July 31, 2011

Post-its, Post-its, Post-its!

Mrs. Rojas at  Create●Teach●Share is hosting a linky party about using post-its in the classroom. What a great idea!  Head on over there to read more about her post-it giveaway and see all her creative ideas.

I use post-its in my classroom for anything and everything.  The students and myself are completely reliant on post-its. Here are some examples of how I use this wonderful creation in my classroom.

1)  Track Thinking:  Mostly, students use post-its to track their thinking while reading. They write post-its in their independent reading books and during our interactive read alouds.  We add their post-it to our anchor charts.

Listening to Our Inner Voice Lesson from Strategies That Work by Stephanie Harvey.


2) Notes to Teacher: Students also use post-its to leave me notes.  I'm always telling kids, "Write me a note and stick it on my computer screen." Notes vary from "Please find Mark a book about dinosaurs" to "Don't forget about cartoon lunch tomorrow." 

3) Happy Notes & Book Recommendations: I use post-its to leave notes for students.  This is a great way to reinforce behaviors you have noticed or just compliment a student on a good job.  I also leave books on desks with a post it that says, "I thought you might enjoy this book."  The kids love this because I have hand picked a book for them.  I almost always get them to read it and it is a nice way to gently nudge a reader to a just right book for them (whether up or down).

4) Shout Out Game: This past year I had a class that really struggled with raising their hand before joining the conversation.  They yelled out ALL the time.  It was distracting for both the learners in the room and the teacher.  I would lose my train of thought and have to stop and think about what I was saying to get back on track.  So, we started using post-its in a whole new way.  I gave students a speech bubble post-it for their desk.  Whenever a student yelled out or interrupted an adult or classmate, they marked their post-its.  It was a game. You wanted to see how few marks you could get on your post-it and it worked.  I think some students were really blown away by how often then interrupted.  They just had no idea.  It helped make them aware and as more people starting listening and not blurting out, the fewer blurts we got as the year went on.



I'd love to hear your ideas.  How do you use post-its in your classroom?

10 comments:

  1. :) Have you seen Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion? haha, I always think of them when I think about Post-Its! :) I'm loving your blog!

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  2. So glad I finally found your blog! The couple times you commented on my posts, I tried the link, but it didn't work. :( Thanks so much for joining my Post-It Party!! I love your ideas and I'm a new follower!

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  3. I made make your thinking visible mats that I use stickies on. http://christine-readingisthinking.blogspot.com/search/label/all%20the%20reading%20strategies
    Christine

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  4. I love all the post it ideas Amanda! Since I teach kinders, most of them can't read yet...but I love the Shout Out game! I use post its to remind myself to do things or I will forget. My students use post its on our CAFE menu. It is part of our Daily 5 routine that we use in the classrrom. CAFE= Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expand Vocabulary. This menu has reading strategies under each heading. Students use post its w/ their name to stick under the strategy they are currently working on during reading. Check out The Sisters website for more info. http://www.the2sisters.com/the_daily_cafe_new.html
    To view most things you have to be a member unfortunately.

    -Jessica

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  5. I know and love The Sisters! :) I started using the Daily 5 model to set up my reading workshop a few years ago. I have implemented parts of the cafe book (mostly focused on conferencing), but I haven't used the whole system. I need to sit down and read through it all and join in.

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  6. Hey Amanda!! I am a new follower of your blog :) I am new to the blog world :). I LOVE your idea about the tally marks if they talk out loud without permission.... and for writing notes to you as reminders. Why didn't I think of that? I have always tried to keep track of all the "needs" kids ask me for in my HEAD! AHHH! LOVE it. Thanks :)

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  7. Thanks so much for this post! I use them for anchor charts in reading, writing, math, and science, mainly. I am setting up an inquiry board where students will contribute responses during our thirty-minute morning work period every morning.

    I really like your blog and am excited to be following you now!

    -Victoria
    (http://love4thgrade.blogspot.com, http://teachingvision.org)

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  8. I use them for practice reading. Every new story I give the students a postit note. They take it home and read to their parents or an old sibling and have them sign it. That way I have proof that the have read. Parents love it!

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  9. My name is Amy and I am post-it addict.
    My co-teacher is always yelling at me for buying to many. I have them in all sizes, mini mini to huge. I use them for everything.

    Graphing
    Writing words for my kinders to copy
    Keeping track of which kids my coteacher took with her
    The game (I have no idea if it has a name) where I write or draw a picture and stick it on a child's head or back and the other kids give clues.

    Also, free reusable tote at Office Max with the purchase of two post-ot or scotch tape items. It is super cute with an apple on it!

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Thank you for taking a moment to share your thoughts!