CLASSROOM 2014

I am posting some pictures of my classroom setup this year.  I moved to a new classroom over the summer and this room is a bit smaller than my previous two classrooms.  I got some  shelves that were smaller which helped a lot.  It really did make the room look a lot bigger.

 For my bulletin boards, I decided to paint one of them blue and one with black chalkboard paint.  I prefer painting the bulletin boards than to using fabric or paper.  It lasts all year and if I get tired of the color I can paint over it.

Please disregard the mess in this picture. This picture was taken during the cleanup phase of getting my classroom put together.   I wanted to add this picture so you could see my other bulletin board.  I painted it with black chalkboard paint.  Later in the year, I will write things on this bulletin.  In the past I have displayed our "I Can" statements and used it as a writing board to display what we are working on in writing.

 This is my reading loft.  My students love to get in the loft during independent reading time. I usually allow two students to be in it at a time.  Kids also play in it during indoor recess.

 This was the night of Open House.  I had a great turnout!  This kids loved seeing our new room.  My new chairs hadn't arrived yet, that's why there are no chairs at the tables.

During Open House I typically display a powerpoint on the SmartBoard, but this year I wrote everything that needed to be accomplished on the chalkboard.  My projector hasn't been installed in my new classroom yet, so I had to go old school.  I have to admit  I still love writing on the chalkboard. 

In this picture you can see my past class pictures displayed above my desk.  My kids love seeing the students that I have taught in the past and in many cases there are siblings in the pictures.  

The picture framed hanging on the walls is where I write my daily objectives (I Can's) for each subject.  

You can also kind of see the rug where we have circle time and many whole group lessons.

 Many teachers make curtains to hide their materials on the top shelf.  I found some very inexpensive roman shades at The Christmas Tree Shop that I decided to use.  I love them, because they are the perfect size for displaying posters and anchor charts and they add some color to the room.

I am updating my calendar area, but all of my materials haven't arrived.  All of the red book bins hold books that are labeled by their level.  At my school we use Fountas and Pinnell to diagnose each child's reading level.  My students know which books are "right" for them and they can go and choose a book at that level.

I also put the student's reading journals and extra loose paper around the books so encourage kids and give the materials need to write about what they are reading during independent reading time.

Another picture of the reading loft.

I downloaded the "I Can Be a Good Listener" signs from First Grade Fever by Christie http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/First-Grade-Fever-By-Christie.   It was free and I think it is absolutely adorable!  Thanks Christie!  I glued ribbon on the back to hold it together.

I have had such a good time putting my new classroom together.  There is still some work to be done, but that goes without saying in the teaching world.  :)