K Classroom Tour 2014-5

Here is my classroom all set up for Parent Orientation in August 2014. I decided to use lanterns this year to designate the different group colors. I have their school bag and parent information folder all ready on the tables for when the parents come in. They also have supply bins and note cards on the tables for the parents to make a picture for their child for the first day of school. 

My classroom library

I made the crate seats a few years ago, and they have held up well. I put stuffed animals in them for reading buddies.

My Boho Birds word wall, Smart Board, and writing center

I took the black paper off the whiteboard because the magnets didn't stick well through the paper. I bought the chevron table cloth fabric for my writing center at Hobby Lobby. It comes covered in vinyl so it held up all year and is easy to wipe off when using washable markers.

First Day of Kindergarten

This is a really cute way to document the first day of kindergarten. I got this idea off Pinterest. I used die cut letters and glued them onto black cardboard that I spray painted and cut out. The only problem is storing it until next year. I need to make one using wooden letters so it will last year to year.

K Classroom Tour 2013-4

Here is my kindergarten classroom the first week of school 2013-14. I love the bright colors, owls, and zebra border.

Each table has a color name so they can look at the pom poms above to know which group they are in.

I use my calendar bulletin board every day, but I have the kids follow along with me on the Smartboard while they write in their Calendar Books.

I had this up for Daily 5 when I first started it in my classroom, but ended up never using it. It wasn't appropriate for kindergarten.

My table group points tally chart

I give a point to the group that is following directions, keeping their table clean, working quietly, etc. On Friday, they get a treat or special reward.

 Build Math centers

We did one math center a day and rotated.

Bucket filler pom poms

If someone does something nice for someone else, they can tell what it is at the end of the day, and they get a pom pom in their "bucket".

Lost and Found and Book Hospital

Religion shelf and supplies

 Science Center

  

My Classroom Library

Books are leveled AA-C, and we use red and yellow dots for first grade level books.

Listening Center 

They can listen to tapes, CD's, iPods, or a Leap Pad.

Cubbies for bookbags and lunch boxes

I labeled each basket with their names. They put their daily snack in the basket so it would be easy to find at snack time.

Daily 5 Rotation Chart

 Writing Center

 Lunch Count Board

 Specials Chart

I printed these off of TPT.

 Behavior Clip Chart

I printed this off of TPT.Pink clips are girls and blue clips are boys. I had to cut the top of the chart off because the children were always sad if I didn't move them above green even though green is good.

This is where we put our binders every day. We separate the boys and the girls.

 Work boxes and journals

Word Wall

I made these cards myself on colorful printer paper, laminated, and added a magnet on the back so it would stick to my whiteboard.

 Writing Center

Reading and Math Small Group Table

I made those crate seats by myself. I love the way they look. The children do trip on them sometimes so they have to be careful.

A Writer's Eye tree

I printed this off of TPT.

 My class Smart Board and carpet area

I made sure each child can see the Smartboard and word wall.

My baby

This is my youngest son who just turned 1. We feel so fortunate to have him in our lives after waiting many years to be blessed with this angel. Having a baby at 38 years old really is as hard as it sounds. Everyone says it is like starting over. I haven't minded the diapers, the bottles, and the baby clothes.  The hardest part is lack of sleep and working all day. It is so hard to concentrate when I have only had 6 hours of sleep. It also makes me feel guilty that I can't be home with him more. Being a teacher has been the best mommy job in the world. I get to be home with my sons in the summer, and we can do things that we don't have time to do during the school year. Although, I am ready to go back to school every August all excited about starting a new school year.

First Blog Post Ever!

Today, I finally took time out of my hectic life to start a blog. I spend countless hours reading tons of blogs to get teaching ideas and DIY projects. I have lots of ideas to share, most of what have originated from reading someone else's blog. I can't wait to get started! Let the blogging begin!