Classroom Reveal 2015

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!! So I'm finally doing a classroom reveal. I'm fully aware that while I'm doing a classroom reveal most others are in their third/fourth/fifth week of school. My kids didn't start until 2.5 weeks ago so I got into my room pretty late. 

This is only my second post as a blogger and my first reveal ever!!!

As late as I am to link up, I am still going to link with Ashley Schroeder and Angie Olson for #2GetherWeAreBetter because, well, the linky is still open :)

I am admittedly a polka dot addict. It all started because I liked ladybugs and then I slowly progressed to having more polka dots and less ladybugs. I mean, who doesn't love polka dots? Please know that if you're not a polka dot lover, I am judging you.

Also, if you have been watching my Periscopes you know that I can be loud and very energetic, so as you read this just picture me showing you my classroom on Periscope.  It's so much more enjoyable that way.  Can you hear me yelling and being excited as I show each thing?

This is the view when you first enter my classroom.  I am in love with that rug!  I inherited it from a fellow teacher and it has been one of the best things that has happened in my classroom.

 This is the view from the front of the classroom.  

 ....and another shot from the back.

This is our "Bugtastic Work" display board.  I found those awesome mini blackboards at Michael's.  They come with a clothespin attached to it.  I simply hot glued a thumb tack to the back and stuck it up onto the board.  Easy Peasy.  The pattern with the black and red wasn't as easy peasy though.  Remember, measure twice-cut once :)

You guys!!  I am IN LOVE with my calendar area.  I was so bored with the calendar math one that the school provides.  I wrote the calendar on the black board with chalk markers.  Word to the wise....chalk marker erases on original black board, but it does not erase well from a painted on black board.  So, in other words, I'm stuck with that calendar unless I paint over it. 

I created everything featured here on Powerpoint.  It took some measuring to get it all right but I am pleased with the outcome.

Here's another look at the entire calendar and morning meeting area.  

My Number Posters (In my TPT store...psssst..if something is clickable on this post, it'll take you to my store)

We work a lot on Mathematical Practices and so these posters help with looking at numbers in many ways.  We review them during calendar math and count forward and backwards because we will be using that skill later on for subtraction.

I don't know about you guys but I ALWAYS forget my students' birthdays!  It's awful!  Kids need for their teachers to remember their birthdays.  I've tried many ways and this is my new approach this year. I laminated my Birthday Posters so that I could write on them.  I write the date and the student's name next to it.  We are 2.5 weeks in.  No forgotten birthdays yet :)

This is also one of my favorite areas (I'll probably say that about everything on this post..haha)

I like to instill a passion for greatness in my kids. I "hire" them for these jobs and they work really hard at completing their job each week.  I rotate their popsicle stick and each week they have a new job.  It also helps me stay organized.  If we clean together, it can be done in 3 minutes instead of me doing it on my own. PLUS, it's THEIR classroom too and so we are all responsible for loving our home away from home.

I cannot claim this next idea, because I saw it on Pinterest.  Erica Bohrer from Erica's Ed-Ventures has something similar to this and well, I thought it was brilliant. In my district we use National Geographic Reach For Reading.  Every 4 weeks we start a new unit, and this KWL big concept chart helps us to gather our background knowledge, formulate questions, and chart our learning.  This month we are working on families.  

I used Washi Tape on the white board.  It comes right off and does not leave any residue.  Teacher friends, you need to get hip to this...washi tape is everything. 

This is our reading Data Wall that just so happened to get featured on Education to the Core blog by Emily Liscom.  If you don't already follow her, go on and do so....if you want...I don't like to be pushy :)  But if you decide to follow her, she's awesome...you're welcome.

I will write a whole separate post on how I manage this board and how my students choose books from my library.  Stay tuned.  

This is a glimpse of my library.  We got these book boxes donated to us and I swear I did a dance when I got them, but not as big a dance as when the clerk came in to exchange them for red ones.  I mean, can a girl get any luckier?  If you follow me on Instagram, you would have noticed a picture of my red ones that I just received.  Just gorgeous!  

The rug is the ever popular Ikea rug...you just can't go wrong with Ikea.

The crate seats have been with me for 4 years and I'm thinking this will probably be their last.  I'll have to make new ones for next year.

You may have caught my Periscope on how I write on my windows with window markers.  Best thing ever!!!  Find them at Michael's. I love them!

You DO NOT see that mess of papers on the table.  Look away!

This is my newest addition to my classroom.  This is organization central.  All of the materials I use for each unit will be safely stored.  This will be our second year with Reach For Reading and I am hoping that by next year, I will be all organized with the resources.  I didn't really do it last year because it was a pilot year and I didn't want to plan and then not get the program.  

The top shelves are for copies. On Fridays, I try to copy anything I need for the week and then I sort by drawer.  The substitute drawer has the plans, and depending on the day I am out, the substitute can grab from the appropriate drawer.

This is how we do our Daily 5 rotations.  Shhhhh...Don't tell the sisters.  

We only do 3 rotations a day.

Our Writing Wall.  This is a work in progress.  We just started using the six traits and so soon enough I will post in detail how I plan on using this board and those polka dot (of course) pockets.

Our school requires that we post Learning Targets.  I love doing so.  I think it is essential for student learning.  I also post the vocabulary for the day and our big question.   This area leads to our focus wall....

This Focus Wall (headers are in my store) is truly a main Focus in our classroom.  We refer to it several times throughout the day and the students are always aware of their learning and expectations.

Here is an example of the wall in action.  Excuse the "3 minutes" mark on the board....on the 3rd day of school I started timing how long it took for the students to unpack and get ready for learning in the morning.  I am proud to report that we are down to 2 minutes.

Under the genre section I velcro my Genre Posters as a visual. 

 This is my Word Wall. I got this idea from a pin I saw on Pinterest a long time ago.  I decided I wanted to try it last year and it worked beautifully so this year I went the extra mile and typed all the words and cut and laminated and cut some more.  It was a true labor of love y'all, but it was worth it.

Also, huge shout out to Mr. BuggyForFirst. He stayed up and cut with me. We rubbed each other's hands during the cramping moments....we've all been there.  Teacher husbands', man!  They sure are special. 

Soooooo, I decided to become a hipster teacher and I got rid of my desk!

I bought this table at Ikea and of course, I had to polka dot it..I mean, why not?  Most of my furniture has polka dot decals on it.  You can find them on Amazon.  

Our schedule area!  I have some kiddos that need to know what and when we are doing whatever it is we are doing :)  This has helped them tremendously.  When we finish an activity we move it over to the other side.  

My Classroom Rules are a FREEBIE in my store. 4 different designs to choose from ;)

 I also jumped on the Teacher Toolbox train and look how awesome it looks.  Oh and Command Hooks rock my socks. I did not want the box on my table because clutter.  I got the labels from Teach, Create, Motivate.

Please excuse the size of my button on that picture....I got a little carried away..it happens, right?

Our Listen to Reading area.  It's in the closet and the kids love it.  It is so cozy :)

Over the years I have spent a crazy amount of money on prizes. Not anymore!

  Reward Coupons to the rescue!

These Hall Passes are a FREEBIE!

There are times during the day when I need my kids to be in the classroom.  Like when I am introducing a new Phonics skill.  I really don't want anyone to miss out on that so I don't let anyone leave.  That green card means they can ask to use the bathroom (it is green all morning long-2.5 hrs) and then during small group time I turn it over and it is red on the other side.  This means that no one should ask to leave the room.  They do know however that in case of emergency I will let them go.  They adhere to this rule and our learning interruptions are kept to a minimum.

Were there enough pictures? Ha...that took forever! Y'all, I hope you love  my room as much as I do.  I am so excited for this year!  I know it's just going to be great!  I feel it.

I am pretty fresh to all this so if you don't already follow me, please do so you can stay up to date.  I have a few posts scheduled and I think you'll enjoy them. 

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Periscope: BuggyForFirst (I love Periscope)

Oh and countdown to Blog Overhaul!!  I'm scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving!  Can't wait!