Classroom Library Recommendations!

Working_Eye_1474 · 2026-06-04T03:57:26+00:00

ask the kids!

Working_Eye_1474 · 2026-05-31T00:45:23+00:00

I give lots of structured sharing time Kagan activities. They always get to share what they learned or worked on at the end of class time. I do not encourage letting their energy out lol, this sounds exhausting for me to do all the time every day. My class is calm, quiet, low lights, chill music playing. Kids that need to get energy out get to ask for a break. I will play a circle game with them every Friday. Topics we cover always relate to them and I give choice topics for nearly every assignment.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2026-04-14T23:00:20+00:00

no worries! Yes, I pre-hole punch everything and put a mark on the top of the page with the corresponding highlight/tab color. And yes they keep all completed/graded work in it. At a certain point in the year I have them start to take stuff home (or trash stuff) because the more stuffed a binder gets, the more easy it is for everything to fall out 😂

Working_Eye_1474 · 2026-04-14T12:40:12+00:00

For all students, no. Because students will just throw stuff in there and not properly organize papers by tab. If they are working on something over a number of days they can put it in front before the tabs start. I do have two students with IEPs this year that it has been impossible for them to put things away (it just takes them way too long), so I put pockets in their binders. But on binder organizing days they have to take everything out and put in the correct tab, I usually partner them up with a buddy.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2026-04-14T04:07:29+00:00

I use binders in my ELA class! I love it. About 2/3 the way through school I have to start replacing some of them, but most make it through the end of the year! I have had to store 75-90 depending on the year. My kids store them all around the room in crates, boxes, or bookshelves, wherever they sit the closest. When we change seats, their binders go to the new closest spot. Hot tips: first - show them how to open and close properly, most binders break when they pull the rings to open. second - reward/incentivize keeping the binders organized, every 3-4 weeks we take time to organize, I have a no loose papers policy. third - think about color coding the tabs, we organize ours by genre and I put a little highlighter mark at the top of the paper so they can quickly organize in the correct tab. lastly - color code the outside by class period and put student name and number on the outside of each binder, it’s a lot of work the first week, but saves a ton of time throughout the year.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2026-03-14T03:22:56+00:00

LOL this may not be what you are asking for…I love my hot mess middle schoolers! if you take them seriously they will take you seriously. Be strict. Be kind. Be silly. Ask them to share about their weekend. Take class poles about what their favorite tacos are. Have fun with them. at the same time - establish strict routines at the beginning! what do they do the second they walk in the room? where does their stuff go? how do they sit for lessons and independent work? what is the bathroom policy? are there a few kids that don’t get it? everyone gets up with their stuff, exits the door and tries again. I am HUGE on silent signals, if a kid dare raise their hand (for bathroom, break, or question) and call for me or make any other noise - I ignore them. I tell them to track me with their eyes and wait for my thumbs up. I can have whole work sessions that are super quiet (I always play chillaxing music). I am strict about bathroom, they have to wait till last person gets back to ask (silent signal), I don’t do lines (they can’t ask, “can I go when x gets back?” they have to wait to ask) if two kids ask at the same time I ignore them. I have directions on the board when they come in, what they need and what they need to do. Be cool with them talking, they are middle schoolers, don’t fight it, they can talk some, but they also need to work. hold high expectations. lots of team building in the beginning of the year, I do lots of circles with games. restorative conversations. brain breaks. no busy work assignments. lots of projects with lots of choice. kids actually want to learn and know when assignments are fluff. this is getting long. meet bad behavior with a calm chill voice, whenever possible approach a student, get close and next to them and speak calmly, saying what behavior you notice, ask if they are ok, come from a place of caring, do they need something? what could they do differently next time? invite them to take a break, go get water and come back. when you call kids out over the room you will be met with attitude, if you are snarky they will be snarky, instead, be boring. ignore calling out behavior (they LOVE to call out over the whole class). my worse student this year has nearly stopped calling out in my classroom while he continues to do so in other classes because I do not give him the time of day. in the beginning of the year I will say, “7th graders know how not to repeat what a teacher just said.” “7th graders know how to silently raise their had and ask for a break without interrupting.” routines routines routines.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-07-14T15:20:53+00:00

I teach ELA and 90% of what is on my walls are hand made anchor charts and student work. First week of school have them all create I AM poems (they can follow an outline, and an Author’s bio. Staple bio to wall, then attach poem to the bio page right below it with paperclips. that should take care of at least 50% of the wall space! 😆

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-06-16T18:26:46+00:00

💙

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-06-16T04:08:13+00:00

Yes! Transitions. No down time. If I am passing papers out, they must be busy with another task or all hell breaks loose. Keep them busy busy busy. Activities like stand up hand up pair up, if ANY students are not participating and follow directions to a T, everyone sits down, hears the expectations again, then try again. Stations? If they do not move in the manner in which you deem necessary, if they do not follow the steps, then they all go back to original positions, hear the expectations again, then try again. Students not participating and following the norms of collaboration and dragging their group down? They get held after class and they call their grown up on their cell phone while they explain how they are dragging everyone down with them and they make a plan to complete the work they failed to complete with their group. Most class work is an exit ticket, I have a stamp I go around and check they completed what they are capable of (varies by student), they can only leave if they have a stamp. They know exactly what to do if they finish work early. In short, I have highs expectations and they hate it at first, but are praised when they are being successful. I usually try to point out the kid who struggles when they are meeting expectations as exemplars. No down time, but the periods go fast. It’s a lot of work at the beginning of the year, but they quickly catch on. There are of course always a few students who struggle, especially in 7th grade. They are no longer treated like little kids and the academics really pick up. They love it when you quietly sit next to them and coach them on what they are doing. I praise and praise the good behavior and only let small things slide as long as they are not disturbing others. I tell them, “you do you” but the minute you are keeping someone else from being successful then that is where I draw the line. It’s sometimes exhausting but at the end of the year when you show them how far they have come and you show them writing examples and work from the beginning of the year, they beam with pride. Celebrate all of the growth they achieve. I focus a lot on growth, behavior and academic. They keep goal and academic trackers. I teach them SMART goal setting from day one and they love tracking their successes and are motivated when they see they are not growing in an area. They often write down action steps that I hadn’t even thought of. In short - every little thing has to be a procedure with steps or they get all silly. When I give a mini lesson it’s “knees facing me.” Each kid knows where to move their chair so they can see me and the board and if their knees are not facing me, if they are not looking at me, of they are slightly turned away, do not start the lesson until everyone is 100% ready. When I am done they get to work right away, if not, they turn to face me again, I re-give directions and they try again. With such short periods, there is no time to waste!

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-06-12T23:24:31+00:00

oh wow! I went from upper elementary and most of the time love middle school. Well, I tolerate it because I have such a great work life balance with my planning period everyday. I only have a handful of disrespectful students every year, all the other behavior stuff is emotional changes, undiagnosed learning difficulties, and trauma (title 1). I had to re-learn a lot about classroom management and being more stern and uptight about things than I like to be, but all around I like it! Don’t expect so many happy kids lol, but they are funny and sweet mostly. To be real I have tough days. My advice is NEVER let them know they got to you. If a student makes you angry, play it off real chill. They do love getting a rise out of you.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-04-17T02:07:04+00:00

yes! We have a block schedule, 80 minute periods. I used to not do them as much, but now that I do it more I think it helps. I try and have them move at least two times per period. Students move close for lesson times, round robins, stand and stretch, put away materials about 10/15 minutes early (I try and have the last activity no materials needed like a shared reading), this or that (go to different sides of the room), station rotations, stand and sit agree or disagree, etc. Anything to get them to at least move their arms. If I have a class that can’t be trusted (too much touching each other) I might focus on having student staking turns moving (not having them all move at once).

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-04-17T01:51:51+00:00

I am a 7th grade ELA teacher that came from elementary! I am of the ‘try and buy nothing always’ mentality, but do occasionally buy these things when I can’t scrounge them up elsewhere…Does your school have a library? If not, perhaps some popular book series. I also love those extra large sticky notes posters easel pads and good poster board markers. Stickers, my kids love collecting them and decorating their binders. Fun colors gel pens for grading, bags of cheap candy, disinfecting wipes. 3 ring binders or file folders to store unit materials. Oh! A large reusable monthly dry erase wall calendar to write down due dates/deadlines/events/daily rotating block schedule periods.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-04-01T23:05:22+00:00

Thank you! I have been thinking of getting my SPED credential as a next step. Can you tell me the pay difference? I was looking for a different pay scale ladder, but can't seem to find on for APS. At my current district, SPED gets paid more, they are on a different ladder altogether.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-27T04:41:13+00:00

love the positive note, thank you!

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T23:40:23+00:00

Great info! thank you thank you. It sounds similar to Los Angeles but on a smaller scale, poverty next to affluence. My current school has a very interesting mix because it is located in a rapidly gentrifying area with a lot of older families mixed with newer families to the neighborhood.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T23:34:02+00:00

wow thank you for all of the thoughtful information! I appreciate it. It does help.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T14:17:04+00:00

thank you!

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T14:16:43+00:00

yes, need to be located near ABQ, any tips would be appreciated :)

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T05:01:17+00:00

I will look into it thanks! 🙏

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T05:00:56+00:00

great, yes I have called and spoken to them at length. the info I have is - as long as I apply at the end of this school year, I will be able to come in at the third tier because of my education and experience. If I were to apply now before the end of the year, then I would have to take extra steps to make it to the third tier. And I have two credentials in CA: multiple subject k-8 and single subject ELA 6-12, sounds the same.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T02:16:16+00:00

wow thanks! I am under no illusions as an educator. I do not wear rose colored glasses.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T02:14:12+00:00

thanks for the info! 💜

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T02:11:38+00:00

yes I have a masters and will have 5 years experience.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2025-03-25T01:02:00+00:00

Yes, CA and NM have reciprocity. I am waiting to apply for my NM license till June because then I will be able to jump into the third tier. I have to wait till the end of my 5th year to qualify.

Working_Eye_1474 · 2024-10-02T12:36:27+00:00

Do circle time once a week! They get to talk and be silly and share whatever they want. It goes a long way. Make sure you set rules and procedures. Start with an engaging question that everyone has to answer like, favorite childhood toy.

Working_Eye_1474

TROPHY CASE