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!

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. 

Field Trip

We took out first field trip of the year today, and I'm exhausted! We had so much fun at the state fair. This field trip never gets old, I look forward to going every year. I love seeing the students faces light up learning about the animals. My favorites are the adorable piglets! I always want to take one of those precious babies home with me.

Maybe this little guy was having a good dream.

 The cow milking demonstration is always a favorite.

I've always found mini horses too cute for words.

More Pictures

I took a few pictures of things I intended to include with my first classroom pic post but forgot.

I had a dead wall space area in the room that needed a little "oomph" so I decided to use the monogram art letters from Schoolgirl Style. This is the area right above Ricky Bobby's cage.

Our class share chair. This is where students sit to share anything from writing to show and tell goodies. A teacher who retired last year had this and I couldn't resist it.

When students take a book from the class library, they clip their clothes pin somewhere on the basket so they know where to return when finished. I found this idea on Pinterest. So far so good with this system! 

My district uses McGraw Hill reading curriculum. At the beginning of each week we discuss the meaning of our vocabulary words and come up with a visual reminder whole group. I first learned this idea at a Debbie Diller workshop I attended my first year of teaching. Students love to act out the definitions during learning stations. 

My Classroom

My oh my teaching isn't for the faint of heart! Two days in and it's all a rush right now. I finally was able to get my classroom organized enough to take some pictures today!

I originally had my sign in set up inside the classroom in front of the calendar for supply drop off last week. I looked around my hallway and decided I liked the area set up outside the classroom much better.

Our school wide them this year is stars. Silly me I forgot to get a picture of the entire bulletin board, bleh! Instead of using traditional letters I used the monogram art from Schoolgirl Style. 

The view directly from the door. 

I decided to get rid of my desk this year. I have no regrets in doing so it's freed up valuable learning space for my students. Ignore the messy table but note my fabulous new Vera Bradley teacher bag which I've discovered holds a TON! I can't wait to use it when I travel.

I got these adorable free printables from Sweet Rose Studio. I'm still finding a new home for some of the junk sitting on top of my cabinets and shelves. I was originally going to make cupcake liner poms for each group but to be honest I just got lazy and didn't want to do it. :) 

Our calendar area.

On the first day we went over class rules and expectations which become a contract. We discuss what a contract is and possible consequences for not keeping your promise. Everyone signs their name and this is displayed all year.

Boggle cupcake style! Freebie letters from an amazing seller on TPT.

Supplies used the most in our class easily accessible for students. I jazzed up this shelf with wrapping paper, Mod Podge, and ribbon.This shelf used to be just a "cutesy" holding area but I wanted to make it more functional and have a purpose.

I'm excited to try Noggle this year! To start I'm going to have my students do simple two digit addition then work up to higher sums as the year goes on.

Sweet Treats is a class favorite already! Our class goal is to earn 10 compliments for a sweet treat as a reward! 

These hand signals have been working great so far. After modeling and practicing these with students they starting to use them saving so much time with no interruptions. 

Part of our class library. I was on a mission all summer break to find the perfect baskets. Slowly but surely all of them will be the nice new purple I found at Dollar Tree. 

Our class guinea pig, Ricky Bobby. He has the easy job of sleeping and eating. 

I may be obsessed with this cupcake duct tape I found at Michaels.

I created these cupcake themed writing process posters as a power point in Google Drive.