A few changes to my classroom...photos

I went in to my classroom today for the last time in June. I am officially taking a break until end of July(ish) before I go back to complete my set up. If you follow my blog, you know that I made a big move to a mobile before school ended and I have been fretting about space and setting up for some time now. Finally I just went in to school and some ideas just started flowing. Take a look at my last post (click here) to see some before shots.

Today I feel very accomplished. I set up my book shelves and switched out my old white book tubs for some new colorful ones. It brightens the whole room up.

Here are some photos...remember, my classroom is still in transition mode (BIG TIME). It looks so bland without any bulletin boards!

This first photo is my chapter book library. Isn't it pretty all dressed up in its new colors? I'm loving it. I just need to label the tubs now and they'll be ready. The shelves on the far left house my multiple copy books for reading groups. You may remember that in my old classroom I had mega storage near my reading table so this is a serious downgrade but I still have what I need.


This shelf houses my students independent reading tubs and reader's notebooks. I had my kids store these under their cubbies in my old room. That is not an option in my mobile. How perfect is this shelf though? I'm pleased with the way this worked out.


This tiny shelf houses some of my extra supplies such as rulers, glue, scissors and my Daily 5 bookmarks. It just fits so perfectly here. Not sure how I feel about the light brown wood next to the dark brown wood of the shelf though. Maybe that problem is too little to worry about for now. Maybe some spray paint?


I had major issues with my reading table set up today. I moved it about ten times before I settled on this. Luckily a friend of mine was at school today as well and she set them up for me in this way-Thanks Shelly! I got these cute cube chairs at Target to add color and whimsy to the space. Also, sometimes I have up to 6 kids in a reading group and I didn't think I'd be able to stash 6 regular chairs around this table. The cubes slide underneath and out of the way when not in use, creating a tad more space for readers to spread out on the floor. Pardon the messy table.


Last photo of the day...I need to get one more of these chrome shelves to store math tubs and I'll be all set. Three will fit just perfect on this wall. Right now I have math tool kits and math manipulatives on them. The blue tubs against my desk house my literacy work station materials.


Lastly, I created and purchased these on Vista Print today (thanks for the idea Miss. Powers). The first one is a large car magnet to place on my metal door to welcome students. The second one is a small car magnet to place on my whiteboard, where I record homework for kids to copy into their planners each day. Can't wait to get them!




I love the personal touch these signs will add to the classroom. I hope everyone is resting and enjoying their break in the midst of all of your professional reading and teacher projects. Happy early Friday!

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb