An app I simply can’t live without is Clear+. Right now, it is $4.99 in the App Store, but it is worth every penny and then some to me. It is a very simply premise actually – just a bunch of lists. A list of lists! I can organize everything from a traditional ‘To Do’ list to my grocery lists, wish lists, ideas, etc. The best part is that you can drag and drop items in a list to help prioritize. This comes in handy with my grocery list, because I can reorganize it so similar items are grouped (or if you’re really OCD, you can organize it by where it is located in the store). I can also prioritize my To Do lists in order if what needs to get done immediately through what needs to get done at my earliest convenience.

There is something so very satisfying about swiping an item off the To Do list – Clear+ rewards you with a buzz and a chime. It’s so addicting, I can’t wait to finish a task! I have also come to realize that if I don’t write something down, it won’t happen. I check in with my app about 3-5 times a day to keep my goals in mind.

When parents ask me for suggestions for their child who loves technology but needs a little help staying organized, I suggest many free apps from Reminders to MyHomework, Google Calendar, CalenMob, etc. Yet for some, these free apps just have too many bells, whistles, and complications. Some students need the simplicity of Clear, and I am happy to suggest the app to them.

Which apps or other tools do you use to stay organized?

Yay! The Back-To-School Fairy stopped by Room 204!

I’m very excited about a few things I ordered in the spring. Back to School shopping is such an exhilarating activity – it’s something I’ve loved to do ever since elementary school. Ahhhh…. the smell of new supplies! It’s better than roses!

What I ordered:

• Desk Calendar
• Page Protectors
• Manilla Folders – one for each student
• Stickers (yes, even 8th graders love stickers)
• Black Pens
• Blue Pens
• Lightbulbs (I have several lamps in my room for when we are using the SMARTBoard and the room lights are off)
• Highlighters
• Sharpies
• Index cards
• Invisible Tape + Dispenser
• EXPO Markers for my whiteboards
• Whiteboard erasers
• Twist-n-Write Pen/Pencil – have you ever tried these? They are fantastic!
• Pencils
• Paper Clips
• Binder Clips
• Whiteout
• An ELECTRIC Stapler! I squeal with excitement!
• An ELECTRIC Pencil Sharpener! Be still my heart!
• Another crazy super-powered stapler that can do 30 sheets at a time (P.S. WHY do my students always manage to break these? I buy 2 new ones every year!)
• A Magnetic File holder (This is where I have students turn in their work)

I have a few things yet that I will be purchasing with my own money:

• Candy (incentives). Since I must be mindful of nut and dairy allergies, I usually get Smarties, Dum-dums, Jolly Ranchers, Peppermints, etc. Even those aren’t safe from allergies, however. I had a student who was allergic to food coloring 🙁
• Granola bars and snacks for the students who forgot breakfast/lunch.
• A silver Sharpie so I can try out this new idea I saw on Pinterest for a Reading Graffiti Wall. Expect a detailed post once I have finished it!
• Some fashion duct tape so I can make flags on my pencils. They always walk off!

I’m curious to see how much of these supplies I actually use this year, given that we are going one-to-one with iPads. I know there will still be a significant amount of handwriting, and we aren’t going completely paperless yet. I imagine my supply list will dwindle each year as we get used to relying more on our electronics.

Do you think there is anything I missed? Do you have some Back-To-School items that you always purchase?