2020 isn't a normal year for any teacher. Some schools are virtual, others are in person yet completely different than in years past.
For me, I am now teaching math from a cart. Where students used to rotate to my math classroom and I stayed put in one room all day, this year it is opposite. The students stay in one room all day and the teachers rotate to them.
So, for all you fellow cart teachers out there, here are the tips I've learned in my first six weeks as a cart teacher.
1. Treat your top level like a podium. Whatever I am teaching, the top level has my immediate needs for that lesson--things I will hold up to demonstrate, etc. It is my podium.
2. Bring all the extras. There's nothing worse than a student needing a pair of scissors and you have no clue where that teacher keeps her extras. I keep extras on the second shelf---scissors, tape, pencils, pens, sticky notes, paper, earbuds, bandaids, etc. If a child has ever asked you for it, put it on your cart. It'll save time in trying to figure out another person's room.
3. Don't forget your behavior management system. My grade level uses tickets and buckets. The students get tickets they can put in their class bucket to hopefully be drawn out later for prizes. The buckets must be brought from class to class.
4. Pack the cleaning supplies. Have your clorox wipes (if you can find those precious things!) and your GermX. For the same reasons as #2. Mine stay on the bottom shelf.
5. Just like you decorate your classroom, you can decorate your cart. When October rolled around, I added some October decor to my cart. The kids LOVED it. It's not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, but it gives some spice to the traditional cart look!
So tell me, what are your cart tips and tricks? I'd LOVE to hear them!