Stampity, Stamp, Stamp.
When I first started teaching, I loved stamps and stickers for their colourful and rewarding place they have in the classroom space. Little did I realise, they can have a much bigger and important place in the classroom other than just "looking pretty". Let me explain ⤵️
Adjustments
One of my biggest "aha!" moments of last year was one of my purchases (because let's be honest, I buy way too many stamps) from The Teaching Tools (@theteachingtools). They have the BEST range of what I refer to as "adjustment stamps" - a stamp that states the adjustment a student receives. As I made adjustments for students, I stamped their work with whatever they needed to complete the task (e.g. extra time, manipulatives, 1:1 support, etc.). It made my life easier and parents were able to see what support they needed for different tasks when the work went home. I had a chat with my amazing school officer at the time about these and she was totally on board - every time she would come in and support students, she would continue using these stamps to keep everything consistent. It is helped a bunch (especially, with so many needs in one classroom) so I knew what support students were receiving from intervention and 1:1 teacher aide work.
Checklists
My next "aha!" moment following this, was when I purchased (another) stamp order from Stamp It By Miss M (@stampit_bymissm). I loved the checklist stamps that they sold and at the time it was the only ones I could find (I say "at the time" because The Teaching Tools now have a checklist range - also very cute) and I could see a change in student work almost instantly. It prompted self-checking for students and fuelled their motivation to get through the task.
Engagement
Now, one of the perks of being a teacher is having cute, quirky and adorable teaching stamps. Teacherlatte (@teacherlatte) had my students LOVING stamps. I sent my students away from my desk with marked (and stamped!) work and heard all sorts of excited conversations about the stamps I used. My favourite thing about this is how students are excited to bring their work up to me - they know that they will get stamps if they give them their best work (otherwise, no stamp).
Behaviour chart
So I know there will be mixed opinions on what I'm about to say here, but here me out. Stickers are an effective tool in supporting behaviours through "behaviour charts" or "goal charts". I know some teachers tend to refuse using sticker charts for various reasons, but they are still used in so many classrooms. It doesn't need to be known to the whole class, just to you and the student. I trialled a few individual sticker charts last year - we picked a goal, and we got to put a sticker on the chart when they achieved that goal. We would swap out between stickers and stamps (especially when I would get a new stamp order!). This can be applied to so many situations, but, once again...stamps to the rescue!
Feedback
One of my first stamps I ever bought was from Stamp It By Miss M. It is her Two Stars and a Wish stamp - adorable, identifies two aspects the student has done well in and goal moving forward. Effective. Easy. Quick.
Where do I buy them?
I have purchased from The Teaching Tools, Stamp It By Miss M and Teacherlatte multiple times, and they all continue to amaze me with the quality and variety of designs on offer. They are always coming out with new collections, collaborations and gorgeousness.
Let me know what stamps are your favourites AND if you have any recommendations. Comment below! I'm always keen to do a stamp order...
Miss Ansley xx
A disclaimer that NO products or resources that I have mentioned and included in this blog post are at all endorsed, paid advertisements, associated with, collaborations or affiliated with the brands or businesses.