Monday Made-It: Name tags and grouping

Happy Sunday/Monday!  Last Monday was my first full day of school, so I missed posting a Monday Made It.   I made sure to check out everyone's awesome ideas, though!  I've had my kids for 2 1/2 days.  I think it's going to be a great year:)  I have to say that this weekend was pretty much dedicated to school.  I have FIVE bags that I am going to be taking back with me tomorrow.  Don't call me a nerd, but I labeled them 1 - 5 so that I would know which bag needed to be attacked first Monday morning!

 My Monday Made It came from a teacher magazine a while ago.  This is a sample of a student nametag with the name covered up.  I start the year with temporary tags and then make these when I'm sure of the names.  The obvious part is the name and the number.  I don't use numbers a lot in the classroom, but I do use them for things that I don't want to label every year, such as hallway bins, book boxes and "calling on" sticks.

The stickers indicate groups that students are in.  The letter sticker is a partner sticker.  I have the kids  in partners with a student of the same/close reading ability.  I have the information from last year and from what I've observed so far.  The second sticker is for my groups of 4.  There are six different colored groups.  These groups are a mix of abilities.  I have a large pawprint in each of the colors.  When I want the kids to get in these groups, I just put the large pawprint where they need to meet.  Other years I've had other groups, but this is it for now.  I plan on laminating the tags and possibly velcroing them to the desks.  I just might leave them loose too.  Then the students can put them in their desk if the tags are in their way.

The first weeks of the year are crazy and fun.  It's great to meet all the wonderful personalities that I will be with for the whole year.  The amount of work is overwhelming!  Have a great start to your year!!