Mrs. W and Grudge Ball

Pinterest! This ecard pretty much sums up our relationship :)

I found that having a "Classroom" on Pinterest is much like having a "House" or "Closet" on Pinterest. Non existent! We could "pin" and "like" for hours but, despite good intentions, most of the things we like and pin never leave the screen, a "I'll remember that for later" or "If I had time I would" collection, if you will. I find myself doing more and more of that since I don't have my own classroom right now. Someday I'll be able to bring my "Classroom" board to life, but for now this is my motto...

Since my substituting days I have brought one of my pins to life! Grudge Ball. I remember reading about this review game and liked how adaptable it was for any review, in any subject! A couple of weeks ago I subbed for 7th Grade Social Studies and read in the sub plans I'd administer a review with all of the classes that day. I wanted to try Grudge Ball, so I hustled to the store and bought a cheap Nerf Basketball set, wrote out the rules on a piece of paper to display under the doc camera, made score cards and prayed first period would go well so I could play Grudge Ball for the rest of the day! The game went even better than I had hoped, quiet at first and then lots of involvement and interaction between classmates. I had twenty review questions to go over with the class which would have taken only 20 minutes or so... incorporating Grudge Ball filled the 45 minute period perfectly!

Pictured above is the "made in 20 minutes version" from my first time playing Grudge Ball. There was no white board or chalk board in the classroom, so I improvised! Below are the Rules and Teacher Instructions!

Click HERE for The Original GRUDGE BALL from Mrs. W

Thanks Mrs. W :) 

Mrs. T and the "Everyday Schedule"

I was asked to sub 1st grade, my first 1st grade experience! Mrs. T was not anticipating having a sub and I was called last minute. We all have been there, we all know what that means...no time for sub plans :( That's why I was very happy to walk in and see this...

Mrs. T had her whole schedule on her desk!!! This wasn't just any schedule, though. This schedule was also her teacher plan book. She has enough copies for the entire year and writes daily plans on the blank lines provided. Mrs. T may not have been anticipating a substitute, but she was prepared with a few notes penciled in and her "Everyday Schedule."

Ideas: 

You already know I love this idea and would like to implement it into my next classroom! I would reformat for a little more space for the subject/lesson specifics, just so all my notes would fit! I would still recommend having a complete binder full of information for your substitute or any guest that comes into your classroom. I have learned about how important that is and found some good ideas (with pictures!) to share for next time!