Emergency Sub Plans

There are not many things that I would say I dislike about teaching, but I think we can all agree on one...making sub plans.  I find it neither fun nor engaging to narrate a detailed description of my school day in the hopes that a stranger will somehow memorize the plans before the students arrive, and then accurately carry them out throughout the day.  This situation is made even worse when it's last minute, unexpected, it's too late in the day or too early in the day, or I'm sick.  So, when I came across this website, Clutter-Free Classroom, and read her ideas about creating emergency sub plans, I was pretty enlightened.  

The idea is that I can make specific kindergarten plans that can be used at any time.  In the past, my struggle has been that I wanted my class to stay on track.  So, if we are talking about the farm, for example, then even when I'm gone I expect them to be talking about the farm.  After reading about emergency sub plans I realized that one day away from the current theme isn't going to hurt anyone.  My emergency sub plans may not be about farms, per se, but they will still address appropriate kindergarten skills, such as high-frequency words, story comprehension, number sense....you get the idea.  These type of plans can be created and held onto until needed, whereas theme specific plans would need to be made as needed.  Creating plans that can sit around until I need them means that I don't have to make them unexpectedly, late at night, or when I'm sick.  Hooray!  

Because I teach kindergarten I did think of one draw-back.  Kindergarteners grow and change so much throughout the year.  Their learning is always progressing, so there are no plans that would be suitable for the beginning of the school year, AND the middle, AND the end.  My plan of attack for this problem is to make different emergency sub plans for each quarter (sounds like something to add to my summer "to-do" list).  The Clutter-Free Classroom blog recommends having five days worth of plans.  I agree that sounds nice, but I wasn't about to create 20 days worth of sub plans (5 days times 4 quarters- in case you were wondering).  I figured that I am typically gone 1-2 days at a time, so my goal is two days of emergency sub plans for each quarter.  8 sounds more manageable than 20.

Thanks to my sister's pregnancy I had a need to try out my emergency sub plans ideas right away.  (I wanted to be able to go visit her and the new baby as soon as it popped out!)

The first step was deciding how I was going to organize and conveniently store all of the substitutes information and supplies.  I settled on a three-drawer system that sits on my counter top.  It's out of my way, yet accessible to the sub.  It's also contained in one place, and looks neat and organized.

I also added an eye-catching sign, so that the sub would know where to look.

I added labels to the drawers to make it easier for the sub to locate materials.  The top drawer contains general information about my class.  The middle drawer contains specific lesson plans for the morning, and the third drawer contains specific plans for the afternoon.  Separating AM and PM plans was important, because often times I am only gone for half a day.

Secondly, I assembled a binder for general information.  To give you an idea, here is a list of the information that I included, although yours may need to include different things:

1.  Daily behavior charts for specific students with extra management needs.

2.  Name tags for all the students.

3.  A page with the students' photographs and their names.

4.  Information about students with specific needs (i.e. medical needs, behavior plans, academic concerns)

5.  A list of students that may need extra help, and students that can be trusted to be of help to the sub.

6.  The daily schedule.  Our shortened day schedule.  Our specialists' schedule (i.e. gym, library, art, music, and computer).

7.  Extra information about the daily schedule.  Some things I included were: what math class typically looks like, the teacher's role during writing, what to do at lunch, recess and dismissal...things like that.

8.  Random information such as: names of paras and resource teachers that work with my class, our classroom behavior management plan, where to locate certain items throughout the classroom, what to do if the class needs an unplanned break, etc.

9.  BIST information.  BIST is our school-wide behavior plan.  I included information about this plan, and which teachers to contact for help.

I assembled all of the general information into a binder.  I also put some other supplies in the general information drawer.  I added in paperclips, post-it notes, a notebook, pens, and a highlighter.  I just thought it might be nice for the sub to have these things on hand, rather than searching all around for them.

Now on to the lesson plans themselves!  As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to break my plans up into AM lesson plans and PM lesson plans.  I also intended to make two days worth of plans.  I needed to find something that would hold Day 1 AM plans separate from Day 2 AM plans, and have those also separate from PM plans.  Whatever I chose also had to fit in the drawers that I purchased.  I decided on a simple expandable file folder.  I bought 4 total (1 file for Day 1 AM plans, for example).  These would keep everything separate and organized.  I could also organize the plans and supplies within the file by subject.  I hoped this would make it more accessible to the substitute.

I labeled each expandable file to differentiate between Day 1 and Day 2, as well as morning and afternoon.  I also listed what subjects would be covered during that time.  For example, "Day 1.  Morning: word work, writing, whole group reading, literacy workstations, integrated studies".

Finally, I needed to get down to the nitty-gritty.  I needed to create a template for specific lesson plans.  I realized that each lesson would need it's own page so that it could be put in the expandable file with it's necessary materials; separate from the other lessons and supplies.  You can see the layout of my template in the picture below.  Each lesson plan page contained certain information:

1.  general info (like where the kids usually sit, or how the lesson usually begins/ends)

2.  the scheduled times for that subject (i.e. word work 9:00-9:25)

3.  each separate part of the lesson (whether it was different activities, a mini-lesson and independent work, or a read-aloud and comprehension activity, etc.)

4.  pacing for the lesson (estimated length of time for each activity in the lesson, ex. read-aloud 20 minutes)

5.  and then of course, the materials list and directions for each part of the lesson.

The top page is a lesson plan for integrated studies on the template that I created.  Below it are the needed materials for that lesson.  Both the lesson plan and the materials will go together in one section of the expandable file.  Also, I added clip art specific to each subject on the template.  The clip art matches a picture schedule hanging in my room, and serves as another way to help the substitute stay on track.

It did take me a while to assemble these emergency sub plans, but now that the organization has been figured out and a template has been created it should be much easier to add to it in the future.  I will say that it felt pretty awesome knowing that I could leave on short notice and feel confident that my class would still be taken care of.

To my teacher friends out there, old and new,  let me know of any great ideas YOU have for creating sub plans.  I'm always trying to find the best way to succinctly and efficiently share information about my class with a substitute.  Good luck to you in your future sub planning endeavors! :)

Lunch From Home

I consider myself to be a combination of a procrastinator and a planner.  I think there are pros and cons to each individually, but when they cross paths it's usually not a good thing.  Usually it means that if I don't have something planned out nicely I am more than happy putting it off until a plan is created.  The problem is, there are always things that are better accomplished sooner than later.  A current "battle" in my life is packing a lunch from home for myself and my son.  It's easy and tempting for us to eat hot lunch at school, but (sadly) I don't think that is the healthiest option.  I will skip my rant about the current status of school hot lunches in our nation.  You're welcome. 

 Back to the situation at hand.  The process usually plays out something like this.  I think it sounds like a great idea to get lunch ready for tomorrow while I'm already in the kitchen working on dinner.  The opportunity passes.  I don't feel too badly.  I assure myself that I will get the lunches together before going to bed.  The couch ends up being very inviting.  No worries.  I can wake up only 10 minutes early in the morning to throw something together.  (The underlying problem here is that I have not yet decided what I'm going to pack.  Without a plan, I find it easy to procrastinate continue brainstorming lunch ideas.)  The alarm goes off in the morning and it turns out that my bed is several degrees warmer than the bedroom and my body won't get out from under the covers.  I have no control over this issue.  Time runs out.  Looks like hot lunch again.  After this scenario goes on repeat I give up on the idea of making lunches at all.  Until Guilt rears it's ugly head again.  

However, I don't want any pity over this situation.  As you may have guessed by the fact that I am blogging about this topic, I have created a solution!  Let's take a look.

Here is the inspiration that got me thinking:

(1) "Easylunchboxes" are a great idea because they makes packing a lunch, and cleaning up after a lunch so quick and easy.  Plus the website has a lot of good pictures of lunches that people have submitted.
(2) 100 Healthy snack ideas just got me thinking about different options that could go in the lunch.
(3) The third picture has a link with a simple smoothie recipe.  The mom makes the smoothies, freezes them, and then puts them in her child's lunch box.  By the time lunch rolls around the smoothie is thawed and ready to eat.  It's a fun way to work in some fruit. 

Easylunchboxes.smugmug.com

sixsistersstuff.com

meetthedubiens.com

Here is the solution that works for me:

First, I needed a few things to get my lunch system up and running. 
(1) I needed a way to plan out what to put in our lunches. 
(2) I needed containers that were easy to use and clean. 
(3) I also needed freezer jars so that I could make a stash of smoothies.

Below is a picture of what I came up with for planning lunches.  My main goal with lunch is to include something from each food group.  So with that in mind I made a list of foods from each food group that would work well for an easy-to-make lunch.  I used the lists to make magnets that are color-coded by food group.  Now, each night when it's time to pack a lunch, I just pull up something from each food group to quickly assemble a meal.  No extended "brainstorming" needed.
I actually made these magnets for myself, but when my son came home and saw them he said "Oh cool!  Good job being creative, Mom!  Did you get this idea from Pinterest?"  
My child knows me so well.  However, it was a fun turn of events that he enjoys using the magnets.  Now he gets to "order" his lunch for the next day.  This works well because he gets to choose, but his choices are within my parameters. 

Now on to containers!  I didn't want to invest in Easylunchboxes just yet.  I wanted a cheaper option until I was sure this new plan would work for me.  I bought similar Ziplock brand containers instead.  In addition to that, I purchased some silicone muffin cups and plastic ramakins with lids.  I also couldn't resist the urge to buy a few new cookie cutters, because from time to time I like to make lunch a little more fun.  Finally, I also purchased the freezer jars I would need to put smoothies in.  With all of my purchases I spent $40.  I could have spent about $25 if I had skipped the cookie cutters, so I felt like all in all that wasn't too bad.  Here are my necessities for packing a lunch.......

 
  








The first week of my new lunch system was pretty darn successful.  Easy, fast, healthier, filling, fun.  That's a good amount of positive adjectives.  Please enjoy looking at some pictures of some successful lunches from this week!

Grapes, carrots with ranch dressing, peanut butter dolphin-shaped sandwich with bread "bubbles", star cheese wedges on a toothpick, and dehydrated fruit bits.

My son chose the ingredients for this meal.  On the left is the kid friendly version.  On the right is a more adult take on the meal.  Romaine lettuce with some carrot and cabbage pieces, dried cranberries, bacon, blueberry muffin, and then milk on the side.  Our treat for this meal was chips.  I added a hard boiled egg to my salad and also mixed in the dried cranberries.  Yummy!

Grapes, carrots with ranch dressing, whole wheat tortilla cinnamon crisps in the shape of fish, beef jerky, string cheese, chocolate cereal treat.

 

Nailed It...

There is a whole series of pictures like the one above (which I found on Pinterest of course).  This one in particular cracks me up!  The point is that not everything is as easy as Pinterest makes it look.  It's true that some tasks still require a certain level of talent.  Like the task I attempted, for example. 

I saw these rainbow colored yarn balls and instantly thought, "I can do that!"  I have all the colors of yarn I need at school, and glue as well.  Add on a bag of balloons for a dollar and that sounds like a cheap, easy project.

Yarn balls.  Nailed it.

In a Perfect World

Today was a special day.  I had TEN students absent!  Now, while I enjoy all of the students in my classroom, there is nothing like having your class list diminish by almost 50% over night.  I went through the same mental process anyone in my position probably would.  First step: denial.  Surely there was a late bus, or late breakfast eaters.  Something must be going on, but certainly these students will be showing up in due time.  Second step: hope.  Call the office just to make sure they know what's going down in Room 136.  Yep, they know all those students are absent.  No late bus, no breakfast eaters, but a lot of families calling in sick.  Third step: tentative acceptance.  It never hurts to be too cautious.  Any of these students could wander in by 9:30 or 10:00.  Better not get too comfortable.  Fourth step: adjusting.  Feeling pretty good.  Things are easy going.  Wondering how to make this special day worthwhile (We ended up taking our recess out on the "snow mountain"....not something I would allow all 22 five-year-olds a chance to do.)  Fifth (and final) step: carefree bliss.  Smiling from ear-to-ear.  Enjoying students individually.  Able to give everyone a chance to contribute.  For me, this was a pretty good alternative to the snow day that everyone has been begging for.

In a perfect world I would have 12 students every day!  First of all the number twelve is divisible by 2, 3, and 4.  That's pretty exciting in the land of small groups and partnerships.  If I had twelve students I could have three 20 minute guided reading groups with only 4 kids in each group!  If I had twelve students I could let everyone have a chance to write on the board, or contribute to a discussion, or have a daily "helping job".  If I had twelve students I would be able to enjoy each individual personality, rather than feeling like I'm running an assembly line of learning.

We ended our special day with some good old fashioned cleaning.  Clearly something had infested our room.  We had some help getting all of our toys washed up (thanks paras!).  I gave the kids some wipes and let them have at it.  They joyfully scrubbed chairs, tables, and shelves.  Everyone helped put away the freshly washed toys.  We proclaimed that our room would be clean and ready for all of our sick friends to come back to school.  "Best day ever."

Feeding My Pinterest Addiction

So when I heard about Pinterest I made a conscious decision not to waste my time with such things.  Then one day, something brought me to Pinterest's website and there was no turning back.  The following picture (that I found on Pinterest) describes my journey.

Now that I check Pinterest on a daily basis I have found many projects to add to my to-do list.  I have also been reading more and more blog posts, and I just keep thinking "Hey!  I have an idea like that that I could share!"  Because, as a teacher, that's what I do- give and take ideas.  Which brings me to where I am now.  Today I am creating a blog and I am also sharing a recent project.  Go me.

One of my early Pinterest inspired projects was to create a family chore board.  My dilemma was that the distribution of chores just didn't feel fair.  Sometimes my husband did most of the cleaning.  Sometimes I did most of the cleaning.  Sometimes we worked together.  Sometimes no one worked.  I was looking for a house that stayed clean and organized more often than not, with minimal prompting.  I needed to create an incentive to get people interested in cleaning (not an easy task!).  My 9 year old son already has assigned chores, but I figured this would be a great opportunity for him to earn some extra cash.  So now that the whole family was on board it was time to brainstorm.  And there's no better place for brainstorming crafty ideas than Pinterest!

I came across two pins that got me thinking about what I wanted to do.  The important things to remember about the first pin are: magnetized, and $$$ amount per chore.  The important things to remember about the second pin are: color-coded, chores broken down by room, and big chores broken up into segments (i.e. cleaning the bathroom becomes (1) wiping down the toilet (2) wiping down the sink and counter (3) scrubbing the floor...and so on.)

Here is my inspiration:

                                          http://www.etsy.com

                                                       http://www.embellishgoods.blogspot.com

Here is what I came up with:

How it works: 

The chores are color-coded by room.  Big chores are broken down into segments.  If you do a chore, you put the magnet under your name. At the end of the week Mom (that's me!) pays everybody.  Then we clear the board and begin again.

Why it works:

Both my son and my husband share a giant love of Star Wars and all things Star Wars- especially toys.  Extra money from me means extra toys for them.  Putting myself in charge of payday insures that chores are done, or redone, to my specifications.  Also, since I was the lucky winner in charge of making this chore board I got to determine how much each chore is worth.  I coincidentally made my least favorite chores worth the most amount of money.  This means that my husband is more likely to do the chores that I don't like doing! Winning.

The chore board was easy to make.  I bought a dry erase board, decorative contact paper, and a sheet of adhesive magnet.  I typed up the chores and prices.  Printed them on colored card stock.  Laminated them for durability.  I laid them out on the adhesive magnet sheet and cut each to size.  I used my Cricut to make our name labels.  I covered the dry erase board with the decorative contact paper and used black electrical tape to create the sections.  Chore board complete!  It's been up and running for three weeks now and I feel pretty good about it.

Next up....menu board.  To which my son replies, "Why do you have to make a board for everything?"  The answer?  Because Pinterest told me to.