Back At It...

**LOTS OF PICTURES!!**

Well, it's that time of year again.  Time to get back in the swing of things and start another school year.  I've been going up to school a couple times a week the past two weeks to try to ease myself back into things.  In May I most definitely threw everything I could into a cabinet or a drawer and decided I would deal with it later.  Biggest. Mistake. Ever.  I have spent a lot of unneccessary time trying to find things and reorganize things.  I will try to remember this in May when all I will want to do is just shove things somewhere out of pure excitement to be done! :)  Anyways...

Decorating my classroom is probably one of my most favorite parts of teaching.  I've always taught upper elementary, and my classroom has always been "lower elementary decorated."  I'm a sucker for all things cute and firmly believe that if I'm not happy in my classroom, then my kids won't be either.  Seeing as the majority of my time is spent in my classroom from August-May, I like to make it my happy place. :)

My classroom hasn't changed too much over the last eight years.  I tend to lean towards something with the color red no matter what other things I add to it.  This year is no different.  I took my red and aqua and just added a few new colors, as well as some lovely Pinterest inspired items!

Here's the tour...

This is my front door where my students "check in" every morning.  The lone desk sitting there is my "Think Time" desk.  Students are sent here (usually from other classes) to sit and think about their inappropriate actions and what they will do to fix it.  I honestly use this tactic for Time Out at my house, but boy does it get annoying in the classroom setting when my room seems to be the one that kids get sent to all the time!

Close up of the check in area.  You can somewhat see my Pinterest inspired "Restroom Pass" hand sanitizer bottles.

Our school rules: Be Safe.  Be Respectful.  Be Responsible.

Classroom library organized for the minute.  That will quickly change in two weeks! :) 

My wall of math.  We are required to use all the components of our Calendar Math curriculum.  There are an average of about 7 components per month, so obviously that takes some space!  There is a big empty space there that will soon be filled with my Math Workshop schedule board.  The small orange poster on the right is now covered with the goals for the first unit as well.  Another Pinterest find on the left.  I use sticky note exit tickets on a daily basis.  Why did I never think to make a poster like this with their numbers so they can put them on their and I can easily see who hasn't turned one in?!?!  SO simple, yet once again Pinterest had to point out the obvious!

This is the front of my room where all the action takes place.  I am a big fan of my whiteboard, and I fill this thing up daily!

Daily Objectives board and a little Social Studies area.  I decided to get rid of my big teacher desk this year to have more space, so this table is hiding supplies.

My small group instruction area.  I couldn't find curtains I liked, so I went with poms instead.  I kinda love it!  I also love my little assistant who has been helping me get things ready!

Language Arts area

More Language Arts area



I've still got some things to do like set up a desk for my student teacher, arrange desks, and make a cute wreath for my front door.  And now that my class is basically set up, it's time to turn my attention towards curriculum...wish me luck!!