I am SO pumped to finally blog about my classroom! I basically worked on it for a couple weeks this summer (YEP, we are allowed to go in early and NO, it didn't happen in the one week of workdays filled with meetings before school started.) I don't have a theme (I actually have never had one) other than COLOR!! For those of you who know me, I take my career very seriously and I want nothing in my classroom to reflect less than that.
Even though I LOVE designing and organizing my classroom...it's the one thing that really stresses me out! All the lists of "stuff" you need from 100 different stores, running around to get it all, constantly carrying a list pad with you everywhere when you think of ideas, printing posters, di-cutting endless amounts of letters, laminating and cutting out TONS of things, the never ending to do list...whew! It can be exhausting...but totally worth it!
My day 1 attire: IT'S OVER!
Here's a tour of my room:
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| The view from down the hallway |
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| I am especially proud of the pocket chart "curtains"! Perfect for science and ss vocab words! |
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My word ceiling is probably my favorite thing in my room...thanks Pinterest for the idea! I was struggling with space to put a full blown word wall and saw this! For all of you wondering about fire code policies, they said that nothing could be hanging and that's all. The letters are held up by clear push pins and have held very well!
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| Reminders by the door & my shout-out frame! |
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| strategy posters |
My drop box works like this: any note, form, field trip money, etc. goes in this box so kids aren't shoving all sorts of stuff in your face first thing in the morning while you're trying to do other important things. The first person puts up the mailbox flag so I know to check the box!
Here's how this works (thanks to my previous coworker & friend Twanna): every time a student doesn't turn in their HW, they fill out a chart with the date, missing assignment, and why. Each student has their own chart so it's easy for me to see who is having trouble turning in assignments (and also easy documentation for conferences) when their child has missed a lot of homework. I also keep "Think" sheets here - when students make a not-so-great choice, they fill out the sheet with detailed information of their behavior, have it approved by me, and take it home for parent signature. (I also call home to be sure it got there.) Also, another easy documentation of behaviors that the students are responsible for, not me! <sorry for no photos of the forms>
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| student drawers & "office" station on top: don't tell me you need something...just go get it! |
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| student area |
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| pinterest copycat "I don't know" sign. |
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| large self-assessment cards posted...another pinterest copycat idea! |
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| and individual cards for independent work. |
Instead of raising their hand/shouting out if they are finished or need help, they will flip to the appropriate card while they are working, and I will instruct appropriately. This is my first attempt at using a system like this, so we'll see how it goes!
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| team baskets |
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| Positive team names: stupendous, superb, amazing, fabulous, and magnificent. eventually they will create their own team names. THAT'S a fun day! |
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| Colored drawers for my stuff (still TBLabled) and my subject baskets from The Container Store. best.purchase.ever. |
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| More pinterest copycat projects...proud of these! I put the red man magnets on the appropriate levels. |
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| magnetic outside door = maximizing space! |
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| Computer table for the SMARTboard...and document camera that's on the way from Donors Choose! |
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| In between the bookcases I added "READ" vertically in big letters. When I took this photo, I forgot that I didn't finish this project...happens all the time! |
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| My second favorite part of my room :) |
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| school-wide behavior plan |
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| Classroom data (passing percentages) will be posted for all assessments. |
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| Grammar wall/door to the left, CAFE board, evidence posters, and my pinterest organizer! |
Small group instruction will be done at my L-shaped "teacher desk" that I'm not using like a typical desk - a GREAT idea from a current coworker Erica!
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| Math wall including the 8 Common Core Practice Standards |
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| Questions for students to answer on sticky notes the first few days - this worked great last year! |
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| Wish fish from meet-the-teacher night - CINDY LAPE - I am still using the cute little sign you made from when we taught 1st grade!! |
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| Chalkboard frame from Mom & Dad (@TJMaxx) *I plan on writing an inspiring quote every week with my fluorescent chalk ink markers!* |
So that's it - my home away from home! We had a great first day! Here's to a great week!
xoxoxo!
