My first graders are starting to act like . . . well, they seem to think that they are . . . apparently, to my horror, it is as if I am not enough anymore.
They are ready for second grade.
And that bothers me. I don’t like people to outgrow me. In height and in other ways, as well. Hmph.
Inevitably, I have to save some of the best stuff for last because of this End Of The Year epidemic.
I introduced The Message Center today for our new round of centers. I’m happy to report that my title of Best First Grade Teacher Ever In All The Land has been returned to me, along with my trophy.
I got The Message Center idea from my good friend, Sheri. Thank you, friend!
Here’s how it works.
1) Get a tub or container of some sort. Put clothesline (or yarn, but I highly recommend clothesline because it holds up better) in the tub. Put clothespins in it. Put paper and pencils in it. And, if you’re feeling generous, put clipboards in it. There. You now have a Message Center.
2) The kids will have fun.
Partners will each get their own chair. They will tie ONE piece of clothesline connecting the chairs, back to back. Our chairs have holes, slats, what-have-you in them so this works well. Some kids will tie a bow. Others will tie a knot. Caution them not to tie it too tight. Once the clothesline is tied, they will pull the chairs apart from one another.
Students will sit back to back at a slight distance from each other and write messages.
When they are ready to “send” their message, they stick it on the clothesline, say, “PSSSST!” and pull on the clothesline so that it “travels” across to the other chair.
Be sure to model the “PSSSST!” extra times and have the class practice so that students are not yelling, “HEY FRIEND, YOU HAVE A MESSAGE! GET THE MESSAGE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I SAID YOU HAVE A MESSAGE! HEY!” during your guided reading time.
See the little boy in the white T-shirt in the background?
Yeah, he wasn’t in Message Center today.
He chose to be in a center called “I Just Want To Watch The
Message Center In Action Because I Am Dying To Go There”.
I kicked him out of that center because it’s not really a center, and he just made it up.
When I modeled this today with my Teacher’s Pet, some of my kids fainted from the excitement. Or they fell asleep from a long, hard day of learning. Take your pick.
I love this center. But, in the past, some kids have tied their clothesline too tight. Which means it’s difficult to untie it at clean-up time.
My suggestion is to pretend that you are on Survivor and you have to untie the knot as fast as possible in order to get a donut and/or win immunity. Once I imagine the donut, I untie that knot like nobody’s business.
I’m budgeted on the number of copies I get to make. We call them clicks. I’ve talked about this before. The injustice of it ruffles all my feathers and nose-hairs so we’re not going to go into it again. All of that is to say that I mostly use half sheets of blank paper or notebook paper for our Message Center.
But just in case you work in a school in which copies are not an issue, I have some “stationery” for you.
I’ve got 4 options for you. Click {HERE} for your free download. The cute borders are from Annie at Moffatt Doodles.
I have high hopes that this new center will keep my kids from getting too big for their britches . . .
What do you save for the end of the year?
Oh my gosh what an awesome idea!! I love the message centre. I think I'll have to try this out in my class.
You are a hilarious writer!!! I love this idea! : )
Love your message centre! Thanks for the idea!
Anita
Mrs. Bremer’s Kindergarten
What a fun idea!! My kids would love this!!!
Great idea! I am definitely trying this tomorrow.
BTW- do you have an IG acct. for your teaching ideas?
First off, soooo going to use this! I save finger painting for the end of the year at the art center. It's such a simple center but super messy! But the kids LOVE it!
Polka Dots, Checks and Stripes
OOOOH! So fun! I love that little message center stalker! Bahahahaha!
Megan
Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
Mrs. Wheeler TpT
Great idea- I definitely am going to try this! Thanks. Carol
PS- I love your center that your student "invented". You're such a crack-up!
How. Stinkin. Cute. Your friend is a genius! I love the idea. I will steal it (next year, when I–God-willing–don't have a class half full of crazy loons). 😀 But seriously–today there was an incident that involved a jump rope around a neck, so you can imagine…AGH! 🙂
-gayla
Teach On.
What a fun idea! Kids have fun and learning…great day in my book!
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
Can't wait to try it!!!
Love the idea of this center!
Love to Learn
Oh my goodness!! this is too adorable!!! thanks for sharing! 🙂
I am in love with this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Irene
Learning With Mrs. Leeby
How cute is this? Love it!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Soooo cute! My kiddies are going to love this center just like "boy in white shirt!" Thanks for sharing!
This looks so fun!! Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly Ann
Live, Laugh, I love Kindergarten
I read your post and laughed so hard. Thanks for cheering up my day and for giving me a new writing idea. 🙂
What a great idea! I save a stack of 'Miss K's Super Special Books' for the end of the year. Nothing too special about them… just that they have stayed out of the reading corner all year so are a novelty. 🙂
Lauren
Love, Laughter and Learning in Prep
LOVE THIS . . . seriously girl . . . brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing. My kids are going to so dig this. Merry weekend!
Super Idea!! My kinders were writing notes to each other during their whole rotation. The other students were super excited for their turn. I used old notepads that come in the mail. (They loved these). Thanks for your humor and great ideas 🙂 LOVE IT!!!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE this idea. My kiddos will go crazy for this!!
I can't wait to try it!!
Sarah
A Sunny Day in First Grade
I love this idea and can't wait to use it! You are awesome!
You are too cute. Love you love it!!