Classroom Norms Posters

As part of our PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) program, I have my students help create instructional posters for common classroom activities. During the discussion, I have a blank template up on the board. As individuals share their ideas, I ask for thumbs up/down feedback and add any content to the document. I enjoy listening to the students reason and even adjust wording to be more precise. One year my class decided to suggest the creation of new posters to address issues that had developed–miss use of disinfectant wipes and the pencil sharpener. What a great idea!

  • Closet Area
  • Library
  • Flexible Seating
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Laptops
  • First Aid Center
  • Lining Up
  • Disinfectant Wipes

Spelling Centers

For a more exciting approach to practicing spelling (and handwriting), I offer my students center activities three days a week. I rotate them in/out throughout the year. Here are a few of their favorites.

  • Rainbow Words
  • Highlighter Words
  • Playdoh
  • Scented Markers
  • Magnetic Letters
  • Dry-Erase Boards
  • Gelboards
  • Sign Language
  • Wiki Sticks

Flexible Seating

I’m not one of those teachers that removes all traditional seating from the classroom and replaces it with IKEA furniture. No offense to any who do this. However, it doesn’t work for me. I prefer to keep individual student desks, which allows kids a place of their own for their own supplies. (I only collect the basic community materials such as tissues and disinfectant wipes.) And while our room is set up in pods of four desks, there is still plenty of space for flexible seating. I have a kidney table, two large carpeted areas, six bungee chairs ($20 each on sale at Target), four surfboards ($5 each at Five Below), two ottomans, and some garden kneelers ($1 each at The Dollar Tree). All of the movable items stowaway very neatly. I use a tall laundry basket ($5 at Five Below) for the surfboards and kneelers. The foldable bungees stand up nicely between my counter and laptop cart. When I first introduce flexible seating at the beginning of the year, we work together to create an expectations poster “HOOT with Flexible Seating.” Using and returning materials is mostly a smooth process. You’ll always contend with a few students who rush, grab, or don’t put items away. These are good opportunities to review expectations and have kids reflect on their actions. I think the class enjoys the freedom of selecting where they do their work and who may be nearby just as much as adults do.