Classroom Pics

Now is the time that we are all thinking about our classroom design for the new school year. I am sharing our classroom pictures from last year! Robin is moving to 1st grade which means a new room. So, she is completely recreating her room. I am keeping everything the same with some added chevron (yes, I am obsessed with it like everyone else), more pink and purple, and less Dr. Seuss. I guess I could sum mine up by saying I am going to a rainbow color scheme with polka dots and chevron. We will have a post soon on the new rooms. I need to concentrate on what I started this post about. I am bad about getting side tracked with my million ideas chasing each other in my head. Back to last year’s set up.

Mollie's Room---

Before

After

This is the view coming in my door. Keep in mind that these pictures were from the beginning of the year. It didn't stay this neat!

This was by far my student’s favorite place in the room. I went with a Dr. Seuss theme. So, when I found the turtle tent at Ross for $10 I had to buy it. The title for the library was come read with Yertle the Turtle! Truffula trees were made from a pool noodle, duck-tape, and feather boas. I found the plush characters at Kohls. They loved the tent. I used it as a motivational tool for good behavior. I drew numbers and one child would be chosen to read in the turtle tent during literacy centers the next day. The students who had bad behavior marks lost their chance to read in the tent. Every day they had another chance to do well and be drawn for the tent. I did cheat when necessary to ensure the students who needed the motivation received on days they worked extra hard. :0  

I love having my rug area. I refused to give up this space. I am so glad I didn’t because I HAD to purchase a NOW board to include more technology in my instruction. Yes, I bought it myself and I haven’t regretted it yet. I placed duck-tape on the rug where each student’s assigned seat would be and wrote their name with permanent marker. I didn’t write the names until we were about 2 weeks into school. We did a lot of moving around because of talking. L

Please ignore all of the baskets. I took this picture right before open house. I labeled them for parents to place school supplies in as they walked in the room. I had signs with numbers for each step to complete while I was meeting parents.  The table with the skirt I used as my material table. I had post it notes taped down for each block of time. I would lay out the items needed for that lesson by its time. This way if I was absent, anyone could walk in and run my room. 

In this pic you see my pocket chart that I use for phonics instruction. I LOVE using my pocket chart. I build words by each sound and we do a drill every day of the alphabet sounds. That is one of my designated “jobs” for the students. They get to pick a pointer and run the drill while the class echoes. Did you notice my Dr. Seuss calendar wall? That’s another job that is done first thing in the morning.That’s another job that is done first thing in the morning. The small pocket charts I bought at Target before school started and I use those for spelling words and sight words of the week.

Please excuse the papers as it was for open house. J This is my guided reading table. I had chair pockets on these to hold supplies like dry erase boards, markers, letter tiles, and math manipulatives. I placed my table by this shelf because I stored all of my reading A-Z book in the baskets. I thought I would need it where I could reach them but….. I always pulled the books on Friday before the previous week and kept them in a chair pocket. I like for them to be labeled and organized.

Don’t look ETHEL!!! I sewed these curtains to match my color scheme. I LOVE looking at them every day. I also clip anchor charts on them with safety pins. You can never have too much wall space.

I love my tool kit. I bought this at Lowe's and painted it. I got this idea off of Pinterest from another great teacher. I have no idea who originally came up with this idea but they are a genius! I never had to dig in my desk drawers for the little things.

That is all of the pictures I have for now. I will be updating this post with pictures after I do my room make over. 

Classroom Jobs

I have to admit that I am stubborn when it comes to teaching responsibility in the classroom. We never agree on EVERYTHING we do in our rooms. So, I stuck with my original plan to have a job for every student in my room every single day. I call off jobs while the kids eat breakfast in the morning. They are responsible for remembering what their jobs are. I do remind them in the beginning of the year until they are trained to remember. :) My students love having a job on a daily basis and it works well for me. They don't have to wait a month before they get to help. It also helps with behavior because if they don't do it properly or with a good attitude they lose their job. Let's face it, kids need to learn to be responsible. If you don't agree with it and it seems to be chaotic for your room than you can do the V.I.P. and keep it simple. I included every thing I could think of that I need done in my room on a daily basis. Some of these I don't use in my room but I wanted to make sure to include them so that everyone would be happy with this product. I print and laminate these for durability. I use a pocket chart to display them where the kids can check them anytime they need.  All you add is a name below them and alternate them each day. I take the first name at the top of the chart and switch it with the one beside and go all the way down until I am at the last job on the bottom. That card moves to the top spot. It stays in that order even if  a child is absent. I find it easier to just type the names and print on colored card stock to save on ink and it is just as cute. I will post pictures of how mine is set up as soon as I get them laminated. 
 I designed it in different formats and designs that you can find on TPT at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Three-Sassy-Sisters-4371.