Less than a month left before I'm back to a new class of little guys and gals.  Decided it was a good time to give another tip.  For each student I give them a plastic sheet protector with a colored piece of construction paper inside.  I cut the construction paper a little smaller so it goes inside easier.  That way there is a front and back to their sleeve.  I call the sheet protector their "plastic sleeve".  Now this  idea came from my own children's first grade teacher ten years ago .  At that time I swas bumped out of Kindergarten and switched to first grade and I've used it ever since. 

Inside that plastic sleeve I put a name card (that I have laminated and written their first and last name on with permanent marker.  HINT:  if the student leaves you can erase the marker with a Kleenex and high powered alcohol and reuse).  They also have to put their weekly behavior chart under their name card. I would also give them a small hundreds chart but this year instead I will give them a 8 1/2 by 11 card that will go in the back of their plastic sleeve. It has the alphabet with pictures, color words, coins (picture, name, and amount), number words, a hundreds chart, and charts with counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's (it was created by www.firstgradefanatics.blogspot.com).  This one sheet will be a super reference for my students.  This plastic sleeve also will hold the raffles ticket they earn.

How do I use the plastic sleeve or sheet protector?  Basically it stays on top of their desk, but if I need the desk cleared it can go right inside the desk or in those seat pockets that fit on the back of students chairs.  I have table desk where two students sit next to each other and we have a space underneath that holds their books and crayon baskets. I like the plastic sleeve or sheet protector  left on top of their desk because:
1.  it denotes their space.
2.  it  helps substitutes see a student's name and where they sit
3.  if a student has not finished their work they are to leave it under their plastic sleeve.  This way I avoid papers being crammed into their desk never to be seen again and I can see who needs to finish their work.
3.  and finally to be honest in the beginning of the year I need it for my own remembering of my students names and seats.

You may ask does it fall off the desk?  Yep, but what doesn't in first grade.

Have a terrific day and lets save ourselves some time,
Cindy