Hello Everyone!
Most of us are getting ready to go back to school or have already started. My most important tip for Back to School is label everything! I have found over the years it is important for me as much as for the students.
First, I assign everyone a number in the class. I do it according to alphabetical order of last name. But I have colleagues who number their students in alphabetical order by first name. It is personal preference on how to number your kids. I know some people feel numbering their students can be impersonal. I disagree. I don’t use my students’ numbers to call on them or refer to them at any time. It is used for identification or organization only. Plus, if a student moves away, I can transfer the materials to a new student by giving the same number.
If I got a penny for every time I found a glue or scissors in the corner of the room – I would be retired by now. That is why all the materials my students use are labeled with their numbers – crayons, markers, colored pencils, erasers, glue, and scissors. These are the things I supply for the students, and I expect them to have these available throughout the year. The nice thing is I get all my number labeling done at home before I return to my classroom.
I also label the boxes on their desks. This is especially important in the beginning of the year. I actually have their seats assigned the minute the students walk in the door. The chairs also have their name on them, so when they move desks, students put everything in their chair and move to their new seat.
I label the binders I give students for the year and any folders, like the Homework Folder. On things like the binders, I get the covers made and then the first day of school I place labels with the students’ names and numbers. I like to wait to see who is going to be in my class and if they have any nicknames.
Finally, I label the writing display board with students names. I put them in number order, but didn’t actually put the numbers on the display. Still it is easy for students to find themselves that way.
I know it is a lot of work in the beginning of the year to label everything, but I feel it is worth it and you only have to do it once. I also try to do as much at home too. I use to write everything by hand, but now I print labels using 30 label sheets. I also print names on the computer for the writing board and pencil boxes. Once mounted, I will laminate those.
Thanks for checking out my blog. Next week, I will be revealing my latest product and reviewing another seller’s product.
Karen