Teachers Pay Teachers – MrsJennings.com

Why I Love Boom Cards

This year, I’ve been teaching entirely virtual. Our district decided to open with distance learning and we’ve stayed that way all year so far. There are rumors about going back into the classroom, but at this point, they are just rumors with no return date in sight. Our district purchased all kinds of technology for us, which is great, including Seesaw. But, a site that I love, and our district didn’t purchase, unfortunately, is Boom Cards (wow.boomlearning.com). Basically, they are auto-correcting task cards. A no-brainer, really!

The Gist

Boom Cards are auto-correcting task cards.
With an upgraded, low-cost membership, you can view student reports.
Affordable and free decks are available (decks are the equivalent of a set of task cards.)
Easy for the kids to use (they need a username and password that you, the teacher, create).
Free play is available for free accounts, but there are no reports with that option.

Organization

Why I Love Task Cards

I first started using task cards when I became a resource teacher. They were a great way to quickly review topics, get the kids up and moving by playing Scoot with them, and I could have the students work independently on specific sets. When I moved to kindergarten, I used kinder task cards in center activities. And this year in fourth grade, I’m using them as a “May Do” activity and when I want to review a topic.

The Gist

Task cards can be used in many ways: playing Scoot, a May Do independent activity, or as a review.
I organize them in a task card bin with rubber bands and pull out the ones that match topics I’m teaching and put them in document cases. The answer sheets are kept in a binder.

Class Management

Managing My Time With Checklists

Balancing teaching and a personal life can be hard. The lines begin to blur a bit on weekends, after school, and even during holiday breaks. It’s easy to get stuck at school for hours on end and still feel like nothing gets done. I personally can’t be in my room past 3:30 p.m. without feeling like I “live” there. To get out of my room in a timely manner without feeling like I haven’t accomplished anything, I use checklists to manage my time.

The Gist

A checklist of tasks for the morning and afternoon keep me on track.
Using checklists to check student work keeps grading from becoming unruly.
Organizing a “turn-in bin” and “drop box” keeps paperwork manageable.

Teachers Pay Teachers

How I Use Teachers Pay Teachers

I first heard about Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) many years ago. I was quite intrigued to find a site where I could download classroom lessons and activities for free or a low cost, especially as a new teacher back then. As my teaching years passed, I realized I could also sell my own lessons and activities and help pay for activities I purchase through TPT; it was a win-win.

The Gist

I purchase activities from TPT I just wouldn’t have time to create myself (ie. project-based units).
I use TPT activities when I’m switching to a new grade level to help me fill in curriculum gaps.
I sell lessons I’ve created and used successfully in my own classroom to make a few extra bucks here and there.