LaborLESS BLOG HOP is Here!

Hello everyone!

ARE YOU REAAADDDY!!!

It is Finally here!

Today, I am linking with Laura from Where the Magic Happens, Krista from Teaching Momster, and Lisa from PAWsitively Teaching! I have joined forces once again with my blogging friends to bring you the best, most amazing, giveaway this Labor Day weekend!  We have been thinking about fabulous ways we can treat our readers and followers.   We thought hard, and I mean it! Really, really hard… and decided that we can treat you to our best ideas to work smarter, rather than harder… at school and home!

I know what it takes to be a great teacher... the stress, the time, the energy… I could go on and on! I also know that we crave time to ourselves and our families.

So here I go!

Daily "To Do" List

It's never to early to teach children organization and executive skills.  After practically pulling my hair out trying to keep up with who wasn't finished with what and all the make-up work that a rash of absences caused, I decided to teach my students how to work with a "To Do" list.  Let me show you what it looks like in my class:

Each morning my students get a new "To Do" list.  The one shown above is for a self-contained third grade classroom.  The night before, I would type the list based on my lesson plan for the next day and include different types of assignments they would need to complete that day.  It might include a warm-up activity, anchor stations, reading group assignments, projects, daily routines, etc. The expectation is that they will be given enough time to complete their "To Do" list in that school day"  I leave one blank at the end to add something if I need to.  

If a student does not finish his/her assignments, it would be moved to "Unfinished Work" to tackle the next day.  As time goes by, this list gives the students a concrete method to help manage their time. It also is a tool for teachers to use to help students reflect on how their time is being used.  Some finish too fast and could take more time to ensure the accuracy of their work.  Some waste time sharpening their pencil and going to the bathroom.  Whatever the issue, the "To Do" list puts time management exactly where it should be.....with the student.    

Meditiation

I discovered meditation years ago as I was struggling with postpartum depression after delivering my first child.  I was desperate to try anything to help me feel like myself again.  My OB-GYN doctor recommended it and I found and expert teach me what it was all about.  

At first I focused decreasing stress, depression, and anxiety.  I could not believe how successful it was.  Pretty soon I was applying it to all aspects of my life.  Here is a great infographic to give you a snapshot of what it's about. 

A great app to help you get started is called Headspace.  It was invented by a former Buddhist monk and is geared towards busy people like you and me.  

I highly recommend meditation.  I hope it changes your life for the better, as it has changed mine.

Forgotten Homework Binder

This is one of my favorite creations in my TPT store.  It is so simple, but has really curbed my students' forgotten homework.  It adds a measure of accountability to completing homework as the student is recording why it wasn't completed.   If needed, it is documentation to share with parents during parent conferences. 

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Top all these great tips and ideas with these top-notch prizes!

A $100 gift card to Amazon

A $50 gift card to TpT

2 $25 gift cards to TpT

1 $10 gift card to TpT

Thank you for reading! And don't forget to enter these awesome giveaways!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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