1-2-3 Come Make Some Posters With Me

I've learned that when it comes to young children, keeping things simple is a recipe for success.  With that in mind, I designed this simple rules poster.  Use it to review, reinforce and remind. 

This is the latest addition to a lot of other posters and anchor charts that I have on TeachWithMe.com  Over 50 are just a click away. 

I LOVED using posters as a quick way to decorate my room and our hallway, for the various seasons and themes that we studied throughout the year.  Having taught PK, K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th, 10th, 12th and college, you can imagine the collection I accumulated over the years!  They were not easy to part with, but I'm glad to say they have been happily recycled.

Since I wanted to post the newest addition and blog about it, I needed a bit more of an article, so here are a few of my favorite classroom-management type posters.  I've also used posters as a writing prompt, asking my students what they thought and if they agreed or disagreed with the poster.  Click on the various hot links below to grab your copies.

"Please ZIP your lips!" was something that I taught my students on the first day of school. 

Since sewing is one of my hobbies, I had a few zippers on hand, so I took them to school, laying one on my chalk sill, another on my desk, and a 3rd by my reading chair. 

To signal silence, I'd hold up the real zipper and zip it shut.  My students would then pretend to zip their lips. 

It was a simple and effective way to start story time, and my students really enjoyed the monkey-see monkey-do zipping. 

Sometimes, we'd sing the "Zip Your Lips" song, when we prepared to get ready to transition or go somewhere.  Click on the link to view/download the "Zippy" posters and song.

"Owl" Be Watching is an effective, yet gentle reminder, to make wise choices.  Making students take responsibility for their actions and holding them responsible with consequences, is a must for successful classroom management.

I got the idea for my "Dear Students"  poster from Caroline’s 6 point-note to her 3rd grade English students in SC.  Check out her cute Tupelo Honey blog by clicking on the link.

To make your new students feel extra special, run off copies and tuck them in their take home folders or Open House packets, then display one on your classroom wall. 

Likewise, the "In This Classroom..." poster (another tweaked idea) is a nice addition to your classroom booklet.

Studies have shown that good readers are risk takers. 

It's important to foster the idea that it's OK to make mistakes, so students feel at ease making a "guess-timate" and taking the risk of being wrong.  It's simply how we learn.

With that in mind, I designed this pencil poster. 

Remembering to put their name on all of their work, was something that I reminded my students of daily. 

To help with that in  a fun way,  I taught my students this simple rhyme and then made it into a poster that hung above our "turned in work" basket.

"You get what you get, so don't get upset!" was another rhyme that I taught my Y5's.  This is especially handy if you have young ones who pout and/or pitch a fit when they don't get their 1st choice or color preference. 

My little ones were quick to pick up on this, so whenever a child carried on, at least one, if not more students would kindly chant the rhyme to them.

The other Don't Get Upset poster in this pack, is for when students cop an attitude when they don't get to participate, or do a special craftivity, because they did not complete their work.  This "Don't Get Upset" poster is a gentle reminder of the choices they made. 

 If you're like me, you hate it when children continue to whine and give excuses for not following through, staying on task, or completing an activity. This little "Make an Effort Not an Excuse" poster is one of my favorites.

If you practice the "bucket filling" philosophy or simply want your students to consider their words and actions, you may find the "Trading Places" poster helpful. 

Have you used the technique of "Put your thinking caps on?" I actually had my Y5's pretend to put one on, and then make a goofy noise to show me that theirs was working. 

We'd zip our lips and be ready to get down to business.  Click on the link for a cute picture of a "real" thinking cap that I made into a poster. 

Finally, I had to throw in a silly little teacher poster  to make an even dozen FREEBIE posters today.  I hung all sorts of paper "stuff" (poems, posters, quotes, pictures and notes) inside my cupboard doors that would make me smile, or give me a much-needed lift. 

We all need this boost to our spirits, especially if it's been a challenging day -- and the reason we became a teacher in the first place is clouded by craziness.  Thus, I give you my "Whew!" poster, for when you've had one of those days.  I'm sure you can relate, as we've all been there; done that!

Thanks for visiting today.  Hopefully you found at least one goodie that you can use in your classroom, as you prepare for a "clean slate" and exciting brand new year. 

A zillion more ideas are floating through my head, so I'm off to jot them down before they disappear like my summer seems to be doing!

"There's no tired, like teacher tired at the end of the first, last, or party day!"

2 pages.

Something just for fun.  Poster + matching bookmark.

1-2-3 Come Hang Up A Poster With Me!

The school year is coming to an end and many will be cleaning and sorting their classrooms.

I always made a list of new things that I wanted to look for, or things I wanted to make, during summer break. 

My husband found it amusing that even though I was finally on vacation, my teacher-mind never turned off.

Although I rested and enjoyed summer, I was always cutting, pasting, and "playing school" for a great part of "vacation."

Planning how I would decorate my classroom and acquiring those goodies, was one of my favorite things to do.

With that in mind, I decided to design some new classroom posters.

I used posters to not only decorate my room, but to inspire, challenge students to think, and remind them to make wise choices.

I turned many into anchor charts, that would help review a variety of concepts in a concise and interesting way.

I also used posters to ignite discussions, that would lead to interesting writing prompts, which my students of various ages, seemed excited to give their opinions about.

I've added 10 new posters this week.  I hope you find something that you're looking for.

To view/download the posters pictured, click on their links: Im Possible, I Choose, Wake Up, Don't, and Actions Speak.

To zip on over to the poster and anchor chart section, click on the link. There are over 100!

Simply scroll through and select whatever you like.

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." -Maria Robinson

1-2-3 Come Appreciate A Teacher With Me!

During teacher appreciation week, I liked to give my grade level and other teacher friends a little something in their mailboxes to make them smile.

I designed this particular "I've Got Everything Done!" poster, with that idea in mind. 

Any teacher can certainly relate and hopefully chuckle.

Click on the link above, to view/download the poster.

I just want to say thank you to all of the teachers and teacher-parents who have visited my site. 

I appreciate the fact that you are on the Internet trying to find fun, yet standard-based lessons for your kiddo's, and I'm delighted you stopped here.

Thanks for all of the energy, enthusiasm, and effort you put into helping a child learn.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day, Week, Month.

Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.

I also have over 100 other classroom posters and anchor charts available.

Click on the link to zip on over to those FREEBIES.

"The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas, as in escaping from the old ones." -John Maynard Keynes