We had a speaker named Randy Anderson come to my school and speak 2 times. He's awesome. He's on facebook so like him on there if you get a chance. He teaches people to optimize their time. He and other teacher blogs inspired me to reorganize my classroom this year. I cleared off counter space for student folders. Used my number set 1-20 to give my students a number with their photo and name. I taped library pockets to the counter for breakfast cards and bathroom sticks. Then I hope you can see at the top on the window seal I have put their "drops in the bucket" cups with their name attached as well. This has saved me so much time passing out notes, graded papers, searching for who didn't turn in their folders ect... My students know their numbers, are learning to write their classmates names and most importantly are learning to be organized and responsible for their folders and personal items. I love this system and I'm amazed daily at how my precious first graders have rose to the challenge of being responsible and self reliant this year.
These are the cute chairs I purchased for my classroom from Academy. They were inexpensive and my students have loved them. There are a few negative aspects. They are not as safe as I had expected on the tile floor. First graders are wiggly and tend to rock in them that's not a safe choice on carpet or on tile in a regular chair and these are less stable. So we've had to discuss that in great detail with many reminders. They are so light weight they are ideal for the Daily 5. My students (even my tiny ones) can pick up one of these chairs and move it to a spot where they can make good choices reading to self or with a buddy. Over all I feel they were a wise purchase and I hope they last so I can use them for many years to come.