouth for their best handwriting
*Decorate the face with hair and ears when they have done their best work and ready to turn in.

Get your FREE Smiley Face Posters!

Happy verifying,

Coconut Cutie