The Start of Classroom Prep & Some ???'s

So I started preparing my clasroom this week.

OHHHHH EEEEEEEEM GEEEEEE

I had absolutely no idea where to begin.

I am going to just do a quick show and tell about what I've done in two days ( which is not a lot ).

After the classroom pics... I have some questions that I hope some of you can help  me with.

Here is the classroom when I walked in.. (mess)

 I tried my best to "Organize" my desk

 

 Then I had this to deal with !!

My Reorganization starts here...

I'm thinking of taking my reward board (sticker charts) from up here...

and putting it down here where the

 kids can actually reach them.

 lunch and lunch count w. popsicle sticks behind mailboxes

I changed signs around my classroom... :)

 Door to the classroom... NEW NAME  :)

Cleaner desk

 meeting/ rug area

 calendar & gudided reading bookshelf

File cabs w. teacher books

(ie. holiday read alouds & curric. read alouds)

 

 Word Work Storage/area

This is my problem area that I need your help w.

(lets talk later)

This will be our poetry station.

Changed out all the balls on the bottoms of the chairs...

,,, ewww

niiiiiiice

 Library... needs work

 writer's workshop... to be organized

 I moved the student computer closer to my desk.

It faces out to the classroom so that students can access it.

More to come at the end of this week.

So now for my questions...

I need help and advice so pleas link up with me.

School starts next wednesday August 29th and I have 3 things running through my mind...

Please let me know your advice for the following:

1.) Homework, Homework folders &

Homework collection/ grading process!!

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT?

2.) Writing Folders & Writing Center

What do your writing folders and writing areas look like?

Our school uses Lucy Calkins for writing.

3.) Word Work Stations.

You've seen my storage area above.

Any more suggestions are helpful.

Thanks so much :)

ps. i did not spellcheck b4 posting... sorry

Suzy

THANK YOU BLOG WORLD... to all you wonderful teachers

So over the summer I've been collecting pictures of things I really really liked and wanted to create for my classroom... both from other teacher blogs and from pinterest (which usually leads me back to a teacher blog). So I need to send my sincerest gratitude to all of my friends out in the teacher blog world. 

THANK YOU, 

You have truly been my biggest mentors this summer. You have inspired me in all aspects of teaching.

Some of you are the craftiest & cutest decorators...

First Grader at Last,
First Grade Fresh, 
The Inspired Apple 

Some of you are the most organized and careful planners...

Create .Teach . Share, 
Mrs. Jump's Class

Ladybug' s Teacher Files 

Step Into Second Grade with Mrs. Lemons

Some of you are the most generous and  creative creators...

Creating and Teaching,  
Technology Rocks, Seriously,  
The First Grade Parade

and some of you are just super fun to follow.. 

 Babbling Abby,
The Bubbly Blonde Teacher 

It is time to show you all how much you have truly inspired me to make my classroom what it is and what it will be :)

Yours & Mine

First Grade At Last Inspired

  

First Grader At Last

you inspired me to create these too :)

 Good Writers

Good Scientists

Mrs. Jump Inspired

 Her Good Listeners-

My Good Listeners

Pinterest Inspired

 Found on Pinterest... Daily5

 Mine

Close Up.

 First Grade Fresh Inspired

First Grade Fresh

Mine

Freebies I loved ... 

 Thank you

Technology Rocks, Seriously

 

Thank you

Ladybug's Teacher Files

Thank you

The First Grade Parade

I am sure there are plenty more people I should be thanking...

If you see something on this blog that was your original idea please contact me for credit. Sometimes I'd forget to label the picture w. where it came from so I didn't have a way to remember who was the original creator.  Please remember that your ideas inspired me and if I used them- feel proud to know that you are just so talented that your ideas touched the classroom of a new teacher. 

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU. 

Classroom Update :)... school starts Tuesday

I'm as ready as I'll ever be... here was my to do list when I left on Friday...

 Just a few things left before the big day. 

My second year teaching will start on Tuesday. I'm feeling both excited and very VERY nervous.

I'm excited for the following reasons: 

1. I only have 15 students... I got rid of one whole table which opened up a lot of space in my room

2. I created a lot of new decorations, posters, and charts to display in my room thanks to Pinterest. (pictures of those to follow)

3. I'm implementing the Daily5 and CAFE for reading

4. My brand new kidney table for Guided Reading :)

5. I have one year under my belt so I feel like a part of the TEAM. 

Now here is why I'm nervous:

1. I haven't been doing a lot of planning (I still don't have the hang of that)

2. I'm worried the Daily 5 and CAFE will be a huge FAIL. 

3. I have wedding planning and the idea of moving closer to school all while trying to teach floating in my mind.

4. I've been told some of my students are pretty low (language and academic) this year and I hope I can get them up to where they belong.

Anywho... My classroom is just about ready for Tuesday. Just a few more things to tidy up and copy and I will be pretty ready for Tuesday... :). I can't believe summer is over AND where going out with a blow... HURRICANE STYLE

Here are some pictures of my classroom for you to enjoy... 

 WELCOME to room 123

Jungle Star- 

This week it features me. Just have to post the last few pictures.

By the door- Reward Board, Dismissal Board and Trash Can

I was going to get rid of the book shelf but they don't have any storage space in our building so for now I have to keep it... Its growing on me. Just have to figure out what I will put there. Maybe my big books. 

Student Mailboxes-

Student Work Display Board- also my teacher storage Cabinets. 

Guided Reading Area- This is my BRAND NEW KIDNEY TABLE... 

My favorite thing this year.

 These plastic pull-out drawers house my guided reading things.

-Dressed them up with some zebra print for fun

Across from the Guided Reading Table- You can see the Word Study Cart from here.

It still needs to be filled with word study activities- Please share some things you do for word study :)

My Daily 5/ CAFE board, under that is my listening station

 Student Tables- Only 4 tables x 4Kids at each =16 seats ... 15kiddos this year :)

Writers Workshop Center and Board-the Board was the same from last year but I didn't hate it.. so I'm keeping it. we'll see what happens. 

 Our Word Wall-still up from last year. Still good

Our Word Study Cart from the back. 

 Math Board- Obviously on my to do list- 

Behavior Chart- & Rug Area. I love my chair :)

 Our Library- New Labels on the baskets. 

Our Book Boxes from Ikea-I'm thinking of having the students personalize them the first week of school. 

 My Desk and Computer

THIS IS SUPER EMBARRASSING

don't judge

This is the behind the scenes look at my closet.

I am determined this year to organize it. 

There just isn't enough time before the school year starts. 

So that's all for now. I think I will be posting again later tonight b/c I have so much more to share. I know its the illegal blogging thing to do but I just can't help it... besides... 

I can't go anywhere with this HURRICANE!!