Comments on: 20 Must Teach Middle School Routines

By: Tyne Brack

Tyne Brack — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 20:59:06 +0000

In reply to Jennifer L Young. Great ideas, Jennifer! Broken pencils are the worst!

By: Jennifer L Young

Jennifer L Young — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 22:01:47 +0000

In reply to Autumn. I love how this routine uses positive reinforcement. I am always looking for ways to add more positive experiences in my classroom. Great idea!!

By: Jennifer L Young

Jennifer L Young — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 21:57:01 +0000

I have a “pencil wall” where I have attached pencil holders (the cheap rubber ones from Wal-mart) to the wall. I made sure there was enough so that everyone in the class could get a pencil if needed. As they enter the room, the students can take one if they need one, but all of the holders need to have a pencil in them before the class is excused for the next period.

I also got rid of my pencil sharpener for students (I sharpen all pencils during my prep period or at the end of the day). The routine is to raise their dull pencil in the air to indicate that they need a sharp pencil, which I take from the pencil wall and replace it with their dull pencil (which usually isn’t that dull). Not having a pencil sharpener has saved me from having to deal with the constant interruptions of students getting out of their seats and then waiting for the noise of the sharpener to stop.

Since I started this routine I no longer find broken pencils on the floor and all of the money I would spend on replacing pencils I get to spend on fun activities to use in the classroom to engage my students and help them find a love for math.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 14:05:17 +0000

In reply to Autumn. I am so using this. Thank you!

By: Tyne Brack

Tyne Brack — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 18:52:41 +0000

In reply to Jen. Hi, Jen -- Thanks for your comment! I couldn't agree more. It is hard work to be patient, but it is important work!

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 23:12:41 +0000

Such a fun read and *awesome* reminders! Even high schoolers are still just kids, especially as we look at trauma-impacted minds. Thank you for reminding us to be super intentional…even if it is the 7th time they ask 🙂

By: Lora

Lora — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:52:19 +0000

When I got tired of fighting the pencil issue, I bought a box of golf pencils (short and eraser-less). They are not too expensive and no one wants to use them. Miraculously, they usually find a pencil or a friend to loan them one but if not, the little one works.

By: Donna Cox

Donna Cox — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 19:45:13 +0000

I really appreciate this list, I’m using it to help with my 5th graders. You have some super ideas. Thanks for sharing

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 17:01:35 +0000

In reply to Tyne Brack. O! I like this idea! Also, would probably put them at my standing desk because the ones that are not preapred are also the ones who usually cause my behavior issues... Might end up helping more than one issue!

By: Tyne Brack

Tyne Brack — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 18:16:17 +0000

In reply to Michelle Small.

https://www.amazon.com/Secure-Antimicrobial-Counter-Refills-514455/dp/B00Q8TEL2K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529691324&sr=8-2&keywords=pen+chains+counter&dpID=51sRsapO4VL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch. Best of luck with the pencil issue! If you do use these pen chains, let us know how it goes. Haha.

By: Tyne Brack

Tyne Brack — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:44:00 +0000

In reply to Ellie. I am so glad! Let us know how it goes!

By: Ellie

Ellie — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 07:22:08 +0000

In reply to Autumn. LOVE THIS!!!! I am totally going to use it.

By: Michelle Small

Michelle Small — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 14:35:04 +0000

Noelle in the section about “I don’t have a pencil”, there was a hyperlink (joked about buying these) but when I go to the link there is nothing…what was it linked to? I need something else to deal with the pencil issue I AM GOING CRAZY BROKE!!!!!!!

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 18:19:16 +0000

In reply to Linda Felton. Hi Linda! Right now I just have the entire poster pack. Thanks for checking!

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 18:15:29 +0000

In reply to Autumn. This is a fabulous idea!

By: Autumn

Autumn — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 22:35:18 +0000

For pencils, I do an upgrade system. About once every two weeks I offer “Free Upgrades” to students who brought a pencil to class. They can trade it in to me, regardless of condition, and I give them a brand new pre-sharpened pencil. Then, when a kid comes unprepared, they get a used pencil. This way, kids who need pencils will always get them, no problem, but I’m not rewarding them for not coming prepared, instead, I’m rewarding the kids who are prepared with new pencils.

My students LOVE it. They will ask, “Is it an upgrade day???”

By: Crystal

Crystal — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 02:46:20 +0000

In reply to Teresa Godfrey.

Lol! I have had students trade me a shoe to borrow something! I will say… they never forgot to trade back! Haha!!! I haven’t done that in a while since I started teaching 3rd grade and having community supplies, but now that I’m teaching 5th… I should totally do that again! I forgot all about it!!

By: Linda Felton

Linda Felton — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 16:10:34 +0000

In reply to Noelle Pickering. Can just the hand signals be purchased separately?

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 10:30:45 +0000

In reply to Katie. I found mine on TpT. Hope that helps!

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 10:13:51 +0000

In reply to Merina. Great idea!

By: Merina

Merina — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 02:27:57 +0000

In reply to Teresa Godfrey. I have them trade their phone or backpack for a pencil only at the beginning of class. It's amazing how some students suddenly find their pencil when they have to trade something they value.

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 22:16:16 +0000

Students must put one of their shoes in my shoe basket to borrow a pencil. When they return my pencil, they can have their shoe back. This has to happen as they walk in and as they leave.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 03:16:50 +0000

I have a bunch of cheap pens wrapped with duct tape and a cheesey cheap flower on the top for students who don’t have anything with which to write. They must place their ID in the flower pot as collateral. Easy!

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 21:26:35 +0000

Can you recommend where I could find the clipart for the hand signals? I know you sell your posters, but I want to use different hand signals for different commands. I can’t find one set that meets my needs. Thoughts?

By: Darla LaRoux

Darla LaRoux — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 20:35:02 +0000

Great ideas! Will definitely put all of these on my to teach list.

By: Cheri

Cheri — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 14:56:16 +0000

Such great ideas.

By: Callie Ward

Callie Ward — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 02:28:00 +0000

Love the list! Thanks for all the detail. BTW – my rule for the nurse is similar to yours. I use the 3 Bs – unless there’s BONES, BARF, or BLOOD they probably don’t need the nurse 🙂

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 12:15:53 +0000

In reply to Caitlin. Hi Caitlin! It sounds like you have a great system! Love the idea!

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 12:14:06 +0000

In reply to Mrs. M.

Hi! They can be found as a part of this poster pack. Thanks! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-for-Middle-School-Growth-Mindset-and-CHAMPS-2658655

By: Mrs. M

Mrs. M — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 03:34:44 +0000

Hi!! Where can I find the hand signal file in order to download it ??

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:41:26 +0000

I use the hands up method of getting their attention:
2 tries of, “if you can hear me put your hand up…(3 seconds waiting)… if you can hear me put your hand up.” If not all children are compliment I say, “try three, if you can hear me put your hands up.” For every try from three on the kids owe me 30 seconds after class, and with a 5 minute passing break the kids hate staying. They help to quietly get friends attention after the first time I hold them back. Follow through and clear warnings are what help this system.

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:31:53 +0000

In reply to Teresa Godfrey. Great idea, Teresa!

By: Teresa Godfrey

Teresa Godfrey — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 22:51:18 +0000

In reply to Ms Leigh. I use a trading system. I call it G-Fry Traders (all the supplies are hanging in back of my desk in a shoe organizer) and the students have to trade me something they value to get the supply they need. At the end of class, they give me back the item and I give them back theirs! I started this last year. This year I do not need any pens, pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, etc because I still have almost all my supplies from last year!! FYI- they can only ask at the beginning of class or in an emergency ( like their pen explodes or pencil breaks).

By: Noelle Pickering

Noelle Pickering — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 04:35:42 +0000

In reply to Ms Leigh. I like calling it the pencil library! Great idea!

By: Ms Leigh

Ms Leigh — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 13:25:43 +0000

#4: I don’t have a pencil.

I use a pencil “library” students can check out (and return) a pencil for class. The return part is a bit of a struggle. I use an honor system, so it gets taken advantage of by some students.