Dear Friend,
My Dear Daughter in Love was a Kindergarten teacher. In her classroom she had a place for everything and the places were labeled. You can do this too: In your classroom or even in your home. She uses this with her two children. There are baskets to put things in and they get put back on their shelves when they are finished or have to put the toys away.
Here is a testimonial from a teacher who uses our FlyLady system with her students.
Hi FlyLady.
I just had to write to you. There have been many times I have wanted to write in, like when my DH began raving about how I should open a restaurant because of the great meals we have now thanks to Menu Mailer, or how much I love the products I have ordered from the shop...some are on my Christmas wish list for this year, or how my friends talk about how overwhelmed they feel with their clutter and then turn to me and say how uncluttered my home feels (I DO always
share that it is because of YOU!), or because I finally am using all the beautiful Christmas cards I have bought over the years and never sent out because there was never enough time...they will even have personal messages in them for the family receiving them!
Thank you for all of the peace, love, and hospitality my home offers because of your help. I also wanted to write to tell you how great you are looking, how much I enjoy the video messages...now I have a voice I hear when your reminders pop up.
My reason for writing today though is to say THANK YOU for helping me be a better teacher. I teach a wonderful group of students. We have been together for 2 years now (second and third grade), and they have seen the transformation in our classroom. I went from having piles of papers, books, and who knows what hidden behind my desk, on every flat
surface available, to having a clean classroom (some say the nicest they've ever seen!) with empty counter space, empty tables students can work at, and a clear path behind my work area! I have went from having to apologize to students for misplacing assignments, materials, etc, to having EVERYTHING ready each day without having to waste precious time searching for things. I feel more peaceful, and so do my students. So, what is my secret?
Routines! I have a before school, preptime, and after school routine. I also have zones and my own personal shiny sink. After realizing how well this has worked for me at home and at school...it dawned on me that this could help my students too! So on Monday, we made our own Morning Routine and Afternoon Routine. I handed out dry erase markers and page protectors and now we are all FLYING! Students that have never turned in homework are now turning in their folders in the morning. Students are not forgetting their tools they need in order to do their homework each night. Of course, because I get to see their routines, they are able to see my page of routines. We encourage each other. Some students even leave their routines out all day on the corner of their desk. They like seeing that they have accomplished things and can check them off.
My favorite part is listening to the students while they use their routines. Smile is the last thing on their list for morning and afternoon and I often hear students comment that they already have a smile on their face so they can cross it off first. Of course the bottom of each page lets them know I am proud of them. It means so much to them...and me. Thank you for your website. It is changing classrooms, as well as homes.
Love,
Mrs. FlyBaby in Wisconsin
- FlyLady
