Being able to identify synonyms – and their opposite partner words – antonyms – are super fun topics for any grade level 2nd-4th English class!  Sentence structure becomes immediately better when students are exposed to variations of common words they use regularly.

What if your teacher lesson plans taught synonyms like a word detective?  

The class needs to find the clues that lead to a hidden mystery word.  Each day, you share another synonym for a common word and place it on a word wall or anchor chart.  

The master lists of synonyms grows each day, as does the student guesses as their ideas are eliminated when a new word is added.

The look of excitement in their faces is so pleasing to watch.  The thrill of hearing their guesses while realizing that their word choice is suddenly so much larger than it has been before.  

Learning  has never been more fun!

School Bulletin Board Full Site Access

Create your bulletin boards in a snap with premade templates!

Click HERE to see more!

Why teach synonyms?

The best reason to teach synonyms is honestly for a wider variety of word choice that expands the vocabulary library.  Isn’t our goal to grow students into better readers and thinkers?  By doing specific activities in school where students use their knowledge or skill to create more complex sentences, it enhances their ability to communicate with others and learn better.

After working on a classroom brainstorming list to pool together various words that can mean the same thing, make a master list of the words and photocopy one for each child to keep within his or her writing folder for easy reference while writing.

I guarantee if you ask students to swap out just one word from their writing this week for another option in their vocabulary book, you will start to see students using better words more often.  The bonus is that you will start to hear it in their speaking skills as well.

How do you teach synonyms and antonyms?

Usually teaching synonyms and antonyms goes hand in hand, much like peanut butter and jelly.  It doesn’t always have to be taught simultaneously, but they are certainly two pieces of the grammar pie that go together very well.

Anchor charts are a great way to teach this strategy too!

This one is super cute and shows how to connect the S in synonym with the word same.

Love that these are petals of flowers!   It would go great with the free synonyms worksheets I have for you below!

You just can’t have an education post about teaching synonyms without seeing cinnamon rolls – haha!

Another way I have always taught synonyms in the past is through literature.  A few great choices are:

• Pitch and Throw, Grasp, and Know:  What Is a Synonym? by Brian P. Cleary
• If You Were a Synonym (Word Fun) by Michael Dahl
• Stroll and Walk, Babble and Talk:  More About Synonyms by Brian P. Cleary

Need something more hands-on?   How about a free pdf printable pack?

I have created a fun version of a color-by-number activity:   Spring Color-By-Synonyms!  Super fun, right?

This completely free pack of printables includes 6 worksheets – 3 that are simple synonym choices for the K-2 crowd and 3 that are of a higher difficulty level.  {Did someone use the word rigorous?}

Of course, they are all included in the free set to use interchangeably with your students’ needs.  I know how you probably have a classroom full of students that could use either version, so they will all be at your fingertips for the taking!

A word of warning:  the higher difficulty versions do include some words not regularly used as synonyms as I specifically wanted to make it challenging.  Many students will need a thesaurus or dictionary to look up the meanings of the word in question.

This can be done in traditional book form, my personal favorite way to teach referencing skills in addition to the synonym unit, but students could also feasibly find help by using an online version such as dictionary.com or thesaurus.com to assist them in working through the words.

These free worksheets for synonym practice can be used during your lesson, as a homework assignment, morning work, centers, or even as an extension activity for your gifted students who might be ready to tackle something a bit harder.

All the answer keys are also included in the packet so you can check it in a flash.

Make sure to download your free Spring Color by Synonyms Printable Pack below right now!

How do you usually cover synonyms and/or antonyms in your classroom?   We love ideas around here!  Leave your ideas in a comment below!  #sharingiscaring

~Charity

The post Free Spring Color by Synonyms Printable Worksheets to Build Vocabulary appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Save your voice and allow the students to have a visual reminder of the expectations as well.  Enjoy!

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom management? This 105 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 16 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Tattling
-Using Peer Pressure to Solve Behavior Issues
-Utilizing a Simple Plastic Cup for Your Mgmt Plan
-Creating a Simple Token Economy
-A Character Building Game
-Group Work Mgmt Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Here is the video:

Transcript for those who prefer to read:

“Hi Everyone, Charity Preston here from the organized classroom blog. I hope everyone’s doing well, having a great week.

Today’s tip has to do a little bit with classroom management. I’ve actually seen this in a cafeteria at a school that I worked at and it worked pretty well for there.

And I thought, you know, I hate whenever I have the kids working in groups in their classroom and they can’t so loud you can’t even hear yourself think.

And then I thought, okay, well a lot of, a lot of teachers use the Yak-ker trackers or whatever. They have lots of different ways that they get them to quiet down.

And I know some other teachers just can’t afford to buy something like that as well.

And why penalize the group that is working quietly and using the appropriate indoor voice with their group as opposed to the group that’s just being completely loud and just being crazy.

So, um, I’m going to adapt something I had from the cafeteria idea into your classroom and it’s really actually very simple.

All you’re going to need our three cups, a red one, yellow one, and a green one.

Super simple, easy to buy. I think I paid $3 for each package of these cups and you can then have enough for each one of your groups in the classroom.

Now you can even get fancy with them, which I didn’t, but you could even write on them and write teammate purple team, however you, whatever your team names are, you could create labels and slap some labels on there as well.

You can even just write on the bottom a, B, c, whatever group it is. Maybe it’s team one. You put the number one of the top of it because I can see certain students switching them out with other tables possibly.

You never know, but if you wanted to label them, you certainly could. It would be super simple to do.

So all you’re going to do is stack your cups. Okay?

You’re going to put these right in the middle of your teams and everybody starts out on green.

As you begin your group activity. If a group is just starting to get kind of loud, just walk over without a word and change their cup to yellow.

So now they know they’re saying they’ve gotten their morning, this one, this is what it is and it’s a visual and it’s sitting right in the middle of the team and they can see it.

And if they still just, you know, can’t seem to pull it together, they go to red and then red means your group time is over with. Get out your paper and pencil, you’re going to do everything individually by yourself silently.

And that’s what that group has to do.

I would hazard a guess to say after a couple times we get in a red, the peer pressure’s going to kick in because not everybody’s going to want to get off the paper and pencil. And once they get to this point, they’re going to say, okay guys, no, seriously, we don’t want to get to red because I hate getting off the paper and pencil and I hate having write everything down, so let’s just chill out. You know, and one person’s getting allowed the other.

Hopefully people in the group will quiet him down and of course you could even go the other way.

Let’s say they’re already on yellow. They could go back to green. If you feel like they’re doing a phenomenal job keeping up with what they need to, they could go right back to green.

It’s certainly up to you as to how the do you want to do it in your own classroom, but it’s a way that you don’t have to raise your voice.

You literally silently walk over and change the cup.

They’re going to see it. It’s a visual. You don’t need to yell. You don’t need to remind them constantly.

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

Group five how many times we have to go over this quiet down. Use your appropriate voice. They’re sitting right across from you. You don’t need to scream.

You don’t need to say any of that. All you have to do is go over and change the cup when you’ve had it that you’ve had it, period. That’s it. It’s on red. They’re going to paper and pencil. Problem solved at that point.

So that’s kind of a fun idea actually that I got from another place and I have seen it work very well in classrooms and in the cafeteria.

So you certainly if you have cafeteria duty, I know how much fun that is. Uh, Eddie just gets obnoxiously loud, try to go with the tables and, and the team approach there as well.

Um, I just see this being more used in the classroom, uh, adapted over so it could be used both places.

All right. I hope you’ve enjoyed, as always, feel free if you have another great tip that you want to share with us. I know I’ve gotten some in, I’m still working on the videos for those ones.

Then feel free to send me like a nice little email at the organized classroom, blog.com right up at the top toolbar. You’ll see an about contact tab does click out and go to my contact form, fill in something that you would like to see if you have something in particular or if you have a great tip such as this, feel free to share it with the world. And I’ll make sure to throw your name into the video if you’d like.

And, uh, that’s what we have for today, guys. I hope you’ve enjoyed. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

Don’t have any cups handy or no place to store them?

Download the free handout below, cut apart on the lines, and then laminate (optional) to start using them right away!

Click here to email your freebie

How else could you use this idea in your classroom or school? For a parent night, schoolwide assembly, or signaling when recess is over? Other ideas? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

~Charity

The post Cup Management appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Pods of four desks in each small group are the traits of this seating arrangement.  Perfect for small groups of four and/or partner work with face or shoulder partners.

How else could you use this seating arrangement in your classroom?  Feel free to share in the comments below!

You might want to check out:

Want an AD-FREE resource book of all seating charts in one easy-to-print format?  188 pages in total!  Now available in our Bookstore!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Grab a printable handout of this seating chart!

Click here to email your freebie

~Charity

See ALL the Seating Chart options HERE.

The post Classroom Seating Chart: Cake Anyone? appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Yes, you purchase your teacher planner in the hopes it will help you to stay organized.  But a lovely side effect is the big smile on your face every time you pull your planner out of your desk.  If you aren’t smiling, you aren’t doing it right.   Let’s get you the teacher planner that brings your smile back.

Where Can I Find a Good Teacher Planner

There are several places to find your own best planner edition.   You can look online, in the physical store, or even create your own printable version.

I have found that what makes me happy is being able to customize my own cover, choose the pages I prefer from my template choices, have a matching lesson plan, and then print off as needed and bind together.

Maybe you prefer a thicker large book style shiny cover planner that has everything in it for the entire year and you are lost without carrying it around.

Some other teachers might go a completely different direction and choose an online teacher planner so that everything is digital and nothing needs to be carried.  Apps are useful for looking or changing to dos very easily on the fly.

Ready-for-you is convenient, but might not include everything in your planning wish list.

Want a ready made simple system?

Customize your very own editable teacher planner – change your theme all throughout the year with this mega bundle of choices!

See more HERE.

What Should You Look for in Your Teacher Planner

Here are some things to consider when looking for your dream classroom planner.  Most buy off the shelf planners won’t have the ability to customize your choices, while digital files that you print yourself allow you the option to choose your preference of pages, order them how you like, and pop in a binder for the ultimate best for you option.

Calendar:  Choose between a monthly, weekly, or daily format.  Personally I like a weekly and monthly layout in my planner.  The monthly is important for me to write down upcoming events, but the 2-page weekly spread allows me to document all the little things that have to get done throughout the upcoming week.

Layout:  Horizontal or vertical.  This might not matter to some teachers, but it is a deal-breaker for me.  I cannot work in a vertical weekly format.  For some reason it doesn’t feel right.  If it doesn’t matter to you, that’s fine too, but if it does matter, this is one of the first things I look at when deciding whether a new planner will make it through the year with me.

Lesson planning template:  An optional piece of course.  Some teachers prefer to have a separate lesson planning book from their calendar planning pieces.  Others want it all in one. The choice is yours.

Gradebook:  Another optional piece.  Keep in mind if you are carrying around confidential grades, make sure students don’t have access to snoop throughout your planning book at all.

Personalized custom cover:  I love having my name on my cover, but that’s just me.  And the cover design really does make a difference in my smile factor.

Extra pages:  Classroom management plan template, seating chart pages, substitute information, important dates, classroom roster, and more.

The sky is the limit.  You should write down really your must-haves included in your ultimate dream planner and then make sure whatever option you choose is as close to that dream as possible.

How to Create a Teacher Planner

If you are choosing to go with a digital printable in which you print your specific pages, there are 4 great options for putting your new personalized teacher lesson planner together.

1.  Use a 3 ring binder.   This option is the best for me because I am able to add in or take out pages easily without having to bind anything over from scratch.  I love adding in monthly tabs and  different sections of my planner for simple organization.

A 1.5 inch binder tends to do the trick for my needs – and there are so many different colors out there to chose from that you can match virtually any design.

Also having a clear insert front cover is useful for adding in my personalized cover with my name on it.

2.  Coil Binding can be a choice as well.  Many schools have a coil binding machine to make student “books.”   You can use this same machine to create your teacher plan book.

Print the pages you wish to include, along with your cover on top, and then bind them together to look like a professional planner you might find in the store.

3.  Comb Binding machines are a little pricier so you may or may not have access to one at school.  But you can still easily find one at the office supply store!   Take your pages to the copy counter at your local office supply chain and ask them if they can coil bind it for you.

Typically you can even choose whether there is a clear cover, no cover, a plastic or colored paper backing, and what color the coil is.  Even with these extra options, it should cost you less than a trip to Starbucks.

Coil binding is super handy as it allows the planner to be opened flat on the table when writing in it.

Want to save even more time?  Since you are at the office supply store anyway, take in or email your planner files, and use their printing services to have the all in one planner made for you on the spot.  That option saves you time and ink!

4.  One last way to display your favorite teacher planner is with a report cover with brads.  This option is good if you prefer to only print off your weekly plans no more than a month out being that the report cover won’t be able to hold an entire year’s worth of pages.

If you prefer to keep it simple by printing as you go throughout the year (thereby saving paper if you only print what you need when you need it), then having something lightweight to carry around is a nice perk.  And you can still show off your custom cover page.

Here is an option for a super cute printable planner you might like: Save the Drama for Your Llama Simple Teacher Planner!

This digital file includes:

• Divider tabs
• Monthly Customizable Calendar:  Form fields allow you to “type” in the dates monthly so you never need to buy an updated version
• Matching Lesson Plan Template:  Type right on to the form
• Meeting Notes Page
• From the Desk of Notepad Pages
• Custom Cover

All pages have typeable fields so you can choose to fill in, save, print, OR email the file.  This is perfect if you want to send a note to a parent – or share IEP meeting notes with a colleague who wasn’t able to make the meeting.

Pages are 8.5″x11″ standard page size for printing and adding to a binder.

Prefer a different theme with the same idea?

This 7 Teacher Lesson Planners Mega Bundle includes the following themes:

• Save the Drama for Your Llama
• Bright Flowers
• Busy Bee
• Cute Chevron
• Pretty Paisley
• Tree Love
• Zebra

Whether you choose to go old school planner, completely online, or a mix in between with a print-it-yourself option, knowing what you prefer really is the key to finding your planner nirvana.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for lesson planning and calendar organization in the classroom? This 70 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 14 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Curriculum Mapping
-Setting Up Your Daily Classroom Schedule
-Digital Filing Cabinets
-Weekly Planning Resources
-Several To-Do List Templates
-Balancing Home and Work Life in your Calendar
-File Organization
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!

See it HERE.

Need a sample calendar template from the Save the Drama for Your Llama Teacher Planner?

Download it below and add your own text boxes on the file using either Power Point or Google Slides.

Click here to email your freebie

What type of planner do you love best?  We would love to hear in the comments below!

~Charity

The post How to Create Your Own Custom Teacher Planner appeared first on Organized Classroom.

But, poetry is actually all around us.   And not always in the classical sense of Robert Frost.

Keep reading to see some tips and trick for new and veteran teachers alike to put in your teaching toolbox for your next poetry unit!

As a new teacher, this was one of the hardest curriculum I had to learn how to teach, especially to younger kids who don’t “get it.”  

Of course, we worked with Dr. Seuss books to learn rhyming, nonsense words, and other important literacy skills, but even those materials didn’t always translate into students understanding how poems were set up (they didn’t always rhyme and they don’t always look the same).

Finding new ways to keep hitting on poetry throughout the year was vital.  

You never knew when the standardized test would throw in a poem and completely freak out every student in your class.

Reading and Language Arts Power Pack

11 reading and language arts resource sets that pack a punch!

This power pack includes the following 11 files:

• Beach Activities Pack (K-6)
• Chapter Book Reading Strategies Activities  (grades 3-8)
• Chrysanthemum Reading Packet (grades 2-4)
• Contraction Packet (grades 1-3)
• DI Spelling Menus Packet (grade 2+)
• Never Ride Your Elephant to School Activities (grades 2-4)
• Reading Bingo (grades 2-8)
• Space Theme Reading Logs (grades 2-5)
• Fiction and Nonfiction Story Maps (grades 2-6)
• Vocabulary Bingo (grades 3+)
• Writing Menu (grades 3+)

See more details HERE.

Using music as a step by step solution to teaching about poetry

I love incorporating what students already know and like into learning lessons.  

And using popular music is a great method for effective poetry instruction.

Of course, you will need to watch out for inappropriate lyrics and innuendos, which can be really hard with some of today’s chart toppers.  But that’s when Kidz Bop Kids comes into play.

They have CDs, a YouTube channel, and even a tour (I took my 4th grade son to a concert at our State Fair and he LOVED it)

They take all the most popular pop songs and rework the lyrics (if necessary) and have kids sing them.  Pretty awesome, right?

Of course, for older students, such as middle school and high school, you could probably use actual song lyrics.

Find a song, print off the lyrics and have your class start analyzing those songs as poems.  

Sometimes they rhyme.  Sometimes not.  Sometimes they follow a pattern.  Sometimes not.

Might be a great strategy to practice one new poem (aka popular song) per week and play the song at the end of the week to wrap it up after discussing the features of the poem, vocabulary, and the message the author is trying to share.

Top Lesson Plans for Poetry Activities

Need some more poetry solutions?

I love integrating subjects, so what could be better than combining math and literature?  Check out THIS POST for a cool resource for multiplication poetry.  It is a hit with my students!

Having trouble finding examples of poems that DON’T rhyme?  I’ve got you covered!

Similes are a huge part of poems.  THIS POST gives you plenty of examples.  Challenge your students to write poems that include at least one simile before moving on to other types of metaphors.

Obviously poetry is only a small piece of your literacy lessons all year long.  And not all students love writing.  In fact, I have had plenty of students who loathed picking up that pencil to do any type of writing, much less something they personally created.

If you are in need of some student motivation ideas for writing, check out THIS POST with a helpful two-part video to get those pencils flying on the papers.

Free Poetry PDF Pack

I whipped up a super fun version of an activity you can do with them and have even included some fun templates for them to write on too!  The best part?  No rhyming required for this one.

Here are the directions for how to create the poems:

And here is a provided teacher example:

There are 12 total blank templates with the starting topic already listed for your students = oh yeah!  

This activity can be done once a month, as a fun center station, or even as morning work during National Poetry Month.  The choice is yours!

Download your free Poetry Pack below!

Click here to email your freebie

What are your best ideas for teaching children poetry?  We would love to hear them in a comment below!

~Charity

The post Free Poetry Pack for YOU! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

The classroom, at its best, is a vibrant microcosm of society, a place where individuals with diverse talents and perspectives come together to learn and grow.

Yet, fostering a genuine sense of belonging and engagement within this environment can be a challenge. Traditional pedagogical approaches often position students as passive recipients of information, limiting their agency and diminishing their investment in the collective space.

However, a burgeoning trend in education is demonstrating the profound impact of classroom job titles in redefining student roles, boosting engagement, and ultimately, forging a stronger, more cohesive learning community.

This isn’t merely about assigning chores; it’s about strategically empowering students with meaningful responsibilities that cultivate ownership, foster collaboration, and ignite a deeper connection to their educational journey.

Igniting Individual Enthusiasm: How Personalized Titles Drive Engagement

The notion of personalized learning is gaining traction, recognizing that students thrive when their education aligns with their interests and strengths. Classroom job titles offer a straightforward yet effective way to extend this personalization beyond academic content. By allowing students to have a voice in selecting or even creating their own job titles, educators tap into their intrinsic motivation, fostering a sense of ownership and investment that traditional methods often fail to achieve.

The Power of Choice: Student-Selected Job Titles

When students are presented with a curated list of job titles and given the autonomy to choose the role that resonates most with them, their engagement instantly increases. This sense of choice empowers them, transforming a potentially obligatory task into a self-assigned mission. A student fascinated by art might eagerly embrace the role of “Chief Decorator,” ensuring the bulletin boards are aesthetically pleasing and informative. Another who enjoys organizing might gravitate towards the “Supply Strategist,” responsible for keeping classroom materials tidy and accessible. This self-selection process ensures a better fit between the student and their responsibility, leading to greater dedication and satisfaction.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Unleashing Creativity: Student-Generated Job Titles

Taking personalization a step further, encouraging students to create their own job titles unleashes a powerful wave of creativity and critical thinking. This process transforms them from passive recipients of tasks into active designers of their own roles within the classroom community. A student passionate about technology might invent the role of “Tech Troubleshooter,” becoming the go-to person for minor device issues. A natural leader might propose “Peer Mentor,” offering support and guidance to classmates. This “bottom-up” approach to job creation not only fosters a deeper sense of ownership but also encourages students to reflect on their strengths, interests, and how they can best contribute to the collective.

Dynamic Spaces: The Transformative Effect on Classroom Dynamics

The introduction of well-defined and personalized job titles can fundamentally alter the dynamics of a classroom. It shifts the power balance, empowering students to become active participants and co-creators of their learning environment. This transformation can lead to a more positive, self-sufficient, and harmonious educational space.

Reducing Teacher Workload and Fostering Independence

While the initial setup of a job title system might require some effort, it ultimately reduces teacher workload in the long run. When students are empowered to manage various aspects of the classroom, the teacher can dedicate more time to instruction and individualized support. Moreover, it cultivates student independence. Instead of constantly relying on the teacher for every little thing, students learn to take initiative, problem-solve, and manage their responsibilities, preparing them for greater autonomy in their academic and personal lives.

From Conflict to Contribution: Improving Behavior

A common challenge in many classrooms is managing disruptive behavior. Boredom, lack of engagement, and a feeling of powerlessness can often contribute to these issues. By providing students with meaningful roles and a sense of purpose, classroom job titles can significantly improve behavior. When students feel valued and responsible, they are less likely to engage in disruptive actions. Their energy is channeled into productive contributions, shifting the focus from conflict to collaboration and individual growth.

Easy way to Showcase Student Roles in the Classroom

First up:  Grab some scrapbook paper, cardstock, washi tape, and magnetic tape – all in the colors of your choice. 

I also like to use scrapbook hole punches to create shapes I can easily layer.

Grab your large hole punch and punch out a colored sheet of scrapbook paper.  Then use the smaller punch on your cardstock.   Use a piece if washi tape to attach them together.  Optional:  laminate them for more durability.

Write the names of your jobs on the job labels you just created.

After that:  Use washi tape to cover your magnets and write student names on those.  Washi tape makes it easy and affordable to change them from year to year.

Last:  Make a “chart” with your washi tape on your magnetic surface.  

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

Place all the student names at top.  I like to have half the amount of jobs as I have students so that way students can have a responsibility one week and not one the next. 

It is easy to move them in and out of the jobs weekly by moving the name magnets. 

Of course, use yours as you like the best!

Easy peasy and economical.  My faves of all time!

Want a ready to go handout to print and display in your classroom?

Download the file below. Print the first page as a poster size. Laminate and attach to a wall or board.

Print the second page. Cut out the pieces and laminate. Add student names and/or additional job roles with wet erase markers. Use sticky tack or magnets to attach to the poster.

Change it easily from week to week!

Click here to email your freebie

What are some of your favorite classroom jobs to assign?  We would love to hear them in the comments below.

~Charity

The post Classroom Job Organization appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Named so because of the block formations, the teams are not as condensed as the Four Square, so the students will not be as cohesive in this seating chart.  It is good for a change of pace in the classroom.

How else could you use this seating arrangement in your classroom?  Feel free to share in the comments below!

You might want to check out:

Want an AD-FREE resource book of all seating charts in one easy-to-print format?  188 pages in total!  Now available in our Bookstore!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Grab a printable handout of this seating chart!

Click here to email your freebie

~Charity

See ALL the Seating Chart options HERE.

The post Classroom Seating Chart: Tetris appeared first on Organized Classroom.

So this is one of the classroom systems that is better when it has been thought about already and there’s a plan in place for managing the missed work and getting assignments back in a timely manner.

Any time I have something I know I will be doing more than once, I try to devise a system for it.

Why?

It helps to streamline classroom routines and helps me to remember whether I have done it or not – ha!

I remember as a new teacher sitting down to do grades my first time through and then promptly realizing how many grades I was missing because some students didn’t turn in their makeup work!

It was definitely my error in not following through, but I knew right away I was going to need a plan ASAP to remedy how I would keep track of students who were missing and how to get the work returned in a timely manner.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Best Makeup Work Folders

Some teachers prefer to have a folder with resources to manage the organization of the missing work.  If it’s all in one spot, it’s much easier to keep track of.  Especially if the folder is a bright color that is hard to miss.

Check out some different examples below:

A hanging wall file works perfect for filing all the extra handouts you have from the week.

How cute is this free editable custom work folder cover?  Love it!

Another option is to place plastic pockets along the wall of the classroom, which have student numbers on them.  This can serve for a great spot for an absent student to pick up his or her work upon returning.

A brightly colored laminated file folder works great for notifying parents of make up work.

Middle schoolers can have a makeup work area that’s always available for picking up their own work.  A great way to teach student responsibility.

Adorable “ketchup” work folder!

Hang a folder on the back of each student desk.  This can serve as a mailbox and a perfect spot to gather missing work to send home.

Assignment Sheet Slips to Track Missing Work

Need a worksheet to make sure the student’s work is all together and has been documented?  Check out some good options I have found in various places.

A super straightforward option to use where you write in the missing assignment.

A spot for everything, including what was done during group teaching lessons.

Love how this folder cover even has a date that the work needs to be returned.  Makes it easier for caregivers to know when it’s due as well.

A snap to fill in and a snap for students to understand what was done in each class.

This pdf is a little more involved, but definitely gives a clear view of everything that was covered on the day that was missed.

Lots of learning reminders on this form too…

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More Strategies for Managing Assignments from Absent Students

And today, we have a BONUS!  Earlier in the morning, I noticed another topic that took off on it’s own on our Facebook Page.

From a fellow fan Tina: “Help! I have been teaching 11 years and still have not found a fool proof way to get work out to students who have been absent and DOCUMENT that they have received it so that they don’t come back later and say they never got it… AND get it back in a timely manner… Any suggestions?“

Well, in true OC Blog style, the fans came through once again and gave Tina all sorts of suggestions!

In particular, I like to use a folder to place the absent work in as I am passing out papers throughout the day so I don’t forget.  I have even been known to just place the Absent Folder on the missing child’s desk and have someone sitting nearby place the papers in the folder as they are being handed out.  At the end of the Bonus e-book, I created a simple template if you wish to do the same.

Grab yours below!

Click here to email your freebie

What are your best tips for managing absent student work?  We would love to hear them in the comments below!

~Charity

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