DIY Lesson Planner

Today I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It and Skip to my Lou for Made By You Monday!

At the end of the school year, I made my lesson planner for next year. I thought about purchasing an Erin Condren Lesson Planner, but I didn't want to spend that much money. I only teach one subject, so I don't need a bunch of columns and places for different subjects. So, I decided to make one of my own.

The first thing I began looking for was a cute cover. I of course went to Pinterest, and I ended up finding a great blog with some cute ones! I downloaded the PDF, which you can get HERE. When you open the PDF, you choose your favorite design (good luck) and then just type in your initials. I took my saved copy to Fedex and printed a color copy.

The second thing I put together was a 2013-2014 calendar. I wanted this to be at the front of my planner. Once again, I went to Pinterest and found THIS cute calendar. All you do is click the link and get this free calendar from teachersnotebook.com. I printed it so when I opened up my planner it would be a full month across both pages.

The third thing I put together for my planner was the actual lesson planning pages. I have one page for each week, and I printed these only one-sided so I will be able to take notes on the other side during that week's curriculum meeting. HERE is the template I used. Please feel free to download it and make it your own. You could easily create more columns and make it front a back. I loved that I was able to customize something that was perfect for me!

After gathering everything I needed for my planner I went back to Fedex and they were able to bind everything together with a nice clear cover. All of this for less than $10. I absolutely love how it turned out, and I hope you find this easy to do!

Free lesson plan book tutorial

It seems like I always recreate things until I get them exactly how I like them...Well, my lesson plan book is no different. At the beginning of the school year I made this huge binder that held everything I would need for any meeting or for planning. It had my calendar, lesson plans, meeting notes, student info, school info, and even more. Sounds good right? Well, that binder has gotten on my nerves. It's huge and annoying to carry everywhere, so I have been looking for a new idea. My friend at school made her  own lesson plan book at the beginning of the year. She printed her pages and bought a binding kit at a office supply store.

After looking at her template and tweaking it to my liking I have created my very own lesson plan book! The best part...it was only $6! It's very thin and will be easy to carry around to all my many meetings. I also decided to include pages for meeting notes. 

I am waiting on my beloved Erin Condren Life Planner to arrive for the new year, and that will for sure be at my side as well. However, this allows me to keep school and my personal life separate (for the most part).

Here is a simple tutorial on how I made my very own Lesson Plan book...

- Here is the template I used for the inside. You can download it and change it!

- I found this link on Pinterest a couple weeks ago. You can download a free personalized monogrammed cover. I love mine. Just follow the directions for downloading (super easy).

- After my pages were all printed, I took everything to Fedex/Kinkos. They binded my book for me for about $5.00. 

That's it. SOOOO easy and cute!

Enjoy :)

My First Week as a Teacher

My first week as a middle school teacher was amazing! I was so nervous about this year, but God has placed me exactly where I need to be and I couldn't be more thankful!

I wanted to be able to remember some things I have learned throughout this week...

I have some amazing kids! They are all so sweet, even if they are in 8th grade. :)

I am the shortest one in my 1st period...but that's not a surprise! 

I can't really stand in the hallway during class change because I get lost in the crowd and get run over. I was nervous about how they would react to me being so young and looking so young, but I have figured out that if you are firm and consistent, they totally respect you.

I love teaching math, even if it's a lot of student's toughest subject.

The look on their faces when they finally get it is priceless.

The first day in the lunchroom is so awkward for kids.

I wish that I could make everyone be friends so no kid has to eat alone.

The sixth graders like to run through the halls.

The eighth graders walk as slow as possible.

Co-teaching is going to allow me to see so many different teaching styles.

Writing IEP's is going to be a new experience.

Planning period is a jewel.

Coffee is totally needed, along with a couple Diet Cokes.

Smiling makes a difference.

Mrs. Dove is a cool name (I am almost used to it).

Being organized makes a HUGE difference.

Interactive notebooks make math more fun and also break up the monotony.

Not having a homeroom is a blessing.

I have the best administration which makes all the difference.

I love being a teacher like my grandma and mom.

Working hard all week makes the weekends so awesome.

And the last thing I have figured out this week...

Every single day is rewarding.

Classroom Reveal!

As pre-planning has come to and end I am finally finished with my classroom! Even though I'm teaching 8th grade, I wanted my room to be bright and happy looking. I also am all about some organization, and that makes my room look clean and orderly. I had to have a place for everything, and thanks to many Pinterest ideas my classroom is complete!

I pretty much made everything and am planning on sharing it for free on my blog soon!

I am right beside the 8th grade workroom...so nice!

The view to the right when you enter my classroom.

My welcome sign.

To the left of the board you will find the Interactive Notebook table of contents. We will use an interactive notebook for our math notebook. On the left side of the board is where you will find the date and agenda for the day.

 

To the right of the board is my "No Name" sign, where the standards will be posted, and the student center. Here they can turn in papers, find any extra copies, find notebook paper, colored paper, and white paper. I am also going to have them store their notebooks here. 

Here is a close up of the student center.
The colored buckets are from the Dollar Tree, and the flower tin container is from Target.

On the right side of the board you can find the EQ (essential questions) and any homework that is assigned.

Here is a close up of my "No Name" sign. I added close pins to the bottom to attach papers with no name.

This is the back bulletin board.

This is my favorite part of the classroom...my corner!

I don't like clutter at all, so my desk has nothing on it. I have a bookshelf beside my desk to store binders, day of the week folders, and my 3 drawer system (I use the 3 drawers for- to grade, to copy, and to hand back). There is also a small desk by my desk where my laptop sits.

I found this idea on Pinterest and my mom helped me bring it to life. I love that it is the first thing you see when you walk into my classroom, and not only is it bright and colorful, it has a purpose! I laminated it and put up the vocab words that pertain to our first unit.  I will change it out for every unit.

Here's a close up!

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to begin teaching on Monday and break everything in :) Check back often for updates on my year as a new teacher!

New Teacher

I graduated from college in May 2011 with a degree in middle grades education. When I first graduated, jobs were very limited. I was pretty picky about the county I wanted to teach in, and that specific county was on a hiring freeze. I had the opportunity to do my student teaching in this county, and it was a great experience.

Well, after more than a year of looking and praying about teaching, I GOT A JOB! It is a wonderful opporunity and is going to be the perfect place for me. I begin in a couple weeks with planning and getting ready for the school year. I have so much to do before, and I am so excited to decorate my classroom. 

Here are some before shots...

I can't wait to share the afters! Stay tuned :) Also, if you have any advice for a first year teacher, please share!!!