Saturday, August 31, 2013

Before & After {New Classroom, New Look}

So as I've said before I moved into a new classroom this year.  Another firstie teacher and I are in side by side rooms with a retractable wall...that is completely retracted. Our plan and goal is to co-teach/team teach our first grade classes together this year with the plan of being able to better meet the needs of all of our students through small guided reading groups at a more individualized level.  We haven't gotten that far yet, but we are both SO excited with how well things have been going in our classrooms these first two weeks of school.

I've been asked a lot if we were told/made to teach this way this year and the answer is no. I truly believe our principal would never make us do anything.  She's great like that.  We went to her back in February after talking about the possibility of doing this, and asked our principal if it would be something she would allow us to do.  We have other classrooms that work a lot together and have a retractable wall open a little bit and another that is open a little more than halfway, but they are all different grade levels. We would be the first same grade level classes doing this with the wall completely open.  Our principal told us she thought it would be a fantastic idea and would really benefit the kiddos. Our long time 2/3 multiage teachers were both retiring at the end of the year and they occupied the rooms that we are in now. After the news was broke to the rest of the staff about our plans for this school year, the multiage teachers asked us if we would like to come look around our new room.  We of course said yes.

Sooo...I have a confession. I know I took about 500 pictures of my classroom before it was my room. However, the pictures have miraculously vanished! I know, crazy right?!? So it's lookin' like I won't have any before pictures, but I most definitely have some afters, so here goes.

 Dry Erase Circles for Small Group Activities
Ohhh...the beauty of it all
 The neon colored bins...
 The beautiful book bin labels to help the kids know EXACTLY where the books belong
 Can you tell yet that we LOVE books?!
 Nonfiction cart
 Beginning Readers
 Chapter Books
 Beautiful Chevron Alphabet with my own chevron inspired birthday cake months.  I took a picture of the kiddos for each birthday month holding a circle with the date of their birthday.
 Found these cutie patootie labels on Pinterest from Fun in Room 4B
 Our classroom jobs awaiting individual pictures of students
 My Math Rotation Board....NOW ON TPT! I seriously cannot wait to start using this this year.
 Adorable table group clips that I bought from Walmart for like $1.97 and painted with neon glow in the dark paint. TEACHER FAIL! They didn't glow! I was so bummed! I'll have to add more coats later to see if that will work. These were meant to hold my small word walls that would be placed at each table group.
 Sound boxes on the floor with white duck tape! Thank you Heather's Heart!
 Our adorable clip chart from A Cupcake for the Teacher! I just LOVE her stuff!  I just added a glittery sparkling sign to the top. The kiddos get to add a jewel to their clip when they end there.
 Clock Numbers {please ignore the ugly, purposeless hole under the clock. They changed our clocks last year and clearly they are smaller than the old ones.}
 BOGGLE Math Board
 I numbered these with patterned Scotch Tape. Not sure what I'm using these for yet. So far, the kids have put their library books in there.
 Guided Reading Cabinet
All of my guided reading/small group leveled library books are in this amazing cabinet. I have a labeled bin for almost every level A-P I believe.
 BOGGLE Board {I'm using as much space as possible! Can you tell?}
 Cookie Spellers {More on that to come}
 Storage and Coatrooms
 Obsessed with these chalkboard number posters from A Year of Many Firsts
 I'm totally in LOVE with all the bright colors, the poms, and the pennant! I got the pennant from Hobby Lobby for literally like $2.99!!
 Our calendar area and star student board.  I'll post a picture of the completed Star Student Board when I can remember to take one.


More to come soon! I'll be blogging soon about my awesome Math Rotation Board that will change your life!!!

P.S. Don't forget to follow me through Google or BlogLovin'! I'm considering a giveaway of any item in my store once I hit 15 followers!



2 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful in your room!! I love the colors and the organization. Looks like it's going to be a great year. :)
    Sarah
    Sarah's First Grade Snippets

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  2. Thank you Sarah! There were many hours spent in there every Tuesday and Thursday this summer to set up, organize, and decorate. I'm hoping it does all pay off. Hope your year is going well!

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