Sunday, August 10, 2014

A Peek Inside My Class and Two Freebies for Yours

Back to school means many things to teachers.  Probably at the top of our lists is organizing and putting together our classrooms.  I always want my room in decent shape before I can even think about planning.
It dawned on me that I've never really shared pics from my classroom.  Each year I do some tweaking, editing, and rearranging.  These pictures reflect where I am today.  I'll live with it and probably make changes.  But for now, this is what my class is looking like . . .

Here is my new (and hopefully improved) calendar.  I relocated it to my magnetic whiteboard.  The actual calendar is from Carson Dellosa.  I liked the black background to go along with the chalkboard calendar piece I created.  It had a zebra trim on it that I cut off to better go with my decor.  
I'm also using a simple calendar connections daily packet to supplement the skills that are not on display on the calendar wall.
If you would like a FREE copy of the chalkboard calendar pieces to use in your classroom, click here.  


I also made a new alphabet to display above my whiteboard.  The cards also have a chalkboard theme.   (A link is at the bottom of this post.)


I incorporated more chalkboard elements this year because of this chalkboard I found on sale at Pottery Barn Kids.  It's learning on the wall at the entrance to my room, near the students' mailboxes.  I plan on using it for a Star Student display later in the year.  The tote bag has my recess goodies in it.


Here is a shot of my desk.  I have a lot of shelves behind it.  My school is pretty old and there's no built in storage, plus there is a (let's just say) not so attractive curtain wall.  So I've lined this wall with shelving for much need storage and to block some of my view of the curtain.


I do quite a bit of instruction at my gathering area.  Here you'll always find a basket of books for read aloud.  There is also a basket of pillows students can use during The Daily 5.  
I do not have a Smartboard in my class (insert frowny face).  However, I do have an Apple TV.  We do any work with the Apple TV at the gathering area.  My easel is also in this space.


Currently student work and some math anchor charts are hanging on my one large bulletin board.  Under the board is many of our Daily 5 supplies.  On the far end, in the canvas totes, is the Word Work activities.  The center shelf houses the students' book boxes (Multi Purpose bins from the Container Store).  The closest shelf has old school cassette players, personal cd players, and books on cassette and cd for Listen to Reading.


This is my class library.  The books students choose for their book boxes are in the clear totes (also Multi Purpose bins from the Container Store).  The top totes hold some of my book sets from small group reading activities.


In efforts free up some floor space, I did some editing this year and now only have two computers.  It is really important to have plenty of floor space during The Daily 5, math centers, and literacy centers.  I tried to plan so that my firsties could spread out.
The quilt hanging behind the computers was the jumping off point for the colors in my classroom.  I've had it for several years and still enjoy it.


Below are a couple of whole class pictures.  As you can see, I try to keep things pretty simple.  My goal is for the space to feel welcoming, calm, and organized.


I guess that's the end of today's tour.  If you would like a FREE copy of my class alphabet, you can click on the picture below.


*You can also click here for a D'Nealian version of this same alphabet. :)

I'll leave you with a couple of pics from some recent big days for our little family.
My daughter started first grade this year.  She is again blessed with a wonderful teacher.  
She turned 7 this week too.  We celebrated with a Fancy Nancy themed birthday party.  It was super glam and so fun.


I suppose that's it for now.  If you are still on summer break, enjoy.  If you are back to school already, best of luck with your year.
Thanks for stopping by.

38 comments:

  1. Your classroom is beautiful and neat and tidy and wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy more organized than mine! Good job and happy birthday to Miss A!

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  2. I love your classroom - it looks amazing!! Thanks for the inspiration. Looks like a great b-day too!

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  3. I can't get the calendar pieces to come up. Do you plan on putting them on TPT?
    hollyannerose@yahoo.com

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    1. I'll send them via email and see if you can access them. Sorry for the holdup.

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    2. I love ur work.I get the alphabet catds.Kindly send me your alphabet cards on my email.

      saeedaadnankhattak@gmail.com
      Thanks

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  4. Thank you so much for sharing!! I will begin my first year teaching this August with First Graders. Your website and classroom has me really excited! Its beautifully organized and just simply amazing. :)

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  5. I am getting ready for my first year of teaching in the fall. Thanks for sharing your free calendar! I love it and can't wait to use it in my classroom!

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  6. Your classroom is gorgeous! It's calm, inviting and welcoming to students. Now that I am out of the classroom and have two [active] boys, I think back to how overwhelming and distracting classroom decor can be to students. There are so many awesome things to look at, instead of do work. ;) Yours is the perfect combination of cute decor and functionality. I love it!

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  7. Is there a way that I would be able to get a copy of your calendar? I love it.

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  8. I would love to get the calendar, but am not able to find it. Are the color circle, dots on the calendar or is did you add those? Is it magnetic? Thank you....I tried to find it on the website you referenced, but couldn't find it. Thank you so much.

    lorina@heyjohnnyb.com

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  9. Would you please email this set to me as well. I have tried printing this two different days in two different computer labs! Please please please! Thanks.
    jennasladek16@gmail.com

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  10. Hi There! I LOVE your calendar display! Where did you get the calendar grid and what do you use for your ones, tens, and hundreds board? Thanks!
    Carol

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  11. Love them too. Could you please email it to me too?
    Keefer52@ptd.net

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  13. Such cute calendar labels! Love them!! Could I get a copy as well pleeeeease?

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  14. Where did you get the background for your calendar? It is exactly what I am looking for!

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  15. I love your printables! I printed the alphabet cards and my son loves them! I have tried multiple times to print the calendar and although I have downloaded it several times I can not print. Is there any other way to get the file for the calendar? verodaisey@gmail.com

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  16. Hi.. love the classroom - its gorgeous!
    I am having trouble downloading the calendar file, I have tried multiple times.
    Can you please send it to me? ljclothier@hotmail.com
    Thanks!

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  17. Fantastic looking classroom, looking at the photo makes me wanna be a kid again. What are the 3 buckets at the bottom of the board for?

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  18. Hi I love your calendar pieces and hope to print them for the upcoming 2016-17 school year! I've never tried printing chalkboard pieces, what paper are you using to print them on? Thanks so much :)

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    1. Hi.
      I used card stick and laminated them.
      Thanks for visiting!
      Amber

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  19. I don't have a colored printer. Is there any way to buy theM from you? If I download and print, they'll just be black and white.

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  20. How do i get the calendar or did you just buy a regular black calendar?

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  21. Thank you so much for offering your adorable chalkboard alphabet for free. I print it out last year and am using it again this year. Now I'm going to print out the calendar pieces. I am very grateful for your generosity! Have a great school year!

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  22. Hello! I am interested in your calendar! I just LOVE IT!

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  23. I love the months of the year and days of the week in the chalkboard, anyway its editable, I also need in spanish :(

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  24. I love your calender! Great work!

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  25. Do you have a 2018 version? I love this calendar and cannot wait to use it in my classroom!

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  26. I'll be homeschooling this year and your printables are so neat! I'll be using them, thank you!

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  27. HI! I have been using your calendar pieces for a few years. I love it! Do you plan on adding more years? I would love 2018 and beyond! Thank you!

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    1. This calendar display is PERFECT and exactly what I was looking for. I am beyond excited that I found them. Thank you SO MUCH! Would you be able post more years? or an editable year file?

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  28. Hi
    I love your calendar display for the blackboard will you be adding 2018 etc soon as I am getting ready for next year.
    Em x

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  29. If you haven't checked lately, she has updated the years for the calendar set!

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  30. Amazing classroom! I have downloaded your calendar packets for this calendar, however I am having trouble finding the actual calendar background. Can you point me in a direction where I can get it to try to recreate your calendar look. This will look perfect in my classroom this year! Thank you so much!

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  31. Thank you so much fo sharing! Such a lovely classroom and I love the calendar!!!
    Keri :)

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  32. The alphabet is Primary Penmanship by Kimberly Geswein. It's one of my favorites. :)

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  33. hi how are you? i would like to ask you if you have the alphabet flashcards as is on the pictures not slanted? i have the set printed but cant seem to find the soft copy and i have a couple of the letters missing? is there a way you can help me thank you for sharing what you have...

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