Making Life Easier with the Standards

This is a post from last summer with a real time saver that is working for me!

I know it's summer, but in between planting the fairy garden, traipsing through the art fairs, and spending time with family and friends, I can't help thinking about school! I love the freshness of the new year, and another chance to get it all right! (Okay, maybe one or two more things right!)
Here's one I'd like to simplify: posting the standards or learning goals for the kids to see each day and for the principal to see when he's filling in his mental checklist.
I set up this system for last year, thought it was super cute and easy, and yet got sidetracked with all the lists of "I Can"statements, pocket charts to display them in, and finding a good place to display them. For this year, I definitely want to try this low-maintenance plan again.
I bought some giant speech bubble signs at the local teacher's store (was looking for clouds, but couldn't resist the colorful borders on these!). I laminated them and arranged them around the date card as you can see in the photo. It was then super simple to write the learning goal for each subject first thing in the morning and leave it there all day.  A few times, I wrote the learning goal in with the kids while I was introducing it. That worked great, and might be the plan I will use this year. The bubbles are hanging in a very small space between my math calendar and smartboard. They really take up little room, are very noticeable, and I really think they will simplify my teaching life in the fall. Simple, visible, cute, done!
Happy summer, everyone! Try not to think too much about school...just a little....and keep it simple!

                                                                                               Retta 

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