Blog Hop ~ All About Procedures!

I hope that somewhere in this blog you will find at least one procedure/idea that you can use in your classroom!

Of all of the WONDERFUL ideas out there, find what you love and give it a try.  If it doesn't work, scrap it and try a new one until you find the perfect fit.

 Here are some that are the perfect fit for me and my students.

Helpers/Jobs/Leaders:

One of the procedures I explain to my children on the 1st day is their job in the classroom.  We do this every Monday morning during our "Monday Meeting."  All of the "Leader Roles/Jobs" have names by them.  The table captains are easier, I just rotate the numbers 1 - 4 and they match the numbers on my tables. No trying to remember who has not had a turn or using my crazy checklist! HA!

I love that everybody has a role/job in our classroom ... it helps the take ownership of our room.

If having everyone do a job does not work for you or seems like too much to keep track of, have one "Helping Hand" of the day.  You can ring your students names and flip it daily. I have peers that do this and love it, too!  

Click on the picture below to see a large selection of helpers to match a variety of themes.

Tables & Numbers:

On my classroom tables I divide them and number the corners for a few reasons:

1. I like that every child knows their own space to work in.

2.  The numbers match my "Table Captains" and those kiddos are in charge of materials for that week.

3.  I can flexibly regroup them using the table numbers.

4.  The taped areas are also great for instruction.  If we are doing the 4 step process, the can write in the boxes with their dry erase and work as a team.  They are also great for showing numbers 4 different ways, etc.  Lots of teachable moments there!

Here is a picture of my crazy tables:

The box in the middle does not always stay there.  It is an activity for "Meet the Teacher."

Class Dojo:

I love using Class Dojo with my students, and they love it, too!!!  I use a variety of different rewards/incentives along with the Class Dojo.  They love the cute characters and they love the positive points!  I do not display any negative points but you can. The parents love that they can check on their child's behavior daily.  It is a win-win!  

Here is a picture of the little monsters:

Click on the picture below to check out the site!

 Here is a freebie for you!  Please click on the item below to get your freebie.We would love your feedback, too!

Homework Club:

Are you in the club?

Motivating Students to turn their homework in can be a challenge.  Here are a couple of examples of "Homework Clubs" that you can do in your classroom.

The Zebra picture is for a self-contained class and the red and blue are for "switch" classes.  The empty cookie sheet is for  those who have forgotten their homework.

The first week or two we let it slide with a warning.  After that, when they forget their homework they are out of the club and have to work to get back in.  We also tie rewards and incentives to return homework weekly and for staying in the club the whole 9 weeks.

Kids really want to stay in the club!

Here is a link to view a variety of different "Homework Clubs."  When we printed our pages, we changed the printer settings to make them small enough to fit on the button magnets.

Click on the picture below:

Classroom Supplies:

It is extremely important that you set up a "home" for all of your supplies and materials.  Organization is key to making sure the kids know how to find them and where to put things away.  Below are two views of my table materials for my classroom.  I love the organization of it all.  You can even see I labeled my cups, too and the kids are great about putting everything back where it goes.  I was very blessed to have WONDERFUL parents who donated the tubs to my room.  You could even add them to your "Wish List" if you have one.

I LOVE these!!!  

Tip:  Keeping up with your own classroom supplies can be tricky!  Some tend to sprout legs and walk away.  I added zebra tape to supplies and materials I do not want to walk out of class.  

Our store is full of materials to help set up your space for great procedures that match many different themes.

You have to find what works best for you and your students. 

I hope your year is a HAPPY one!

Karen

Go find some more fun ideas at Mixing It Up in Middle!

Center Signs ~ Stations Signs PLUS ... Rotation Cards

We have been working really hard on creating a variety of fun and exciting products for you!

One of the newest items is a set of center signs or station signs in a variety of styles. The files is 176 pages total & it has both sets of signs included!

If you love them but do not see your theme, please contact us at planethappysmiles@gmail.com

We would love to work with you!

Here is what each set has to offer:

We hope you love them!!!

We are already getting request for different themes!

Here are the sets we have so far, just click on the one you want to view:

Black & White Polka Dot

Zebra

Sports

Rainbow & White Chevron

If there is anything we can make for you, please email us!

Happy Teaching,

Karen & Alison

Please follow us for more fun & some freebies along the way!

Book Club Discussion Task Cards

I will be doing a variety of different activities next year to help motivate my readers and one of them is "Book Clubs."

I will be teaching all subjects next year and I am extremely excited to be self contained/GT next year!!!  I am very happy to have my own class all day again!

I developed some book club discussion cards to help my students work independently and guide them through their discussions. I have also been working on some graphic organizers :o)

(Those will come out soon)

Here are the 42 task cards:

 The price on the cards is $2.00.

Get them at this low price by clicking on the link above!

If you want to win a set, head over to my Facebook page!  I am giving away a set by the end of Monday (5/26/14)!  Good Luck!

I am thrilled about how the task cards turned out!  I am a kinder teacher at heart & I developed them to be used for the younger kids by using illustrations on each card.  I hope you like them as much as I do!  I can not wait to use them with my new set of students!

The cards also coordinate with many of our anchor charts in our store! Check them out by visiting our store,

Planet Happy Smiles!

Happy Teaching!

Karen

Bunny Surprises

If you have been following our Teachers Pay Teachers Store, you know we love to build up the positives through positive praise, rewards/incentives, etc.  Most of them do not cost a lot of money or take a great deal of time to prepare.  Our newest addition is no different ...

Kids love Easter & opening eggs to find out what is inside.

We loved that when we were kids, too!

This reward system is easy to use &

tons of fun for the kids!

Step one:

Go to the store and buy some plastic Easter eggs & a basket or if you save everything like we do ... dig the supplies out of your Easter storage!

Step two:

Print the "Bunny Surprises" set, cut, and fold the pages to place inside the eggs.

Step three:

Watch your students eyes light up as they discover

their "surprise!"

Here is one of our "Bunny Surprise" baskets!

Click here or on one of our pictures to get to the "Bunny Surprises" set!

"Hoppy" Teaching!

Karen & Alison

Positive Feedback

WOW!  All creators on Teachers Pay Teachers love to get positive feedback, but this one was extra special!  This project was super time consuming & we just know every class in the world should have a Reward Cube.

A HUGE thank you to Learning with Lucy

You made our day!!!

If you have not seen our post about the reward cube, you can get there by clicking here!

If you would like to go straight to our store & check out these cool cubes, just click on the picture below.  There are many styles to choose from!

 We hope you can find one that meets your needs!

Happy Teaching,

Karen & Alison

Building on the Positive ~ A classroom management tool!

Building on the Positive ~ A classroom management tool!

Have you ever had a class that thrives on rewards & positive praise but what you were trying just wasn’t offering the results you desired?  Years ago, we had classes that needed a positive reward system that was easy to use but one that would make a HUGE impact.  We were also learning about our solids at the time.  That was when the idea of the “Happy Cube” was born.  We have never been disappointed with the results since then!  We called it the “Happy Cube” because not only did it have the reward cards around it, but also happy face stickers all over it.

We started off by saying: “I am so happy with the way you _____, go roll the Happy Cube!” or “You made my heart smile when you ____, go roll the Happy Cube!”

Instantly, almost like magic, other kids started doing the same positive behavior so they too could roll the “Happy Cube!”

We now call it “The Reward Cube” because not every class uses happy faces as much as we do.

It has been redesigned to be easy for you to download, follow step by step directions, and presto you have your very own cube! The cube would even be great for rewarding young kids at home for all of the positive things they do!

Many of the items to reward them with are free which makes it even nicer if you are on a tight budget.

All of the materials are provided in the product except an empty Kleenex box.

You will get:
-the pages to make your cube cute!!!
-all of the reward icons for the students to earn when they roll
-slides with some printable prizes
-ideas on how to organize your own reward center
-labels to use to organize your rewards
-a happy class when they get to have the fun rolling!

Take a look at everything you get in these products…

Here are some of the styles we have to offer your class!

  

If you click on any of the pictures below, it will take you to that product in our store.

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Zebra Print with Happy Faces

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Zebra Print

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Safari/Animal Print Theme

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Rock and Roll Theme

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Multi Colored Polka Dot Print

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Multi Colored Chevron Print with White Background

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Multi Colored Chevron Print with Black Background

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Monster Theme with Multi Colored Polka Dots

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a B/W Polka Dot Print with Happy Faces

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a B/W Polka Dot Print

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a B/W Chevron Print

We hope you love our products!

We know your kids will!

Please follow our store & blog for tons of fun ideas & products.  By following our store, you will receive our newsletter that may include free items from time-to-time!

Happy Teaching!

Karen & Alison

My Schedule for Second Grade

I am so excited to be linking up with Susan Jones from: Sometimes I  TGIF!  Thank God It's First Grade!

I love to share and see what everyone is doing around the world.  Click on the picture to go to her site & link up!  I can't wait to see what you are doing!

Schedule Linky:

Here is my schedule for 2nd Grade!  I do not have too many changes or interruptions because I teach Math/Science.  It seems the Reading/L.A./Social Studies teachers have more activities that are extra.

 Here is a look at my day ...

I created schedule cards for my "Target" Pocket chart or for a standard schedule chart.  I use these to show the children what kind of a day we will have.  You can change out the cards easy when using the pocket chart for those special days when you have parties, pictures, author visits, etc.  I find that it helps the kids stay on track & also helps those who need to know what is next but they can't remember day-to-day. I also like that the clock is attached.  No more falling out and getting lost & if you laminate it, you can use them year after year.

I will never have to print extra clocks again.

(Can you tell I did not like remaking :o)

 I made them in more than one design to fit more classrooms.  If you need a different design, feel free to message me!

Here are the designs I have, you can click on the style you like to go to the store:

Zebra

Chevron (rainbow & white)

Chevron (rainbow & black)

Chevron (black & white)

Chevron (aqua)

Polka Dot (black & white)

Here is a picture of my zebra cards that I use:

Hope your schedule is a "Happy" one!

Happy Teaching,

Karen