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My 2013-2014 Classroom {Safari Theme}

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The day has finally come when I have finished my classroom set up.  It certainly isn’t 100% ready but is it ever?

My laminator took forever to arrive (the joys of living in Canada) and so many of my things are not laminated.  Fingers crossed that they will last longer than just this year! Today I laminated everything I could see a few things and ran out of pouches.  (I think I may need to go to Laminators Anonymous).  I’m sure you can all relate.

So this is my new school.  The construction workers are still going but it is looking nothing short of amazing in this school. This is the first time in my 20+ years that I have opened a new school.

My classroom is at the end of the hall and opens up to this common area where the library is and there is now picnic tables and a beautiful playground.

For some reason, the classrooms have 15 cubbies. I was hoping class sizes were going down, but no luck. 🙂    So, I decided that they would share the bins 2 to a bin. (Yes, I may rethink that.)  I figure that it’s a good way to promote community and it’s only for gym shoes anyways. I am using tables this year and shared supplies so it is a good combination. The safari number labels are from my Zebra Classroom Decor

I like that my teacher cupboards are up high and out of the way and I can put student art work on the doors.  Of course the coffee station is the most import and place in the classroom!!
The balloons are self stick ones that I got at the dollar store. I will write birthdays on with whiteboard marker.  How long do you think before the kids pull the strings out?  My file cabinet doubles as the Word Work Center and I have the magnetic letters and words above.  Each Center has a poster naming the center with child friendly learning outcomes based on the CCSS.  You can find them here.
My Reading and Library Center has a light up palm tree courtesy of my sister.  It’s awesome!
In the middle of the window area at the back of the classroom, you will find my Science Center .  I’m still building it and adding plants etc.  It will have “natural discovery” items and also theme related stuff.
My favorite center is my writing center (no surprise I’m sure).  I LOVE IT!  The little Safari chairs that I painted fit perfectly under the rainbow table! The table and teacher chair will double as “Author of the Day” (class VIP) and my reading group table.
Here’s where I keep writing paper and book making supplies.  The privacy folders can be taken to student tables and are full of CCSS words and skills.  (They are available here.)
Thank you to Bedazzled Barkley for the Safari word wall headers..  I love my new Writing Center Poster Set {Safari} posters!  These have the write traits with comments that are related to that animal.  
I used to say “Ask 3 then Me” but students wouldn’t even think then ask 3!  Since I do the Mindup Program I changed it to Use Your Brain then Ask 3 Then Me!  If you want a free copy, you can grab yours here.
Here is my Math Center.  This is the white board where I will be working on some concepts and daily calendar questions.  I will be getting a trolly of manipulatives so that is why you don’t see any!
Here is the beginning of my organization of students duotangs and interactive reading and writing notebooks.
Here is the beginning of our calendar center.  I still need to put my weather graphs up down below.  Here is where we also do our morning message which increases in complexity as the year goes on.
 Our classroom jobs are done by number and rotates so that everyone gets a chance to be a certain job throughout the year.  I will be adding these to the classroom decor pack as soon as I get a chance.  I have two writing job cards because it’s a big center!

I love my desk space.  This is the space where I can organize and plan for the day. I love how my rainbow table is in my writing center getting used daily but it also doubles as my guided reading table.

Thanks to The Teacher Wife for my awesome new plan book!  I love it!  You can see Junie B Jones by my lazy susan.  She watches over me and makes sure I have fun teaching.  I always laugh when I look at her.  I have my awesome pencil sharpener at the end of my desk.  I’m not ready to release it to the kids yet!  To the right of my desk you will see 6 magazine holders with colored folders inside. These are my Monday-Friday files.  I love to plan and photocopy ahead because you never know… Subs really appreciate it.
I love this Social Studies Center.  It is right beside the computer center and research is at our finger tips. I also like it because it goes hand in hand with my Mindful Brains unit that I do with the kids through out the year.  We start out as looking at ourselves and becoming self aware.  Then it moves to our classroom then school community.  These posters are perfect for September.  I picked them up at a teacher store years ago.  

The computer center is awesome.  There’s plugs along the center of the table and it’s also a great Ipad center. (We will be getting 5 per class).  I love love this Ipad rules poster.  This is not a great picture of it but it’s the second one down that is yellow.  It is a freebie from HechTech. There is also space for our class pictures.

Finally, here is a view from the back of the room.  
The only thing missing is my Art Center.  I created new color posters but didn’t get them printed in time!  
I hope you enjoyed this little tour of my room.  Still lots of notebook preparing and organizing to do but I’m very happy that I am now ready to meet my students next week!

  • Shelley The Write Stuff Teaching

    • Comments

      • Shelley says

        Thanks Lori! I love that center too. I will have to come up with some "rules" because I know kids will be fighting over who gets to sit under the tree during reading time. Let's just hope they don't try to climb it! (No, that was LAST year's class!)

        🙂 Shelley

        Reply

      • Shelley says

        Hi Nicole,

        That was actually given to me by the BCTF OT one year after I had been in a car accident and I returned to work. I've been asked about it many times because it looks great! But, it is also very effective for us teachers who always are leaning over over to plan. This is much easier on the posture which is its purpose.

        🙂 Shelley

        Reply

    5. Debbie K says

      Congrats on your room set up completion. It looks wonderful. Lucky you – to be in a brand new school! Have a relaxing, lamination-free long weekend.

      Reply

      • Shelley says

        Hi Julie,
        Yes, it sure is sparkling clean. Thank you for visiting. I am so happy that this room has so much flow in it due to the tables. I think the organization of supplies may be a challenge but so far so good.

        🙂 Shelley

        Reply

    7. Ms.M from Teachingisagift says

      Shelley,
      You really did transform the room! I remember the picture of ALL THAT SPACE you posted earlier…you have made it seem spacious and cozy at the same time. I would love to be in your class! Hope you have a wonderful first day next week, I'm back to it as well.
      Sidney

      Reply

    8. Shelley says

      Hi Sidney!

      Yes, it sure looks different! I was trying to juggle 8 tables that they gave me and seemed to have no room, then my fiance came in and said, "You only need 6 tables." Well, what a difference. We staggered them and what a different look and feel to the room. It enables us to move around a lot more.

      It will be a fun teaching experience! Best wishes for a great first day to you too!

      🙂 Shelley

      Reply

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