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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Hall Pass Linky



One of my favorite bloggers, Reagan, from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits, is having a linky!
We can link up and share a favorite product, classroom area, transition signal, and ways we keep our sanity when times get rough. Here's my Hall Pass...

One of my favorite products that I use 
every single day is my menu.
Ever since I hung this up in my classroom, I have never had to worry about what to do with my fast finishers. There is always something meaningful for my students to do while the others are finishing up their station work. You can find out more information about this product here.
This is one of my favorite areas in my classroom. It is the mailbox system that holds all the supplies my students need to complete the activities offered in the menu.
All of the mailbox slots are numbered to match the numbers on the menu. So, if they want to write a recipe, they will find the recipe cards in slot number 1. You can read more about this system here.
My favorite signal that I use to get my students' attention is my bell and some magic words. I ring it 3 times and say, "Please stop." And I call out the names of 2 or 3 students who stopped what they were doing right away. Then I say, "Please look." And I call out the names of 2 or 3 students who looked at me right away. Finally, I say, "Please listen." And I call out the names of 2 or 3 students who are listening to me. By the time I am done, all of the children are looking and listening. Works like a charm. They especially like the recognition!
Whenever I need a sanity check after a tough morning or afternoon, I do a few different things. I may reach for a few of my favorite sweets. Currently, it's these:


Or, I may visit one of my dear co-workers for some adult conversation. Or, I may shoot off an email to my sister, who works in the same school, but, on the other side of it! We always make each other laugh, ever since we were little kids.

I hope you enjoyed my Hall Pass and 
I hope you link up, too!

15 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness I am getting that menu! Looks fantastic! Thank you Lori for linking up!!

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  2. Definitely checking into your menu posts...looks like a life saving product!

    Lindsay
    For the Love of First Grade

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  3. I love your Menu! Thanks for sharing it! What a great way to organise the resources too... I think I might need to borrow your idea :)(and I've just wishlisted your Menu too!)

    I have a big rain stick for getting kids attention. I use it in a similar way to your bell, its great because it takes a while for all the beads to fall down the other end so it gives a little bit of transition time for kids to stop what they're doing and listen.

    Thanks for sharing your ideas

    Jess

    Early Years Fun



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  4. Your menu is a great idea! Thanks for sharing how you organize it too!
    Kim
    TheVeryBusyFirstGraders

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  5. How cool to work with your sister! My brother will be student teaching soon, and I hope to have him in my same district, at least! :)
    ❤Teri
    A Cupcake for the Teacher

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  6. I love that menu!! Okay, and I must say... I have bought many of your products on TpT and just made the connection to your blog.. The rainbow chevron background gave it away! How awesome that you work with your sister --- that would be a sanity saver!

    Ashley
    That's So Second Grade
    www.secondgradeparadise.blogspot.com

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  7. I love your signal! You're so lucky to work with your sister! Thanks for sharing!
    ✿Sue
    Science for Kids Blog

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  8. Lori, I have to say that I Can Write stuff is amazing!! I have it hanging in our room now and we're starting to introduce each one and model as a whole class before the kiddos can use it on their own. Also, I love candy hearts too! But the brachs brand only. lol

    Sarah
    teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com

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  9. That menu is great! I love all of the purposeful activities your early birds can do!

    Christy
    Teaching In Oz

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  10. How fun to work with your sister! That must be amazing! :) Love your menu... I bet that keeps your little ones very busy!
    Tori
    Tori's Teacher Tips

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  11. I think your menu must be a favorite of many other teachers, too because I see pins of it everywhere. I can relate to the sugar fix. :)

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  12. Love the writing menu and the organizing idea!

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  13. I love the menu!
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    Jenny
    Suntans and Lesson Plans

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  14. You are so organized!! And, I gotta admit...my candy stash is a sanity saver!! :) I popped over from the Hall Pass linky. I'd love it if you'd "sneak down the hall" and check out my Hall Pass post!!

    Amy
    Happy Teacher Heaven

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love to read them!

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