Project-Based Learning Central

Promote student accountability and self-reflection with this simple weekly behavior chart! Students color in the appropriate emoticon and check off behavior descriptors for their day's behavior. There is an area for you (or the student) to elaborate on the details of the day if necessary. Please note there are two versions: one with and one without an area for parents to initial. Please email me at graffkidlit@gmail.com if you'd like an editable version.

When I started teaching first grade, I knew I wanted as many hands-on, experiential activities as possible. But as any teacher knows, money is tight, class sizes are increasing, and we need all the help we can get. That's when I came up with the idea to use an online volunteer/supply donation registry to organize what materials I needed for upcoming crafts, post openings for parents to come in and help, or request help preparing materials at home. Starting this registry changed my life and made

What teacher doesn't dread collecting all those school supplies on the first day? To encourage independence, I put this chart on each child's desk and make them accountable to mark off what they've brought. The chart then goes home with an included letter to parents on the first day of school. Anything not marked is still needed. Customizable for your own classroom needs. Parent letter included. *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased

I print this sheet on full-sized labels and then affix them to 11" x 13" manilla envelopes for students to bring their work home in every Friday. The envelope is returned Monday and I can quickly scan the label to see if a parent has a question about their child's work.

To shake things up, particularly at the end of the school year, the kids love bringing in board games from home and having a period to interact and play each others' games. This letter to parents provides the details for sending in games for this special activity.

This handy letter allows you to get extra help from parents at home to sharpen all those pencils that show up unsharpened. It can also get be adapted when you reach the point where your students break pencils and you need help re-sharpening them.