My Classroom

Second Grade Setup

2017-2018

I didn’t change too much this year.  It seems like my current room is a little smaller than the room I had last year in first grade.  I haven’t measured to confirm that but it feels like it.  The layout is definitely the same even the placement of the paper towel dispenser.  It’s in another non-practical spot again.  Last year it was next to my desk.  This year it’s on the other side of the room.  Both places are NOWHERE near the sink area, go figure. 

I found the white magazine holders on Amazon this year.  They were better than the IKEA version that I used to get.  They have made them a lot smaller the last few years.  I like to use them as the student’s personal library. 

They are allowed to read them whenever they are finished with work or during Center time.  They can pick books from our own classroom library to put inside as long as it fits without bending.  It’s great for taking AR tests!  It gives the kids some control of what they want to read. 

I found the containers for my books at the Dollar Tree.

 I’m still in the market for something sturdier but these will do for now.  I’ve been weeding out old and torn books and trying to replace them.  Thank God for the donors from DonorsChoose!  I was able to get over $400 of new books! 

I love having the rules and procedures posted around the room.  It’s a great resource to refer back to them throughout the day. 

We did lots of activities at the beginning of the year learning the routines.  I believe kids learn best when they can connect new material to prior knowledge.  Mix that in with some fun and you have a winning combination! 

 I had this frame just hanging around my house so I thought the Afternoon Dismissal procedures would be perfect. 

I have two of these cubby holders in my room.  I use one to hold the Travel Binders and mail for the students.  The other is used for supplies and manipulatives as well as my Guided Reading materials.  It’s next to my small group table so it’s perfect to hold the things that I need to grab quickly. 

I keep an extra desk right by the door for the students to make a lunch choice and the office envelope.  The students are really good about putting their Transportation changes inside the envelopes.   The menu is placed right above the desk so my Lunch Choice helper can change the lunch cards each day.

I’ve only used Brag Tags for a couple of years and the kids LOVE them.  I found the ball and chain necklaces at Michaels (online).  I was able to make 24 necklaces.  I haven’t needed more than 24 (knock on wood).  We have a ceremony every week where the students are awarded a new tag based on academics but mainly character ed traits.  I’m thinking about using pony beads as a reward for some items so I don’t have to print so many tags.  Although, I printed, laminated, and cut enough for the first half of the school year during this past summer.  It was a reminder that I need a paper cutter!!

This was the biggest purchase this year but it was well worth it!  The students love reading and working while sitting in the “big comfy chair” as they like to call it.  They will sit two at a time just to have some chair time! 

I love read-alouds and teaching about different character traits.  These are the main traits that we focus on throughout the year.  I also use these as brag tags when the students display the behavior.   We put up a picture of the book that read under the appropriate category.  I used Common Themes as my springboard.  You can grab that Freebie here. I also like to put the AR quiz numbers up for the books we are reading.

 

I try to make the room as inviting as possible.  The students love it and they take great care in keeping the room clean.  I will probably keep these colors for a few years.  I think it’s much more economical to decorate with a color scheme.

Back to School

2016-2017

It’s that time of year again!  I have to think of a way to organize my class and of course, make it cute!!

This is probably the most time-consuming part of going back to school, especially when you move to a new school or new classroom.  

BEFORE

                                 



Lots of bulletin board space!  I gotta get Chelsea’s Creation in here real soon!

                                               

Who doesn’t love having a sink in the  classroom?

More boards!!

I’m excited to show you the transformation! 

Stay tuned! 

The students LOVE sitting on the stools!  They are surprisingly
 confortable.

Here are a few pictures.   I’m sure you know that this is always a work in progress. You move something then decide it doesn’t quite look right or it doesn’t work for the flow of the class.  I’m moving things constantly.  Well, maybe not constantly, but quite a bit!

It's nice to have a sink in the classroom!

Personal Libraries

Teacher Area

I repurposed my burlap curtains.

Here is the finished room!

2015-2016 Classroom

I wanted to do something different this year so I changed my colors from red, white, and blue to yellow, green, and brown.  I think I had the red, white, and blue for 10 years.

It was time for a change.  I’m glad I did!  The room looks so much brighter and cheerier now. 

I hate to say it but it may be another 10 years before I change again.  Just kidding, but it may be around for awhile! 

Once upon a time, I didn’t believe that it really mattered what the classroom looked like.  Imagine that?!? However, I’ve had a change of heart.  I spend a lot of hours in this room and I want to enjoy it.