The following helps are for teachers to use in managing the everyday stuff that goes on in their classroom. Each year, it features some new ideas as I learn and grow and find out teacher's needs. Don't forget to check back periodically!

Class Database
You have to learn how to enter your class into a database. Once you've learned this trick, you will never have to type your student's names again. You can use a class database for making labels, sorting students, using mail merge, making certificates and so much more! It has to be one of the easiest time savers a teacher can do. Add fields to this database as you need them...parent names, phone numbers, grade, division, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Spreadsheet Basics
Some helpful hints before tackling spreadsheets. Recording Evidences, Cut Apart Class Lists, and Tracking Learning Outcomes are all created using a spreadsheet document. If you are not familiar with using this document read these hints first.

Cut Apart Class Lists
This aid gives you a check off list of your class. You end up with three class lists on one 8.5" by 11" page. Simply use a paper cutter to whack them into three separate lists, bulldog clip them together and hand on the wall for easy access. I tape one to the envelope in which I collect fieldtrip notices or book orders, etc. Then a student collects them and checks of who has turned theirs in. I also will grab one as I head out during a fire drill. I've put drill scores in the boxes, handed them out for students to take home when writing out Valentine's cards, and taped them to a computer or activity so that I know who has had a turn.

Recording Evidence
I use this chart when I want to write down observations when watching children work, give oral presentations or interact with others. I usually print this chart and clip it to a clipboard to use as I walk around the room observing what my class is doing. For example, if we are doing a science experiment, I may ask for predictions, then record them on this chart. I have found these charts useful for parent interviews or report card comments.

Tracking Learning Outcomes
This chart is also one I print off to use when I am testing children or recording levels of achievement for learning outcomes in a particular curricular area. All the data needed for your class, and subject area, can be organized on one page for ease of transferring to ReportWriter.

Bulletin Boards, Banners and Posters
Learn how to use the drawing document to easily make titles for bulletin boards or to make banners, or posters, for your classroom.

Duotang Labels
This is a fantastic aid for teachers to make any label they desire for each of their students. Whether labeling coathooks, cubbies, duotang folders, binders, notebooks...anything you want to label with a student's name can all be kept in one document! After creating the design of each label, all a teacher has to do is copy a classlist and paste it into this document. Automatically, all labels for each subject and student, will be made. Now, talk about fast and easy. A comment from one of the teachers says it all, "Well, I'm working on my duotang labels!!! I was going to do this by hand this weekend - which would have taken the entire day, if not weekend - and involve a trip to the school for photocopying and then a HUGE cutting and gluing session!! I finished in less than a couple of hours, even with my son's help. He helped pick out the graphics."

Mail Merge
You know all the junk mail you get with your name plastered all through it? That is done using mail merge. In the classroom, we can use it to personalize field trip letters with student and parents names. Fantastic way of not having to make sure each child has put his/her name on the letter. (Also, you can tell who forgot theirs after you've sworn they all had them in their backpacks before leaving the room! I always got one tear off section turned in to me with a parent's scrawl in a surname different from the child and me knowing no way who it belongs to...and no one owning up to it either! Now, with student name and parent's name mail merged on to the letter, I don't have to do the "Everyone stand up and when I call your name sit down"-move again!) Use mail merge to add student's names to a Christmas card you've created, or thank you note for presents received, on certificates merging both name and why they are getting a certificate in the first place. Merged data comes from the wonderful, useful class database you've already completed.

Seating Plans
Using a draw document you can make labeled desks that you can move around to change your seating plan when you want. No more scribbling and erasing as you try to separate those who need to be. Just move the little desks around until you get your plan set and then print off to add to your daybook for Teachers On Call to know who is who.

Student Observations
Using a database document, you can create a file in which you can record daily classroom observations of your students. An easy way to record individual behaviours and anecdotal observations of classroom interactions or subject related comments. You can sort data by student, date, subject or observation. You can hide other students if you desire to share these observations with parents.

Calendar
Use AppleWorks Assistants to create a calendar. Easy to use. I've shown how you can customize it for your needs.

Bookmarks
Created in collaboration with Kathy Fladager, this template allows you to create bookmarks for student use in different subject areas. The one we have included here is for Home Reading.

Next >