Flukes

Students can use this writing checklist (with visual symbols) to proofread their writing assignments. Cut and laminate, so kids can keep this tool at their desk and write on it with a dry-erase marker each time they have a writing assignment. They can reuse it all year to edit their own work or double-check a peer’s work. I've included 2 versions (6 or 8 categories), so you can choose what best fits your students' needs.

Here's a simple form to use if you choose to let students borrow books from your classroom library. You can hang it on a clipboard or hole-punch and put in a binder. It has 4 sections: student name, title of book, date borrowed, and date returned. Using this will maintain student accountability/responsibility and you will have record of who borrowed books and when, so you won't lose valuable literature. You can also use it to see trends of which books tend to be most popular.

Keep track of students' ability to write their name throughout the year. I included 2 versions, one with three times (beginning, mid, and end of year), one with four times (August, November, February, and May), and a monthly assessment with 10 times for a typical school year (Aug.-May). It's a useful tool to track progress, but also makes a great parent keepsake at the end of the year.

This seating chart template has versions for 5 or 6 seats around a horseshoe (u-shaped) table for small group instruction. There are 4 different version of the seating chart, one with and without a section for notes. The blank line above each table can be used to list the time slot, name, subject, or other way to identify each group.

Use these labels to acknowledge people that have donated books to your classroom by writing their name on the sticker and adhering it to the inside cover of the book. They will love knowing they have some ownership in your classroom library and you will remember who donated books and supports literacy. Each sheet prints 6 labels (3.5" x 4", Avery template 5164).

These classroom rules posters help students (and teachers) remember the rules. There are 5 rules, which begin with the letters in the world RULES. They each have a paw print theme, with options of different fonts and color/black and white. You can give one to each student for their binder and/or you can also enlarge to post in the classroom.

When your students have a "ruff" day at school (difficult, challenging behavior), send this note home to parents for communication. This is similar to an "oops" slip many teachers use to document poor choices. There are 2 sheets per page to save paper. It includes a checklist for you to check off specific behavior and comments to add more detail. I have students sign it, take home, then bring back the next day (so I know parents received it). Then I file it.

If your students use a daily folder or binder, use this cat-themed cover that says MEOW (My Excellent Organized Work). I've included several to choose from, including 2 different cat designs, 4 colors of font, and the choice of the word "binder" or "folder". Feel free to use several choices to let students choose, or just do all of the same for each child, whatever you prefer.

Tired of students tattling during a lesson? Now they can still share their concerns with you and know that they will be heard, without compromising valuable learning time. Set up an area on a table with a box or bin and these tattle sheets/sign. Students can discreetly express an idea, concern, problem, or any news that they want you to know and you can check them daily in case you need to address issues.

This is a quick way to record student scores and know if work has been turned in and graded. Included is an assignment tracker sheet to customize with student names and assignments that can be hole-punched and put in a gradebook. Also included are check-off strips that can be printed on adhesive paper. You can keep a strip with each pile of student work to check off who has completed the assignment or record their score. Once you're ready to record it in your gradebook and give back the stud

I was inspired to create this seating survey by this blog post: http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/ (She talks about identifying lonely children that never get selected or are left out, as a way to deter bullying.) I do this seating survey once a month (before I change seats) to help get a pulse of the classroom community and social structure. Kids pick 3 kids they want to sit near, while recognizing one role model child. They fill out the survey and I collect them. I may o

This simple student survey is great to send home to parents on the first day of school (for younger children) and for the kids themselves to complete in older grades. I do also have a parent contact sheet freebie in my store (which is great to go along with this one), but this is designed to give you better insight into each child's favorite things, parent comments, and other useful information.

Dog-themed reading log to encourage kids to HOWL (Hang Out With Literature). Save paper by having students color one paw for each book they read, instead of listing each title. This reading log is the only one you’ll need all year. Keep it in their take-home folder or binder, so it’s available all year. By the end of each month, they’ll have read/recorded 20 books, which parents initial to increase accountability. (Includes 3 different versions with/without August and June to accommodate vari

The dog ate my homework! This dog-themed homework pass is great to give at the beginning of the year or back-to-school night, so that students can choose to use it wisely. You could also use it as reward incentive throughout the year too. There are 2 versions included, one that is valid for ONE assignment and one that is valid for ONE assignment within a weekly packet. (appropriate for lower and upper grades, since there is a pass for packet homework OR nightly homework).

This sign will let your classroom visitors know where to find you on campus, whether your class is inside the classroom or elsewhere. There are 8 different cat or dog images to show different locations. Simply laminate for long-term use and use Velcro to stick paw print onto your location. If you're at the library, you would attach the paw print to the "library" cat to show that's where you are. Your students will love being chosen to move the paw to the correct location and staff or parents

Students can recommend a "fave"book (play on words for a popular social networking site)with this 3-page classroom display. Download includes "favebook" logo/title for bulletin board or center display, half-sheet book recommendation forms for students to fill out, and a log to list favorite books. Students can "like" books to see which are most popular. I would set this up using a basket or large envelope to collect completed forms. Teacher or students can add book titles to the list so othe

Use this dog-themed homework alert to let parents know that student had missing and/or incomplete homework. You can check either (or both) to specify which occurred.

Here are 10 different classroom reward coupons to give to students. They are reusable, especially if you print on cardstock and/or laminate them. There are 4 colorful cards of each type, complete with matching picture. I award them to students, but they return the card to me when they redeem it. I also included a few blank cards for you to write in your own reward as needed.

This set will make your first day of kindergarten or first grade go smoothly, because you can take this priority checklist with you to greet parents on the first day of school. You can easily and quickly record important information about whether each child is packing or buying lunch (and payment info), and how they are getting home (after school program, parent pickup, bus, or you can write in your own notes). You can also record a checkmark of whether you gave the parent a first-day gift. I

Post this sign in or near the bathroom as a reminder for children to flush, wash hands, and turn off the light. I’ve included two versions, so you can use it whether the sink is inside the restroom or outside. (The last 2 steps are reversed.) There are visuals to accompany each direction for younger and/or ELL.