Classroom Tour 2015-2016

Hi everyone! Late to the party, but I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for a little classroom tour. I feel that my room isn't 100% how I want it, but I'd say it's 95% done! Cupcakes still rule in my room, but the color scheme is different.

I'll give you a quick over view of the room, then break it down with some specifics. The view from the front door is a little funky for pictures, so I took one door and one mailbox view.

Each of the four groups has a storage area. The black crates are where students keep things such as privacy folders, whiteboards, and work books. The black bling ribbon I found at JoAnn Fabric. The labels here and in other parts of the room are part of my cupcake decor pack. Soon we'll be adding the math tub tools from Reagan Tunstall.

Our class jobs are rotated each week.

This area of the classroom could best be described as command central. I purchased frames from Dollar Tree to make the objectives frames. I love that my book baskets match this year! The math strategies posters were provided from my district. That poor basket in the lower left corner will be labeled first thing tomorrow morning.

Black spray paint became my personal assistant while getting the room ready. I actually went to Michael's a few times because I could never guess correctly how much I needed. After the third trip I decided not to return because I was convinced they cashiers thought I was sniffing spray paint!

While going crazy browsing in Michael's I found this calendar set at 20% off. It matches perfectly!

Math manipulatives and games are stored in bins below the calendar. The hand signals are from Miss Nelson.

When you love cupcakes of course you need cupcake themed writing process posters! Each student will have a clothespin with their class number. They will move that clothespin as they cover each step of the writing process. I've had the black bookshelf since my first year. A couple of years ago I had the not so bright idea of covering the shelves with wrapping paper. The first two shelves were a breeze, the third shelf no so much and it's annoying me. 

The Tech Talk bulletin board is my favorite this year. I made computer backgrounds to match my computer and the color scheme of the room.

Thinking maps posters will be switched out as needed.

 Since counter space is limited, hanging file folders are used as student mailboxes.

Last year I fell in love with working spaces. I allow my students to choose their working space with some clear expectations. Working spaces are for working and collaboration, not playing around. The only time students aren't allowed to choose working spaces is during tests.

The cupcake pillows were made for me a few years ago. The rest of the pillows were found at Five Below.

The cupcake pillow area will be turned into our listening lounge. The listening lounge is part of the weekly centers rotation. 

I decided to get rid of my teacher desk a few years ago. The turquoise alphabet frame was a random find at Mardel. Of course I had to have it because it was 20% off. (Anything 20% off is magic to my ears...and my credit card) I made an inspirational print from Psalm 32:8.

This chalkboard frame was originally going to be used at home. It now hangs above the door. Occasionally I'll write a quick message to my class so they'll see whenever they leave.

I hope you enjoyed my classroom tour! Enjoy the rest of your week, and just think an extended Labor Day weekend is coming soon!

You Oughta Know About...

Happy Saturday friends! I'm excited to join Jasmine again from Buzzing With Mrs. McClain for another month of...

This month I think you oughta know about VolunteerSpot. I have a fabulous group of techified parents this year, and use VolunteerSpot to organize Friday afternoon help.

Creating a free account is easy. Simply click on create new sign up when you're ready to begin.

Customize the sign up to best fit your needs. I need Friday afternoon help, so I always choose multiple days. I choose not to have participants see who else has signed up.

Enter your information and what information you want from parents.

Now you're ready to create dates and times.

You're able to add new "spots" to whatever dates you choose.

At this stage, you're now ready to invite participants in a variety of ways.

I've always preferred a shareable link that can be sent in an email.

Another great feature of Volunteer Spot is choosing what updates you receive and how often. Participants can get a reminder email when it's close to their volunteer sign up date.

An InLinkz Link-up

Five For Friday- First Week of School

Happy Friday friends!! Sometimes I was convinced this first week of school would NEVER end, but it did and I'm ready to relax this extended weekend. I always forget these first few weeks can wear a teacher out. My new set of minis don't have that automatic independence yet, but I know they'll get there soon. I can't wait to watch them grow and learn this year!
It's time for another week of Five For Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching. After this post I'll head out to celebrate the first week down with yummy sushi.

For the first time ever I got sent back to school flowers! Two of my married teacher friends get them all the time, and I've always secretly hoped to get my own. Well, this year I did woohoo! Hopefully I don't kill them too fast.

Thursday my school had our V.I.P. night for parents. During this time we go over grade level procedures and routines. I share a little bit about myself and some of my favorite things. Anyone who knows me well will tell you I LOVE anything red velvet. A+ for the day to the parents who sent their minis with red velvet donuts this morning! 

I'm impressed with how organized the minis are already. Each group has their own storage crate and supply caddy. I'll blog more about this system later when I do a classroom organization post.

Part of our Fun Friday is the estimation jar. The jar is filled with some sort of yummy treat and everyone in the class writes down their guess for the number of items inside. Whoever is the closest without going over or guesses the exact amount get to take the jar with any extras home. Everyone gets at least one of what is inside. We'll continue this part of Fun Friday until everyone gets an opportunity to take the jar home.

I finally got around to hanging up my fabulous new sign I won from The Daily Alphabet in a recent giveaway she had! If you're interested in your own, check out DL Designs on Etsy.

Don't forget to link up and share what's been happening with you this week!

Classroom Reveal 2014-2015

Convocation and Wildcat Welcome (our meet the teacher night) made for one loooong Thursday. When a parent you've just met hugs you and expresses how happy they are you know it's going to be a great year. The good news is I can FINALLY share my classroom pictures!! Be prepared for lots of pics in this post!
Before I get to the pictures, I've got to take a moment and share the one and only Ron Clark was our guest speaker at convocation today. This was my first time hearing and seeing him in person. His passion for what we do is contagious!

I wish I could have recorded his entire message. I'd love to visit the Ron Clark academy in Atlanta one day. Hmm, maybe I can convince a teacher friend or two to take a trip to Atlanta....

Moving along to classroom pictures. I kept my cupcake theme with coordinating colors. Come on inside and take a peek. :)

Eventually the welcome banner will be replaced with our class schedule. We're required to keep the black shade for lock down drills.

Student supplies were beginning to be delivered yesterday so I decided to leave them be instead of fighting with moving and removing to take pictures. I have one teacher area in the front at my computer and another at the back with my small group table. I chose to arrange my furniture this year in a way that allows me to monitor and move around all areas of the room.

I hand write my class rules poster every year. On the first day of school each mini will sign at the bottom and this handy dandy little poster then becomes a contract for the year.

I have supplies located at each area. Yes I can have supply overload but it saves me time bouncing from place to place getting what I need. We all know minutes count especially when working with our small groups.

Each group has their storage area along along with a caddy. The crates are for any class library books, privacy folders, and white boards. We'll put smaller supplies like glue sticks, spelling dictionaries, and dry erase markers in the caddies. 

Sorry for the not so great pic quality here! Every year I like starting with student names on the word wall and build throughout the year. Freebie alert! I got the cupcake letters from Kinder Confections.

A new addition this year is our "Tech Talk" bulletin board. Minis can find login information and library resources here.

Eventually I'll get around to jazzing up my class jobs, but for now it's all good. 

I use Filetastic hanging folders for student mailboxes since table top space is at a premium in the classroom.

Our listening station location (says that 5 times fast) is now at the front of the room. I'm so excited to begin the year with iPads! No more tapes or Cd's; all stories for this learning station are through QR codes. I plan to share more about my revamped listening station soon. The pillows were made for me by a friend a couple of years ago; the iPad rules freebie is from The Imagination Nook.

This file cabinet used to be by my computer but now it's used for spelling station. Storage for materials and games plus space for minis to work is a win win. Ignore that crate!

Boggle is one of the most popular activities in class.

The sign in clipboard and welcome sign were put out for tonight only. 

Loving my new calendar bb set I got from Lakeshore. My only problem is the calendar numbers. My old bulletin board had individual numbers as well as the 24th and 31st as one die cut. Calendar is an important part of our daily routine and I want it to be done correctly. I'll have to figure out how to fix this, bleh!

 

Another freebie alert! Hand signals courtesy of the always amazing Miss Nelson.

Birthday chart, second grade bucks poster, and sweet treats for classroom management. Ten class compliments equals a sweet treat party of some sort; almost always cupcakes!

My objectives frames and library sticks I made over the summer. The green bin was going to hold student earbuds, but aren't big enough so I'll have to find another use for them.

Our community supply shelf. Minis can simply grab what they need when they need it. Side note: I spent time organizing math games and materials with these same bins on the shelf underneath the calendar. I was pleased with the results and I promise you I took pictures of the organization greatness. The problem is the pictures are nowhere to be found. I'm 100% sure I took the pictures and am now upset I can't share them. So just imagine this neat colorful display in another area! Ugh, teacher brain. I'll have to share again in another post someday.

My writing process display is in the process of being jazzed up so this area will change to better meet the needs of the class.