Organization Part 1: Take Home Binders

Welcome back everyone!! It is time talk about back to school!! I know this might sound a little bit early, but it is good to start a little early!! Especially for these binders... believe me.,.. they ARE already out at the stores already! I am teaming up with my amazing friends to a blog hop so stay with me to go to the next blog post!!

Anyways, I am back with an idea I have posted last year. After I posted last year about it (having back then some other doubts), I realized people responded very well to my post, so I figured I could post about it again!

So here we go! This is what we need: A three ring binder, three hole punched pocket folders, some labels, and some clear sheet protectors. Got them all from Walmart and Target, but any office supply store will have these!

Before I continue, I just want to clarify that this was not my original idea. When I was student teaching, my mentor teacher (who is amazing, by the way) showed me this binder that the students had as a take home folder. She also got this idea from a previous teacher that she taught with... Anyways, I loved it so much that I implemented the same system when I started teaching. I have changed the name of the binder and maybe taken a thing or two out since it wasn't working for us. These binders had hole punched folders inside with labels to organize papers and a zipper pocket to keep their pencil and eraser when taking it home.

The binder was always a present from me to my students. There were so many of them that coulnd't afford school supplies, so the binder was something I purchased for them. Yes, it was a little expensive if I had about 25 students (which was almost always the case). However, it was so great to keep the papers organized, that it really didn't matter to me. Now, if a part of the binder broke or got lost, then I did NOT replace it. With this gift, I always pointed out to my students about being careful and responsible with their supplies, and this was definetely not an exception. If they did break something from there or lost something, they were responsible to replae it (I always had at least one student each year who did, but I was always happy that parents never took too long to keep this binder with all materials needed). I only added the labels for the folders or the label in front with their name on it.

Alright, we were the Gators at my school. So I named the binder as "Gator Binder". Let me tell you that these binders did NOT make it to their hands until the second week of school (or even the third). You might wonder why ??? Well, on my first year I got too excited too soon and gave these on the first week. Then I had not one, but TWO students changing schools by the end of the first week of school. So I, of course, was not going to ask for the binders back! So lesson learned, do not give them out too soon!!!
Anyhow, these are the following things the binders have inside:

• I purchased a three ring binder. You can find them at any office supply store. I try to buy the ones that have a flexible material because they cost less and believe it or not, they are more difficult to get damaged. The first year I bought them at an office supply store, but then I found them at walmart. I realized I had to buy them from Walmart AS SOON AS THEY PUT THE BTS SUPPLIES. Why?? Because these babies get sold out like hot bread!!! One year I waited for a little longer and I had to buy two different colors for my students because there were NOT enough! Most of them were gone, gone, gone!!! That year I almost had a heart attack (not really, but almost), because if you know me, then you know that I am NOT ok with having things that missmatch! Anyhow, the binders are like $0.50 so it's not bad at all :) Since we were the Gators at my school, I had a label with a clip art of a gator and their name on it. The labels are 2x4 and I tape it with clear duck tape on the front cover of the binder to it doesn't peel off.
  
  
  

• We had daily spelling homework. So I had a clear sheet protector for each folder so students could keep their Spelling Sheet in there. We were a bilingual classroom, so when we started inctroducing English sight words, we had two lists. Here is how the lists looked like in the sheet protector front and back :)

        

• The binder contained three hole punched folders inside. There are two ways you could get these folders. Either you buy the folders without brads (which are the cheapest to buy) and you hole punch them OR you could always buy those already punched (which are a little bit more expensive than the others I mentioned). I also used white labels and they are 2 x 4 as well.
  
  Inside the folders we had:
  • 1 folder for Calendar: This folder had our behavior calendar.
  • 1 folder for Stay Home and Bring Back to School: The stay Home side was any paper that needed to stay home, like flyers and graded papers. The Bring Back to School side was any paper that needed to be signed and be returned to school, like field trip permission slips or report cards.
  • 1 folder for Homework: We kept our math homework or any unfinished work in this folder.
  
• The folder also had a pencil bag inside. The pocket was useful so students were encouraged to keep a pencil and eraser there AT ALL TIMES so they couldn't say "I didn't do my homework because I lost or didn't have a pencil". However, after two years of buying them, I decided not to use those anymore because they were very expensive (when you had to buy 25 of them) and I spent most of the time reminding students to keep a pencil in there (because I saw them constantly empty). To me, that was not worth the amount of energy and money I had to spend on those bags. So when I stopped buying them, it was like nothing happened. I did not see a big deal of not having one :) 

Well friends, that is it for me! I honestly would like to say that I have freebies for you, but I honestly do not have any because these binders were based on my school mascot and the labels were created based on the size I purchased them. However, I hope this post has given you an idea of maybe creating your own binder based on your school mascot and based on what you would like for your students to have in their binder.

HUGE UPDATE MY FRIENDS!!! :)
I decided to create a general binder for FREE in both English and Spanish!!!, I was so happy on how people commented on my facebook and how they liked my post. So thank you very much to all of you! :)
Before I continue, if you don't think this binder is a good fit for you. Don't worry! Please see how I created the labels!! Maybe you can use these in a way you choose to do your take home folders! Maybe you can use some of them :)

Here is a peek of what I have created:

The freebie is in a Zip folder my friends! You may wonder why... Well, after I finished the whole document of the labels by just inserting cells, I tried it and everything was missplaced! :( I hated it so much and I tried everysingle thing to make it work, but I couldn't. So when I tried only one page with the original document of the labels, everything worked just fine! So I know you will have to open the labels individually, but hey! They will all work and be aligned with the 2x4 label sheet! :)

Anyhow, I have included black and white labels for Calendar, Stay Home, Bring Back to School, and Homework. Of course, all these are also in Spanish :)
I have also included color labels for the front cover of the binder. One version for boys and another for girls. THESE FRONT COVER LABELS ARE EDITABLE! Yes! You heard me right! I would hate for you to handwrite your students' names, so I made it editable and you can even use the pretty font! Or if not, I gave you access so you can change it to whatever font you have :) Read the instructions on the sheet so you know how to do that :)

If you would like to download this freebie, please click HERE. Also, if you get a chance, please leave me your feedback! I would love to hear what you think of it!! :)

Thank you for stopping by and take a visit to my friend's blog post, she has an amazing blog post and ideas to share!!!

All you need is LOVE!

Whoaaaaa!!!
I have not posted anything since November my friends! I am so sorry about that! Truth be told, I have been out of the country for a whole month! We decided to spend Christmas in Peru with my family (I am originally from there, in case you didn't know). My husband stayed with us for two and a half weeks, and I stayed for a month with the kids. My Grandma's 78th birthday was on January 11th so many relatives came from overseas and from other parts of Peru to celebrate HER. I was so blessed that my mom offered me to fly over to Texas with the kids and me; otherwise, I don't think I could have been able to come back on my own with two little kids (cheers for all those brave and strong moms who do that!).

Anyways! After giving my whole reason of why I have been absent for so long, I would like to do a little reminder of things I have for FREE and paid products for Valentine's!!!

First, I wanted to share one of my favorite Valentine's freebies. I think Mr. Heart came out really cute! Your students could write a letter to another friend in the classroom, or write about what they like about Valentine's or write about a favorite part of a valentine's story! Your options are endless!!! PLUS, I think they would look so cute on a bulletin board, don't you think?? Click HERE to download it :)

So after Mr. Heart, I felt pretty cool, but then I found these AMAZING pattern paper that I HAD to buy!!!! Don't you agree with me???

So after a few hours thinking what cute things I could do with these papers, I thought about a real envelope that kids can do! I'm HORRIBLE with origami, so I hope you are not expecting that awesome and complicated method level of origami! HA!

I looked on Google for EASY ways to make an envelope, and I found soooo many options! Most of them were too hard for this teacher :| 

I found this great website where there are many different templates, but I didn't want to go that far at this time, I just wanted simple steps and not having to make copies of the pattern and cut and so on... HOWEVER, if you would like to check it out, please DO! She really has great ideas different websites for different types of envelopes! Click HERE to take you there :)

I also found this picture with steps on how to do an envelope from a heart shape. So I thought it would be cute for students to write a short note on the back of the heart (the blank side), make the envelope, and just glue it with a foam sticker or something that when you open it, you would open the whole letter at once!

I got this picture from The Crafty Blog Stalker

Here are my pictures and how my envelope came up :) Not so perfect, but I think it would do the trick...

Then, I found this picture, I thought it was pretty simple and the steps were pretty clear, so I gave it a try.. I am NOT good at any of these things, so believe me when I tell you: "If I can do it, so can you!" I got this picture from Making Friends

I personally skipped the pattern and I tried to skip steps that I saw they were not a big deal. Mine didn't come up as perfect as it shows on the picture (of course, that happens when you skip steps on the instructions! Lol). However, I think for students and the purpose of it, it was pretty good! :)

These are my pictures on how my envelope came up :)

So along with this cute envelope, I created a Free letter pattern for kids to write a letter to a friend.... I think the best way to do this (so everyone gets a letter and no one gets more than anyone else), might be for them to choose a partner or you can even choose partners randomly!

This freebie comes in both English and Spanish with two different styles! Hope you like it as much as I do :) Click HERE to download this letter for FREE :)

Now I would like to show you what I have in my store!

My Reading Response goes along with the book "Love Monster." It is the lovely story about this funny-looking Monster who looks for someone to love him just the way he is... I love this story because it shows how important it is not to love people for their looks! There are more books of this cute and funny-looking character, so I'm planning on adding more in the future!

Here is what it's included in the booklet:

1.Favorite part of the story

2.B, M, E foldable

3.B, M, E graphic organizer

4.Predictions

5.Monster Character traits

6.Monster Flyer Character Traits

7. Change Solution 

8.Making connections

9.If you were Monster

10.Defend your opinion

11.Author’s Purpose

12.Persuade Monster

13.Characters Change

14.Monster Booklet Craft

If you would like to purchase this Rdng Response Booklet, click ENGLISH or SPANISH.

These are Math Centers for 3rd grade: it includes multiplication, measurement, word problems, comparing fractions, and a foldable to create bar graphs and pictographs. Come over my Store to have more details!!

These are Language Art centers for 2nd grade: they include sequence for the story "Froggy's First Kiss", antonyms, and long a vs short a (English only), and suffixes vs prefixes (Spanish only). Come over my Store to have more details!!

Thank you for stoping by my friends!! See ya next time!! :)

Classroom Management & 1st Week!!!

Hi friends!!
I hope everyone is having a great week!! I know some of you might had already started teaching your kiddos and some of you are getting really close to the first day of school! Whatever your case is, I hope you are doing JUST FINE! :)

I would like to talk about Classroom Management and a unit that you can use on the first week of school year. Also I wanted to share with you all a Free HW Pass Freebies I have in my store! :)

Classroom Management
I am sure most of you already have a system or your school lets you know what procedures are needed to take for classroom management. In my case, I have been trained and I was required to use CHAMPS. I honestly did not really know what to do with it, except using the things my school already provided for me to use. However, one day I had a teacher asking me if I could make some posters for her in the Dual Program. So I thought "Duh! of course I could use these and place them all around my classroom!"
So I created 5 CHAMPS POSTERS in both English and Spanish. Then, I had a request on my TPT to add one for writing and/or independent practice, but leaving it blank, so I added that!
So the final product comes with 7 CHAMPS posters (Centers, Group Work, Line, Class, Carpet Time, and 2 blank posters with students are their desk working). About the Blank Posters: Google docs do not have a portrait option, so be aware that the editable document is in a landscape position. Please see the instructions in the beginning of the document to edit the document. One poster contains a student at a desk (can be used for tests or independent work) and the second poster contains two students working at their desk (can be used for reading/writing time). PLEASE know that you cannot edit the fancy/big font or the clip art due to copyrights.
Click HERE if you would like to check it out :)

 

This same school district was very strong about implementing CHAMPS, so after a year of using it, I came up with an interactive bulletin board in my classroom. I created this for a foam board, but you can honestly just put some magnets on the back and have it up on your dry-erase board.
At the beginning of the school year (maybe the first 3/4 months), I was mainly the one who used this board. We would use this board ALL THE TIME. For every activity, including: independent practice (I would just say independent practice and clarify with my students what kind of independent practice we are working on. In that way, we are not having illustrations for every specific activity), cooperative groups, carpet time, centers, and tests. However, after those months I would start choosing students to do it and the rest of the class would participate on answering what was expected. When they realized I started asking students, they all wanted to be "the teacher." I didn't expect them to want that since they were in third grade, but they just loved it!! 

     

Alright, this board works like this:

I would go letter by letter "C is for conversation (I would expect the students to answer after months of doing this)" Then I would say "What voice level are we on? Level 1 (Expect students to answer). Then I would say, show me what level 1 sound like (this level is whispering so students would start whispering to me). Then I would go letter by letter until we finish the word CHAMPS.

If you would like a copy of this, please click HERE to take you to my store. The only items that this product doesn't contained is the border that I used to decorate the foam board and the foam board. On the product, I included more pictures of how the board looks like and the illustrations come with labels so you know what they are used for. I also included a video on how to use the board, if  you are more of a visual person like I am :)

For the First week of School 
I have created with 56 pages of fun and great activities! This unit comes with different activities that can be done in groups or whole class; some other activities can be done in partners or centers. These are all simple and fun; just perfect for the first week of school!
The best part?! Like all of my products, it comes in English and Spanish!!!

I would like to show you what's in it and hopefully you like it as much as I do so you head over my store :)

1. I created this made-up story about a kid named Jack, who just moved to a new town called Mustacheville. This kid has a mustache and feels left out by the other kids because he's different (he has a purple mustache). However, the story changes when he meets someone else, someone who is also different than the other kids!
This story comes with a foldable to write the B, M, and E of the story. It also comes with a foldable to compare and contrast the main two characters in the story.

2. Then, I added some ice breaker cards! I usually play some music and when it stops, students grab the first person near them to partner up. I included specific instructions on how to do this activity. They use their ice breaker card and then report it on an activity sheet. 

 3. What more fun than Bingo? An ice breaker Bingo! You can have students in small groups or as a whole class!

4. I also included a writing activity! Students would interview a partner with a Question sheet (it includes 20 different questions) and they can include their own question too! Then they would make this fun poster/Foldable! Don't forget to take a picture with a mustache for your activity! 

And this is what's in the inside. They will compare an contrast themselves with their new friend! 

5. Time for some I have, who has... Game!! Simple addition facts for your class!













6. Last, but not least. I included some addition word problems. This might be a little challenging for the first week. However, I included both low and high level word problems! So you get to choose which level fits best for your class on the first week of school! It comes with an answer sheet and a sheet for them to show their strategy. Every level comes with 10 cards. I figured this is too much for the first week of school, so on the instructions, I said for them to pick three cards and work in partners! But remember you can always change the rules if you think your class is ready for some more :)

If you would like to see this product, click on English or Spanish :)

Need/want more of the mustaches?? I have a freebie and another unit with this fun theme! Click Freebie, Mustache Unit English, or Mustache Unit Spanish so you can check the products on my TPT store! :)

I hope you have found something useful for your class on this post :)

If you have some time, I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave me a comment, I love hearing from my readers!

How We go Home Backpack Cards :)

Hi everyone!

Today, I want to share with y'all my FREEBIE "How We Go Home Backpack Cards."

My old school did something similar to this. Each child had a color tag that identified their type of transportation. This tag was attached to their backpack with a zip tie.
Anyways, I decided to create some tags to continue using this method. I created a color and black & White version... They also come in both languages, English and Spanish :)

 
I figured these would be a GREAT not only for big kids, but for the little ones as well! Just a way to make sure they, their teacher, and the rest of the staff at the school know their transportation (especially on those first weeks that everyone is so busy and children don't really know their teacher or how they go home.. or their name or their grade... lol.. it's funny, but you all know it's true! Especially for those little ones that are new!!).

Here are some tips I have for you when using these tags:
1. If you get to use these, just make sure NOT to cut the zip tie length because the edge will end up being sharp.

2. Print these in cardstock and use a laminating sheet that is thick. These are usually the ones that come with a personal and small laminator machine. However, if you don't have one, you can also get the self-sealing laminating pouches that are pretty thick as well :)

3. I added another version where you can put the students' bus number INSTEAD of his/her name. For safety reasons, you really don't want to keep both name and bus number on the same tag.

4. If you choose the black and white version, do a color code. For bus riders you can use a yellow, car riders you can use blue, walkers you can do green, and after school programs you can use orange. That's just an idea, but of course you can do whatever you think is more convenient for you! :)

Click HERE to download this FREEBIE!!! :)

Well that's it for me! I hope you are doing great and that you are almost ready for this school year!! I will see y'all soon with more ideas!! :)

What to have ready for Meet the Teacher Night

Hi everyone!!! I hope y'all are doing great and that your classroom is coming along! :)

I know we are not on the week of "Meet the Teacher Night" just yet, but I am sure you are already thinking about it and even planning some stuff for that night! So I wanted to share with you some of the things I do on Meet The Teacher! :)

What I used on that nigt

I have TWO sign-in sheets for both my personal use and to turn in to my school,  a post-it, and my information card.

During Meet the Teacher Night

Before my parents arrive,  I leave the school sign-in sheet on a table by the door for my parents to sign-in. As they come to talk to me, I would write down their information such as phone number, their child's name, and most important, the transportation for the school year. This info would easily change since some of my parents would take and pick them up their kids for the first week or anything like that, but I always encourage my parents and even warned them big time about the importance of transportation in order for their children to arrive and return safely.  It helped me big time to have an extra copy with their number on it in case I needed to contact them on the first day of school. On that sheet (full of scribbles, I would also write any information or concerns parents tell me on that night).

Click HERE to take you to my Google Docs for your FREE copy :)

I also had post-its, so while I was talking to parents, I would ask my student to write their name on it and choose a place to sit. They loved the fact that they were choosing were they would sit in the classroom, so that was always a hit :) Yes, I of course would change their choice if it was necessary after school started, but at least it gave them a chance to choose where to sit for the first weeks. And believe me, there were students that were never moved from there because they worked so well that it wasn't necessary to move them.

Last, but definitely not least, I would give them my info card. I would point out the magnet on the back so they wouldn't lose it and place it on their fridge if they wanted to. They all come in English and Spanish. You can edit the text to put your information. Please know that I can't give you access to the font or clip art due to copyright...
I have several styles, so just click on the picture to check the one you like the most :)

YOU CAN READ AL ABOUT IT AND GET MY TPT LINKS ON A PAST POST, HERE

Also, I had the following on each desk, ready for them to take as my students pick their seat. I had the following:

1. Any school papers that were given for us to give parents.

2. Handout with my information. I know several bloggers have created the booklet foldable, I know it's SOOO adorable and I just loveee the colors they used. However, I'm honest with y'all, I came up with a simpler way and a simpler foldable that I personally think it will do the work :) Now, it doesn't have as many windows as the other foldable, but this is what I used and it has worked just find for me and the information I gave to my parents.

This foldable contains the basic information I provided to my parents. Say goodbye to the million lose pages!! No more using 10 pages for 10 different things!!! All the info is in this foldable!!!
I created a document on google docs so you can edit the inside only (Please just remember that I can't give you access to the font or clip art due to copyright.) What you can edit is the inside of the document with your own information!
This foldable comes in both color and B/W version. It also comes in both English and Spanish  :)

Click HERE if you would like a copy of this foldable.

3. Along with the papers from school and my foldable I used to place a Goody Gift Bag for each student. I would like to share with you some snacks ideas that you can give to your students.

YOU CAN READ AL ABOUT IT AND GET MY TPT LINKS ON A PAST POST, HERE

Alright friends!!! That is all for now!! :) I hope you have enjoyed reading this post and I really hope you can use any of these freebies!! I'll be posting more stuff next week! :)

Freebies anyone?!

Welcome back everyone! I know you must be "running around like a chicken with the head cut off" on these days! So I am sorry if this post is a little lengthy, but there are a lot of good stuff here, so stay with me! :)
Let's do this!!

If you are in Pre-k and K.. maybe even 1st grade, you might want to read this part! 
I used all of these when I taught pre-K.

1. I have color posters that come in both English and Spanish for FREE! Here is a picture of some of them. I posted these on my white board so we used these as we sang our color song every morning! Click HERE to take you to my TPT store to download... PLEASE, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LEAVING ME SOME FEEDBACK :)

2. I also have number posters that also come in both English and Spanish for FREE! Here is a picture of some of them. We also used these as we sang along every morning.. My kids used to LOVEEE pointing at them as we count in our song. Click HERE to take you to my TPT store to download... PLEASE, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LEAVING ME SOME FEEDBACK :)

3. Now, I have another Freebie that was absolutely the best thing during morning routine for my kids!
Basically, I printed all the sheets in a real poster size, yes big size! I laminated them and placed magnets on the back of the figures (the sun, clouds, rainbow, etc). I placed all these on my board along with the rest of the posters we used every morning. So on one day I would choose a weather person, look through the window and talk to me about what the weather was like for the day. So then,this same student would go in front of the class say the weather and then choose the correct illustration and place it on the big poster that shows the days of the week. Sometimes we had time to do the "What should I wear today?" and sometimes we didn't, but it was there :)
They absolutely loveeeedd talking and looking at the weather! I hate myself for not taking any pictures of it! So I am so so sorry! Sadly, I don't have it anymore, either! The moment I stopped teaching I gave it away to the teacher who was going to teach Pre-K and I never asked her to take a picture for me. This is the closest preview I could create for you to have an idea of what it is, before you go to my store!

Click HERE to take you to my TPT store. I would love to see your feedback if you download this product! :)

4. Months of the Year in both English and Spanish! We used these also every morning and we sang along as we pointed the cards! Click HERE to take you to my TPT store.

Last thing for this section! I have center signs! I included the big signs that I used to hang from the ceiling or for some, I placed them by the area to indicate what center was. I also included the small signs. I used these small signs to place on my board and right next to it, I would place my two students' pictures. So every time we started center time, we would go by our list to indicate who was supposed to be in which center. Then we would also look at it every time we did a rotation. This also helped my little ones remember what center they are supposed to stay! lol.
I placed magnet in all the small signs and their pictures. That made it easy in case I needed to change partners and when we had to do a rotation (I used to move the signs when rotating).

These also come in English and Spanish. I included a slide with the list of the signs so you know what comes in it. The following signs are included: Senses, Reading, Listening, Writing, Blocks, Science, Social Studies, Kitchen, Teacher, Puzzles, Computers, ABC, Art, Math.
If you would like to download this freebie, click HERE.

This following Freebie applies to every grade!

I have always wanted to have this next to my door, so I finally finished it! There are cards that you can tape or hot glue onto a ribbon, use a cloth pin to let people know where you are.
I am letting you know this is a little bit different than the others. I made mine BIG.. I mean, BIG like TEXAS BIG Y'ALL! LOL Each circle is about 5'', so before you download it, make sure you check out the picture.. I took some close ups and then a picture to show the whole ribbon...
Click HERE if you would like to download this Freebie.

Here is my little helper back then! Now she has way more hair and she's so bigger now!!! Time does really flyyyyy :(
















This might apply only to those grades that have interactive notebooks (or journals)

Last but not least, I wanted to remind you that if you follow me on Facebook, you can get access to my Freebie Folder for Fans! I have journal posters in there that can be yours for FREE!! You cannot find these at my TPT store, it is only for my Facebook Fans! :) There are five different covers all come in English and Spanish! The covers are for Science, Math, Poetry, Writing, and Reading.

 

It is very simple to find them. You need to make sure you follow me on Facebook in order to be able to see what's in it. Click "Like" on my Facebook Page.

Then you scroll down, and you will see on the left a folder that says "Fan Freebies".

Click on it and you'll see a page that says "Click here to get your Freebie" that has a monkey. If you don't see this page, it means you did not like the page. So make sure you do in order to activate the folder :)

When you click on it, it will take you to a folder where I have documents in it (not so many, but I am working on it). Click on the document you will like to download. and click on the arrow that says "download"

Hope all these steps help you all! I only had one person who was not able to get in, not really sure how or why. But my goal was to make this more visual for those that need more of it :)


Thank you for stopping by my blog today, I know it was a long post, but I hope you were able to download some or all of these freebies! I'll be posting some products next week to help you get started on those first crazy days or weeks of school!!! Activities and classroom management is on my mind for next post, so stay tuned! :)