Actually these pictures are about a week old now, but I'm just having the chance to sit down and post them.
My classroom is a revolving door this year with Intervention Specialists, Speech and Occupational Therapists, an Aide (Thank God) and eventually parent helpers. I needed to set my room up in a way that whoever walks in or near our classroom could see what we were up to and pitch in and help out without me always having to tell them what to do.
It all starts with my front door. I kept seeing all of these focus walls but I needed something that was going to be quick, easy and to the point. Therefore, I have my "We AARGH Learning About..." door. I used cheap picture frames (one already broke so I kind of wish I bought more sturdy ones) and made a page titled with each of our subject areas or topics. I put them in a frame and now can use a dry erase marker to write down what's happening in room #110! Easy peasy! Everyone knows what we're working on and I don't feel the need to change it every single day.
Here is what it looks like on the inside.
I'm digging my moveable word wall below the chalkboard. Below each letter is a hook and a metal ring. I've attached our Kindergarten words to the rings so far, but as the year continues, we'll add our new words. When the children need a word, they'll just go find the ring and look for the word they need. Eventually I can use the words on the rings to teach my friends how to put the words in alphabetical order.
See those 2 white shoe organizers? They're history now because I have a brand new 30-section organizer in it's place. I love that piece of furniture. It's sturdy. All of their extra supplies fit inside. It has a smooth surface to write on and it's on wheels! I'll share a picture of that with you in a future post.
Remember how I told you of all of the extra hands in my room this year? Well, I wanted spaces where there were activities that anyone could pull from to work on with individual children or small groups. Hence, my Math, Science and Social Studies shelves. My Science and Social Studies shelves look a little bare right now, but they'll grow.
The idea is to fill these shelves with items specific to what we're learning and/or interested in and let the children explore them on their own.
So...there it is! My home away from home this year. I'm pretty happy with it but I think it will look even better when it's been lived in for a few weeks. I can't wait to get some art projects hanging up around the room to make it even better!
Hope you're all adjusting to your school routines! I have some blog stalking to catch up on and since the weather isn't cooperating with me right now for a pool day, I think I'm going to make use of the time and catch up on what you've been doing!
Take care,
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