I’ve been looking at some cool classroom ideas that I’ve tried and also some ideas that I grabbed from my teacher friends. I came up with a list of 10 that I really liked. If you have tried any of these, I would love to hear about your experience in the comments section. Also, I’m looking for new ideas.  If you have tried something that is not listed here and thought it was really cool or it worked out great, please, please, please share below so others can try too.

Try : Tattle Trash

Ok, I walked into a friend’s classroom and saw this little trash can. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. Instead of tattling to her about the more insignificant things throughout the day, they could write it down on a piece of paper and throw it in the trash bin. I know some teachers use a tattle bear. I can’t tell you how many times a child would raise their hands to tell me how Jackson touched their folder or how Dillon is staring at them. Tell it to the Tattle Trash. Have them write their name on it so when you look it over, you know who it is from.

Try :Flexible Seating

To be honest, I have never tried flexible seating. The most I’ve ever gotten with flexible seating is the carpet area or bean bags in my reading area. I have heard many good things about it though. I will try to point you in the direction of some other friends who talk about it more in-depth.

However, I saw these in a teacher’s classroom and they looked great. With my teaching style, I probably would not start flexible seating at the beginning of the year. I probably would ease into it for first graders and kinder kids. I like more of a structured traditional approach but it has worked out great for a lot of  teachers. If you have tried it for the lower grades, be sure to share your experience below in the comments section. If you are a new teacher, read all you can on flexible seating to make sure that it will work for your classroom and style of teaching. If you have been teaching for a while, you know whether it would work for you our not.

Try: Fabrics for Bulletin Boards

Oh my goodness! This was like gold when I started doing it. Every month I would change out my bulletin boards with butcher paper. I saw a teacher friend of mine had this nice fabric on her bulletin board and she had it up all year. I had to try it. I never looked back…lol.

Got some super bright and cute fabric from Joann to match my classroom theme and that was it. My fabric stayed up all year. Saved me so much time.

Try: Chill Pills

Calm your teacher brain during stressful moments by placing your favorite little treats in a jar and snacking when you need a little pick me up.  Every year I store a little bag of treats in my draw so I can have a sweet treat when I need it but I absolutely love this idea.

Try: Calming Music

I love this one. When it’s getting a bit loud in our room, I love to put on some calming music just to get everyone’s mind relaxed and settled. It could be the sound of raindrops or soft jazz music. Sometimes it makes them a bit sleepy but it’s a great alternative to me continually telling the whole class we are getting louder. I use this even at small group too. It’s so soft that it doesn’t get distracting and kids have told me that it helps them focus and concentrate.

Try: Plastic Folders instead of Paper Folders

Some teachers tell me they still use those little paper folders to send home for homework. I used them before I discovered the plastic folders. I would have to change out folders each quarter but the plastic ones last all year which was great. I had sets for my morning work, homework, comprehension readers and enrichment activity folders. Easy to store in their little book boxes.

 

Try : Communication Logs

Use communication logs in your homework folders to keep track of your communication with parents. It’s great  and important to call your parents and chat. I love using the communication logs. Parents send me quick little notes. I send them back quick little notes and reminders . It works out well. This is something great and easy to prep during the summer. I usually prep student folders as much as I can during the summer. Place a few sheets in each child’s folder and get the communication started right on the first day you send home their folders. I usually write a personalized message to parents welcoming them to the school and to my classroom. It’s a great way to get the parent and teacher relationship started. Some administrators require communication logs so here you will have a trail of your communication with parents. Many teachers have used it and love it. You can grab the log here for FREE: COMMUNICATION LOG

Try: Kid Magnets

Now granted this one you will have to pay for but it was worth it for me. I was able to use them for our centers but you can use them for center rotations. I was happy to have something I could just wipe and change out whenever I needed to. These kid magnets are cute and so easy to use.

 

Try: Focus Wall

Keep on top of things and what you are learning for the day, by using a focus wall . There are so many cute ideas out there for focus walls. Here is one more.

Try: Target Dollar Spot

If you have not picked up things from Target’s little dollar area, you are really missing out. I have been able to snag some cute little items for my classroom each year. Be sure to check it out. If you are a new teacher, get some really cute and cheap items here. Don’t spend a ton of money on your classroom when you can get great items for less.