Starting the Year With Interactive Calendar Notebooks

Although we've only been in school 18 days, we have already started our Interactive Calendar Notebooks. So far, it has been great.  I was a little nervous when my principal popped in during our second day, there I was crawling about the carpet making sure each kid was on the right page. Although it was only day 2, my kids were focussed and following directions.

So how do I start off the year.  BABY STEPS!.  I start with the calendar.  In the beginning we are just learning how to bring our notebooks to the carpet and opening to our calendar page.  Together, we review the days of the week, the month and the date.

Next (usually day 3) I add the wether graph.  I have an enlarged copy of the graph on our wall so model how to color the daily weather.

Usually about day 4, I introduce the dry erase markers and the2D shapes page along with the upper case alphabet.  After going over rules and marker usage, I tell students to trace the shape or the letter that I say.  I then trace the shape or letter with my marker, using my Elmo projector.   For those students who don't know what the letter B looks like, they can trace it after seeing it projected on the screen.  I usually do about 5 letters in the beginning, and only use letters that we have already reviewed.  As time goes on I introduce the lower case letters and the numbers.

Then comes the ten frames pages followed by the tally mark pages.  The key is to go slow.  It is easy to want to do all the pages immediately, but you are setting yourself up for failure if you do so.  In the beginning you are building your procedures and your students stamina to be able to sit and focus during this time.

I snapped these photos on Friday. By the way I  LOVE these markers from Kleen Slate.  I buy mine at Office Depot.  They have built in erasers and last all year long.

It's not too late to start Interactive Calendar Notebooks.  I buy my binders at Costco. I'm using the ones I bought last year.  They held up remarkably considering they were used daily.  I buy my sheet protectors from Costco too.