Our centers are rolling along. We’re pulling small groups for small group instruction and guided reading. We’re in the groove of a great lesson on using picture clues to help us figure out a word and it happens: Someone storms the guided reading area and informs us that “I touched a dog.” And when I say stormed…I mean it…it’s like an Army battalion storming the enemy when they come busting up to the table! Since this small group time is so valuable I wanted a way to let the students know that we we’re busy and could not be interrupted. So, the stoplight was born.
Guided Reading Stoplight
Since we all know that our students are incredibly visual, I figured why not use a red light to let them know to STOP. It makes complete sense. They know red means stop. The red light is a powerful visual that they can clearly see and they clearly know it means to stop and not interrupt our group time!
The Nick Jonas Poster
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12 comments
Love that stop light idea! And thanks for the chance to win the BEST sharpener ever!!! 🙂
Daina
Oh the stoplight idea is AWESOME! I have a lamp to do it with, but I really like the carpet spot too!
Mrs. Cobb's KinderSprouts!
I might have to steal that stoplight idea;)
What an awesome idea!!
Heather
The Busy Busy Hive
I'm so glad I found your blog! I have a male Kindergarten teacher in my building, and he too is a rock star! 🙂 I can't wait to see more from you!
Lindsey
The Journey of a Beginning Teacher
Mr. Greg, According to pencil.com “The typical pencil can draw a line 35 miles long!” That fancy pencil sharpener would keep us drawing and writing a long time in my classroom. Thanks for the chance to win.
I HAVE to have a red rug and light now. Thanks. Haha
I love the red rug and the red light! I hope I remember that when I get my classroom!
I absolutely love the red light idea. Thank you, Mr. Greg, for sharing, I can't wait to read more.
Love the idea of the light and carpet! My 3rd/4th can't seem to grasp the “don't bother the teachers when she's working with a small group” idea. I'm soooo stealing this!!
Aimee
aimee@vanmiddlesworth.org
Pencils, Books, and Dirty Looks
Perfect! I am also introducing listening this upcoming week. Hope you are feeling better!
Megan
Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
Mrs. Wheeler TpT
Honey, you need the 5 B's and a D: “blood, barf, bruised, broken, bullied, or dead”! And if you're dead, send someone else to tell me! It takes my seconds a bit to get the joke about dead, but when they do, the whole thing is crystal clear. And I wear my tiara during my groups, so if it's on, you better leave us alone!
Don't tell me about any of it, any time, unless it's the five B's! Use an I Message (I feel _____, when you _____, and would like for you to STOP!)
Brooke
I teach kindergarten in South Korea, and those pencil sharpeners are ubiquitous here! I love them. It's the only kind you can buy, really.