I’m excited to share a game-changer that transformed the way I established routines in my classroom. I created a classroom slide deck that organized my entire day, covering all routines and expectations. This tool not only kept our classroom on track, but also served as a helpful guide for substitutes. By sharing it with my paraprofessionals, they could easily connect an iPad or computer to the projector when I was absent, ensuring the day flowed seamlessly.

I created a dedicated slide for each transition throughout the day. Some transitions combined both the routine and expectations on a single slide, while others had separate slides—one for the routine and another for the expectations, depending on what was needed for that particular transition.

Every morning, I updated the slide deck with the day's activities, which only took about 5 minutes. I projected it before the students arrived so as soon as they entered the classroom, they could immediately see the routine and the next two activities on the schedule. As we transitioned, I simply advanced to the next slide, keeping us on track. This system made it clear to everyone what we were doing at all times.

I also included "I can" statements for all the center activities. This made a school-wide expected practice super simple in such a busy classroom!

Below is the slide deck I used. Feel free to make a copy and customize it to suit your schedule! You can also use the template slides to create your own personalized version.

Check out the Monster World unit in Themes First!, which includes original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

The next Themes First! release, Fantastic Fall, is ready to prep!

💡Tip: Print all the activities you plan to use for the upcoming month as soon as they become available. Put printed activities in a "prep" area equipped with a laminator, file folders, Velcro, labels, and baggies. If you have a large laminator, laminate all the activities at once! When you and your team have a few minutes to spare, laminate, cut, and Velcro. It helps to organize activities in trays by "Needs to be Prepped" and "Finished." Don't forget to teach your team how to prep the activities and to model this new expectation. Check out the How to Prep a Month-Long Themes First! Unit below.

2023-2024 Tuesday Tips & Tricks Newsletters

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