background

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Winner & classroom updates

Congrats to Lori, the winner of the Thirty-One Giveaway!
I hope your as excited about this tote as I am!
Thank you SOOO much to everyone who entered, and spread the word! My followers doubled from this giveaway! Y'all are the best:)

And, I was too late (I think) to link up with Brigid for classroom tours, but I'm going to post some updated pics anyway! Some are similar to what you've already seen; sorry!

See the blank white board behind the tables?? My wonderful principal surprised me with new magnetic white boards!!!
 I had asked her at the end of the year, but didn't think it was possible til next year.
 They used to be AWFUL wanna-be bulletin boards...but nothing ever stuck to them!
I was constantly re-stapling things to make them stay!
Beautiful white boards...L-O-V-E!
As soon as you walk into my room, you see these two tables to your right. Since there is a LOT of emphasis on writing and publishing with Common Core (even in First Grade!!), this is going to be a "Publisher's" area. Students can use the two laptops on the rectangle table for listening to reading, or playing educational games during a choosing time as well as typing written pieces, with the help of an adult (yay for parent helpers!!).
Students will (hopefully...) use the computer at the round table to check out books from our library using this awesome website:
Oh, I hope it works as planned! Wait, I have nothing to worry about, right?
Everything ALWAYS works as planned in education:)

They will also use this round table to publish their writing (with the help of an adult...yay for parent volunteers!)

 My pride and joy:) I have been collecting children's literature for over a decade and I am very proud of the books in my classroom library. I could always use more, though...I am very lacking in nonfiction!
The bottom two shelves of both sections will be closed off with butcher paper and a sign that they will be "opening soon"! Last year, we had such a hard time putting books back in the appropriate basket...I want to give them a test of being responsible with only a few books before I let them loose with the whole collection! We will also gather here (obviously) for calendar.
 The back of my library is my "Web-slingin' Word Wall". Our theme is "HEROES". Can you tell which superheroes will be helping us with our sight words?? Here's a close-up of one of the letter headings:


 Work on Writing and Word Work area.
That large garment rack pocket chart stand needs to be cut down before kiddos get  here!! Aargh, so much STILL to do!
 Science, Social Studies, and Math areas.
We adopted a new Social Studies curriculum this year...I am so excited!
The science posters are from Deanna Jump's TpT store. It's her featured free download.
I don't remember where I found the wonderful shapes around my math shelf, but if you know...tell me so I can credit them!
 I also do not remember where I got the clock labels, but I love how it looks like a flower!
However, I downloaded Ginger's neon ones...I am VERY tempted to print them off and redo!
Her entire neon classroom set is totally AWEsome!

 My teacher's aide's desk, very neat and organized...for now:) Until I get a hold of it...Sorry, Kristy!

 CAFE signs (also from Ginger) and Daily Schedule Cards (from Cara).
Wow, my room is completely full of bloggers!
The white carpet will be our gathering place for D5.

And just in case you think I'm all that and ready a week before students enter my room....

Project Thursday. 
Clear off Guided Reading table...and those poor students' desks cluttered with things that need a home.
Oh, and those white boxes on the closet shelves in the background? MUST file all those papers for the entire year!
Yep, summer's officially over, people.
But most of you knew that already!

Again, Congrats Lori...and thank you to everyone for making my very first giveaway so special and successful:) Have a terrific night!

10 comments:

  1. Your room is looking good! I am getting anxious to get into my room and start putting things up! I'm your newest follower! And I love your blog name!

    Mary
    Teaching Special Kids

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the sweet compliments, Mary! I am on my way to check out your (wonderful, I'm sure!) blog:) I CANNOT believe I will have students in a little over a week...oh,my....:)

      Delete
  2. Adorable classroom. I love it. I've been doing a Dr. Seuss theme in mine and just blogged about it, come see. :) Also, I love the truthful blog description - ups and downs, highs and lows - so true.

    Emily
    Tangled with Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the compliments:) That tagline is one I KNEW I must have- whatever my blog title! I will definitely come by to see your Seuss-y room! I tried to do one last year...but it just wasn't quite:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am trying the classroom organizer this year too. Had a little trouble because lots of my books don't have bar codes. Found your blog through the Classroom Tours linky and love the creative title and look. I am a new follower. You will have to check out my blog when you get a chance. I teach 2nd grade. I am also having a WOW science linky if you want to link up.

    ilive2learnilove2grow 

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many of my books did not have bar codes either....what's up with that? I do hope it works for my students, though; it seems like a such cool site!

      Delete
  5. Amber- WHITE BOARD? that is awesome! Glad you got one. Your room is looking absolutely incredible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep! I am completely thrilled! Thanks for the compliments---let me know if I can help you with your room, neighbor:)

      Delete
  6. Well, I do need to get the word wall print-outs from you and also the folders. You can come help out anytime. I am overwhelmed!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your classroom library looks GREAT! Thanks for linking up!

    Brigid
    Brigid's Daily Lesson Log

    ReplyDelete