Classroom Tour 2014-2015

My favorite, favorite, FAVORITE pins to pin and blog photos to view are of real-life elementary school classrooms.  There are so many AWESOME teachers out there with some really fun and cute classrooms that provide such great inspiration!  Today I'm (finally) sharing my classroom photos with you, in hopes that you can be inspired by my classroom as much as I have been by all of yours!

 

I spend just as much, if not more, time in this space than I do at home, and have found that a well-decorated classroom contributes to a more cheerful mood while working.  I think that our students really appreciate a fun learning environment as well!  Enjoy your tour of my owl-themed classroom :)

Morning Meeting / Read Aloud / Reading Area

 

Since students complete a 'Genre Challenge' throughout the course of the year in independent reading, books are categorized by genre in my classroom library to make selecting a book a little easier.

We spend a lot of time reviewing and practicing independent reading expectations at the start of the school year, so posters displayed on the sides of the bookshelves serve as constant reminders to students.

This is our gathering spot for "Morning Meeting" and read alouds.  We have our calendar, 'Owl-Star' of the week poster and Book Recommendation Tree displayed here.

Bulletin Boards

I don't change my bulletin boards much throughout the course of the year, so I try to choose themes and displays that contain essential information for students to use from unit to unit as a constant reference and reminder of key concepts.

White Boards / SMART Board

  I definitely take full advantage of my magnetic white boards!  I display our schedule, morning jobs, clip chart, star jars, anchor charts, etc. and use the document camera during instruction to display notes and key concepts on the SMART Board.  I didn't have either in my first classroom, so I feel very fortunate!

Small - Group Area
 

I meet with guided reading and math groups and intervention groups in this area.  I also spend time here when conferencing with students about their writing and performing fluency checks.  I keep all necessary materials on the bookshelf behind the table.  A class names "Wordle" and classroom rules are displayed above the shelves.

 Back Counter Area

Students turn in work to the colored baskets, and highlight their name on a class list once they have done so.  That way, I can easily check to see who I need to track down homework from each morning.  I also have a small supply station next to the baskets for students to use for replenishment if needed.

 

 

These cute owls were super easy to make (paper lanterns and scrapbooking paper) and serve as our class mascots.

Student Work Display

My student work display was super easy, too!  I just laminate construction paper, hot glued some cute ribbon on top, and attached an owl name cut-out to a clothespin.  I hang seasonal or work from our current unit of study from each student's clip.

Teacher Desk Area
 

 

This is where I keep frequently used items like student review booklets, alternate snacks, reward tickets and coupons, etc.  I also have a file drawer assigned for each day of the week to store copies, books, station games and other supplies for the week.

My personal display :)  I love the drawing my mom framed for me that I made in Kindergarten showing what I want to be when I grow up.

Students move their owl magnet to "restroom," "office," or "library" to show where they are going if leaving the classroom.  I'm a little obsessed with using every magnetic surface possible :)

Computer Area / Word Wall

Students use the computers for Accelerated Reader and math and reading practice games.  The word wall contains vocabulary words and concepts that correlate with state reading standards, so that students are familiar with this academic vocabulary come time for their state reading test in the spring.  I move a sticky to the poster of the skills and strategies we are working on for the week to help students connect the vocabulary words with our weekly concepts.

This cute frame sits atop our mailboxes.  The name is changed each week to recognize a different student for responsible or respectful behavior.  Find the download here in my TPT store.

Whew!  It was so fun to show of my 'home away from home'!  Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave me your feedback, questions, etc.!  I'd LOVE to hear from you!  Have a GREAT week, friends!