Where I Teach Wednesday

I love the idea of linking up to Teacher Week- but it hasn’t happened yet. So I’m going to jump in halfway, and catch up later.

I moved classrooms and grade levels this summer, and while I fully intended to go in and do lots to make my room amazing, I didn’t end up doing that.

Still, I like my new room and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out!

Ta-Da!

Keep in mind that we started school last week, and there are lots of things I’d still like to do! (Isn’t a classroom always a work in progress?) I also have 5 extra desks in my room at the moment… here’s hoping the custodial staff finds somewhere to put them!

When students come in the room, they look at the CHAMPS acronym on the board. (You can get the freebie procedures poster here.)

They hang up backpacks here. There are coathooks beside the door. (Since they’re still learning their numbers and we’re still expecting a few new students to trickle in, I used some Super Sticky Post-Its for reminders.)

Last year my kids’ hooks were inside the closets, which meant a little less storage but a little more neatness during the day. I know I’m lucky to have the storage, though!

For open house, I posted our “different names for a number” charts. (Each group brainstormed to see how many different ways they could think of!) You also might’ve noticed the huge white space up above- but I have a plan for that. (I’ll show you soon!)

After kids hang up coats and backpacks, they turn in homework here, by the door. (Homework on top, homework folders on the bottom!) I took this picture before open house, but the mini pocket chart stand (Target, of course) is great for quick morning reminders.

The next step is for them to turn in all notes, money, etc. to the blue basket on my desk. (Garage sale find!)

Next, they make a lunch choice with their popsicle stick. (Magnetic bins from Dollar Tree and labels are Super Sticky Post-It notes that have lasted since last year. LOVE these things.)

If they brought their lunch, kids put them in the blue lunch bin near the door (see below). Two kids wheel this down to the cafeteria every day as their job, and then wheel it back afterwards.

Now, they make sure to have sharpened pencils. (Target Dollar Spot buckets, and those Super Sticky Post-It notes again until our color printer is working again!) The pencil sharpener is right here, too.

Finally, kids start their morning work at their desks.

My boards are all the same color background with silver sparkly border from Wal-Mart. The alphabet is from Dollar Tree. I don’t love it, but it will do.

My carpet is the one I used in college, so it’s kind of falling apart (and it’s nowhere near big enough for the whole class), but it works. I also use shower caddies and Dollar Spot baskets to hold art supplies so they aren’t in desks all the time.

Of course, these are from Ladybug’s Teacher Files. (Thank you for the freebie, Kristen!) I’m just starting Daily 5/ CAFÉ with some modifications this year. I love that Response to Text is part of my strategy menu- I think that’s huge for the upper grades! The little froggy came from JoAnn Fabrics.

We are working on our Read to Self stamina- 9 minutes so far.

I love this number line. It comes with adorable frogs, and my friend Melanie gave it to me! I also have the writing process from Second Grade Shenanigans which I loooove. (It’s free- how great is she?)

On the right is my small group area…

More chalkboards… (don’t worry, I’ll tell you about these fish soon- with a freebie!) The last teacher left life skills up on the top of the wall, but I added special cards (also freebies from Kristen at Ladybug’s Teacher Files).

My desk area… (currently the messiest area- but I guess my students come first? ) I’ll be putting spelling and vocabulary words on this bulletin board.

And on the left of the main wall…

The clip chart, our postcard map, and the beginnings of the classroom library.

You can see that the library is not totally finished yet- I have lots of books to still put away! There are big, beautiful windows on this side of the room, though, and between those and the comfy seats, this is definitely my favorite part of the room!

The classroom library actually extends on the other side, too, along with an old coffee table from a friend of mine. I think it’s going to become our listening center.

I love seeing our book boxes full! (Boxes from IKEA, 5 for $1.99, and numbers from Technology Rocks. Seriously.)

I also love this guy. He has a pocket just perfect for displaying a book, and if you haven’t read a Captain Raptor book, you and your class are missing. out.

Past the cabinets, I have a little counter/ sink area. Currently it’s a little overrun by tissues and antibacterial wipes. The wipes were actually left over from last year’s class!

Posters were from Dollar Tree, and are filling the space until I use the bulletin boards for something else.

The rest of this corner is the computer area- 4 student computers on 2 trapezoid tables, with our basket of flash drives. Computer login cards to come!

It could be better, but if I wait until it’s perfect, you are never going to get to see my room!

Make sure you link up with Blog Hoppin’ and show us some pictures of your classroom! I especially love seeing other 3rd grade classrooms for ideas!

Hope you are having a GREAT week!