Bulletin Board Idea & Parent Communication Log

Pin It Now!

i LOVE the idea of sharing the love with my fellow teachers as this school year is just starting up.  I've linked up with Classroom Freebies and 4th Grade Frolics to do just that!      My friends went back to work today for those beginning of the year meetings and staff development.  Since I myself am not returning this year, I was a little sad not to be with them.  Anywho... I wanted to share a picture of a beginning of the year bulletin board I made a few years back.  It looks a lot harder than it was.  I bought a couple of 8x8 books of craft paper that already had cute designs on it.  I used my Cricut to cut out my student's names in coordinating paper.  I then used Popdots and craft glue to adhere them.  I connected the paper together like a quilt using ribbons.  My name was in the center.  I used pre-cut letters from the local teacher store to make the title: Making Connections in 2nd Grade....well my "t" in connections obviously fell off before I could take a picture :-D I kept it up a good while because I had two outside bulletin boards.  When I finally disassembled it, my students had a treasure to keep! So there is a free bulletin board idea..... but that's not good enough is it?  How about something useful?  I keep a folder on all of my students.  I put all important notes from parents in the folder along with a communication log.  It is important to have good communication with parents, but don't forget to have positive communication as well.  I find that when a parent feels that I am on their side, that they are more likely to back me up.  Even if I am calling on a serious note, I try to begin and end with something positive.  I also ask the parent for their take on the situation and for any suggestions that they may have.  Keeping documentation is important.  It can prove helpful when you have to call the same parent again or when you need to go to your principal with a bigger issue. I've Uploaded this FREEBIE to my TPT Account.  Go on there, download it for free, and ENJOY!

Back to School Time & TPT Freebies

Pin It Now!

School will be starting soon in my neck of the woods.  To get with the spirit, I've posted some FREEBIES on TPT as well as some back to school basics.  I added a back to school fun pack, transportation pack, and discipline pack.  Check it out & tell me what you think!  Don't forget to download the freebies while you're there!  Click HERE for my TPT page.

Parent Helper Sign Up Sheet

Pin It Now!

www.123teachwithme.com has a linky on how to get parents involved.  Parent involvement is key.  You have to have parents on your side.  They need to feel that they can trust you and that you are looking out for the best interest of their child.  If you do not have that, then it will definitely work against you.  I have found that most parents want to be involved in their student's schooling, but some just do not know how.  It might be because they are a single parent, struggling to make ends meet, or it might be because they are insecure about the knowledge they feel they lack.  At the beginning of the year, I use a sign up sheet that allows parents to sign up for things that they feel they could contribute to.  Find the page below for FREE here at TPT. The sign up sheet opens up opportunities that may be more achievable to parents who are unable to be room mothers/parents or join the PTO.  At Parent Orientation, I express that our classroom is alway open for them to share their talents and experiences.  I have had parents come in and share for Chinese New Year, Dental Week, Fire Prevention, holiday crafts, etc.  I can always relate things back to the curriculum and it gives students and parents pride in our class. It may sound weird that you get more parent involvement by asking them to volunteer, but it works.  What you are doing, is making them feel welcome in your classroom and at your school.  This helps to gain their support and opens up communication.

Cute clipboards for gifts or functionality!

Pin It Now!

Make these cute little clipboards for a co-worker, child's teacher, or yourself!  They are super easy and inexpensive too!  I made the one with the clothes pins for my students to take to lunch as a behavior monitor.  Each student in my class is assigned a number, so I number everything!  This helps me to be able to use classroom items for several years versus just one by adding student names.   I added numbers to the end of the clothespins with American Crafts Galaxy Markers, but you can also just use a permanent marker.  I also used the Galaxy markers to put the white border on the solid green paper.  You can find these clipboards very inexpensively at dollar stores or office supply stores (see here).  Make sure it has a flat clip so you can jazz it up with ribbon.       Along with the clipboard, you need craft paper, modge podge, a foam brush, ribbon, and clothespins (if you are using this for a behavior monitoring system.)  I used my Cricut to cut out designs and letters, but you could also buy these pre-cut.  For the larger background paper, I find it best to use the thinner craft paper rather than heavier card stock grade.     I find Modge Podge very easy to work with, but here are a few tips that I have found along the way.  First off, paint the glue not only on the back what you are adhering down, but also on what you are gluing it to.  I have found that when I do not do this, I get more air bubbles.  Also, it is very gooey which is good!  It helps you to be able to manipulate your paper better without tearing it.  If it is not quite were you want it, just slide it around!  I use my Cricut scraper  to help get the air bubbles out.  I start in the middle and gently push the bubbles out to the edge of your paper.  If you do not have one of these, you could use the flat side of a ruler.  Larger things are harder to get down without air bubbles, and I find that thinner paper does better on a large scale.  I used the card stock thickness on the smaller designs for added texture.  Also, if you use your Cricut and piece cuts together like my bear with the flower, make sure you Modge Podge it together on the clipboard itself and not just craft glue it together.  If you do not do this, the design will warp once you add the Modge Podge to it.  After Adhering your designs down, you alway put a layer or two of Modge Podge on top to sort of seal it.   Now for the finer details....  I used my Cuttlebug texturz to texturize the paper in some of my designs.  This is an easy way to really make your projects look amazing, even with store bought die cuts  The clothespins were made by trimming paper just a tad smaller than the clothespin itself and Modge Podging the paper to it.  The ribbon was easy...just tie it in a knot.  I also added a little tulle with the ribbon to really fill it in.    Questions?  Suggestions?  Please share!