Author: TCR Staff

Behavior Management, Bulletin Board Ideas, Classroom Management, Classroom Organization, Teacher Resources

10 Terrific Ways to Use Library Pockets

July 29, 2014 TCR Staff Comment

Library Pockets aren’t just for checking out books. They are so versatile, you can use them in many creative ways in the classroom. As teachers start preparing for back to school, organization is key. You can use library pockets to stay organized with a classroom job chart, birthday bulletin board and more. Check out a few of our favorite library pocket ideas for some classroom inspiration.

CLASSROOM JOBS

Write different classroom jobs on each library pocket. Use string and clothespins to hang the library pockets to a bulletin board. Write student’s names on craft sticks and place in appropriate job pocket for each day. Use letters to spell out “Classroom Jobs”

LUNCH COUNT BOARD

Keep track of lunch count by labeling each library pocket as: brought lunch, hot lunch, salad bar, and potato bar. Write each student’s name on an accent and glue to a craft sticks. Place craft sticks in the appropriate lunch pocket for each day. Use letters to spell out “Lunch”. Complete by adding a coordinating border trim.

TREAT POCKETS

Surprise students with a reward by writing their name on a library pocket and filling it with rewards, special treats or school supplies. Treat pockets filled with pencils & erasers are a great first day of school gift.

BIRTHDAY BULLETIN BOARD

Create a birthday bulletin board by using decorative letters to spell out “birthdays”. Label each library pocket by month and attach to a chart or bulletin board. Write each student’s name on a mini accent and glue to craft sticks. Place each student stick in the library pocket of their birthday month. Use coordinating border trim to complete the look.

WHAT WE ARE READING CHART

Label each library pocket with reading genres such as, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, fantasy, and biography. Glue library pockets to a large chart. Write each student’s name on a mini accent, and glue each accent to a craft stick. Place name sticks in appropriate category pocket.

CLASSROOM CALENDAR

Hang a calendar grid with calendar cards. Below the calendar, write the days of the week on each library pocket. Write yesterday, today, and tomorrow on mini accents and glue to craft sticks. Use Create & Decorate pieces to write the current month, season, and weather. Put the whole look together with border trim.

FACT CARD HOLDER

Add each student’s name to a library pocket. Punch a hole on the top left and top right of the library pocket. Loop ribbon around the holes and secure with a knot on each side. Decorate with stickers and mini stickers, and give to students for an easy way to hold fact cards for field trips or special events.

NUMBER MATCHING CHART

Create a number matching chart by writing numbers 1-10 on each library pocket. Glue library pockets on a chart. Write numbers 1-10 on accents, and glue them onto craft sticks. Have students match the numbers by placing the numbered craft sticks in the corresponding pocket. Other varieties of this activity include using even or odd numbers, counting by fives, etc.

SYNONYMS WALL

Make a synonym wall by writing a word on each library pocket. Stick the library pockets on a bulletin board. Write synonyms of each word on accents, and attach the accents to craft sticks. Have students place the synonym sticks in the corresponding word pocket. Embellish with decorative letters and scalloped & straight borders.

LIBRARY CHECK-OUT SYSTEM

Assign each student a number. Label each library pocket a number to represent each student. Place on a chart and hang in the library or reading center. Insert a library check-out card in each pocket. Each time a student checks out a book they write down the book title, the day it was checked out, and the day it is due back.

Bulletin Board Ideas, Teacher Resources

Back to School Banner Craft

July 8, 2014 TCR Staff Comment

It’s never too early to start thinking about your next classroom theme. Classroom decorations help set the tone for a fun and stylish learning environment. Make back to school setup and decorating easy by preparing classroom decorations ahead of time. Try this back to school banner craft using pennants.

Materials:

1 Pack of Orange & Teal Moroccan Pennants
1 Pack of Navy Sassy Animal 5” Letters
3-5 Various Types of Ribbon
Scissors
Glue

Instructions:

1) Cut 19 pieces of ribbon. Each piece should be approximately 6″.

2) Separate the pennants into 3 sections:

4 pennants for “Wild”

5 pennants for “About”

7 pennants for “3^rd Grade”

3) Punch out all the letters and numbers required for “Wild About 3^rd Grade”

and glue on top of each pennant.

4) Thread the orange ribbon through the pennants pre-cut holes to connect.

5) Lay 3-4 different ribbons flat above the pre-cut hole, and secure by using

the orange ribbon to tie a double knot. Continue to do this until entire

banner is complete.

Making a custom banner is a great way to welcome students back to school. It can be repurposed as an open house banner, first day of school photo backdrop, or bulletin board. Mix and match different letters and ribbons to decorate your classroom.

Teacher Resources

2014 Back to School Giveaway

June 27, 2014 TCR Staff 4 Comments

Could you use an iPad for educational apps and organization this coming school year? The 2014 Back to School Giveaway is here and we’re giving away an iPad and an iPad Mini!

Here’s how you can enter to win:

Enter once a day by completing the entry form.
Once you’ve entered on the giveaway page, an email confirmation will be sent to you. Click the link in the email to confirm your email address.
Earn additional entries by sharing your personal link with friends. For each person you refer, you get an additional entry.

Here is the best part! If one of the people you refer wins the iPad, you win the iPad Mini.

Contest ends September 30, 2014

Enter Here

Classroom Activities, Holidays, Lesson Plans, Teacher Resources

4th of July Fun Facts & Free Activity

June 18, 2014 TCR Staff Comment

4^th of July is all about patriotism and fireworks. Share these fun historical facts about the history of 4^th of July with your kids, then try some of the suggested activities to celebrate.

4^th of July Fun Facts

Independence Day is celebrated every year in the United States on the Fourth of July.
The liberty bell weighs 2080 pounds and its circumference is 12 feet.
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson.
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence that gave freedom to all who lived in the United States.
The Declaration of Independence was first read to the public in Philadelphia, where it was celebrated with bells that rang all night long.
Twelve of the thirteen original colonies approved the final draft of the Declaration of the Independence.
The first Independence Day celebration took place on July 4, 1777.
On the 4^th of July, we celebrate the birthday of the United States.
People celebrate the 4^th of July by going to picnics, parades, and firework shows.
In 1941, Congress declared the 4^th of July a federal holiday.

4th of July Printable Decorations from Big & Easy Patterns & Celebrate the Holidays

4^th of July Fun Activity Suggestions

Create and color your own U.S.A. flag and 4^th of July pictures. Use them as decorations for a 4^th of July party.
Create a mural of a 4^th of July parade using paint and a roll of paper across the wall.
Discuss the Declaration of Independence and have the students write about the importance of freedom.
Compose an acrostic poem with the word “independence”.
Do patriotic brain teasers and word scrambles. Download free USA Brain Teasers here.