First of all, let me apologize for starting up this blog enthusiastically during the summer, and then just....disappearing. There's no excuse, except for the fact that we all know the beginning of the year is absolutely crazy! I've been able to do semi-weekly blog updates for my classroom blog (you can find it here if you're interested)...but my "professional" blog is definitely lacking. So, it's time I start making up for it!
Today I wanted to share a few pictures of my classroom. It's not as neat and spotless like it was this summer, but what do you expect? It's lived in! With as much as we try to stay organized and picked up, getting twenty-one first graders to take the responsibility to pick up after themselves is a pretty tough feat to accomplish. Luckily, they're doing pretty good (just don't look inside their desks!)
Here's our mailbox/calendar station right when you walk in the door. The kids put their O.W.L. binders (home/school connection binder) in the crates to the right when the come in, after taking out notes, homework, etc.
Left side of the SmartBoard...our cutesy frames for learning targets! This was Pinterest inspired (my team refers to me as the Pinterest Queen...or maybe the Pinterest addict...). We also have our fun Daily 5 choice posters...since we just began our choices for Daily 5 within the last few weeks.
Here's our word wall, bulletin boards (a math focus one, CAFE and VOICES (6 traits) and our book boxes. You can also see our library (yay! for leveled books!) with our cute owl pillows in the middle for comfy seating during read-to-self.
Here's our Writing Workstation. The kids keep their writing folders in the black and purple drawers (found at a sale at ShopKo last winter). The kids always have access to pencils, erasers, four different paper choices, graphic organizers we've worked on to help focus and develop their writing, staples and tape. I've been using No More I'm Done: Fostering Independent Writers by Jennifer Jacobson to run our writer's workshop this year, and it's been a life saver! I love it! My kids are so engaged in writing (and actually WANT to write!) and always have awesome stories to tell. We've been using the 6 traits too, and their ideas are blossoming into thoughtful, detailed stories. It's so amazing to see the development in just over a month of school!
Here's my desk and guided reading area. As you can see, it seems to be the most cluttered part of the room, but I'm working on it! This is where the magic happens...I can't believe that the majority of my students have already jumped 2-3 reading levels! It's crazy, but so exciting. I've been able to squeeze in my five groups each day (including one 30 minute intervention group) with the help of volunteers in our room on some days. It's crazy how fast those kids move when we're meeting every day! It makes me so excited to see where we'll end the year!
Here's our behavior management system. Each student has a magnet with their name on it, and every day they start on Green--Ready to Learn. If they make outstanding choices, they can move up: Blue--Great Choices, Pink--Excellent Effort, Purple--Outstanding Day. If students need reminders or make poor decisions, they will move down: Yellow--Stop and Think, Orange--Consequence, and Red--Note Home. The best thing about this system is that the kids can turn a bad choice around and move up to a better color.
Here's our fun and comfy reading nook and our Math Word Wall, where we are continually adding vocabulary words we are learning in math. The wood organizer was a rummage sale find, and the canvas bins are from the Target Dollar Spot---excellent finds :)
I LOVE MY CABINETS! We have so much storage, and I love that I can close them so even if they're messy inside (which they aren't yet...knock on wood!) I can close them and no one will know! They are even labeled and completely organized...I absolutely love my Silhouette Cameo for helping me keep my room in order...in a cute way!
Another fun reading area. The leaves and little table are from IKEA, the rainbow chairs from my wonderful parents who weren't using them anymore, and the pink lamp from my childhood :) The kids LOVE reading here and playing math games at that short table!
All right...while it's been fun posting pictures of my classroom, it's waaay past my bedtime! I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm typically in bed by eight...those kiddos wear me down! So, good night and goodbye! Until next time!
