Saturday, September 28, 2013

Pocket Chart Anonymous

Do you have an obsession with pocket charts like I do? You may need to start attending pocket chart anonymous if so! Hahaha! I noticed that I had been buying a lot of these puppies over the last several years, and when glancing around my final classroom setup, I about died at the amount that I had put up!  Pocket charts are fantastic for use in the classroom, but they can take up a ton of room, which is why I love the little $1.00 ones from Target!  I counted how many I have and I believe it was somewhere near 15...

Anyways, I thought I'd take a minute to show you what I use mine for! I mostly use mine for organization but I also will have a pocket chart center soon...just have to find a spot for it!

On the left, I have Lori's parts of speech cards all ready on this gigantic pocket chart {which Lori told me about!}.  We'll be starting nouns in a few weeks and I am excited to be able to provide this great visual resource to my first graders! On the right is my pocket chart that I use for story maps and phonics games.  I keep it clipped to my big easel with two large binder clips.  I just flip it back when we aren't using it.


Next up is my poetry pocket chart.  We do a poem a week.  Read about how I use poetry in the classroom here.  I also use a mini-pocket chart to keep kids' lunch cards.  As I call groups to line up for lunch, they stop here to snag their cards.  I like it because they can really see their cards and they do not get lost throughout the day like they might if I had them keep them in/on their desks.  I started this procedure about 4 years ago and it was one of the best things I've ever done!  So simple, really!


I have my first bulletin board dedicated to our "I Can" statements...Common Core, anyone?  I made this board two summers ago and it works well for displaying the statements.  See the first grade "I Can" statements bundle here.


More minis!  I love using the minis for my Reading and Math center organization.  Read more about my centers here.  I also am obsessed with Hadar's monthly vocab cards.  They serve as a great reference during writing workshop time.


If you want to see more uses for pocket charts, click here! I found a big list from "So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler's" blog!

How do you use your pocket charts?

xo
Megan



8 comments:

  1. I hardly do pocket charts because I have no room! However, you've inspired me- I'm on it! I swear!
    :)
    Happy Saturday!

    Learning With Mrs. Leeby

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  2. A pocket chart affair :-) Smiles and stop by anytime!

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  3. At my school we are supposed to put up the learning goal ( the I can statement) and the critical information (the learning goal might be decoding cvc words, the critical info is decoding cvc words with short a) I use two mini pocket charts side by side to match them up. I also use one at my computers with acceptable websites. Great post!
    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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  4. Okay, so I love pocket charts, BUT where do you get yours at?! All the ones I find are sooo expensive!

    Sara
    Miss V's Busy Bees
    ventrellasara@gmail.com

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  5. I also love the little packet charts available at Target. I use them for so many of my tutoring activities. I like to let the students make up, read, and then write silly sentences using the pocket chart and word cards. They think it's a hoot and they love to read and reread their silly sentences.

    I also use poems to teach reading. We play with the poems a lot and create "innovations". Thus activity is also silly and fun which the kids love.

    Thanks for sharing
    Cindy
    Granny Goes to School

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  6. I joined pocket charts anonymous about 5 years ago! I'm still no where close to being cured! Thanks so much for highlighting my Fun With Parts of Speech! It is an integral part of my classroom and it warms my heart to see it in yours!
    Lori
    Teaching With Love and Laughter
    luvyorkies@gmail.com

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  7. Great post! Thank you so much for sharing my pocket chart from my website So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler?. Carlie K.

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  8. Great post! Thank you so much for sharing my pocket chart from my website So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler?. Carlie K.

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Thanks for your comments!