Accountability 101: How the Summer Projects Were Accomplished

Summertime is a time to rejuvenate and relax.  I look forward to reading a good book, sitting out on the porch, sleeping in, spending time with my kids and friends, traveling...

However, there are so many things that fall by the wayside during the school year, that it's also a time for me to get caught up on life. Renovations, annual repairs, doctors appointments, even squeezing in a long weekend vacation or two. I find that it's so difficult keeping up with the day-to-day items that I justify putting things off until later (usually a vacation week or summer), then get overwhelmed when I look at the long list that has been created.

Every year, I tape a LOOOONG piece of poster paper to the door and map out the summer, May through September, to see the big picture (as well as to see who is where and when).  I do a similar thing in January with the a new calendar, even going as far as color coding each kid's events (that lasts a little bit, mainly because I don't maintain it).  It's helpful for a visual thinker like me, but also to communicate to the rest of the household.

 I discovered two main obstacles in my attempt:

One - my to-do lists are WAY TOO LONG.  It is OVERWHELMING when I start putting everything in one place.  It is DAUNTING to start to chip away at it.

Two - my paper lists and post-its become crossed out and rewritten and despite the fact I can eliminate many of them as I accomplish them, I never feel as though I'm getting any momentum... then come fall, feel defeated (even if I have completed many of them!).  I have a post-it tracker in my office and a paper list in my calendar, but I really never have everything in one place.

This year, I'm going to try something slightly different.  I'm going to have a TOP 5 of the day.  Five main things that I want to get completed.  This is especially helpful for those little things, like calling doctors or scheduling appointments, that I remember at 11:30 on a Friday night and tend to forget when the office opens the following Monday.

So I'm going to keep an electronic master list here on this blog and check in periodically to track my progress.  I'll still use my post-it tracker and a goofy sticker chart for myself (that's the teacher in me too).  I even would be thrilled to say that each day I'll get one item completed from each facet of my life, though I don't think that's going to truly be feasible, but at least it's a start.


How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Organize Under Kitchen Sink
• Organize Linen Closet
• Paint Kitchen
• Organize Dining Room
• Build Bedroom Wall
• Build Attic Stairs/Entry
• Build Bedroom Closet
• Organize Basement Closet
• Clean Basement Carpets

• Yard
• Paint Bulkhead
• Fire Pit
• Screen House Office
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)

• Personal
• Doctor
• Life Insurance
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• Inferno
• Divergent
• Insurgent
• Allegiant
• Pieces
• Read 5 Non-Fiction Books
• Smart Money, Smart Kids
• Book #2
• Book #3
• Book #4
• Book #5
• 30 day challenge
• Abs
• Arms
• Thighs
• Butt
• Shoulder
• Back
• Budget
• Annual Budget
• Emergency Fund Baby Step 1

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Strong Box
• Legacy Box
• Organize Bills
• Annual Budget

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning
• Sprinkler Inspection
• Alarm Inspection
• Washer Service
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection
• Spackle Walls
• Hot Water Heater Moved
• Exhaust Installed

• Canning:
• Tomatillo Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce

• Thirty-One:
• CONFERENCE!

• Scouts:
• July 3rd Firework Games
• Boards of Review

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

Our Interactive Notebook, part 1

Now that my classes have had several chapters under their belts, I felt it was time to reflect on our most important organizational element in our classroom:   

THE INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK.  

We've gotten into a fairly good routine both in how our class runs and what the expectation is for the layout of our interactive notebook, or INB, throughout the chapter.  It also has helped me in both communicating to students and parents as well as modeling study strategies that (hopefully) the kids will carry with them into high school.  Of course, many of our topics are of a Pre-Algebra nature, so if they literally carry these notebooks with them into ninth grade it could significantly help them in their Algebra class.  It also was a great piece of evidence for Parent-Teacher Conferences as well as accommodations for IEPs and 504s.  It's a WIN-WIN for everyone!!!

We are using the Big Ideas Math textbook series, a new one for our district this year.   The chapters follow the same type of structure, a student-driven activity day then a more traditional teacher-led lesson to solidify the topic they explored the previous day.  The notebook has become very helpful in grounding both types of instruction, as well as keeping the kid's material in ONE PLACE!

I required a spiral notebook in September.  Most kids brought in one similar to the one I modeled, a one-subject approximately 100 pages of regular ruled paper.  Next year, I think I'll model a 5-subject though, because we found that we ran out of space well before the end of term 2 in the smaller one.  College ruled (which I had some of as well) doesn't work well with most of the kids, as their handwriting is large (and messy...).  But many of the kids didn't realize the size of the paper rule they had.

The Cover Page

The cover page included a sticker of the business cards I had made up this summer.  They had a QR code to the homework web page as well as email contact info and office hours.  I definitely will have more of these next year, but I might just print them out myself rather than purchase them.  You can read that post HERE.  The interior title page was a graphic I found online, with other contact info and a space for the kids to CLEARLY print their name.  Another reason to have a larger spiral is to have only ONE of these... in multiple notebooks, the kids didn't put names on the inside (and then their covers ripped off...)

Inside the front cover (I forgot to circle the Marking Term... oops)

Table of Contents: the TOC

Maintaining a table of contents was stressed, but keeping up with it didn't always happen day to day as I intended.  We did find that we needed to actually assign the TOC to get it updated.  It generally consisted of the lesson topic that was in the book (ex: Activity 3.1 Lines and Angles;  Lesson 3.4 Indirect Measurement)  Each page was also to have a title, the date, and the page number (sometimes in color) in the upper corner of the page.  If this was done each day during class, it was no big-deal.  However, for some reason, the kids don't like not only doing this, but putting their names on tests, last names on ANYTHING... it's very frustrating.  I keep reminding them to autograph their paper... sometimes even HIGHLIGHT their name before turning a paper in...but I still have a pile of anonymous papers that end up ceremonially going into the trash on a regular basis.  (alas, I digress... I think this could be another topic for another day)

   Informational Papers & Flippers

In our first INB was also a prime place to put the informational papers that I usually give out within the first week of school.  These pages were shrank to half-sheets and made into 'flippers', to increase the surface area on each spiral bound page.

















Honestly, this took a while, both to distribute the pages to each group as well as modelling how to attach the papers (using my mantra:  a 'knuckle-size piece of tape')

The 'Knuckle-Size' Piece of Tape

Chapter Title

Each chapter also needed a 'starting point', so I used 4mulaFun's Unit Numbers from TeachersPayTeachers.com.  For my own organization (and sanity) I did write on my master copies, both the chapter numbers as well as the photocopy the pages in the color of the book (Big Idea's grade 8 is BLUE while the Algebra 1 is PURPLE).   Of course, that only worked when the paper was available in the teacher's room.  Something tells me that we're gonna run out soon, but then the kids can color them as they see fit.  This works great for after the chapter test, to keep them busy, quiet, and coloring can be very theraputic for some 'brain rest'.

We also had the left facing page for review material.  The textbook included items called 'What You Should Know' that typically covered standards from previous years.  This was a helpful place for these 8-12 questions.  Quick and painless.

Vocabulary Frodor Model

Yet another TpT idea that I came across last spring was the Frodor Model of vocabulary.  More interactive, and more summative, these models allow for student not only to put the definitions with the terms, but also create examples and non examples, formulas or illustrations to solidify their knowledge.  It was also VERY kinesthetic, which many of my kiddos need!  What I really didn't consider is how much focus they need to get these all cut out, glued in, and completed.


I expected by the 2nd chapter, it'd be easy.  But even now, beginning our 4th chapter, it's a struggle.  But if it's completed correctly, the data is ALL IN ONE PLACE and can be referenced and filled out throughout the chapter.  I have found that filling out some of the information BEFORE I photocopy, including which pages in the INB they go, is very helpful for our organization.




I also color code the chapter, not just the color of the book, but the color of the chapter.  Chapter 2 and 3 I tried to keep items GREEN for our Geometry topics.




Chapter 4, which is more Algebra focused is BLUE.

Chapter 4 Vocabulary - Graphing Linear Equations

In the next post, I'll show off the most functional part of our INBs, the Input/Output and how we've maximized this format for both the Activity and Lesson Days.  And in the future, some of the foldables we've created.

New Year = New Goals

The new year brings us a chance to reflect and renew for the upcoming calendar year.

Fortunately, in my line of work, I am able to 'regroup' on several cycles (academic calendar at school, seasonal catalogs for my direct sales business, calendar year).  But a disadvantage to that is that I never quite feel like I get my feet under me to get the ball rolling.

 I may not be completely organized (or even partially organized) but with new gusto I will send my TOP 5 goals for the upcoming year.  Putting them here will, I hope, keep me accountable, and will also help me to check in on a regular basis (and reset if necessary, despite the calendar I'm currently on).

#1 Get my financial house in order:  With a monthly budget (and sticking to it! *note, the spreadsheet link has fictional numbers), attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University this January, consolidating the debt with a home equity loan, and sticking to the envelope system, I have a big mountain to climb.  But I am determined and I hope that during the first 9 weeks of the year, I will be able to make great strides on this!  I consider this as a birthday present to myself - and a goal I'd like to make significant progress on in 2014.  The nerd in me is making some graphs and timelines and spreadsheets to wrap my brain around it, but I hope attending the class (with my beau) will also allow me not to complete this in isolation.  It's difficult to complete any task, let alone one that has a lot of emotional value, but I feel that this is my Number One priority this year, for the benefit of my family.  Getting expenses under control will also help focus on what the income needs are - especially on some of those 'fringe' jobs I have - and give me a goal on what those areas should bring in.

#2 Manage my time better: This one will be a tough one to actually benchmark.  It's a lofty goal, that will be able to be worked on in all the facets of my life.  I do have my favorite product (and comparable app for my phone) that I use frequently at school.  Read about it here on a previous blog HERE.  I shared the second one with a colleague at school, who worked with students who needed visual cues and lead time.  I also have found that I have been using my phone app more often - but not sharing it with the kids as often (for cleanup, reading, etc).  For the upcoming year, I'd like to be working more on an internal clock that this one, but also focus on a task at a time and give it my all.  If I am focused on a task, I can actually become quite OCD.  But if I have a long list (like cleaning or organizing my house) I notice that I can work for long periods of time, but it doesn't appear that I get much done, mostly because I flit from room to room and never quite get one section 'completed'.  I think I'll focus specifically on a 15-minute cleanup daily before I leave for work, cleaning off my desk each time I use it (both at home and at school), and working on school work for no more than 60 minutes at home.

#3 Focus on Family: Now that my kids are getting older, they are venturing out in their own interests.  As mom, I feel like it's partially my responsibility to remind them of the importance of family and family time.  Unfortunately, with some technical difficulties, one of our true family time events has been disrupted (watching movies together), but I hope to actually get that rectified today.  I also feel it's important for the kids to set (and strive towards) goals themselves, so we also are sitting down today to write down those goals and post them in their room.  Our goals are thematic:  academic, scouting, health/fitness/athletic, recreational/extra-curricular, and personal.  I'm curious as to what they decide as well as helping them create a timeline and smaller goals to reach the big picture.  Personally, I am setting aside one-on-one time each day with each kid and a 'date night' once a week. 

#4 Clutter Control: This tends to be part of issue with goal #2.  I have intention to clean an area, then it immediately seems overwhelmed by chaos (hence the title of this blog).  My two most recent chaos areas are the kitchen and the dining room/office.  I have been essentially 'banned' from the kitchen (no one likes my cooking, so I have relinquished that duty) but not it's clean up.  Some might say that I am giving up control, which is a HUGE step for me!   But some of the routine is just having a place for everything, and returning it when it's taken out.  So the control and the reminders may still be in place (putting items in the trash instead of leaving them on the counter, dishes in the dishwasher instead of in the sink).  The dining room is my undoing.  I have found that going vertical is helpful, as is stylish storage.  Because we use the same space as an office, a library, and a dining room, the table tends to be overrun with papers, books, and a serious catch-all for mostly MY stuff.  As I stated in Goal #2, a 15-minute clean before work as well as cleaning off the desk and table each night will be my benchmarks.  I should even rate myself weekly.  That would be motivation!  Of course, one thing I do need to remember to do is photograph the 'before' and the 'after' of my projects.  I would like to take one one 'minor project' each week (like a junk drawer, or a linen closet) and one 'major project' each week (like a child's bedroom or the basement family room).  I am reserving the garage for Spring Break.  That will certainly be a proud moment to post that 'after' picture! 

#5 Be Grateful: Though I saved this goal for last, it is certainly the most important.  I don't thank people enough.  I don't tell them how much I appreciate them enough.  I don't live in the moment enough.  And I think 2014, despite all my other goals, should center around an attitude of gratitude.  I will thank more people.  I will tell more people what they mean to me.  I will live in the moment more. 

Our close and extended family had a rocky 2013, from a health perspective, employment perspective, academic perspective, but the outlook is bright for the coming year.  We had many people support us and our endeavors last year, and this year, we are making effective progress towards that end. 

So cheers to you and your family!  Wishing you health, prosperity, and love in 2014!

I HEART MY LABEL MAKER

Is it possible for someone to LOVE an inanimate object?  <3


I am absolutely in love with my Brother P -Touch PT-1280 Label Maker.  I should probably purchase stock in the company, as well as some in Staples, where I get the label tape.  It was a Black Friday special a few years ago - that I actually got for super cheap (I think it was $5-10 with another purchase.  At that point, it came with two cartridges of white tape/black ink.  I only purchased one, and Santa delivered it under the tree.  Other than my coffee maker, I think it might have been my only present that year. I wish Santa was twice as nice - I could have one at home and at school...

I was pretty boring putting it to use; mostly to label storage bins in the attic with "Halloween Costumes", "Camping Gear", "First Aid", and "Kid Clothes: Winter".  Effective... but BORING!  There was a label everywhere in my house.  Bathroom closet, pantry, kitchen drawers, bedroom drawers.  On any surface I could find - But of course, it allowed for every item to have a home.  The most difficult part was training the family to REPLACE things into those respective places!  The youngest in the family is still as the 'pile' mentality - then complains when he has no socks (they're stuffed in the drawer labeled shirts... and yes, he is old enough to tell the difference!)

When summer came and I had to put my name on EVERYTHING in my classroom for the custodians to know where to move the furniture, not only did the label maker come in handy (and the kids helped put the labels on EVERYTHING) but I discovered COLOR TAPE!   My room became LIME GREEN.  It made things very easy for the staff to identify which tables and file cabinets were mine.  They appreciate, and it lasted several years intact.  Time Saved!  I'll have to take some pictures next week at school to truly give the scope of how my obsession has carried over into the workplace.  That will be in a future post :)

Over the past 12 months, I also have taken charge of the home office and the family finances.  Organization here is both an overwhelming and a necessary task.  The committing to labeling both file folders, dividers, and binders forces me to categorize, purge, and design efficient and appropriate systems for tracking all that paper.   Still a work in progress, but MUCH better than in the past.

For extra-curricular activities, mostly stored in the garage, accuracy in the items as well as creative containers did the trick.  Originally, most of these were labeled with Sharpies on the outside of the recycled or re-purposed container, but as their roles were more solidified, I committed to the printed label.  This will also allow me to hand-off the containers to the future leaders of our Scout Pack, with the instructions/activity/event easily visible.  My favorite containers are the plastic coffee cans.  I have both the sizes in primary Blue and Red (compliments of Maxwell House and Folgers) that also add my color pallet in my classroom.  The larger ones also have molded handles which small hands can easily pour, scoop, or grab.  This works GREAT as storage for toilet paper on campouts (with the lid, it stays dry) or for extra twine balls for tarps or twine (drill a small hole in the lid and pull the twine through).  I hope that my planning can be appreciated by the next leader that follows...

But in the time that has passed, I have been enlightened with the wide variety of COLOR TAPE and have had more stability in my filing systems to actually commit to labeling my materials rather than just writing in a Sharpie. (Combined with my lousy handwriting, and my envious nature of a colleague with 'Font-Ready' print, this was the answer to my prayers!).  It's a bit more expensive, and sometimes only available online (which adds to cost with shipping... unless you can time a savvy deal), but it also comes in a RAINBOW of colors!  I currently have yellow for some of my binders at school (mostly templates in storage) and am searching for a sale on Blue and Purple for my new curriculum series.  My favorite for my Thirty-One Gifts Business has been the Berry Pink Tape with White Print.  I can sharpen up a boring folder with a splash of PINK - and who can't use a little pink in their life!

 

So even though I sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the paper clutter in my home, it does appear that I am making 'effective progress'.  Do you have similar issues?  Do you have a favorite labeling product?  Comment below and share your thoughts!

Caddy Control

The year is now in (relatively) full swing, and I am proud to declare that I may have just established the best routine in my (gasp) 18 years of teaching:
  

the table caddy of supplies.

Now that I may have completely jinxed this new addition to my class, let me explain the need for this corralled chaos.

This year, I've taken on the challenge of the Interactive Notebook, or at least my version of one.  In doing to, I've also found the need for more 'cutting', 'pasting' and highlighting items into my students' work.  I assumed that the kids wouldn't have most of their supplies for the first days, so based on my activities, I supplied tape, scissors, glue, and markers.

I also found that setting the stage with community building activities, table groups, and constant flux in those groups was going to be a huge portion of my 90 minute Math classes this year.  (Sitting for 90 minutes straight was going to be waaaaaaay to long for my 8th graders!)  So I started the year with six groups of four in all my classes (of course, the last class requires two groups of five, since I had 26 students, and made me scramble for two more seats... but that's for another blog).

Each table was numbered and students were assigned groups based on these numbers.  Each table was identified by a stenciled number taped to a cylinder.   This cylinder is actually a LIFESAVER.  Not only is it acting as a group marker, but also is used as a trash bin for the table.   It's transparent, so it's easy to see when they need to be empty (or I prompt the table to do so).  I also can use it to clip the frequent table re-groupings for identification (that will be the subject of a future blog post).

These cylinders were marketed as a (wait for it) microwave spaghetti container, complete with lid and strainer (on sale for $0.88 each).  They're very solid plastic, a resin perhaps, and I hope they'll last quite a while for their current purpose.

The other lifesaver is the SHOWER CADDY.  I have used various plastic bins in the past for materials in class, but they always had 'issues'.   My markers were stored in Parmesan Cheese containers (perfect size for a standard Crayola set, complete with lid, and transparent plastic).  My colored pencils can fit in a green nut container, washed thoroughly and without the lid.  But in the past, these containers were always tossed around, sent rolling off the table, or not replaced on the shelf after usage.  It was hard to keep track of, even when I tried to play the 'matching game' with colored stickers.  I didn't train the kids well enough, and it became too frustrating to maintain.  So when I say on Pinterest the shower caddy, I was IN LOVE!  When I found the perfect plain Jane caddy at Ocean State Marketplace in June, I JUMPED!  And they sat on the shelf for 3 months while I waited for the new year to implement my new system.

During summer school, I tried out the supply system with another method I saw on Pinterest, the Silverware Caddy.  I had accumulated 3 of them and filled them with supplies for my two 2.5 hour classes each day.  This was only for 2 tables and allowed me to try some things out.  It was OK, but I was looking forward to my Shower Caddy system and starting an adjusted system for the new school year. (and I also lost all 6 of my pencil sharpeners during the summer program and have YET to gather inexpensive replacements)

In addition to the green colored pencil holders and the Parmesan Cheese marker containers, the caddies hold the groups Graphing Calculators that are available (rather than kids always getting UP to get them), protractors for the group, six-inch rulers, scissors (tip down), and glue sticks.  I also am in process of gathering a tape dispenser for each group.  It may be too big for the caddy, but will be marked with the group number as needed.  One of the JOBS that I also have created for each group is CADDY CONTROL.  This student is responsible for making sure that the caddy is in good shape before the table is dismissed.  So far, the kids have been receptive.  I usually go through the list 'colored pencils: tip up (to protect the sharpened ends), scissors: tip down, trash: emptied, markers: cap up (to ensure they're on)', but the kids have been helpful in cleaning up their communal space and that makes my life just a bit easier.  Maintaining it will be a challenge, but it will also force ME to get into a good routine.

So far, so good (let's hope I didn't jinx it!)

Garden Chaos - Top 5 things I will do again!

I was debating blogging about this, when I realized that I really didn't document the season to truly capture it all... I vow to do better next summer!  Regardless, it's time for the

Top 5 things 

I vow to do differently next summer 

in my garden.

Tip #1: Plant early to reap the harvest early!  This year, we didn't get the garden planted until well after Memorial Day (I typically plant it April Vacation week, even though it's still fairly chilly).  Procrastinating at the beginning lead to a later harvest, and with travel and weather complications, less of a yield.  Next year, I will vow to be out there daily.  Monitoring and weeding - little by little.... a little becomes a lot!  The task won't be insurmountable and I'll get some exercise too!

Tip #2: Get the garden organized and spaced well.  This year, we completely struck out with this one.  We expanded the garden to both a front yard and back yard section.  We didn't plan the front well at all, and we over planted the back.  Though it's looked fairly pathetic for the last several weeks.  In fact, to the point of embarrassment for the area on the side of the house, newly converted from crappy grass to fertile soil.  The tomatoes were tall and stringy and the vining plants weren't trellised.  Next year, we'll consider the spacing required for the plantings as well as the overall aesthetic of the garden itself.  Curb appeal still holds true.

Tip #3 :  Check for ripe veggies DAILY.  Both the zucchini and cucumbers got away from us (it didn't help that I was not home for 3 prime weeks this summer).  So the canning process for the cukes has resulted in some true Hamburger Chips - with the diameter of the burger itself.  That made it a bit tricky to can (I needed to get the wide mouth jars) but should result in some great dills later this year.  Note to self:  be sure to note HOT on the label of the Jalepeno Dills.  They get exponentially hotter when canned.  Great if you like hot stuff, not so much if you aren't expecting it.  We also dehydrated some of the peppers, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes.  Hopefully the tomatoes will be like a version of a sun dried tomato to spice up soups and salads this winter.

Tip #4: invest in a food mill or blender.  I have
my blender/food processor method for tomato paste/sauce, but others in my household have much more finicky tastes (and are quite LOUD in expressing those tastes).  I should hold my own, but sometimes you have to pick your battles.  A food mill allows you to press the pulp through and extract seeds and or skins from foods like tomato sauce.  This year, I didn't have one, but I did remove the skin from the tomatoes (though my scalded fingers don't quite appreciate the effort).  I think that will help the sauce department.  I do wish we had more of a crop for my salsas and chutneys, but I suppose they will have to wait until next year.  This year's crop of made into sauce.  I can't WAIT for my fall chili!

Tip #5: Compost is the key to fertile soil and next year's crop.  We had two methods of amending the soil this year.  First, the basic compost pile in the corner of the backyard.  Yard waste, food wastes, grass clippings, weeds, shredded paper, it all was added to the pile, watered and turned frequently.   This is something that I've done for years, but this year as the first we had a prime crop of Red Wiggler Worms added in.  They did what they are made to do:  eat, aerate the soil, poop, and procreate!  And the soil was wonderful and the worms were plentiful - to the point that we took some out and added them to the compost bin outside as well as directly to the garden soil!  We added the 'Juice' to potted plants and they perked right up.  We supplemented the topsoil when we transplanted the seedlings with 'Worm Manure' and it was not full of nutrients for our infant plants.  The plants did grow quite tall and produced lots of fruit (the tomatoes were huge, but took forever to turn - we assume that was weather based, not soil nutrients).  The only drawback is only having 3 trays for the worms.  Once they are established, they do need frequent maintenance (adding food scraps, draining excess fluid from the tray, removing manure to add room for the worms).  Lets just say, these worms will remain in my basement and will be fed throughout the winter.  I'm debating how to store the 'Juice' during the winter months.  Part of me wants to store it and save it for Spring, the other part of me says it's too fragrant (with the cap off).  We'll have to see.  I do know, though, the worms are more than welcome to return to my garden next Spring if they will contribute to my Garden's Bounty again!

I vow to take better pictures next year, so a timeline can be chronicled.  But until then, I'm off to can some tomatoes and finish my sauce :)

My Bright Idea: Color Coded Towels

I was in a white phase several years ago.  A crisp bleached laundered towel was the way to go.  Neutrals were calming.  A bathroom was supposed to be spa-like, serene, relaxing.  My, how times have changed.

Now, our house has exploded into chaos with four teen/preteens who seem to carpet their respective rooms with everything they can get their hands on.  Clothes and towels have become the new carpet in their opinion.  Cleaning their rooms mean shoving everything under the bed or in the closet.  The four hooks in the bathroom are always left empty.  I got tired of opening the cupboard to find there were no towels, yet walking into the laundry room and finding TONS on the floor.  It was never-ending and equally frustrating...

So, after watching my older son be particular about the towels he picked (the towels had to match - either solids or stripes, mixing and matching was NOT allowed, beach towels were not OK to use after a shower but OK to use at the pool) and watching the youngest have piles of once-used towels on the floor that then became a bed for the dog - I had an epiphany:  Color Coding.

Everyone now has their own color.  Two bath size towels each for starters.  If yours are wet and you didn't hang them up after your shower, your fault.  If they end up on the bathroom floor, it's clear who's responsible.  It also makes it easy to identify on the road or poolside (when we branch out into more towels) and eventually, the kids might actually be able to take them on with them when they move out...

The kids got to pick out their own colors (adults ended up with the whites we already had).  Fortunately, there was enough of a rainbow of choices that no one wanted the same color.  And to help, our bathroom is white with color accents, so coordinating, though not the primary concern, still was achieved.  Win-Win!

Color has always helped me organize in my classroom with the variety of students, but extending it into my own home was always a challenge.  Getting everyone on board was tricky - but no teenager wants to walk through the house naked, so that's a big motivator to comply with mom's BRIGHT IDEA!

QR Coding! Smart phones to the rescue!

In the last several years, technology has taken a stronger hold of both our students as well as our own lives.  Our district has both an online grading system and school/teacher pages in which homework and other assignments are documented in real time.  This has been both a blessing and a hindrance to my student's (and my own) organization.

Firstly, when we were 'forced' to use the online grading book, I tried to maintain my old 'paper and pencil' system, but found it difficult to do both adequately, so I abandoned the traditional spiral gradebook.  WHAT A MISTAKE!!!  Doing everything on the provided computer system didn't allow be to color code items as I wanted, sort items as I wanted, or tab things as I wanted... and I found myself spending MORE time following through on grading and making MORE mistakes than I care to admit.

What was helpful was being able to email an entire class at once that grades were updated, or individual students with their progress report.  It also was helpful to refer parents to this program (unfortunately, most didn't access it regularly, but those who did it became a valuable resource).

Looking ahead to next fall, I found a QR code site (http://barcode.tec-it.com/) where I could create my own codes that can be scanned using an app on a smart phone or ipod that could take students and parents DIRECTLY to the page I want.  This is quite helpful for both the grading program, but also for the classroom webpage, and even in the future, on worksheets or labs for video or other support material online.  I plan on distributing both of these graphics via business cards and address labels that I had created at Vistaprint will be added to my students Interactive Notebooks and handed out at Open House and Parent Conferences.  Conveniently, I had some great discounts that I could get a TON of business cards for a very low price.

Some battles we as parents and educators will need to tackle, of course, is appropriate use of said smart devices.  Etiquette with these devices have, in my opinion, taken a nose-dive in the last 10 years to the point that my current students don't have any role models of what might be deemed as appropriate behaviors.  This sometimes is just swept under the rug as a 'NO ELECTRONICS' policy thoughout the entire school.  However, with the use of electronic readers and the large array of age-appropriate academic apps available, it seems as though we should be modeling usage rather than condemning it.  This, certainly, is a much more difficult battle, but one whose time has come.

Regardless, I'm super psyched about these QR codes and what I will be able to do with them in the future!

My 'Go-To' Bag - The Cindy Tote!

 

In my search for the best school bag, I have discovered the CINDY TOTE from Thirty-One Gifts.  It has a zipper top, plus pouches on the sides for easy access to items like pens or ID badges.  Inside, there are several pockets as well as a lobster clip and a D Ring, so I can attach my keys (so I won't lose them).  The Cindy is large enough to hold not only planning books or 3-ring binder but also a laptop or homework files.  It's classy but functional.  Love, Love, Love my Cindy Tote!