Teacher Planner and Organizer

I have seen so many beautiful planners and organizers out there for teachers. I've had a difficult time finding exactly what I wanted. I thought about ordering an Erin Condren organizer, but I didn't like the fact that I couldn't move the pages around and reorganize as needed.

A friend introduced me to the Arc Notebook system from Staples. You can learn more about it here. Basically, there are 11 round discs that hold the pages together instead of the 3 rings you have in a typical binder. I always have issues with binders. The large ones don't like to flip pages smoothly and if you accidentally open the rings, you have a mess on your hands.

I chose the Arc notebook with a clear cover (it comes with different designs to put behind the clear cover), expansion rings, 5 tab dividers (I chose the fun colors, they also come in black), pocket dividers, zipper pouches and desktop punch. The pocket dividers and zipper pouches comes in a two pack. I'm saving one of each for either a different notebook, or to use later after my first set gets abused. Putting all of them in made it feel bulky.

At first I thought about just using a solid color for my cover, or even the cover I designed with colorful dots. Then I saw a chevron with monogram on Pinterest and best of all it was FREE. You can get your own here.Follow the simple directions and make your own.

In the past I've used store purchased monthly/weekly calendar, so I knew that whatever I designed it needed to have both monthly and weekly layouts. I was very sick of the plain ones from the store and wanted something prettier. I started out with a colorful dot pattern and then found different colored dots for each month. I added some fun fonts and then I was on a roll. I've created binder/notebook covers that can be used as covers or dividers.

I have listed my calender and organizer as an all in one on my TPT store. Get your copy now. :) TPT

Andragogy

Today in my pinnacle training, we were talking about Andragogy (how adults learn). This made me think about how I have trained my coworkers in the past and how I teach my students. It really made me think about the differences between students and adults.

So many times we enter a Professional Development and may not have the best attitude about being there. I know there have been times when I've had a long day and a PD session is the last place that I want to be. Some have the expectation that snacks and drinks must be served, while others just want to to be short, sweet and too the point.

There are many things that can help me have a good attitude about PD, but there is one thing that is the most important. Adults need to know why they are at the sessions and what they are going to take away from it. Students are dependent on the teacher and the information that the teacher is going to provide, where adults are not dependent or at least not AS dependent. The adults need to be apart of their learning.

So, as I plan to teach adults, I will need to think about the prior knowledge they bring with them and how they learn the best. They aren't as dependent on us as students are. I'll need to give it to them in a quick overview, let them work individually or as small group and assign an authentic task.

A New Chapter Begins

 I was able to bring my things and put them in the middle of my new classroom. I'm so excited about this new chapter. Not only did I move schools, I also changed from 4th grade to 5th grade. I'm excited to see what my students will teach me this year. 

  In the pictures you can see a mixture of things. The huge pile in the middle is mine, and some of the other things belong to the teacher that was retiring. I can't wait to get in my new room, set it up and get going.

  Join me on this new journey to 5th grade in a different school.

Closing One Chapter

   I'm making a huge change in my career. Going from the school that I have been teaching at for the past 7 years, to a new school. This school was the school that I started my teaching career at. I had only been in two different classrooms, but always teaching 4th grade. So many friends and memories. I will miss the students and the staff. 

    Here is the pile of junk stuff that is packed and ready to be moved. There was more to be moved as well. My wonderful sister-in-law loaded up her car and the back of my van to move to my new school.

  Goodbye! :(