Eeeekkkk!

After discussing things with my awesome teammate Mrs. Cap we have decided to make our blogs available to parents... So if you are here as a parent welcome! It is our hope that this will be a fun way for you to peak into each of our classrooms. Browse around and you will see that teachers begin preparing for the school year LONG before August 24th. Why is that some may ask, well to be honest because we are always learning new things and tweaking our teaching styles and always redoing our classrooms. Welcome hope you enjoying peaking into your child's 1st grade experience!

Classroom Tour

I didn't remember to take a picture of my classroom before the kids arrived so this is after the first day of school. This is my reading area. It where children will shop for box and possibly hang out. It is also where our CAFE menu is posted. Here is a picture of the right side of the room looking at the front. It shows you a glimps of my teacher desk and the area above the window where I hope to put anchor charts. This is a great idea that I stole from Ms. Bates and tweaked for my needs. I really don't like messy coloring so I made a coloring rubric. Like her I would am planning on eventually making a drawing rubric but I haven't had time yet. I must say today my firsties had 3 star or better coloring!!! This is a view of the back of the room. It is probably the only day that their will be no new words on our word wall. A view of our cubbies, writing area and the author of the month book shelf. Above the curtains is name art which I am sure is an idea I got from Jessica Meacham's site last year. It is the first thing the kids do when they come in on the first day and really looks so pretty when put up! A glimpes of my reading group area along with my seating crates. They are already being used and so worth the work!

So that's pretty much it. I will post pictures of each D5 area after I introduce it to my kiddos. Tomorrow I start day one of the Daily 5 and have our first full day!

Always-

G

My crates

I finally got them done! Yay!





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The Earthquake put a damper

On my decorating picture takin hopes but I wanted to share my clip chart


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End of Summer Vacation

and all I can think about is going to school today and setting up my new desk. :( I have so much home stuff to do I don't think I will get to it. I know I have a whole week to get stuff down before the kiddos arrive for sneak a peak but I just want to have it done. How do you teachers stay on top off all the great ideas you are reading about in other blogs, what you need to do at home and that dream classroom???

Room Update

Things got a little busy with Kevin out of town last week so I wasn't able to post what I have been up to with my classroom. With camp over now and one week until I officially go back the self applied pressure is on and I moving along!

Today I laminated my heart out. I think there are a few more things I need to laminate but dread the cutting of these little owls I am using for my door so I'll wait till I get that done.

Next just for full disclosure this this what the middle of my room looks like. I have piles EVERYWHERE and am busy sorting through stuff so I can store it or toss it. With my closet doors being gone I can't really shove stuff and hide it anymore.

I think I pretty much have my library/den area ready to go. I changed the trim behind two bulletin boards today to make it less busy and go with my curtains a bit more...

This weekend my Mom, Aunt and Grampa helped me make these beauties! I heart them so! They nicely cover up the storage I do have in the closet so you don't see rolls of paper towels anymore :D

I think I may need to make one more magenta panel for the middle door so it can gather more but we'll see. Pretty much I am using, teal, magenta, orange and lime green for accents.

Finally finished updating my word wall ABC's from fish to owls. I think it looks pretty cute.

I am still not sure about this bulletin board. While I love the saying, I am not sure I like the colors. But alas I don't have any fadeless paper in the colors I mentioned and I am not sure my bank account would appreciate another trip to the teacher store so for now it stays. (I think). I did change the board to match the birthday turtle ones.

So what do you think should I make it all blue? Should I get some teal paper? Or will I have to change all the paper on the turtles and owl-standing work????

So questions, where do you all store construction paper?? See a spot where I can post my D5 chart?

Today I am hoping to finish my clip chart so I can share it with everyone. I am super excited about how it is coming along! My little helper will have a friend to play with today so hopefully I will get a bit more done.

Listen to Reading/Work on Writing

Work on Words

Reading to Self Area

I added a low rocking chair to this area to make it more homie. After having my two oldest fight over it I wonder if it's a good idea?


Here it is with the lap desk I got.

Finally in First: 1,000 Followers Giveaway!

I love this blog sooo much that I am having them design mine! Head on over to see all her great suggestion and ideas but, leave the prize for me ;)

Finally in First: 1,000 Followers Giveaway!: "I have over 1,000 followers!! That just blows my mind. Thank you all so much! If you have been following my blog for awhile you know tha..."

Desk Set up

Went in today with Ko and AJ for a bit and was able to get my desk in a way that I think might work.

I plan to go in tomorrow after my summer writing workshop and put out some stuff I got from Target. It is my hope that doing a little everyday will get me to a good place once we officially go back. Still looking for owl fabric for my curtains and crate seats :(