Organization is the key!

In my quest to become more organized and to have a fabulously attractive classroom, I have created some cute little labels for my filing cabinet. Head on over to TPT to grab your free copy. I have also created some cute little "locker fairy" cards (in the spirit of my new sports/team theme) to keep my kids organized. Click on the pics and head on over to TPT to grab your free copy of each!!

To Lexile or not to Lexile!

So, I have been knee deep in books for the past few days! I have every book I own and I am tackling the task of Lexile Leveling each and every one of them!! I thought I had this licked a few years ago when I went ahead and found the Reading Counts level for each of them!!

So, now that I am right in the middle of all this, I am wondering-

How do you organize your books in your classroom?

I have always had them by RC levels with a few baskets of series, authors, etc. I am leaning towards using Lexile Levels as my main baskets (thank you ELA Common Core Standards!) and then keeping my special baskets and adding non-fiction in the mix.

What do you think? I would love to hear from all you blogtastic teachers out there!!! And, hey by the way, while you are here go ahead and click on that little followers tab so I can have my first giveaway!!

Melissa

Give me the Finger!

Hey friends! I am planning to use a teamwork theme for my third graders this year!! I have lots of little projects going on and through my head as I plan to create a stimulating and organized classroom. I have these wonderful foam fingers that I am planning on hanging over my student tables (groups of desks). I usually have 6 groups of 4 (or some with 5 depending on how many students I end up with!). I can't wait to hang these adorable fingers. They are going to add so much color to my room. I know I am going to put big numbers on each one (1-6) but I am not sure what else I would like to do. After spending so much time painting them (it took a couple of coats), I want to get them just right! Any suggestions???