Put together the perfect teacher planner to improve classroom organization! No more messy binders filled with teacher papers!

Teacher planning is part of what we do as teachers to create lessons and plan for students. These are the key items I include in my teacher planning binder.

Get awesome teacher resources for the new school year! These free printables are sure to help. Download the 300+ best resources in PDF!

I’ve posted before about my teacher binder. As an organizationally-challenged person, I had to find that one thing that would hold me together as a teacher… and my binder is it. I love this thing. It’s within an arm’s reach at any given moment (home or school) and keeps me sane. And honestly? Creating it was simple. Unfortunately, my teacher binder had seen better days, so it was time to perform a little overhaul. While I’m working on my own, I thought I’d share 5 steps to creating your own teaching binder! 1. Plan first. For me, the easiest way to do this was to gather all the papers I thought I wanted in my binder, and split them into piles. This will help you know how many dividers and what size of binder to buy. Don’t forget that you can use the space in front of and behind the dividers! 2. Get the supplies. Pick a binder you LOVE (for me, color is huge) and splurge for the heavy duty one. Believe me- you’ll be using this thing a lot. I also picked dividers that had pockets and were easy to write on (and erase, if I change my mind later). A friend gave me Vera Bradley binder clips, and I use this one to pin my lesson plans to the cover so that the 2-page spread opens instantly when I open the binder. This binder clip also adds just enough “cute” to make me smile whenever I look at my binder! It sounds silly (seriously who has designer binder clips) but I probably see it 20 times each day. Worth it. 3. Think about the covers. What are the things you constantly need to reference? For me, a cute cover with my name on it would be okay- but really, I need my class list, my current Post-It list, and the weekly newsletter (with spelling & vocab. words, academic focuses, etc.). Normally, this would have a class list, which I didn’t show for obvious reasons, and there’s usually a Post-It list or two. Still… I like how clean and neat my binder looks on my desk! (Plus, the color stands out if it does find its way into a pile.) 4. Think about order. What papers do you need access to the most often? My lesson plan pages go in the front because I reference them throughout every day, and my calendar goes next. (I love Google Calendar, but a written one works best for me. I printed this one for free from The Twinery Blog.) I put any lists for quick reference (computer logins, school schedules, curriculum maps, policies, etc.) in the reference tab. My Student Info tab holds my data (so useful when I plan my small groups at home!), but also copies of anything like IEP’s, ILP’s, RTI plans, and documentation. The back includes things I might need to look up once a week while planning, but not daily, like my standards lists and my archive of planning pages/ meeting notes. Once you’ve decided, write on the dividers. (I used a skinny Sharpie- on most surfaces, nail polish remover will take it right off if I ever change my mind!) 4. Hole punch everything and try it out! This is the perfect time of year to give this baby a trial run and give you plenty of time to tweak it for next year! I found out that having a “meeting notes” section was just not enough for me, so I added some extra subsections. You’ll find what works for you! I plan my teacher binder as something that I will take to every meeting, take home every night, and use constantly throughout my day. It means that whether I’m at home, in my classroom, or somewhere in the school, I have everything I need to stay organized and up-to-date! There are plenty of other guides out there to making a teacher binder, but it’s my hope that this can help you make the one that’s right for you. Yes, it takes a bit of time… but I put mine together in about an hour (minus shopping) and it has saved me so much more than that!

Everyday I teach. Everyday I learn. Everyday I love it more!

Ready to stay organized this school year? This teacher binder set is exactly what you need to organize all the teacher paperwork, and data!

Learn how to set yearlong plans, plan for a unit and daily topics, and create lessons plans.

Hi teacher friends, Ancient Civilizations has to be my favorite curriculum to teach. I find the ancient world fascinating, with all the different traditions, inventions, rituals, building structures, gods and goddesses. I could probably spend the whole year just focusing on Egypt alone, with its pyramids, their social hierarchy with pharaohs, and interesting

Do you struggle with classroom management? Here are four strategies that you can add to your toolkit that will make it just a little bit more effective.

Hello! I’m Nicole from Teaching With Style and I’m so excited to be over here on Melissa’s new blog, Inspire Me, ASAP! Melissa has some amazing ideas and her units have come in handy MANY times! When I moved from 1st to 3rd a few years ago, my new team wasn’t as strong as my […]

Program accommodations and modifications are available to children who receive services under IDEA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. General Accommodations: Large print textbooks Textbooks for at-home use Additional time for assignments A locker with adapted lock Review of directions Review sessions Use of mnemonics Have student restate information Provision of notes or outlines

Research based teaching strategies you can use today with a free printable chart.

The prompt hierarchy can help you implement an effective learning environment where students can master skills and gain independence.

Our favorite 2nd grade anchor charts for math, language arts, and beyond. You'll definitely want to use some of these in your classroom.

These easy to use lesson plan templates will add some fun to your planning each week! Enter your content, print, and pop into your planner!

A step-by-step approach on how to create a unit plan and its various components. Keeping things practical and manageable for busy teachers.

Backwards planning and curriculum mapping for school year success are an essential part of being organized and making your teacher life easier.

Look inside this tutoring binder to see what one elementary teacher brings to tutor struggling students in literacy and math. Lots of resource and freebies!

Resources, tips, and materials to help you, help children with autism

This year Kaleb and I have been wandering around the world via books, Little Passports, and various other things we come across in our

This Around the House Cut And Paste Lesson Plan is suitable for Kindergarten - 1st Grade. In this household sorting worksheet, young scholars study a house shaped picture with 5 rooms labeled. They cut and paste objects from the word bank and sort them into the proper room.

Got a talkative class? Check out these 5 ways to quiet the chatter!

So last week I was supposed to create an anchor chart for how to write equations. I've got no clue what my district had in mind, but here's what I came up with. I asked the kids what we need to make an equation and they first said numbers to I stuck the numbers on (I had them hiding with tape on them already). Then I asked what was missing and they had to tell me which symbols to put where. And finally we labeled all the parts we already knew and I introduced a few new words (minuend, subtrahend, and difference- can you tell we've mostly been focused on adding). Lastly, each kid got their own mini-chart to label and glue in their math notebooks. Here's a downloadable version, it's two to a page. How many of you post your objectives? We've never been told we HAD to post our objectives, but I know so many teachers that do post theirs and I think the kids really like to know what they're going to do each week. My kids were very interested in the new chart and have referred to it a few times so I think it's a winner. PS- I don't teach reading so that's why you don't see any reading objectives. I'm linking this post to Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes. She's hosting an anchor chart linky party so go check it out. I do love a great anchor chart (and an excuse to draw with markers)!

Save yourself time with this FREE EDITABLE Sub Binder and bank of emergency sub plans for the Spanish classroom! Download and tweak for your needs!

“I believe that the brain has evolved over millions of years to be responsive to different kinds of content in the world. Language content, ...

It's that time of year again... We've got just a few short weeks left with our kiddos. Let's be honest though, we're all tired. More like exhausted. Summer

Steal these for your writing unit!

When a single platform lets you share and deliver materials, access student work, and allow students to work together, you can do some pretty incredible things.

Looking for an easy way to prepare for a sub? This is it! Get your art sub plans organized so that any substitute teacher could walk in with little notice and teach a successful elementary art lesson. You'll get everything you need to set up an Art Sub Binder with helpful information for your sub and 10 easy lesson plans that students will enjoy, and you'll feel great about! Imagine preparing for a sub without staying late or waking up sick without the sinking feeling of not having sub plans!!  This is a game-changer! Leave your sub binder on your desk for those times when you have an unexpected absence.     Here's a Summary of What You Get: Cover & Divider Pages (21 pages) 10 Lessons (33 pages) Table of Contents (1 page) Checklists (2 pages) Png files - Blanks (7 pages) Editable Pages (8 pages) >>>> A total of 72 pages!   What You Get in More Detail:  This packet will help you customize and organize your sub-binder using the following items: ✨ 2 cover sheets and 5 divider pages to organize your sub binder (in 3 style choices). The divider pages are the following categories: The Cover "Sub Binder" Schedules Sub Lessons Emergency Information Helpful Information Art Room Information >>>>> A Total of 21 pages of Cover and Divider page choices   ✨ A checklist of things to include in a "Sub Binder" with helpful hints. (2 pages)   ✨ Table of contents for the lessons with thumbnail images of the artwork (to make picking a lesson easier for the sub). (1 page)   ✨ Instruction pages for 10 easy lessons. The one-page instruction sheets for each sub plan includes a description, a small image of the finished art, vocabulary words and definitions,  a list of supplies needed, step-by-step instructions.  (33 pages)   ✨ I've also included a folder of lessons with the "British Spelling" of several words at no additional charge. (colour, favourite, and centre)   ✨ All of the pages listed above are in PDF format and NOT EDITABLE.  You will, however, also get a folder of png files that will give you a blank cover in each of the 3 styles, plus a blank lesson page and blank watercolor pages.  You can put the png files in your own software and use text boxes to add your own information.  (7 pages) >>>>> A Total of 43 pages of lessons and tips (non-editable)   ✨ 7 Editable documents that include:      Procedures (2 pages)      Daily Schedule (1 page)      Weekly Schedule (1 page)      Art Room Map (1 page) **Google Draw only      Note to Sub (1 page)      Table of Contents (1 page)      Sub Report (1 page) >>>>> A Total of 8 editable pages   I've made 6 of the documents listed above in Rich Text Format, so they are fully editable. Those 6 documents are also available in Google Docs (links are provided). **The map of the art room is available in Google Draw only.   Plus png files so you can make your own dividers and lessons to add to the binder. >>>>>  A Total of 7 png files   >>>> A GRAND TOTAL OF 72 pages!   If you are interested in my virtual dice roller. You can see it 2 places: ? Youtube ? Expressive Monkey's website   What happy teachers are saying: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This resource is a LIFE SAVER for art teachers! It makes having a sub so easy (never thought I could say that). Whenever I know I'll be out I just leave the binder on my desk it's ready. I've even had a sub tell me that it was the easiest class they've subbed for because of how easy the plans were to follow and the students enjoyed them! - The Good Artroom ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ All are really easy to follow and only use paper and drawing materials. For these lessons, you'll need to print a class set for students to follow along. A few use dice for the drawing games. There's 10 great lessons but a majority seem for upper elementary. It can be done with lower if the sub does it step by step with the young kids. - Claudia G. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can't believe that for the first time in 20 years will not have scramble the night before OR THE MORNING of an absence! This sub plan resource was the perfect combination of immediately useable and customizable plans! So many times art teacher resources are vague or not usable for a "real" art room. With this sub planning packet I can have a sub without worry- as long as my desk is clean! Thanks! - Camille F.   You can get the Sub Plans in a money-saving bundle that will Make Teaching Art Easier.   Stay Connected Blog Instagram Pinterest YouTube Facebook   Thanks for visiting! Expressive Monkey makes engaging resources that help students build confidence and express themselves through ART!   Oh, wait! Don't forget to follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers ... just click to follow!   Copyright © Expressive Monkey Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.   ************************************************************** Easily download this zip file with a link that is automatically emailed to you immediately after your purchase and you can begin using this lesson right away! **************************************************************   If you have a Mac computer, just click on the zip file and it will create a folder (almost magically) filled with all the goodies you just purchased. Windows uses File Explorer to open zipped files.  Here are some easy instructions from Microsoft in case you’ve not done this before.

Let's Get Booking SCHEDULING APPLICATION

Curriculum mapping is an essential skill for educators. Curriculum Mapping ensures a teacher teaches all the standards for the grade level by mapping out what…

Steal these for your writing unit!

Save time and create better lessons for your students with these tips on how to write lesson plans quickly and effectively.

We know how important it is to teach our students to make inferences when they read. It's a tricky concept, and one that needs to be taught again and again. Students often confusing inferring with making predictions and observations, and some are just confused all together! Som

Executed well, student-centered instructional methods can disarm some of the more intimidating parts of academia.

Ever felt like your students could benefit from slowing down and taking a moment calm? Well, you're in for a treat. Mindfulness isn't just a buzzword; it's a game-changer. It's about hitting the pause button, taking a deep breath, and diving into the magic of the present moment. And here's the kicker – it's not just for adults; it's for kids too! So, picture this: A classroom where calm reigns supreme, thoughts find their chill, and focus becomes a superpower. That's the power of mindfulness. And guess what? We're not stopping there. We're bringing you the tools to create a Calming Corner that'll turn your classroom into a sanctuary of serenity. Let's dive in! (GREAT NEWS! I've put together exclusive FREEBIES for mindfulness. Click here to receive them!) Mindfulness meditation is a way of focusing the mind so that it is fully attending to what’s happening right now, to what we’re doing, and to the space that we’re currently in. Cultivating mindfulness means to be present, to pay attention, and to be aware of our emotions and the way that we respond to them. Recent neuroscience research points to many benefits of mindfulness meditation: ➧ increased focus ➧ a sense of calm ➧ decreased stress ➧ decreased anxiety ➧ improved impulse control ➧ greater empathy for others ➧ improved conflict resolution skills Our students need opportunities to practice mindfulness mediation. Since the human mind often wanders from the present. Our brains have a tendency to become absorbed with thoughts about the past or the future. This kind of thinking makes us anxious. Academic pressure now affects kids as early as kindergarten, resulting in less time for play and other stress-reducing activities. Today’s students are faced with an unprecedented amount of anxiety. The pressure only grows greater in middle and high school. Surveys have found students reporting stress and fatigue as much as 75% of the time. What’s needed is a way to decrease anxiety and help students to manage their emotions. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Infusing moments of mindfulness in the classroom is not only powerful, it’s also quite simple. In general, to practice mindfulness, have students start by bringing attention to their own body. Then, have them breathe in through their noses and out through their mouths. When they notice that their mind has wondered away from the present moment, they should gently bring their attention back to their breathing. It’s also a great idea to intentionally plan moments of mindfulness in the classroom! Here are some simple ways to do just that… 1. A Mindful Moment At the beginning of class, or after a transition, have your students close their eyes and take several deep breaths. Ask them to pay attention to their breathing and what it feels like. 2. A Mindful Break Once or twice during a standard length class, just stop. Have your students stand up and stretch and then sit back down and do 30 seconds of mindful breathing. This takes no more than a minute, and it gives everyone a needed break. 3. A Mindful Quote Use motivational and inspirational quotes to help focus students’ minds during a moment of mindfulness. It’s as easy as sharing a quote, or you can download this free set of mindfulness quotes and put together a container to pull from all year long. If you'd like me to send you a free set of 24 mindfulness quotes and the materials to make a container like above, add your name and email address below: Yes! Please send me MINDFULNESS RESOURCES! 4. Attention Check During a long lesson, stop and ask your students to pause and “check their attention.” Is their mind on what is being done in class, or has it been wandering? This gives kids the chance to deliberately redirect their attention to the matter at hand. 5. Finger Labyrinths Traditionally, labyrinths are used for mediation and relaxation. Often, people walk through labyrinths. Give students the same sensation with finger labyrinths. I’ve made a collection of them that students can use when they need to focus their minds. Students simply trace the spiral paths as they practice mindfulness. Add your name and email address below to receive the finger labyrinths and mindfulness quotes in your email inbox! Yes! Please send me MINDFULNESS RESOURCES! 6. Mindful Closure At the end of class, have students close their eyes and focus on their breathing again. Ask them to think of what they have learned and perhaps congratulate themselves on their progress and accomplishments. As teachers. we have many opportunities to introduce students to mindfulness practices. Of course, one of the most important ways we can do this is by cultivating mindfulness in ourselves. If we, as teachers, are present and aware of our own emotions and responses, we set an invaluable example for our students. Many of these mindfulness activities work well in a Calming Corner in the Classroom. Add the quotes or labyrinths to the calming corner to help students when they need to take a step back and become more present in the moment. Find more ideas for creating a calming classroom environment here. Thanks so much for stopping by! Mary Beth

Are any of these ineffective teaching methods still part of your practice? Time to reconsider.

Each school year a unique mix of middle school students enter the doors of my classroom. Each with a story, each with different strengths, each with different weaknesses. I never take this responsibility lightly because what this means for me, as their teacher, is that I don't get to take the already published book off the shelf and write the same story as I did last year. Instead, we create and co-author a new story together. A story that I could never dream up or predict until it happens the way that it needs to happen. After all, doesn't every new class that enters your classroom door deserve a story of their very own? Because of this, the walls of my classroom to begin the year aside from staples I keep up each year, begin as a blank canvas. The anchor charts that fill my room happen naturally, as our story is being created, new anchor charts are being created to match the learning that is happening in the classroom. When students need to be reminded of a concept we have covered or an expectation that is expected of them, they can refer to the anchor charts on our walls and be brought back to that moment in our journey. Anchor charts help with retention of material, they help with developing student independence, and they also help to anchor routines and expectations. Below is the story of our learning so far this school year. "Before you turn in any piece of writing, ask yourself..." This anchor chart is designed to help students self-assess their writing and be that self-talk that many of them need. Teaching students to be reflective is one of the hardest yet most beneficial skills we can teach as teachers. This anchor chart is a great reminder for my students and for myself. The best thing about it? My co-teacher who teaches the same group of our students math and science is on board with holding students to these same writing expectations with this same language. During our weekly sentence stalking, students can use this anchor chart to gather ideas of different items to notice so that they're not always noticing the same types of things. These are the symbols I use when editing student writing and also the symbols I want them to use when they self-edit and edit their peers' writing. This anchor chart is a helpful, quick reminder of the editing symbols. I LOVE this anchor chart for middle school students. During the first few weeks of school, we referred to it often to self-assess how we did as a class and as an individual with following the expectations in order to make independent reading and writing time productive. If we have a rough day with following expectations, I come right back to this anchor chart and reinforce the positive behaviors students ARE exhibiting. Our current interactive read aloud is Killing Mr. Griffin, and it's written in 3rd person omniscient. Students are loving the almost spooky way the narrator of the story seems to know EVERYTHING. We had an awesome discussion about point of view through that and now students are actively identifying the point of view in their independent reading books. Reading is thinking, and one of the strategic reading actions to show that thinking is by summarizing. I like to start the year with a few minilessons on summarizing because it seems to be a building block for the other reading minilessons. These are some of the criteria we set for what summaries should include and not include. Writers use transitions for a variety of purposes. Crafting transitions smoothly into writing improves sentence fluency and help make ideas clear. This anchor chart will be a great reminder to aid students in doing this in their writing all school year.

My new obsession this year has been making and using anchor charts for my lessons. Here are just some of the anchor charts I have made thi...