Everything is subject to change....my classroom calendar!

Two years ago, I began doing a month at a glance calendar for my students so that they could see ahead when projects were due, test dates, special event (i.e. picture day, holiday, etc.), and even our writing plan for the month.  Near the end of the year, I got this great idea to make a large "life-size" calendar using a piece of posterboard, small sticky notes, and a black sharpie.  I moved the sticky notes around (dates) and used different colored sticky notes for various activities.

Last year, I decided to laminate that large calendar and used laminated numbers and months, etc. that attached to the calendar using velcro.  It was wonderful!  I loved having a rather durable, changeable calendar!  My best friend, who teaches across the hall, saw the calendar and decided to make one as well. She had a brilliant idea, though (she is a work-a-holic who thinks classroom 24/7).  This year, she came in with the calendar on a large dry erase board.  Not only could it be moved around easily, but she could also use magnets to attach the letters, etc.   Much easier than the velcro!

So, I took one of my classroom white boards, measured out the lines to make perfect squares, and drew them with a fat sharpie.  Here I was, getting ready to put my letters on magnets and make my life so easy, when I realized that MY board was not magnetic!  UGH!  I was not happy.  Rather than go out and buy another board, I decided to stick with the velcro on this board and it has worked just fine.  For next year, however, I plan to do the magnets.

My students love being able to see all of their due dates, test dates, activities and events, and, with the velcro (or magnets) and sticky notes, you can change dates without a major headache!

Hope someone else can use this idea!  My original thought was that this board could help my students learn to pace themselves as they work on projects and study for tests, thereby, helping them to prepare for middle school!