Why Didn't I Think of That!?!?!!?

It's been two+ weeks of school!!! And I am exhausted. And I feel so disconnected from the blogging world! I haven't had time to catch up or write posts or sit down or eat! Yikes!!! I feel terrible about my bloggy buddies who I've neglected these past few weeks! I'm so sorry!!!! 

Other than the heat here in SoCal and the exhaustion from the beginning of the school year ;-) we're doing great and starting (starting!!!) to get into a routine. 

Here are some things thanks to my amazing boggy buddies and Pinterest that have made my life so much easier!!!

Check it out...

X Marks the Spot

I've eliminated the kiddos' constant need to bust into my small group time with this. I am working on teaching the kids that if they need help or anything while I'm at my small group table with a kid, they need to ask their table for group for help. Here are my rules for the X

1. Only one kid at a time on the X.
2. While waiting, no talking! (Or flailing your body around like crazy. Or making noises. Or whistling. Geez!) 
3. I will call you over when it is convenient for our group. 

We also talk A LOT and REPEATEDLY about acceptable reasons to stand on the X. To tell me your cat threw up last night is NOT an acceptable reason. If you are bleeding or are about to throw up are. 

Homework Turn In 

I must thank my bloggy BFF Lisa at Fourth & Ten for this magnificent idea!!!! The kids turn their homework in here first thing in the morning according to their class number. I can quickly see who has it and who doesn't. The key here is quickly!!! MUCH easier than pulling it all out of the turn in tub, sorting it, checking it off, etc. This has eliminated at least 10 minutes of wasted time out of my days! That's 50 minutes all week!!! Love it!!! Thank you Lisa!!! You can find the chart HERE. And the cute numbers are from Kristin at Ladybug's Teacher Files. You can find them HERE. 

Lining Up

Duh!!! Now they know where to line up!!! And they're actually in a straight line!!! Yipeee!!! The original pin for this doesn't link. Was it your idea!?!? If so, please let me know so I can personally thank you!!! Here it is: 

                                                                                    Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Sandy on Pinterest

No more mess for us!

Whoever thought of this was also brilliant! These little trash cans (I found at the Dollar Tree!) have saved us from HUGE paper messes all over the floor! And from traffic jams around the trash cans!!! (We were working on Hadar's School is Cool activity! You can find it HERE!) And now, of course, I can't find the pin. If this was yours, PLEASE let me know!!! :)

What are some things that have made your classroom life easier lately!?!?!