Teaching Tip Linky Party!

     I am linking up with Miss Kindergarten for her Teaching Tip Linky Party!  I love all of the tips that I have read from other wonderful teachers.  

    My tip is something simple and easy, yet oh so important!  My tip is to PLAN AHEAD!  That's right.  So simple, yet saves so much time.  I have found this to be even more imporatant  as our school is jumping into the Common Core. Each month, I pull my files for the coming month.  I go through and find each item I know is a definite that I will use.  There are some activiites I skip, due to the group of students I have that particular year.  However, looking through my files a month in advance, allows me to really have the time to determine what exactly I do want to use. 

    I usually take my files home, spread them out on my desk or floor and sift through them, pulling out what I plan to use the following mohtn.  I then take these items to school.  Our school is incredibly lucky becuase we have an awesome PTA.  Our PTA has something called the PTA box.  Here, each teacher has a file and can place items with directions to be completed (copied, glued, laminated, cut, stapled, etc.).  PTA volunteers come throughout the week and complete the tasks.  You have to give them a week to complete the items, but sometimes they are done that same day!  This eliminates me having to do some of those tasks!  This weekend I went through my December files so that I can start getting ready for the holidays!

    With the adoption of the CCSS, blog stalking, and becoming a Pinterest and TpT junky, I have found such amazing NEW ideas and activities.  I feel like I am constantly creating or using something new, but it is a great feeling to know that I can pull on my files, ahead of time, and have some of my activities and lessons planned in advance!

     It's not too often that our grade level has time to plan in advance, however, last week we had time to work with our PLC teams to develop plans and units for CCSS.  Our team worked hard to create an integrated unit with Non-fiction and our new science standard, the Earth in the Universe, that we will use in January.  Our team created a lapbook for students to organize their learning.  This weekend, trying to plan ahead, I created a writing packet with prompts related to 1.E.1.1 and 1.E.1.2, however, there are a few in there just for fun!!  Check out my writing packet for the Earth in the Universe at my TpT store.  Just click on the picture below! 

     Happy Veteran's Day!

Michelle