I'm getting completely silly about this morning work. I seem to find fault with every idea I try and am never satisfied. When I made copies, it seemed like such a waste of paper and some students didn't even get there on time to finish it. When I used only transparencies (to avoid making copies), they all wanted to move so they could see it better. So then I actually purchased MT. Math/Lang (but a lot of it was too difficult at that point and time and all the problems up there were confusing to them). Now I'm writing everything on the board and they copy it on their MW sheet inside a sheet protector and use a dry erase marker to save copies. Except now I'm sick of taking time out to put every blessed thing on the board and I can't include all that much since the board is not that big. I have thought about just having AR time/journaling in the morning but then those language and math review questions are such a great teaching point. I don't suppose anyone has any other wonderful ideas or things that they do?? I don't know why MW is such a stressor for me. I like most of the lessons we do and have a satisfactory homework system. I've never been a morning person!!!

My friend, a former 1st, now 3rd grade teacher suggested to me (2nd grade) that I have the kiddos do ssr at that time. This is working out GREAT! On mornings when things are going smoothly I do informal conferences by going where they are and doing a mini conference, on other mornings I handle whatever needs to be done. I turn out the lights and turn on some soothing music. It REALLY helps our day get off to a calm, thoughtful start...and, technicall, we are not supposed to grade anything done before the bell in our district.
Now, I did have to work with the kids on this. We worked together to set up expectations....It is a privelege to read in their special spot during this time...if I have to speak to them about being off track, they have to go to their seat. This has worked so well in my class, and my kiddos love to read!
Kym

I just wanted to tell you how I do my MT math/lang each week. It is my morning work and I love it, and my kids do also. True, at first some of the cards were confusing, but they really do become easier the more they are done. My children were working pretty much on their own after 2 weeks. They have a spiral bound notebook to keep MT math/lang. in, nothing else, they keep the notebooks in their desk for easy access. I laminated all the worksheets. I do math on monday and tuesday, language on wednesday and thursday. Since the cards are printed front and back, i put them on magnetic clips across my marker board (some have to go down the side). Here is my basic procedure:
Mon - Pass the monday cards out, have them on desks when students arrive. They work on the math cards as they get settled. They have about 40 min. morning time, which is plenty of time for most. Real slow workers can get back to the cards as time allows. When finished with the math worksheet, it is returned to the table to be passed out tomorrow. I go over the cards at the end of the day, or earlier if time. students have their work in their notebooks to check.
Tues - Turn the math cards over...students complete each card and turn in the notebook for me to check, and return worksheet to the table. i note any card that was troublesome for students as a whole and discuss that particular skill.
Wed. Do the same procedure but using the language card....go over each card with students...they keep assignment in the notebook to use for future reference.
Thurs. Students turn notebooks in after completing the back of the language cards....procedure same as tuesday.
This has worked really well for my students....let me know if i can make any of this more clear...

I have those 1/2 size pocket charts-which I love-they have 6 clear pockets. I thought about putting five Lang and five Math in each. That math though has all different shapes and sizes so it's tricky. But I'd only put five at a time so that they'd have ten questions altogether each day. I'd retype the worksheet myself with only that day's questions so I'd have a Monday sheet, Tuesday sheet. etc. I'd laminate or use a sheet protector- that way I could eliminate on copying AND writing stuff down. Or we could write in journals similar to how you do it. But I ran into this problem before- the math has mult. and perimeter & for early 3rd grade... I didn't know if they were ready for all that. Do you just "skip" the ones that haven't been introduced and go back at a later time, or do you go ahead and try them so at least they get exposure to it? They could do the mult. ones now, but it's also January - not August. Did you get the Mt. Math/Lang for the your current grade or did you start the school year with a grade below for review purposes? Thanks for any help!

[Quatro]

A good friend of mine dumped morning work for morning letters. In a notebook the child writes a letter to the teacher every day. Sometimes a prompt is given-mostly not. At the end of the week the child share one letter with the teacher., or with a partner.Good luck

I have been reading your suggestions for morning work. I am not sure what you are talking about when your refer to MT cards. I too have trouble with MW.

Lois- Mountain Math and Language is morning work (if you choose to use it that way) where they are problems on cards they have to figure out. The questions stay the same- the problems just change. You'd put new cards up every week except I was talking about just showing 5 per day because when I tried it earlier they got so confused seeing 22 Lang. and 24 Math or whatever it is. I think if I just put up 5 for lang. and math, that would be better. It requires no coyping and if a student comes in late you won't waste paper! I may go back to it next month and get all my bugs worked out before I give it a go again next year. It's like those Evan-Moor daily practice books basically. It is a little costly however and I'm not sure if they make them for 1st grade- they may start with 2nd grade skills. Once all the paper at my school is gone for copying, teachers have to buy their own and I have to draw the line somewhere- I WILL NOT buy copy paper, so I'm always thinking of ways to save wherever I can! Here's a link to the Mountain Math/Math Lang. site if you want: http://www.mtmath.com/

What about "doodle loops"... you do have to make copies though, but the kids really love them. They keep the class very busy! And the first graders must write about what they draw.. then a few can share with the class.. fun!

I'm not familiar with these things. What are they? I can't do morning letters- I'm already assigning writing letters for homework. I will think of something-- I always do! After all, I'm a teacher!!!

Morning work is something that I also have had trouble with. I tried worksheets, but some kids would finish early, and some not at all. What worked well was silent reading. After a while, I felt my students wanted to do more, so this is the schedule that I now use for morning work, to keep things interesting.
Monday- Math Manipulatives- the students explore different manipulatives for math. They can build, make shapes and simply explore.
Tuesday- Following directions. I draw a picture of a paper on the board, divided into 4 parts. I write something to write or draw in each square in a different color for each square. They have to draw or write a response in each corner in that designated color.
Wednesday- Writing Wednesday- the students can write something of their choice, a letter, story, report etc. I set out different writing paper each week for them to use.
Thursday- Silent Reading
Friday- Free Choice Friday- The students are given a plain piece of copy paper and they can color, write, draw or anything they choose with their paper.

I hope this helps