Summertime is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about how to make the next year even better. There's something about the idea of a new school year that always excites me, especially when it comes to setting up my classroom. Now, I know for some, it’s early yet for you to plan for next year. If that’s you, bookmark this blog post and come back to it later. If you are an early planner (like me), read on…
Over the years, I’ve found that creating a student-friendly classroom setup, along with using specific tools and resources, significantly enhances engagement and effectiveness. So, without further ado, here are my must-have essentials for my classroom:
I use my Elmo at least once a week in my classroom, primarily to annotate and analyze passages together. This is especially useful at the beginning of the year when I demonstrate my annotation expectations to students. I project selected passages from novels, poems, or plays and annotate them in real time, marking things like character development, major plot points, themes, literary devices, or important quotes, etc. as students follow along.
Need more ideas for using a document camera?
*Model & Edit Writing: This is especially good for student writing (just omit
the student’s name)
*Student Work Showcase: This is a quick and easy way to show examples/give
critiques of student artwork (think one-pagers) and/or for presentation display
of hand-drawn projects.
*Grammar and Punctuation Practice: I saved some old
English textbooks that are perfect to use when students need more practice on a
concept. Just stick the open book under
the Elmo and work and review the exercises right on the screen.
*Analyzing Visual Texts: This is great for paired
analysis of paintings, which I do often.
It also works well for cartoons and graphic novels. I have used the graphic novel versions of
both To Kill a Mockingbird and The Odyssey alongside the original
texts. This allows students to explore
how visual elements like color and composition contribute to the story, and
compare these interpretations with the written descriptions.
* Interactive Reading Sessions: Have a play or read aloud where there is a single copy? Project and go!
2. Candy!
This might seem like
an unconventional tool in a secondary English classroom, but hear me out! Of
course, it’s important to use candy thoughtfully and be mindful of dietary
restrictions, but when used appropriately, it can be a simple yet powerful tool
to enhance student engagement and create a more enjoyable classroom experience.
Here are the main ways I use candy in my classroom:
*Motivation and Rewards: Candy serves as an
effective incentive for participation, completing assignments, demonstrating
good behavior or just for fun! Have you ever had one of those class periods
where you toss out question after question – and crickets?! Who are we kidding –
this happens OFTEN. Occasionally (not
every time – because those kids catch on FAST) – I’ll pull out the candy – and boom!
Instant participation. I’ve also given
out candy at random to individual students or small groups who are working
diligently. Finally, if we’ve had a
really good week (or day) – I’ll pull out the candy on a whim. This helps create a positive classroom atmosphere
and encourages students to WANT to put their best foot forward!
*Energizing Students: State testing day or
challenging/long lesson? Those are perfect days to pull out the candy! Sometimes
students just need a little boost. Pausing
the lesson or test (or with state testing – between tests) momentarily for a
little mental break with candy can be just the thing that helps students get
the energy boost they need to maintain focus and stamina throughout the
class.
3. Classroom Supplies
So, technically,
this is a list of 5 essentials, but I decided to combine some common items under
1 big heading, so realistically, the list is 10+. 😊 Just a note – where I provide links below,
they are NOT affiliate links, just links to Amazon products in case you want to
see exactly what I use.
*Colorful Grading Pens: I may be one of the
rare few, but I do not like grading long pieces of writing (especially essays) digitally. I guess I’m just old-school like that. So, since I grade hard copies of writing
pieces, I have to have pens that I enjoy using.
My favorite pen is the PaperMate Profile which I buy in assorted colors.
*Post-It Notes: I use these to tag
things myself, and students also use these for station activities, annotations
in books that they don’t own, silent discussions and more. I stock up each year when the back-to-school
sales start.
*Personal Laminator: A couple of years
ago, our buildings were undergoing renovations, and the laminator was moved to
a hard-to-get-to location. So, I
invested in a personal laminator which is great for quick laminating for bulletin boards, student work, station materials, task cards, etc. I own the ScotchThermal Laminator and love that I can get the laminating sheets through my Scholastic Book Club points (I’ll talk
more about that in #4).
*Color-coded Materials for each Class/Prep:
Color-code your classes to make organization easier. For each prep you have, keep all of the
papers you will use for the day (lesson plans, notes, handouts, answer keys,
etc.) in that folder. I used to leave
things on my desk, and then I’d be looking for them and couldn’t put my hands on
them. Now, I put the materials I’ll need
the next day in my folders before I leave for the day. That way I am ready to go the next day AND I’m
not fumbling around during class. It’s also
helpful to have the same color folder for student handouts or papers that need to be graded as well. Some teachers go as far as color-coding
everything – turn in baskets, binder clips, etc. Find a system that works for you – and use
it!
*Random Group-Making System: For some classes,
you HAVE to assign groups, but if you need to make random student groups
quickly, read on… You can always count off, but here are a few other ideas:
*use candy to hand out (Jolly Ranchers
or assorted candy types) as students come in
*use playing cards – by numbers, suits, color-coding,
sequential order, etc. (I mix it up every time so students never know for sure
and don’t switch cards)
*Use a digital random group generator like this one or this one
*Use paper random grouping cards that you can
laminate and use again and again. If you
search “Random Grouping” on Google, you’ll find plenty of free options
*White Boards: I love using these
as a quick check for review or for individual, partner or group games. Call out the question; everyone write;
everyone reveal at the same time. Easy
peasy!
*Attention Getter: Many teachers use a
doorbell with many sounds. I’ve been known to use a loud whistle (which I
always have on hand as a backup), but nowadays, I just use this typeof bell. It’s great to get attention,
and it works seamlessly to transition between activities, especially during
group work or station rotations.
*Physical Dictionaries: I have about 15 dictionaries in my classroom, and I will never get rid of them. They are important for hands-on, non-digital activities that we do in the classroom, during writing portions of tests, etc. I've discovered that many students lack proficiency in alphabetizing, and using dictionaries helps strengthen this essential skill. We do a couple of word activities at the beginning of the year so students learn how to use them, and surprisingly, many students love using the dictionary!
4. Diverse Classroom Library
At my school, students
go to the library once per week during ELA class. Sometimes, it’s just to check out a book, and
sometimes it’s for a lesson. Most
students these days never visit a library except during this time. In my class, my students are required to have
a physical book to read at all times. We
do SSR on Fridays and pending what’s happening, I work this in at other
times. In addition, they can only read
silently after tests or after finishing an assignment. For these reasons, I think it’s important for
students to have access to a high-interest, diverse library right in the
classroom.
3 Easy (and cheap) Ways
to Build your Classroom Library:
1. 1. Scholastic Book Club: Your students order books and pay online. You give them your class code, and then you gain points to use toward books or other available supplies, like the laminator sheets I mentioned above. I place an order once per 9-week period and offer students a 2-point bonus if they order with my class code. This way, students aren’t forced to order but are incentivized. I tell them up front that I do this to build my library.
2. thriftbooks: This site offers used and new books at low prices. If you place an order valued at $15 or more, you get free shipping. You can become a verified educator and get a free used book (valued $7 or less) when you buy 4 or more books.
3. Local Library or Good Will: Many local libraries have a used books sales section and some host a larger sales on a regular basis. Check with your local library to see if they offer these values. Good Will often has a section of used books at fantastic prices. As with anything used, it is hit or miss, so check back on a regular basis.
5. Designated Student Areas
Lastly, a couple of notes on classroom setup. I don’t have a standard/regular arrangement of desks as I move them around depending on what’s happening in class. I usually start the year with the desks in small groups for several beginning-of-the-year activities, then just change up every few weeks – sometimes in partner seating, sometimes in rows, sometimes in a big U, sometimes with students facing each other, etc. I like keeping it “fresh.”
That said, there are
2 areas that remain the same all year long:
*Student Center: This is an area
located at the back of the classroom where I keep a bin of extra student
supplies (pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, scissors, rulers, colored pencils,
construction paper, etc.) as well as a tape dispenser (I cannot believe how
much - and regularly – my students need tape), stapler, hole puncher, Kleenex
and turn in bins. Students know that if
they need something, they can find it there.
*Conferencing Center: I was lucky to commandeer a kidney-bean-shaped table a few years ago, and have a perfect spot in the back of my classroom for it. It’s perfect for a bit of privacy to conference with students during longer work periods, especially during in-class writing sessions of essays.
Whether you're an early planner or bookmarking this blog post for later, I hope these ideas help you plan what you need for next year, and maybe give you a few fresh ideas to create a classroom that fosters a positive and productive learning experience. Happy planning, and here's to a fantastic school year ahead!
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