A few classroom pics

I went into my classroom on Monday (sans kiddos) to get some work done before my family comes into town. These last few weeks before I need to report back to school are jam packed so the time is just going to fly. You know how busy teachers are when they head back to school so I wanted to get my room set up so I'm ready for Back to School Night on the 16th. I was super productive and I feel OK with where I left off. Here are some photos of the progress...and pardon the iPhone photos, I forgot my camera:

This is my "READ" sign. I got the idea for this sign from the ladies over at Lesson Plan S.O.S. I bought some cardboard letters from Hobby Lobby and used Mod Podge to adhere cute scrapbook paper to each letter. I love it! I hung it over the door that leads to my team mates mobile.


This is my back wall complete with library, reading table and my reading strategies and CAFE wall. I always start the year off with blank bulletin boards. I often use interactive writing for my reading strategy posters to help my kids anchor the strategies to their own reading. I have found that kids use posters we make together more than store bought posters that are already hanging on the wall when they come back to school. I don't love this set up by any means. There is no "nook" for the kids to snuggle in and read, no fun chairs, etc. due to lack of space in my mobile. I got a few floor pillows from Costco though to provide a few kids with someplace special to read. I'll have two kids per day use them. You can see the pillows laying up against the side of the tall bookcase. No doubt about it though, plenty of wall space for my reading board.


Here is my math calendar bulletin board. It is also a decent size. Each month the calendar elements change so the extra space with definitely get filled as the year continues. I placed my math chart paper off to the left of the bulletin board and left the space up above the board open for adding measurement elements later in the year. The fourth grade teacher who was in this mobile the year before was kind enough to leave her number line up so that was one less thing that I had to put up. I don't love the student computer placement in this picture but seriously there is no other place to put it given where the internet drops are located.





Here is my space...I had to purchase this chrome shelf to store my unit tubs. It is a very tight squeeze behind my desk because of it but whats a gal to do? Check out my neat desk...get a good look at it because that won't last come September! On the side of the tall brown shelf you can see how I store my paper mountains throughout the year (missing drawer is actually at home with me). Rather than using a Monday-Friday system, I made content labels. On the back of the brown shelf is my book recommendation board. The white board is screwed into the wall and will act as one of my word work stations. I seriously used every square inch of this place!







The last photo that I am posting today is of on of the big storage units that came with the mobile. There are actually three, two that are this size and one tall one. This unit is storing more math manipulatives. I also tried to save a little space for school supplies that my kids will bring on Back to School Night (think kleenex boxes and clorox wipes). The top has my treasure box that an awesome parent made for me a few years ago, my wireless tablets and my turn in station for student folders. I think this bulletin board may be used for content anchor charts. I used leftover material for this bulletin board. I used to use only material for all of my bulletin boards when I taught first grade but I am a perfectionist and I hated the way the material wrinkled. Because this one is so small, I was able to get the material the way I wanted it though. What do ya think?



Well that is it for now. I have some things in the works to try to give my classroom a "homey" feel. I can't wait to share some of the details that I am finishing up! How are your classroom coming along? Enjoy your last few weeks of summer!