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Evolution of a Classroom-Part 2

I fully intended to post pictures of my room as I went along but my computer crashed, I've been spending a lot of time with the boys and have been working so much at school that I'm just ready to forget about my classroom when I get home.  Rather than post the pictures that I took at the end of each day I figured I'd just skip ahead and post the pictures from the end of the week. 

Here is my computer area and word wall:

Here is a wide shot of my classroom looking from the back of the room towards the front.  That open area is my 'door.' Yes, that is 22 desks that you count.  I'm going to have to hunt down another one (at least)  I know I'm getting one more next week and maybe more, depending on who shows up for open enrollment. 

This is my small group area.  The color words, five-star writing posters, literacy station chart and objectives are on the wall.  

Writing Station:

Our safe place.  Our district uses conscious discipline and this area provides the kids a place to go when they need to clear their head, take a break or cool down

Another wide shot of my room looking from the back to the front but from the other side of the room.

Math focus wall. Still needs a little work but at least it's a start.

My classroom library with good reading strategies posted.  I still need to label my book bins and make my seating-crates but even looking at it now without those things I'm really happy with it.

This is my student work display over the library.  I LOVE it!  The students' names are on the cards with attached hooks to hand their work without tearing up the paper with staples, tape or stick-tack.  I think it turned out so cute and will be very functional.

Other than setting up my stations and a few little details I'm pretty much ready to go.  I'm getting more and more excited the closer it gets.  Next week I'm presenting to our grade level and using my room and another first grade teacher's room (she's been up with me setting up her classroom too) as a model for a literacy rich classroom environment.  I am excited to share my ideas and steal a few from everyone else.  :)

The Evolution of a Classroom-Part 1

As most everyone knows I'm changing grade levels from second to first.  A change in grade level means a change in classrooms as well.  I am excited to be moving into the main building (I was in the portables last year) but know that I will miss having my own AC controls and doors.  Yes, doors.  Hello open concept!

It took me almost three days to move all of my stuff from my old room into my new room.  I say almost because there is still stuff out there.  That is the first thing on my 'to do' list for Monday.

Here's what I started with:
(looking at the front of the room-from right)

 (looking at the front of the room-from left)

 Lovely shade of green huh?
(the view from my "door" looking towards the back of the room)

 (view of the back of the room-from the front)

After three days of packing, unpacking, moving, stapling,
measuring, arranging, rearranging, cutting and organizing
this is what I've done so far:

I'm loving my word wall!!  How I managed to get it level by myself I'll never know.  :)  I also arranged the student desks, teacher area for my computer and supplies, and where the student computers will go. 

I made my job chart and calendar area around my p-board.  (I'll have to take up close pictures of those next week.  I found a super cute rug for my whole group area, set up my easel and even managed to hide my fridge behind it.  

This side of the room still needs a lot of work.  Those poor naked walls will be covered next week.  You can see the beginning of my library to the right on the wall.  

A little more up close and personal with my library that needs some serious work.  But getting my library the way I want it will take some work.  Also on next week's 'to do' list.  

This is  the back of my room.  I set up my small group area but, like the pictures above, I still have a lot to do to make it cute.  

So this is where I've been spending my last few days and where you can find me next week.  I'm happy with how everything is coming together and can't wait until everything is done.  I'll try to post more pictures next week since I know my teacher friends (and maybe a few others) want to see the evolution of my classroom. 

Kemah Splash Pad

Just a few quick pictures from a couple of weekends ago when we made a trip to Kemah.  I'm still having issues with uploading pictures so the formatting is a little off but I 

didn't want to keep you waiting for pictures. 

Rain Drops and Puddles

Singing in the rain!

Just singing in the rain!

 

 

Yes, I'm 'that' mother who lets her almost two year old run around in the front yard in a diaper.  Don't judge!  Half naked kid aside, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to let the boys run around in the rain and splash in some puddles.  The boys were soaked but happy to get outside and make the most of the rain.

 

Hello Blog...It's Me, Amanda

I am well aware that it has been almost six months (just a day shy of six months exactly (since I posted and I have more than a few really good excuses as to why but I’ll spare you the stories about how busy grad school has been and what a big adjustment me going back to work was and just jump right back into posting with oodles of pictures. (in no particular order...blogger has changed quite a bit since I was on last and I am having
issues entering pics)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I make no promises as to how often I’ll post but I do have a goal to post more regularly.  I’m done with school (teaching) until August and just finished what has to have been my most intense graduate class (only one more to do) so I will have a little extra time on my hands.