This is the beginning of my 25th year in the classroom.  During that time I have been responsible for setting up a classroom for eight different groups of first graders, one group of second graders, a group of third graders, and now my fifteenth group of fourth graders.  In that time I have learned a few tricks and shortcuts that have made this job easier.

When you teach elementary school, you write your students’ names dozens of times.  Student names are needed on desk tags, locker tags, nametags for students to wear the first few days of school, names on notebooks, names for folders.  This job is made easier for me by using the software program, Printshop Deluxe by Broderbund.

Once I get my class list, I use the software to create an address list with the kids names.  This list is important because I will insert student names in many of the projects I create.  Because I have used this for at least fifteen years, I save my templates from year to year.

I use various size labels to put names on notebooks and folders.  My really favorite trick, however, is to use the label templates but print on cardstock to make desk name tags, names and labels for my classroom jobs chart, the Daily 5 chart, and attendance charts.  I also make my locker tags this way.

You can use the Printshop Software to create posters. I use it to create signs for the classroom, vocabulary cards for the pocket charts, labels for my library and work tubs.  I use the postcard setting to make Homework passes, and other rewards.  I also create my back to school cards using the greeting card part of the software.  This year I used my rubber stamps for the graphics, but the text and the speed bubbles were created with Printshop.

If you enjoy desktop publishing, you’ll enjoy this.  I’m very visual, and I like the fancy fonts, photos and graphics that I can easily add to our classroom.  You can even upload your own photos.

Sometimes I use labels for story starters, or other information that I want to include in student planners or writer’s notebooks.  I usually only do this at the beginning of the year, because using labels can get expensive.

I have a very basic product, but you can get as fancy as you want.  There are many other brands out there as well.  I create my nametags and signs at home, and when I go to school I can quickly put them where they belong in the room. I do it at home, because I don’t have access to a color printer at school.  So it involves a small investment for ink, cardstock, and labels, but it’s well worth it to me.

Printshop Deluxe for school, is like duct tape and bungy cords for around the house.  I don’t know what I’d do without them.

What are some of your tricks of the trade that make beginning a new school year easier?  I am anxious to learn about them.