Classroom, Sweet, Classroom: It's Back to School We Go!

Happy Monday, my sweet friends!! Whew! What a whirlwind past few weeks it's been. I've gone back to new teacher training, set up my classroom, starting blogging, and started back to school today! I couldn't wait to show you all my *quaint* little learning space.

I started working in the school I am at now back in January 2012. I was {thankfully} able to switch districts in the middle of the school year and when I did, I was put into a HUGE classroom with tons and TONS of space to move and groove in for Reader's Workshop, freedom to have small groups in lots of nooks and crannies, and a nice sized classroom library with a full-blown comfy couch. This year, however, we all moved classrooms and my gi-normous space turned into Martha Stewart's dream come true: A tiny space, with lots of crap and no storage {did you pick up on the sarcasm?!}. With very little wall space {due to a pod set up, and partitioned walls without doors}, creativity is a must. However,(#1) I am very thankful to have a job , and  (#2) that I was able to get everything in my room organized and fully functional for my kids

So, here goes. My own little piece of the educational world. Welcome, friends. 

This is the first thing the kids will see as they come into the classroom. This is where my "Secretary" will tell me who is present and who is absent each day. Every afternoon, the "Secretary" will move everyone back over to the absent side. If you'd like to download these numbers and "Absent" & "I'm Here" headers FOR FREE, check out this post. 

This is the sign above the filing cabinet right as the kids walked in. I wanted to make the Pinterest-crayon-art-thingie {because everyone else was...but you know what your mom always said about "Everyone else doing it..."} but had no idea what the crap I'd do with a melted crayon-piece-of-art-thing, so I modified it for my liking. haha I used my Cricut and cut out an "F" from contact paper and placed it on the canvas. I simply melted the crayons over the "F" and then once the wax dried, I peeled the contact paper off and WAH-lah! A crayon-art-thingie-with-an-F-and-giant-girly-bow! :)

This is what you'd see if you were standing at the filing cabinet checking in. 

My transportation signs...I thought they turned out SO precious! If you'd like a copy for yourself, check them out here!

My "Morning Meeting" area

My teacher desk area...I have a teacher's desk this year!!! WOOHOOO!!! Thrill above all thrills!!

This is where I will write my daily/weekly standard. I will also put my Reading {copied on yellow paper} & Writing {copied on pink paper} Common Core Vocabulary Posters on the board that correlate with each skill/standard we are focusing on for the day/week so the kids are always seeing the vocabulary word. If you like the Reading Posters, getcha some {here}, or the Writing Posters {here}! I store the other posters not in use in the green & blue folders you see to the left of the standard's board. 

 

This is our tweaked version of "The Daily 5" since I am control freak and want to make sure each kid is getting specific skills they need  I like coloring coding things! ;o) I put magnets on the back of each rotation code and just move them around each day. The kids love it, and TRUST me, they know when they miss  Fluency or Word Work. Watch out, now! 

Here is my computer area.  I am so BLESSED with a husband that understands all things technology! If he had not set up my computers, then all of the cords would be still wrapped up in the rat's nest that they were in and I'd be found rocking back and forth in the corner. Sucking my thumb. And crying. The end. 

**I use the cupcakes as a visual when I teach writing. I will always have 4 student samples and we'll talk about which sample is the "Sprinkles" sample, and which is just the "Wrapper" sample. It's a great visual for them to connect something yummy with the details they add to their writing. Plus, it's a fun writing activity when you get to eat tiny cupcakes, too.

My Classroom Helpers Chart & Student Number List

{I found it's ridiculously hard to always keep up with the kids' numbers, especially when kids move in the middle of the year, or don't show up the first day, or get new kids during the middle of the school year, then it messes with the order, so I just laminated card stock, and will write the kid's names on this with an Expo, and arrange as needed!}

Small Group Reading Area {The "VOICES" set is from Ladybug's Teacher's Files here for free!}

I used my Cricut to create name tags and then cut vinyl numbers for the name tags. I used heavy duty Velcro on the back to attach them to the desks. This works for several reasons. One, name tags get destroyed easy and don't stay taped to desks. Two, sometimes you need to do a "switch-a-roo" with seating arrangements, and it's just as easy to un-Velcro numbers and move them to the next desk over. 

...and finally my cute little pencil cups! If you'd like these labels, check them out for FREE here!

I forgot to take a picture of my Word Work stations, but they are located in shelves below the white board, just in case you were dying to know {which I knew you were! ;o)}. 

What does your "Home Away from Home" look like?? I'd love to see! Leave me a comment to check out your cute little room!!

Until then,