Time Managment?!

So I haven't been blogging much (at all really) because I have just been so busy with school, my online college classes, and going out of town every weekend! I know I need to start using my time better and I hope to start since I won't be coaching anymore starting tomorrow. I love being able to help coach sports so I can get to know the kids better and be more involved, but it can be VERY hard to balance your time! Although this is my third year teaching it is hard to start over at a new school making new lesson plans and activities. I normally save those things for the weekend, but when I'm not here on weekends it gets hard to stay on top of things! Hopefully, over the next couple of days I will get some more posts and lesson ideas up!

We just finished doing some great population activities. We created mind maps over the effects of population growth and they are finishing up newspaper articles from the future over what the population is like. Hopefully, I will get some creative responses to show on here!

In my 7th grade social studies class we just wrapped up talking about different types of maps. It is very surprising how LITTLE a lot of kids know about maps and geography in general. I had several kids not know what a compass was or a key on a map even though they are in 7th grade. I decided to have my students create classroom maps so they could learn about the basics and have some fun. I decided to post a few maps that I thought turned out pretty well! The kids seemed to have fun making their maps and some got very creative. If you ever need some basic map activities, especially ones that focus on political and physical maps, just check out my TpT store!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Sarah-Johnson-12

What do you think?

My Classroom!

This year I was very excited about how my classroom turned out. Red and black are two of my favorite colors and it is also the colors of my school. Little fun touches can make a HUGE difference in how your room looks.

 

This area is all for the kids. The bookshelf has all of my supplies that I let them use and a calendar with assignments and events.

My desk area which I love!

Computer area

5 Themes are our first unit and the "Picture Perfect" side is for their work.

Book shelfs that I am going to (try) to keep organized!

 

It is always great if you love being in your room because you know the kids will love it too!

Hello to anyone who somehow stumbles across my blog! I enjoy reading other teacher's blogs and trying to find new resources to use in my classroom. It seems there is an endless amount of elementary blogs and some upper level subjects such as math and reading, but hardly any social studies blogs! I have taught for 2 years and I am going on my third this year. It is something I love and I also love finding new methods and ideas to incorporate into my classroom. By creating this blog I not only want to have a way to express how I am feeling or new ideas I come up with, but also to communicate with other social studies teachers who also hopefully teach middle school! With middle schoolers I never know how the day will go and I wouldn't trade that to be in a high school or elementary school! If you are looking at my blog for help or ideas I hope I can assist you. It will be a work in progess, but I hope that I can do something beneficial with this! Thanks for stopping by! :)