2013-2014 Classroom Photo Tour

I've been hesitant this summer to publish my classroom photo tour.  Although I've probably spent more time in the classroom these past few weeks than any other summer, I still feel like it is not even close to done.  I finally had to remind myself that a teacher's job is never done.  The to-do list always gets longer, not shorter.  At some point, you have to stop and reward yourself for what you have accomplished rather than constantly worrying about what you still need to do.

So here is is.  A photo tour of my 4th grade classroom.  A work in progress.

We'll start with my classroom library.....

Books are organized by genre and series.  Fiction chapter books are organized by reading level.

Students each have a book bin that will contain the books they are currently reading, their reading folder, notebook, and reading log.

Our class jobs are posted for all to see.  Every Monday I rotate the jobs.  Student names appear on fish.  Behind each fish is a piece of Velcro that easily sticks to the fish bowl.  Descriptions of each job are posted to the left and right.

When students sign out to use the restroom they place a stuffed fish on their desk.  Orange is for girls and blue is for boys.  This helps me quickly account for all students.

Our classroom door has a fish theme.  It says, "Swimming into 4th Grade," and student names are located on the fish.

Our reading and math center rotation board is made up of 2 wheels.  Each day I spin each wheel once to the right.  Students names are on fish, which are Velcroed on to colorful fish aquariums representing their group's color.  If there is work to turn in they place it in the color bin that matches their group's color.

Student desks are in groups of 4-5 students. Black crates are placed at each group to hold their pencil boxes, folders, and other supplies.

My teacher desk houses my computer, toolbox and drawers full of photocopies for the week.  To the right of my desk is a mini-fridge, microwave, and more drawers for important documents and information.

We have 4 additional computers that students use throughout the day.

Our horseshoe table is perfect for small group meetings, needs groups, guided reading groups, etc...

Our class meets on our world carpet in front of the Smart Board for whole group instruction.

That's all for now.  Like I said, it's still a work in progress but I wanted to post what the room looks like so far.  Our first week of school was fantastic.  My students are absolutely amazing and I can't wait to get to know each of them better and learn alongside them throughout the year.

Five for Friday - Classroom Sneak Peak

Today I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for 5 for Friday.  I've been working hard to clean, organize, and decorate my classroom all summer long.  Things are finally coming together and I have a few items that I'm ready to share with you.

1.  Class Jobs

I got adorable fish bowl cutouts from Carson Dellosa and I printed out our job titles to staple beneath them.  I also printed out fish graphics from Krista Walden and have each students' name on one.

  

I used Velcro to stick the fish to their bowls.  I can easily move students to a new job each week. Job descriptions are printed and posted to the left and right of the class jobs display so that students know exactly what is expected of them.

One important job is our class manager.  Each day they check off when students have completed their job for the day and help remind students if they forget.  This keeps our class jobs running smoothly.

2.  Book Bins

I love the book bins I got from Really Good Stuff a few years ago.  I reuse them each year and they are holding up pretty well.  I got these cute name tags from Carson Dellosa so that each students' bin is labeled.  Students will keep their reading folder, reading journal, and class books in their bin to use during reading centers.  This keeps their books from getting smushed and ripped inside their desk.

3.  Bathroom Sign-Out

To coincide with our fish theme, I found these lovely stuffed fish at the Dollar Tree.  We will use blue for boys and orange for girls.  When a student needs to use the bathroom they simply sign out and place the fish on their desk.  This signals other students that a boy or girl is already out (only one may go at a time unless there is an emergency).  It is also a quick visual for me as to who is out.

4.  Center Wheels

This year, I have combined my reading and math center wheels onto one board.  Since I group students heterogeneously, I plan to use the same groups for centers in both math and reading.  Students' names are printed out on the fish and they are velcroed to the fish bowls to show which color group they are in.  Each day I rotate each center wheel once to the right so that students know which center they are responsible for.  The colorful bins below are used for students to turn their work in.

5.  Crates at each Group of Desks

I'm super excited to have purchased some brand new black crates from Walmart.  I stacked two on top of one another and placed them at each group.  I have students in groups of 4 or 5.  I plan to use these creates to store each groups' white boards, markers, erasers, glue, scissors, markers, their new red pencil boxes (that are currently on their desks), and their folders for various subjects.  I'm hoping this will help reduce the clutter that builds up in their desks. 

Alright, that's all for now. 

Happy Friday!

Classroom Reveal - Photo Tour

Eeeekkkk....I am soooo excited. My first day with students is this Tuesday! My tummy is full of back to school butterflies and I just can't seem to get a full night of sleep. I toss and turn and dream crazy dreams. Last night I dreamt that an hour before students were to arrive my new principal asked me to switch classrooms. She provided me with 2 shopping carts and a student helper (who had arrive early). The student and I had to throw all my classroom belongings into the shopping carts and race them down the hall to the new classroom, Super Market Sweep style. I woke up out of breath and covered in sweat. Needless to say, I am still ooberly excited to meet my new kiddos.

Over the summer I pop into my classroom at least once a week. I love rearranging my classroom furniture, cleaning, organizing, and decorating for the new school year.

Unfortunately, I am unable to hang too many things on the walls. The custodians are planning on painting my room sometime over the next few weeks (fingers crossed) and until they do, my walls must stay clear. However, I was still able to spruce up my classroom with my new robot theme.

Check out my classroom:

I'll elaborate more on each picture in future posts. 

Check out photos of other teacher classrooms here:


3 more days!  Yippee!!!