I went to Target today and they put out more teacher items in the dollar spot. I got a few of those small pocket charts there. What do you all use them for? They are so small.
I used them for my word wall last year. A different color for each subject. I also used them for the schedule and in centers.
I have been checking every few days for the back to school items in the dollar mart. On Sunday, all the summer things were consolidated into one spot and reduced to 75% off, and there was lots of empty space just waiting to be filled! Going tomorrow to check it out...again!
I used them our daily schedule, I taught 1st for 2years and 2nd for 1 I would use them for the weekly spelling words and vocabulary words.
I saw the table top one but it doesn't look good. The pockets aren't clear. How can the kids see what you put in them???
I used one to hold name cards for centers (name of center stayed in place, student names rotated), and another one to hold their "credit cards" (the students received stickers on the "credit cards" for each 100 they made in AR, ten stickers earned them five minutes of free time).
I ask the same question too. I've bought several but haven't use them since I couldn't think of what I could use them for. Now that I've had time to reflect on this year, it occurred to me that I can use them to teach prefix/suffix, new words for the day/week. Definitely I'm interested in what other ways, these can be used.
I bought a couple of the last year (or the year before) and haven't used them yet. I am planning on using them this year for our daily schedule and Writer's Workshop. I would suggest that before you use them. Take them out of the package and let them breathe. The ones that I picked up stunk like nasty moth balls and something else... I can't pinpoint that though.
I used one for a center last year, but not to successfully. I'm going to use it for my daily schedule this year since it changes so often. Then I won't have to rewrite a poster board every time it changes. Thanks!
I just went to Target and looked at the pocket charts for this year-they are getting smaller! I don't think I'm even going to pick some up.
You could use them for the lunch count; have one color in the chart and the students flip the color if they brought their lunch each day...what else? How would you use them for centers or for readers/writers workshops?
I wish they wouldn't make them such bright primary colors. I'd love a white or oatmeal colored one...
I agree...The colors aren't the best. I like the light blue ones I got last year, though. If the dying works, take pictures!
i use them for several things...one is the "star attraction" board- its our version of show and tell 2nd grade style- every week one child is the star attraction and their information is left up and the rest of the class has to write them a letter of encouragement to that child...i use one for "spotlight on spelling"-when they find our spelling words in reading they write it on an index card and put it in...then when differnent things are introduced/practiced like homonyms, antonyms, etc each child/group has an index card and writes and puts in chart...thats all i can think of at the moment onomonopeia (sp?) words words to use instead of "said"
I made easels from foamcore board for my small pocket charts. The easels are small enough that they can be used on a table or on the floor. The pocket chart is attached with velcro. My students loved to use them to practice their spelling with letter cards.
The pocket charts I own are not 'fabric' but more of a plastic woven material...they wouldn't bleach. I think even if you found fabric ones, bleaching would end up spotty and uneven- which might be a cool random look.:huh:
the pocket chart i picked up is a tabletop one for $2.50.... sits like an easel, pockets on both sides, and they had a nice red or blue color to choose from.
You're right, czacza. I tried it last night. I didn't think about the nylon being plastic. Now my bathroom smells like bleach. Eh, the illusion of clean..... I'm trying to figure out if you could make some, but I don't know how I would sew through clear plastic strips-I don't think my sewing machine is strong enough. Maybe glue the strips on? It's not high on my priority list right now. The tabletop ones sound great! I looked for one yesterday, but was out of luck.
Make sure you air them out for a little while. They really stink when you first open them! Atleast mine did.
I know! I was wondering the same thing. Haven't seen one to get an idea of what they look like but other than using a clip to hold things on the outside instead of the inside seems moot.
Jem maybe you could use duct tape to attach the plastic strips to make pockets. It comes in all kinds of colors now so it could be fun looking. A long time ago I saw on someone's website they did that to alter the big pocket chart to make it into smaller ones.
Can't remember if I posted... but I've used it as a place to display theme words for kids to practice writing. They lOVE it when the words get switched out and suddenly all flock to the writing center again
They are so small AND flimsy. How do you all make them stand up straight? I have some hanging on the wall. Any other suggestions besides hanging and making them stand like an easel?
So, here is what one teacher did to the table top pocket charts, in case anyone is interested. http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=262191
I'm going to use the table top charts in work stations, especially for those boxes of picture/word puzzles. They can put the puzzle pieces next to each other in the pocket chart instead of having them all over the floor. The children could also use alphabet cards to make words on the chart. If you have corkboard bulletin board strips in your room, it's a simple matter to hang the 1 dollar charts up. Put 2 notebook rings in the holes of the chart, push two pushpins in the bulletin board strip and hang it from the notebook rings. I had the daily schedule on two that were stapled together, and some I charts on others.
You can sew through the plastic very easily if you put a heavy duty needle in your sewing machine. I used some heavy plastic in a craft project some years ago, and sewed it with no problem.
