I'll Organize This... Maybe

Organization is probably one of the hardest parts of a special educator's job. Between the curriculum, IEPs, Data and everything else... one can feel like they are completely drowning in paperwork!

While I am not the most organized, I do have a few tricks that help me to keep my sanity and not lose my mind each and every day. My go to organizational method COLOR CODING. I color code absolutely everything, not only does each class/subject have its own color, but each grade level has it's own color. 

Let me explain that further and provide visuals for all my visual learner peeps out there! Currently, I teach health, US history, and World history. Each class has binders and binders full of curriculum (one per unit). My health binders are all yellow, my US history binders are green, World history binders blue.

Here are the current binders that I am using for each class and I swap them out when I start my next unit. 

I am such a visual person and so often I am in a rush and just randomly grabbing things, so the colors really help me make sure that the correct binder is being grabbed. Each morning I put the handouts and lesson plan for that day in a corresponding colored folder and place it in the top part of this wonderful organizer from Costco! My materials are ready for the day that way and I have nothing to worry about. I also have colored tubs (also from costco) and I put any larger manipulatives or materials those the week that I plan on using them. 

I moved some folders around just so you could see how color coded I am, even in my data files I color coordinate! If I have goals I am collecting on certain standards, or I need work samples for certain students, examples for future classes, etc. I keep those in my file cabinet and again the colors match the binders, folders, HW section of my board, etc! 

But how do I organize those pesky IEP forms?! I use a similar technique! Each grade has its own color that they are assigned, parents love when you pull out a fun colored folder to present their child's IEP, it just shows a little extra care. Within each file I use post-its to separate information (goal progress sheets, behavior data, work samples, IEP forms, Parent contact logs, etc) I want to be able to find what I need as easily and as quickly as possible! I organize the files by IEP due date, helps me recognize what student is coming up next (I used to do alphabetical order, but found that this was much more helpful).  

Here are some other organization tools that I use in the classroom.

 
My para knows that if she is looking for things to copy she can always look inside the copy drawer and find items to copy with instructions.  The other two are usually empty because my TA is able to grade things in third block each day, but he also knows to look here for assignments and a key that goes with each one.

What are your organizational tips and tricks!?
I am ALWAYS looking for more so please share in the comment section!

Happy Monday fellow educators of the world.

Currently

It is time for October currently! Thank you Farley for these awesome linkies! Holy cow how is it already October?! I'm not complaining I love the fall! Just hate how long October can feel for a teacher and with three HUGE IEPs this month... I am not sure if I will survive! 

Listening: My SF GIANTS have done it! They are on to the next round of the playoffs and will be taking on the Washington Nationals. So of course I am listening to the post game show while my sleepy pup is curled up next to me. 

Loving: Ok, it is finally starting to feel just a bit like fall. The nights are getting cooler and the days, well they are slowly moving towards crisp fall temperatures. 

I had my very favorite lettuce wraps for dinner tonight and I just can't get enough! What are you favorite lettuce wrap recipes? PLEASE SHARE!

And mustard yellow? well fall is in the air and I feel like mustard yellow is everywhere!!!!! I need some in my life, like now!

Thinking: Please be good to me IEPs, they are so time consuming and they take away from my beloved prep time! 

Wanting: I am desperately needing to do some fall shopping, and nap-time... just yes! 

Needing: Who else is in need of a break?! Is it thanksgiving yet? Sweets are a must right now, and a document camera is also on my list of major needs! 

Trick or Treat: My fall calendar number cards will be free for the month of fall! Grab them now! 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fall-Calendar-Number-Cards-1463223

What are you currently up to? Link up with us! You can find the blank currently template for October at http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/.

Happy October! 

I've Got Spirit How About You?!

Oh spirit week! How I have missed the excitement leading up to homecoming, the dressing up, the skits, the decorated hallways, and of course the big game! 
This week we are celebrating spirit week at school and I could not be more thrilled! My outfits were picked out a week before hand and I have just been waiting for the chance to rock my fashionable twists on the themes. It wasn't too long ago that I was in high school with my face painted blue, dancing around the gym as the genie in our Aladdin themed spirit skit (just over 5 years ago to be exact). I have always had big school spirit. I don't think I ever missed an "orange Friday" in high school, so how have I incorporated school spirit into my classroom?
Well since it is spirit week I have cut back on the homework (good for them and me!) and given my students a chance to interact with their community and get more involved. With the removal of homework for the week I expect them to be getting dressed up, helping with their class skit, and enjoying the homecoming activities that make high school so special. Students with special needs are not always included in these activities and I want to ensure that they are getting the full high school experience, as well as feeling more comfortable in their school! 
With the stress of the quarter ending (yes our first quarter has ended already!), unit tests being taken, and the plethora of IEPs in recent weeks has created a group of grumpy and stressed out teenagers, oh and how could I forget the icky cold going around!? So it's about time that these kids had some fun and took a deep breath. Throughout this week I have seen the smiles creep back across their faces, their posture straighten up a bit, and the room feels a bit lighter again, having a student dressed as an oompa loompa may have greatly helped this too! 
I have such a great appreciation for what homecoming brings to the school setting. October is the longest month of the school year for practically every teacher (besides the ones lucky enough to have a fall break), so homecoming breaks up this long trek and brings some good energy to the classroom. 
So here is to spirit week! My favorite week of school, thank you for bringing joy to the students, making high school a bit more enjoyable, and thank you for letting me relive some of my favorite memories! 

Below are some of my outfit choices for this years spirit week! Let me know what you think!

 Sophomores and the Chocolate Factory

Indiana Juniors

Want to see more pictures of my spirit week ensembles? follow me on INSTAGRAM!