Dot Day 2014: Staff Dots

2014 Avondale ES

For 2013 and 2014 International Dot Day, I invited the staff at both of my schools to participate in Dot Day.  I sent an email out about 2 weeks in advance and explained what Dot Day was, summarized the book, and included links to the book's video online. I let them know the due date and where to put their dots (basically, in my box or on my desk).  The big thing is to emphasize that the whole thing is optional!  Some people ignore it, but quite a few embrace it and have fun!

2014 Middlebranch ES (before a whole bunch of late ones arrived)

2013 Middlebranch

2013 Middlebranch ES

2013 Middlebranch - Staff Dots

I wish I had photos of all the staff members who wore dots this year. At both buildings, the administrative assistants and principals wore dots, too! 

Meghan & Andrea -- Our "front line" at Middlebranch!

Me - This year for Dot Day (added the head scarf this year)

Plain Organized: Paint Swatch Class Labels

With almost 800 students, the only way I can keep on top of things is to really, really, get organized (whether I like it or not).  Being a visual person (OBVIOUSLY), I color-code grade levels starting with Kindergarten being Red and so on...

To keep the projects straight, I collected paint swatch samples from various paint stores, labeled with class codes, and laminated. I keep them in a small basket with a whole schmear of binder clips - right next to my organizer/sorter.  At one school, I have a swell hand-me-down office mail sorter thing, at the other school, I use a giant Rubbermaid bin.  It's pink, 'cause I live with all boys.  

When a class paints, the paint card gets clipped onto the drying rack with their work - so that it's right there for me when I stack them back up to put away.

Color Your World with ART - All school bulletin board

We made this all-school bulletin board at the end of the school year during parts of our "I'm finished - now what?" time. Each table worked on a giant sheet of white paper and used mostly markers (which, in itself was a big treat as I rarely let them use markers).  The only parameters were to make interesting designs with lots of lines --- and no words.  This was completed at my smaller school of around 300 kids.

It was really great to come back to school in August and have a bulletin board of student-made art ready to roll!  The lettering is just pre-made letters glued onto construction paper and laminated.  Laminate, laminate, laminate...