Teacher Week: Classroom Tour

I'm linking up with blog hoppin for teacher week!

 

Today is the 'ol classroom tour. I love looking at other teacher's amazing classrooms so this is going to be my favorite day.

 

Before I begin with mine, keep in mind that our students don't come for another two weeks...so my room still has some polishing until she shines just right, but here is what I have so far.

 

Photos are taken on my phone...so quality is not so much. sorry!

 

 

Here is where I house all my word work activities.

 

This  is my door going out into the hall. I have my helper for the day chart, behavior clip chart, how we get home chart, and baskets for BEE books.

Here's a look at ALL my cabinets...aren't they amazing? And every single one of them is jam packed FULL!  

Here is where I organize papers. This is where students turn in completed papers and where they come to get new clean paper in different forms.  

Just a quick shot of the back of my classroom. My teacher assistant desk is on the far left then I have two tables for small groups.

This is a peek at the front of my room. My desk is on the far right, along with my Letterland alphabet chart with each character, my birthday board, calendar, and book case to hold student book boxes.

Here's where I teach calendar. Letterland users...if you look at the far right you will see  how I organize my Letterland character cards for live reading and spelling. It makes teaching this so much more efficient. I highly recommend making one. All it's missing is the Letterland header.  

I gave myself a lot of room to write those I can statements this year!

Here's my math wall and how I am organizing my math tubs this year. Did you notice how all of my tubs are mismatched? I worried about it for a split sec before Nickers (my husband) put a stop to my spending. Oh well, maybe next year. I did print off new labels though.  

I also changed my alphabet this year. Instead of having a separate word wall that my students NEVER used...I combined my alphabet chart {which they use a ton} along with my word wall. Now everything is at the front of the room. I'm so excited about this change! 

And I love those hand signal cues! 

Here's the reading area. Needs a rug or something. And maybe oooonnnneeee more book shelf.

 

The rest is a work in progress. I don't think I'll ever be done tweaking and perfecting this room. I'm sure you all feel the same way.

 

Thanks so much for visiting! I can't wait to see your sweet home away from home too!!!

Must Have Monday {Teacher Week}

Must have Monday Countdown:

#1 A strong phonics program!

Our school adopted Letterland last year and my teammates and I couldn't be any more thrilled. Its geared for K-2 phonics instruction and teaches the students phonics and spelling patterns through stories that they actually understand, remember, and love. Ya'll this program has a story and an explanation for every spelling pattern and sight word. It amazes me the creativity that was involved with making this program. And the best part is, I LOVE to teach it. If you aren't satisfied with your phonics program I highly recommend looking into Letterland.

#2 A good pencil sharpener!

Ya'll, I can't even count the number of pencil sharpeners that I have gone through in just 6 years. Finally last year with a little help from our Fall Festival earnings, I invested in this beauty. Pencil sharpening has never felt so good and obviously by this picture I have quite a few pencils to sharpen before school starts.

#3 A lesson plan book {with lines!}

Does this old school blue lesson plan book look familiar to any of you? We used to get these free at the beginning of each year and then all of a sudden they stopped giving us lesson plan books. So last year I ordered one without looking carefully enough and it didn't have lines {gasp}! It was a tough year with no lines. But over the summer I ordered old faithful and  decorated her with some stickers. I love all of the awesome computer template lesson plans that I've been seeing but for some reason, I like to have it hand written. This lesson plan book will follow me everywhere...meetings, weekends, car trips, you name it just in case an idea hits me or I want to change something around. Let me know if any of you still like to do it old school style with me! ;)

#4 Diet Coke!

Yep, I'm an addict and I know it! I limit myself to one a day. I don't even drink it for the caffine, just for the fizz and the flava!

Check out what other teachers say is their must haves! Click on the picture to take you there!

Have a great day!

Meghan

My First Blog Hop {such a newbie!}

This is my very first experience with a linky party. I've been wanting to do one ever since I started the blog but I just couldn't find the right one as my very first one. {just in case I messed up you know}. Then I ran across this one and its designed for newbies, like me. So if I somehow mess up we can all blame it on the fact that I am a bloggy baby! Janis over at Grade Three is the Place for Me had the idea. Yay! Here I go.

1.What state are you in?

I teach in the mountains of North Carolina in a town very close to Asheville. Have you heard of it?

2. Your current teaching position.

I teach first grade. Love. It.

3. Your teaching experience.

I have taught for 6 years. My first year was in 2nd, the next three years I taught 3rd {love third graders!}, and the past two years I have been in first.

4.When you started blogging.

I started this blog in June of this year {2012}. I bet you can tell because I only have a few posts. I'm trying hard to keep each post meaningful, useful, and creative!

5. Share a blogging tip.

Before I became a blogger and not just a blogging stalker I always looked at and bookmarked teaching blogs who gave out lots of freebies and saved the really good stuff {the stuff that took hours to think of , compile, and complete} for tpt. I respect the bloggers who are so willing to share as much as sell in their stores.

Here's a picture of me with my little handsome. He just turned 1 not long ago and he is the center of my universe!

I can't wait to meet all of you. Thanks to everyone for making me a better teacher!

Meghan