Groovy Educator

Instead of the "Moo-la" store, I am doing Blue Moments, Blue Day for part of my citizenship plan.  I have the stoplight but do not like doling out only negative consequences therefore, my children can earn their way to the top of the chart for a blue day.  A blue day is an outstanding job.  At the end of the day the children who earn blue receive a ticket for the Star Student drawing. The Star Student drawing is done on Fridays.  Basically the current star student pulls a ticket out of the bag (without looking) and whoever has his/her name on the ticket is the new star student for the following week.  The star student gets to have a star student seat cover (found in the dollar bin at Target), a star student cone to sit on his/her desk, and his or her name up on the star student chart.  The star student is also our line leader for the week.  I think I will also pass out a star pencil or eraser to the star student. Some children have difficulty main...

This is a picture of part of my circle time board.  On the right I have reading strategies and genre information cards.  On the main board there is a calendar, two maps (U.S.A. and World), a weather chart, a 100 chart, reading questions (who, what, where, why, when, and how), sign language alphabet (see Hellen Keller post), classroom rules, and the behavior management stoplight.  Down at the bottom I have the following charts:  ow are you feeling, days of the week, months of the year, and birthdays.  On the table is a mini pocket chart for managing Daily 5 centers as well as the radio. I tried to include important information that we will refer to frequently throughout the year. I placed the calendar where the children can reach it to write on it.  I love Regie Routman's I do, We do, You do learning model.  At the beginning of the year I do the calendar during circle time.  As the year progresses I guide the helpers in the process.  By the...