It's finally here... the big classroom reveal!

Is it really possible that it has been 3 weeks since my last post? Wow, you would think that it was back to school or something?! 

I decided that I should probably upload the pictures that I took of my classroom. I love to see everyone else's classrooms so I thought I would share mine too! The pictures were taken the day before school started. Everything was ready to go and it is probably the cleanest my room will be all year! :) 

This picture is taken from my guided reading table. I love that I can see the whole classroom from my table which makes classroom management much easier! :) I like to have specific areas in my classroom for learning centers, but I also want the room to feel open. I think I've managed to accomplish both! 

This picture is looking back towards my table. I wish I would have had the windows open, the pictures probably would have turned out better! 

Here is our large group area. We gather here many times throughout the day. And of course, my SmartBoard. I don't know what I would do without it.

Not the greatest photo, but this is part of the library. I covered the cabinet on the left with black contact paper. I'm going to add some signs and use it to store leveled readers for my students to use when they are at the library center. I think I will try to cover the big book stand on the right as well since the dry erase board is all gouged up and nasty from something a previous teacher put on it. Not sure what it was, but it does NOT come off! 

This is the back of the classroom. The student computers, sink and science center are housed back here.  Now that I look at the photo I realize that i absolutely must cover the nasty orange cupboards with my black contact paper! They definitely do not match my theme! :) 

One of my favorite parts of my classroom. I have 3 closets that have always been used for my word wall. A bunch of us decided to cover them this summer so that we didn't have to look at the dingy closet doors anymore. It really made a difference. I will show pictures of the makeover another day. The classroom job chart and clip chart are also on the closet doors. 

Here is the writing center that is located right by the word wall. 

 

This is looking towards the door. The large cart on the left has hooks on the other side for my students to hang up their coats and backpacks. There aren't enough hooks on the wall behind the cart so unfortunately this is the only way to have a space for everyone. It is the only spot that I can't see from my table, but I'm never sitting down while the students are back there anyway. :)

Here are the computers and the overhead station. 

The overhead is under the table and we wheel it out when we use it for stations. 

You can also see my "Art Cart" behind the green pocket chart. The students can wheel this over to the table and use it during free choice time. It is hiding back there until we learn how to use it correctly! 

Well, that was a little glimpse into my classroom. 

I hope you enjoyed looking around. Come back again soon! 

Mission Organization and a Freebie!

A couple weeks back I was able to attend the MN Kindergarten Conference. There were so many fun ideas shared that I was on information overload! The ONE easy-peasy idea that I brought back was to have a bin somewhere in my classroom that will house all of the random items/papers that accumulate throughout the day. Deanna shared this tip during her Organization Station session.

I already have a bucket in my classroom that collects missing toys, manipulatives and game pieces. Every so often during Free Choice time there is a student looking for something to do. I often point them in the direction of the bucket and they get a kick out of helping put things away. It might help that they get a sticker if they find the homes for all of the items!

So, why didn't I think about having one place for all of MY things that pile up each day? I teach the children to put things away, but it isn't always so easy for me to do it while in the middle of teaching. I have decided that if I make it a cute container, I will be more likely to use it. So I created a few labels that can be printed, laminated and then added to the side of a bin or basket. Now all of my things will go in there and I will NOT leave school until they are put away. Wish me luck! I hope that you will also find it useful!

Click here to download the labels! 

Oh, and stay tuned for something super fun tomorrow! :)