Analog Clocks or Digital Clocks?

Ahhhhhh, yes. Social media. There's a whole lot going on there!😐

A few months ago, I saw a Facebook post someone shared about schools removing analog clocks because students didn't know how to tell time. Some people that commented were outraged! Some people commented that we don't need to use analog clocks anymore because we live in a digital era.

To be quite honest, I was outraged! But for another reason.😞
Teachers don't have enough time to do everything they need to do!😵😵😵😵😵

There is just NOT enough time! #TRUTH
If that's the case, should we remove ALL types of clocks?
Because there is just not enough time!
Wait a minute! (Yes. That was a pun.)
If there isn't enough time, should we actually put up more clocks?
All types of clocks!
An entire wall of clocks!🤔
🕐🕑🕒🕓🕔🕟🕠🕡🕢🕣
🕕🕖🕗🕘🕙🕚🕛🕜🕝🕞
🕚🕛🕜🕝🕞🕐🕑🕒🕓🕔
🕟🕠🕡🕢🕣🕕🕖🕗🕘🕙

Just a thought.

Anywhooo!!!😑
Back to the original reason I'm posting.

About that post I mentioned earlier, the original one was from schools in the UK. Then, all of a sudden, I started seeing posts about schools doing this in the US!

Now, I never would even think of just getting rid of something that students don't use or don't know how to do. If that were the case, I'm pretty sure those state tests would be a whole lot shorter and so would our curriculum!!! (Yes, that was sarcasm.)

However, our job is not to get rid of, but to educate. As a teacher, I know we cannot teach our students EVERYTHING. I also know that students need to be willing to learn. So, just in case you came across one of those posts about schools getting rid of analog clocks, I wanted to share this with you.

Before any of those posts came about, I've had two clocks hanging on the wall in my class room, one analog and one digital. At the beginning of every year I explained why there are two different types of clocks. Some students know how to read both and some don't. I also take the time to demonstrate how to read an analog clock. I challenged students that didn't know how to read an analog clock to learn. If they needed help, I would help them or they could ask someone else to help them.

Guess what? I didn't get to teach ALL of my students how to read an analog clock, but I did teach MANY of my students how to read an analog clock. (Remember ⭐The Starfish Story?⭐)



Having the two types of clocks right next to each other helped.

You see, our students had to sign out and sign back in every time they left the classroom. That meant that they had to write their name, where they were going and the time they left and then the time they returned. So they had to look at those clocks quite a bit throughout the school year. I could tell which students accepted my challenge, because they would make comments or ask questions. (Please take note that many asked privately, not out loud in front of the whole class.) This told me that they accepted my challenge for themselves, not anyone else. That means a lot to me because that meant that they wanted to learn.  Crazy, right?

Then there were those moments where we were in the middle of a lesson and I would notice some students' eyes would wander over to the clocks to see how much longer they had to be in math class.  Tick tock, tick tock. You know those students. Everyone has them.😉

Heck! Some of those students might not have been listening, but they were comparing those two clocks! Guess what was happening? Yup! Learning! I'm so glad they took the time to do that.

I know which students were successful because of comments and conversations that occurred. Some mentioned that it was easier than they thought! Imagine that!

I don't really know if that post about schools removing analog clocks was true. You know how it is, you can't believe EVERYTHING on the internet. However, you can believe me!😉
I just wanted to share my experience with this situation in my classroom.

If given the opportunity, they will learn. Some at their own pace. Some at their own will. But they will learn.

I know, clocks are expensive especially when you are living on a teacher budget. But the analog clock was purchased by my school, so that one was already in the classroom. A few years ago, as I was perusing the clearance aisle at Wally World, I happened upon the digital clock and only paid about $4. If you're not that lucky, how about requesting one from a parent that offers their help? At the beginning of every year, I have many parents that will tell me to contact them if there is anything I need for the classroom or for my students. If that happens to you, definitely take advantage and request a digital wall clock, amongst other things.😄

Here is one of the tips I gave students that were struggling with the hands on the analog clock.

I explained how one hand is longer than the other. I then asked them which word had more letters, hour or minute. Of course the answer was minute, so I told them that the word minute is longer so that is the longer hand and the word hour is shorter so that is the shorter hand.

I then made a quick sketch on the whiteboard to show them what I meant. It may seem silly, but it truly did help many of them out.


As in life, not everything works the same for everyone. I'm just sharing what worked (with most students) in my classroom in the hopes that it will help someone else.

Well, that's it!  I think I've run out of time.

Okay, that was the last pun. I promise.😊

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and read my post.

Oops! That one just slipped in.

❤❤❤I really appreciate it!!!❤❤❤

Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for choosing a noble yet challenging profession that allows you to make a difference in the life of a child!

Hours, uh, I mean ours is not a profession that can be taken on by just anyone. It takes a very special, brave and creative someone that has an abundance of patience and love for education.😉

Nailed It!!!

As teachers, there comes a time when we have to do what we have to do to grab our students' attention, right?

Sometimes, you try to point something out to your students and they just don't know what you're pointing at, whether it's on the document camera or during small group instruction. Other times, well, they just aren't looking.

Well, my wonderful friend Sandra, who is an amazing teacher, took it to the next level and she NAILED IT!!!

Check it out!!!

She had her nail tech paint an arrow on the nail of her pointer finger!  What an attention grabber!  I love it!

Here is another angle.  Isn't this creative?

I had to share this amazing idea with everyone.
This will definitely get students "pointed" in the right direction!!!

Thanks for letting me share it Sandra! And thanks for being such a great motivator to your students. They are so lucky to have you as their math teacher!!!

Meet the Teacher Night Idea

Just an idea for your "Meet the Teacher Night" or Open House.

I didn't receive many tissue boxes or sanitizing wipes at the beginning of the year, even though it was requested on the student supply list. Just so you know, these items are only requested for homeroom classes, NOT every teacher.

Anywho!  I came up with this idea very last minute.  I remembered I purchased small sticky notes shaped like a hand at Walmart over the summer, so I came up with this idea!

I wrote items my students needed in the classroom.

I also made a sign so parents could see what the sticky note was for.

Simple, yet effective!  As parents were waiting their turn by the door, they were able take a sticky note as a reminder to bring a box of tissue or canister of disinfecting wipes. I did mention that cold and flu season was right around the corner a few times. Of course it was their choice, and not every single parent took one, but hey, I'll take what I can get!

I have received a few boxes of tissue and only two canisters of disinfecting wipes, but it's only been a couple of days.  I'm hoping I'll get more this coming week. After all, some people do their shopping only on the weekends! (Optimism is your friend!) ;D

I still have quite a few hand shaped sticky notes left.  My original idea was to write down a positive comment or even something like "homework pass" and give them out as "high fives" to students as rewards. I will still be able to do that! The notes were inexpensive and several came in the pack.

I hope these tips were helpful to you! "Stick around" by following me!  I'll be adding more tips and ideas as the year passes.  ;)

I'd also LOVE to hear how you use sticky notes in your classroom!

Thanks for looking and have a great week!!!

Great Classroom Management Tip!

Imagine this--

You are conducting small group instruction and the rest of your class is working on another activity. Then, it happens. You hear from the other side of the room, "Miss! I need help!" or "Sir, can you come over here real quick?"  Well, you go on over and this is what they ask you, "Can we write on this paper?" or "Is this for a grade?" or maybe even "I forgot how to do this step. Can you show me?"  

It can seem like your a constantly back and forth and not much instruction is given to your small group.

Well, this happened a whole lot in my classroom years back. It felt like a tug of war.  But then I remember seeing something like this either in a book or online.  I wish I could remember, but it was a long time back.

Students are instructed to ask three other students their question before they can ask the teacher.  If no one knows the answer to their question, THEN they can ask the teacher. 

It prevents lots of unnecessary interruptions and as a teacher, you can get more accomplished during small group instruction.

I made this sign and have it posted at the front of my classroom as a reminder to students.

Yes, sometimes they forget. It wouldn't be normal if they wouldn't forget, would it?  LOL  So I just point to the sign and they remember to ask their partner or neighbor.

Here's my sign!

You can download the sign for free HERE.

I hope this is a helpful strategy and you can use it in your classroom!

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!!!

Quick and Easy Teacher Dry Erase Board!

I teach 7th grade math and I like to make it fun for my students. One of the methods I use in order to engage my students in learning is to have them write on their desks with dry erase markers. Students LOVE it and they participate more. 

My problem? The teacher table I use has a dark brown top, so when I write on it to show my students how to solve problems it's difficult for them to see what I am writing when I display it via projector onto the white screen in front of the room.

I came up with a solution for that!  All I needed was a large sheet of white paper and clear con-tact paper. Ta-da!!!! Problem solved!

First I taped the large sheet of white paper to my table. You can see the tape on the corner, but it doesn't show on the screen.

I then sandwiched the large white sheet of paper between the table top and the contact paper.  I will admit, it was easier to do with my husband helping me.  So, consider it a job for two people.  That way there will be no bubbles or creases.  One person peels off the backing a little at a time holding the con-tact paper at a 45 degree angle while the other person is smoothing it down from side to side.

And there you have it!  A white dry erase board that makes it easier for my students to see what I am writing when I display it via projector onto the screen in the front of the room!

The dry erase marker comes off with one swipe!  I already wrote on this one and erased.  Can you tell?

By the way, I used Con-Tact Clear Transparent Brand.  I haven't tried other brands, so I don't know how easy it is to clean the dry erase marker off of those.

I hope this helps anyone else that has this problem!!!

There might be other solutions some of you may use, however, this is the solution that worked for me. I just wanted to share!!  :D

Just to clarify, my students also have dark brown tabletops, but they don't have trouble with reading what they write with a dry erase marker.  It's only when I display my tabletop with a projector, it becomes difficult to see what I am writing.

Click HERE to see what I have my students use as erasers.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!!!

Ready for a New School Year!

Summer has come and gone and a new school year is upon us. I have been spending several hours preparing my classroom as many other fellow educators have been doing.  Organizing, arranging, throwing out, and putting in items to make it look and feel like a safe, suitable, comfortable learning environment for my incoming 7th graders. Let me give you a tour.

Here is the display space outside my room.  It's simple but with a great message. "Your attitude determines your direction.  Make it a good one!"  At the beginning of every class, students will line up in front of this area.

Welcome!  7th Math and a little motivational sign I created.

Here is a close up of the sign.

Just a reminder that it's truly all about them!

Am I the only one that thinks that this is the cleanest my desk will be all year?  BTW, notice the emoji taped to the corner of my computer.  It's a note to remind me that I have morning and afternoon duty all week, the first week of school.

Front view of my desk with my name on the pennants.  You think my students will actually call me this instead of "Miss" this year?

Side view of my area. You can see how I make my table skirt HERE.

"Cell Phone Parking" using a shoe organizer.  Because, when your two-period block class becomes a 45 minute class from one year to the next, "ain't nobody got time for that" phone!  Well, only when it's incorporated into the lesson.  ;)

I started this last year.  Both types of clocks, analog and digital, to help students practice telling time.  Yes, many seventh graders still do not know how to tell time on an analog clock.  I blame it on the digital era.  Underneath my clocks are "Ask Me!" badges.  Students that prove they have mastered a skill get to wear this and act as my "teaching assistants".  They love it!  They get to teach/help other students in the class and let's face it, sometimes students would rather ask a peer for help then ask the teacher for help.  It's a WIN, WIN!

Focus/Agenda board ready!  Love the cute pencil shaped dry erase board eraser.  Dollar tree item!

My closets actually closed!!  Just kidding.  There is still room in there.  Last door: I'm challenging my students to "change their mindset" this year.

Math Reminders! Because, sometimes they need a little reminding!  I adjust as needed throughout the year.

Journals go here. And they WILL be put away neatly.  They WILL I say!!!

F.Y.I. board.  The "Missing Parts" pocket in the lower left corner is a lost and found for station pieces. It's a life saver!!! Find more info on it HERE.

Group trash bins are upside down with the corresponding group tool kit.  Trash bins are great when students need to cut pieces from paper.  Just wad up scraps, place in trash bin and when it's time to put away, a designated student "takes out the trash".  It's easier than picking up papers from the floor.  Tool kit contains color pencils, glue, scissors, pencil sharpener, etc...you know, school tools.

That's all folks!!!

If you are interested in some of the motivational mini posters and pennants, you can find them in the links below.

Posters, Group Trash Bin, Mini Posters and more!

Pastel Colored Pennants

Bright Colored Pennants

If you are interested in anything else you saw, just contact me and I'll be happy to help you out!  :)

I hope this tour of my classroom was helpful!  Thanks for looking and I hope everyone truly has an amazing and productive year!!!