The Dreaded Word: SUPPLIES!!!!!

If you haven't noticed yet, popular store chains have already started to advertise the back to school sales. Now, if you are serious about interactive notebooks be prepared to joined the frenzied parents and annoyed children. I know it is hard to shell out the hard earned cash to buy are own supplies, but it's kinda worth it.  I don't know how many times I ran out of glue and had to resort to using massive amount of staplers just to make sure students won't lose their work ( and they will) . That is why it is important to have a well stocked cabinet OF YOUR OWN. This shopping list, plus supplies I will get from the school will have me stocked full full of supplies baby! While i will get some of these items within the week i will also be holding off on some a week or two after school starts, that's when you get many of the items reduced. The places I visit are Walmart, Staples, and the Dollar tree (the Holy Trinity lol)

Supply List 

Glue Sticks- 10 packs x 4 sticks = 40 glue sticks $1 each (will buy more after school starts )

Crayons

Markers(not for every day use)

Bins( hold supplies at each table)

Trash can (obvious reasons)

Invisible tape 

Extra Notebooks 

You see it's not that bad of list! The bins are the most important because without them supplies disappear. It is important to have a member of each group responsible for the bins and throwing out the trash. Teaching students to be creativity is great but teaching the responsibility is greater! 

Planning the First Week of School

It's time for summer prep! I know, I know, it's a bit early(school starts in a month) but this year I am playin' no games. Last year was my first year so i didn't know what I was getting into. But this year, I have more tools in my teacher tool box. One tool is to prepare in advance. There was countless nights and weekends were I was struggling to come up with lessons. There was also times were i created a lesson that morning! This year is going to be different and it starts now with planning. This year i will be using interactive notebooks again, but unlike last year i will be using them for the entire year. Of course i will keep updating my blog and though TpT. So far my first week of school will go as follows:
First Week of School Monday-Introduction to Civics and Game Tuesday-Expectations, Rules, & Procedures Wednesday-Start Notebook Set up- Table of contents, Name thinking map Thursday-Return Syllabus and hand activity(idea from Everybody is a Genius) Friday-Learning style and Multiple Intelligence( again from Everybody is a genius)
Now that I have my plan, I went to Walmart and purchased a 5 subject book. This will be he same book I will require for students when the school year start. I think it is important to have a notebook to show students exactly how you want the pages to look. I also like the 5 subject notebook because it gives the students ( and me ) enough space. Again, i will update as i progress!

5 Tips for Interactive Notebooks

Tips are useful especially for IN. If i would of known some of theses in the beginning i may have had a better first year with IN. Here are my tips for interactive notebooks:

Preparing for the New School Year! Lets look back at the hit and missess

Wow! The 2015-2016 school year is approaching and it's time again to brainstorm.  Looking back at last years interactive notebook, there are some major changes that need to be made. So, before I begin planning the year it is important to make a list of what worked and what was a complete failure.So let's start with a miss, lack of planning!