Classroom Photos...its coming along!

I popped into my classroom today just to scout out where I wanted to put my new math station tubs. Since space is limited in my mobile, they ended up on top of my taller book cases. I think third graders will be able to reach them pretty easily still. Take a look...I have cute labels that I printed out but I forgot to bring them today. As you can see from the picture, I have settled on having 6 math strand tubs rather than the 10 or so that Debbie Diller suggested in her book, Math Work Stations. I decided to do the 6 strands because I am going to be doing a standards based grading study this upcoming year and these are the math strands from which major grades are taken.

I love how the tubs I found for my math work stations (Target Dollar Spot) totally match my book tubs! My only gripe is that they don't have lids because I liked the idea of posting "I Can" statements to the inside lid. I will be easily able to fit math materials and laminated math talk cards in these tubs though.

This next photo is of my self created storage space. Being in a mobile, I realized I really needed some storage space for my unit tubs and strategy lesson materials. I purchased this tall chrome shelf from Target for approximately $35.00. I have to say that yes, I have spent too much money on storage for this move into a mobile and I'm not thrilled about it. On the flip side, the chrome shelving is extremely sturdy and will look lovely in my garage when I am able to move back into my school building. On these shelves you will see my green unit storage tubs (where I store materials by unit). I only have about half of them here at school. I plan to tote the other ones to school as the unit approaches due to space limitations. You will also see two clear storage totes on the top shelf. I house my files here by month. I have the first four months of school files at school currently, two months per tote. The wicker basket on top is empty but I thought it was pretty. I'm sure I'll find a use for it. The black magazine holders are extra large. I got them from Walmart years ago. They are perfect for organizing my mentor text collection by writing trait. I also have some extras for content/supplemental texts. I had a parent go through and take a book inventory of each mentor text and content text tub for me. The inventory is in clear plastic sheet protectors which I tucked in a binder. You won't even believe how easy it is for me to locate texts I need for a lesson! I love this system and wasn't willing to give it up this year due to space. I made it happen! My only gripe with this area is that the chrome shelf is pretty wide and there isn't much space between my desk and the shelf which means I need a desk chair without big bulky arms on it so I can slide in and out easily. You can't see it in this photo but my desk is right in front of the chrome shelf. After looking at this shelf in the photo, I think it looks kind of industrial but in person the shiny chrome looks somewhat modern...its not so bad.

You might notice the photos of my boys and the extra ribbon laying around on the shelf. I am going to thread that ribbon through each shelf. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. The ribbon has various sports themes on it to correlate with my team theme. I'm going to get two plain white frames to replace the current ones and hang them on the small patch of wall next to the shelf and window. Oh, I forgot to mention that metal filing system on the shelf. That houses my most often used multiple copies such as spelling papers (link to past post and spelling printables), Super Book Project rubrics and calendars (another link for some printables), field trip info., etc. I am going to make a nice sign for the front of it.

Well, it certainly is coming along! My next step is to hang my curtains and shop for new fadeless paper and borders-always a favorite thing of mine! I can't wait to see all of your rooms this Fall!