Hello all! I know it's been a while, but mommy-hood has taken over a lot of my time. Wouldn't trade it for the world, though. (By the way, my little one is almost 5 months old and doing great!)
Anyway...back to my teaching topic.
Last year I switched schools and switched grades. As most of you probably know, that kind of major switch equals major stress and workload, which is why I was pretty quiet on here regarding teaching ideas. I was definitely in survival mode. Now, starting my 2nd year in my school and grade, I'm in sharing mode.
I always learn from my students when I pick my theme. I quickly learned that my 1st graders LOVE superheroes! This definitely appealed to me because I had directed a superhero themed VBS not long ago, and my church was nice enough to give me the used and leftover decorations....that I had made and acquired for them.
So say hello to my SUPER classroom!
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| My classroom door |
As you walk through the door...
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The city scenery was made from drywall boards you can find at hardware stores for about $11 to $16. They come with the silver siding. Using a box cutter, I carved them out to look like skyscrapers and then used paint and paper to add details. The comic book-like sound effect bubbles I ordered form Oriental Trading. Also, the superhero clipart characters can be downloaded free from mycutegraphics.com. I simply printed and laminated them to display all over my classroom. |
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| A look to the right. |
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A better look at the scenery.
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In my reading center, the students' fluency and comprehension level rises as they continue through the grade. I created this chart on the back of a filing cabinet using black bulletin board paper (free to most school teachers), chalk, and border that I had on hand. (I also sprayed it with hair spray so it would set.) The students will color their very own superhero image during the first week of school, which I will take and laminate and make into a magnet. As the students rise to the next reading level, they get to move their magnet to the next skyscraper, aiming for the sky! It's a GREAT incentive for the students, and a great track of data.
This is my whole group space. Some teachers have a separate carpet area, but I prefer to have mine in front of the board so I can write on it, refer to it, and use the projector on it. The charts you see on the bottom wall are from our writing curriculum, and I used painter's tape (and/or masking tape) to place them/ frame them.
The desk area.
My desk area. (Yes, I have two. One for my office supplies and one for spreading out and creating.)
I wrote the letters with chalk, and I can continue to use chalk as I add the words. My students and I really do use the word wall frequently.
I plan on posting my weekly newsletter (that I created myself) on the red bulletin board every week. If you'd like to download my FREE newsletter template from my TpT store, download it here.
Table to the left is where students will place their take-home folders (in a recycled dish drainer...ha!), lunch boxes, and backpacks (beneath the table). It's also where my class rules are posted.
Table to the right is my writing center table, and above is my special area rotation schedule.
I have to say....I'm quite proud of my homemade calendar. I used red masking tape to make the outline on my dry erase board, and now I can change it easily and write on it & decorate it however I wish. Cheap and easy! (Btw...the date boxes and 3 inches apart in case you were wondering.)
This behavior chart I downloaded for free from TpT. I added Velcro strips to the side along with numbers that I made so students can move their number up and down.
On the left, I will display my learning standards targets. On the right, I used these magnetic, dry erase circles that I got from Office Depot to use for my centers. I love it 'cuz I can use it for reading and math!
I hope you enjoyed my classroom tour! I'm ready for a great year!
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