Teacher Tuesday: Behavior management (part 3) and Color-coding (part 2)

If you haven't yet, I would suggest catching up on the previous posts that relate to this one before digging in here. Click the picture below to see all the posts on behavior management:

Click here to see my post on the new color-coding system I am using for seating and supplies:

And click here to see my 2014 classroom tour:

OK, so on with the show. Today I am so so excited to show you the magnet board that I finally finished last week:

If you saw my classroom setup post (which you all have, since I know you all follow directions carefully!?!), you saw an almost-completed version of this board, which is hanging next to the front door of my classroom. The reason I wanted to make sure you read the posts on both behavior management AND color-coding is because this board covers BOTH of those things!! It is an oil drip pan from the auto department at Walmart, hung with some command strips (the same thing I did for my kids' calendar). Let's go through the two main functions of the board:

Color Coding

I made squares of each color I have for the student chairs and supplies (yes, using the same rolls of duct tape) to assign groups for music centers, classroom jobs (such as fixing chairs or putting away supplies), and tracking points in school-wide contests I am planning to run. I will also have magnets with pictures of a few of my "special" instruments of which I only have one- my bass xylophone, gong, slapstick etc- to indicate that someone from that group has first dibs on that instrument when they are choosing something, so that I can be sure to spread the love around the class throughout the year. It will not only help me to keep track of these things but will also help the students to answer some of their own questions (although I'm sure they will still ask anyway...) and remind students who can't keep an organized thought in their brain for more than 60 seconds. 

Behavior Management

Where my board is now hanging, I used to have this:

I have been using a sticker chart every year until now. Each class had a row of stickers to earn and they got to choose their favorite music activities when they finished a row. It has been great to me over the years, but it's time to move on. I looked at a lot of music classrooms using clip charts, with a clip for each class that can go up or down, including some really cute ones that go up a keyboard or guitar. I loved the idea of using an instrument like that, but the more I thought about it I really did NOT like the idea of a clip chart. Too many maintenance issues. After writing my post about my kids' calendar/chore chart, I realized that I could use the magnet board idea in my classroom too- and this is the result.

This entire board is actually pieced together from scraps. The duct tape I already had for all my other color-coding, the letters (which have magnet dots on the back in case I decide to put something else there later) are leftovers from the pre-made cutouts I bought to make the behavior management posters and MUSIC letters, and the keyboards are made from extra white contact paper and black painter's tape which I used to make my DIY interactive whiteboard. 

I made little magnets with the name of each class on it. I had to make them small so they would all fit on one key, but they will quickly get spread out as they move up at different speeds so it won't look so crowded. Right now they are all on the bottom black key (all the K-3 classes are on the bottom keyboard and 4-6 is on the top). Instead of earning stickers to fill a row, they will work their way to the top black key. Once they earn that first incentive, they have to start back at the bottom but this time on the white keys (so it will take a little bit longer). The third step will be to go up all the black and white keys by half steps. I LOVE the idea that they earn the first incentive more quickly, but then they have to up the ante each time! By my calculations it should take most classes about half a year to go through those 3 steps, and then they can start over on just black keys.

I am still waffling about the incentive when they complete a set of keys. In the past I let them vote on their favorite music-related activities and we did them together (usually a music talent show, game like freeze dance, free instrument choice, or a favorite game/song from class). I am considering making some or all of the "reward days" into center options so that a variety of students can pick things they want instead of having to endure what the majority wants after working so hard. My issue is I really like the idea of talent shows and full-class games. So my current thought is make the first two (for just black or white keys) centers and make the 3rd (for the whole keyboard) a full-class one.... Thoughts??? Please leave a comment here or head on over to my Facebook page. I'd really like your input! Let me know what you think of my new board too. Improvement? I definitely think so :)

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Mommy Monday: command center

For this edition of Mommy Monday, I'm going to be sharing the heart of my organizing and planning at home: my command center. It hangs on the main wall in my kitchen, where I can easily reference it whenever I need.

There are 4 components, and 2 are Pinterest- inspired. Let me show you each of them separately so I can explain:

Weekly Dry Erase Planner

I've seen different versions floating around Pinterest, but I originally got the idea from this post. Basically it is a collage frame, scrapbook paper, letter stickers, a pen holder (the same one I use for my laundry), and a dry erase marker. Use the little pieces of paper with cute puppy dogs and happy, color-coordinated families frolicking in the meadow as your template and just cut out the pieces of paper to fit each frame.

I use this for everything- meetings, kids' schedules, appointments, friends I want to call... I also use the top space labeled "this week" to write down to-do's. I also write the date next to the day of the week so I can easily see it when I need to. This has been a great way to put just the things from this week that I have in my planner up where I can glance at it whenever I need to remember whether or not we are free for a playdate on Saturday, or when I could go see the doctor. 

Menu Planner

This is the other Pinterest-inspired portion of my command center. I got the idea from this post. When I was getting ready to go back to work, I knew I needed to get serious about menu planning, so I started thinking about and looking online for ideas to organize my menu planning. I looked into online planning programs, apps for my phone, menu planning pages for a planner, and lots and lots of menu planning boards. Just search it on Pinterest and you'll see what I mean- there are A LOT of ideas out there! But I am convinced that this is by far the best one. 

Let me explain how it works: the clothespins are labeled with each day of the week. The cards have my main recipes that I tend to rotate through, as well as cards that say "leftovers", and "out". On the front of the card is the name of the dish, and the back lists the ingredients (so I can easily make my grocery list for the week). The top box has the recipe cards I haven't used yet, and after I make something, I put it in the bottom box. When the top box gets low I move everything back up. I love this system because I can visually plan out my meals for the week, keep track of what I have made recently, plan one week at a time, keep track of my shopping list, and easily make changes if something comes up. If you want to know how to make it, go check out the original link I posted. That blogger is a genius, I tell you.

Cleaning Schedule

This is where I keep track of my cleaning. If you've seen the cleaning pages in my planner (which has my monthly and seasonal cleaning items), you know that I have pretty low expectations for myself. I freely admit that I have never been a good cleaner- just ask my mother, or even my college roommates. With my busy schedule, I have found that having a "bare minimum" checklist and then adding things as needed has been the most workable solution for me. So my schedule is (and I don't know why the writing is so hard to read in the picture...sorry) bathroom on Sunday, laundry on Tuesday and Saturday, and vacuuming on Thursday. The schedule is based on when my girls are visiting their dad, and when they take their long bath (Sunday, duh!). Nothing more than that. I use the dry erase marker to check those things off through the week, and I add in things to the other days when I see that something else needs to get done (like the dish drain). And yes, in case you didn't notice, the papers for each day match the weekly planning board (and my kids' calendar).

Bulletin Board

This is probably the least glamorous but still an important part of my command center. I have some cards where I keep tried-and-true menu ideas for snacks, lunch, and breakfast (since the menu planner is just for dinners) for those times when I just don't have the brain power to come up with anything and the kids are starting to beg. I also keep papers I want to be able to reference- during the school year I keep a copy of the meeting schedule so I know which type of meeting I will be attending that week, and this summer I had a schedule of free family events in our area. Sometimes if I get a piece of mail that I don't want to forget I'll put it there to remind me.

I don't want to get all sappy on you here, but this command center is way more than a logistical tool for me. It reduces my anxiety because if I ever start to feel like my life is spiraling out of control, I take a quick look at that wall and remember that I actually do know what I'm doing. It has also started a wonderful ritual for me. Each Saturday night I erase/take down the previous week's notes and get the next week set up. Thinking through the entire week, from appointments to work events and social gatherings to cooking and cleaning, makes me so much more relaxed on Sunday. I used to wake up with a bit of sadness on Sundays, because Sunday meant that the weekend was almost over and I had to frantically sort my life out again. Now I wake up knowing that I have already thought through and prepared for my responsibilities that week, and I can relax and enjoy the day. 

Well I think that about covers it! How do you keep everything organized at home? Do you have a command center? Leave me a comment- I always love hearing your thoughts and ideas! :)

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Much, much exciting news!

If you haven't heard already, there's a sale going on on TeachersPayTeachers again tomorrow:

If you haven't yet, this is a great time to get organized for the new school year. Head over to this post to see the details of all the different planners, binders, organizers, and other printables I have in my store. I even added a new product to the store today that I am sooo excited about (did you hear? no? then you should click on the green star in my store to "follow me" so that you will be in the know next time!):

There are 3 different worksheets to help you think through your priorities and make concrete goals for yourself. I have included some filled-in examples in the thumbnails so go ahead, click on the picture to go see it and tell me what you think! I know with the added commitments of blogging and maintaining my TpT store, it was really helpful for me to fill it out and commit to spending time on the things that matter most.

As if that wasn't enough, several music teachers on TpT are having a fund-raiser of sorts tomorrow as well. One of our fellow music teachers has had some difficult circumstances thrown her way recently and we want to help by donating some of the proceeds from one of our products to her and her family. Since the teacher is another TpT seller, I thought it would be fitting to donate my teacher-entrepreneur bundle for the cause:

Thanks to Jena at SewMuchMusic for putting the graphic together!

Several music teachers will be donating a portion of their proceeds from one of their products as well. Type "teachershelpingteachers" into the search box on TeachersPayTeachers (Wednesday 8/19, the day of the sale ONLY!) to see all of the products. Or just click on my handy-dandy link right here to go straight to the search I already did for you (see how nice I am?!?).

OK, and onto my wishlist! I have quite a few things I am eyeing this time around, since I go back to work on Monday. Have you seen this huge bundle of music centers from Tracy King? I am going to be doing centers in my classroom for the first time this year, so I am definitely eyeing this awesome resource!

I am also want to incorporate a Native American unit with my Kindergarten classes this year, since I found out that they focus on the United States when we have our school-wide multi-cultural celebration in the spring. I think this lesson from Lindsay Jervis will be perfect:

I'm linking up with Aileen Miracle at Mrs. Miracle's Music Room so go check out what all the other fabulous music teachers are shopping for! 

What's on your wishlist for the sale?!? Time to face reality and get organized for the start of school!!!

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Teacher Tuesday: teacher music stand organization

For this Teacher Tuesday I'm showing you my music stand that I keep at the front of the room when I'm teaching. It is my command center during the day- I really only touch my desk before and after school. Maybe during lunch if I'm lucky. I try to keep it uncluttered and sorted so I can grab what I need without missing a beat during class.

On the stand itself I have three things that are always there: a magnetic clock/stopwatch/timer, my class schedule, and a clipboard with all my seating charts on it. I got the clock in the kitchen section because my wall clock is not where I can see it when I am teaching most of the time. It has come in handy as a timer and stopwatch too though, and it's easier to see at a glance than a wall clock anyway! I made a condensed version of my class schedule with the start and end times, laminated it, and put little magnet dots on the back so I could reference that whenever I need to. I find that I sometimes get lost in the lesson and can't remember when I'm going to need to stop! The clock and the schedule help me stay on track throughout the day.

On my clipboard I have my seating charts for each class. At the beginning of each day I get out the ones I will be using that day and put them in order, so that as I teach a class I can put it at the back and have the next one ready to go. I write down EVERYTHING on the seating charts. Besides the obvious seating assignments, I also have space to jot down grades for informal assessments, part assignments (if I want them to continue working on the same part of a song next class), who has played those instruments everyone wants (like the bass xylophone), notes about the class as a whole, behavior notes tracking (more on that another day...), and anything else I want to remember about a student or class. By the end of each trimester those things are chock-full and pretty worn down, but it is the best system for me for sure! I don't like to have to stop class for even a second to pull out a grade-book, list, or other chart. And I don't want to have to go looking for something when I need information in the middle of class unexpectedly. It's also handy for parent conferences, because it's easy for me to find everything I need about a particular student to talk to parents. Plus I'm more likely to remember where Johnny in Ms. Smith's 2nd grade class sits than what Johnny's last name is- so it's better to have that information by seating rather than alphabetically. **You can download the seating chart I use for free here or get a set of seating charts in several class sizes and configurations here!**

Then we have the make-shift organizer that hangs down from the stand. It's actually one of those cheap aprons from Home Depot. I had seen people using them on the backs of student chairs to hold books and supplies, and bought one to see if they would work in my room. Although I decided against using them for the student chairs, it was a perfect solution for my music stand! Ever have your projector remote sitting on the stand, pick up the clipboard and set it back down on top of the remote, and then spend 10 minutes trying to find the remote? Maybe that's just me... In any case this really helped with that problem! Now all the other bits and pieces I used to keep on the music stand are in one of the two pockets of the apron.

On the left, we have my projector remote and infared pen (for my DIY interactive whiteboard). I use both of them frequently during class but they are constantly either getting lost behind my clipboard or falling off the stand. Now they have their own space where they don't bother anyone :)

I keep all of my behavior management-related things on the right side. I wrote about my letter system in this post on behavior management. The extra letters (for if they earn letters beyond the original word) are in this pocket. I also have my behavior slips and happy notes and a pencil for students to use to fill it out during class if needed.

It's very poorly-made, but I had some leftover fabric from another project that was just the right size, so I hot-glued it over the front to cover the Home Depot logo (and make it look a little less apron-y). Someday I may go back and spray paint it or something, but for now it's functional and cute enough to not bother me too much when I use it :)

Do you keep a music stand at the front of the room? What things do you have on it and how do you organize all of your stuff? Leave a comment below or come join the conversation on facebook by clicking on the link in the header!

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