29 September 2012

Library Log

Recently, I have been all about updating my classroom forms.  I needed a library log for my students to record the books that they are checking out from the library.  I put a check mark in the last column if they complete a book blurb on that library book.  We use book blurbs, because we no longer have the AR program on our campus.  But if you are using AR, you could just check off that they are taking their tests.  The Book Blurb is simply a mini book report.  They can use the same form for both fiction and nonfiction.  The images below show how they are used in the classroom.  I posted about my book blurbs in an earlier post, but you can get this form along with my Book Bucks at my Teacher Store by clicking here.  The library Log is free of course. Simply click on the image.

25 September 2012

Reading and Math Strategies

I've been away from work for almost 2 weeks with Greysen.  He has almost healed from his tonsillectomy and thank goodness our days in the hospital are behind us.  I go back to work tomorrow and I know that it will be a hard transition for him, especially because he still has pain from surgery.  He's napping now, so thought I'd post something I had been meaning to post for awhile now. 

I saw a Reading strategy anchor chart on Pinterest awhile back.  She used the acronym- UNREAL to teach students her reading strategy steps.  Check hers out here.  It only linked to an image, so I'm not quite sure of where it originated.  I liked it and thought it could be modified a bit for my own classroom/grade level. My grade level preferred to go with the acronym REAL with a couple extra R's at the beginning instead of UNREAL.   This is what I finally came up with.
 I'm going to have my students keep it in their Daily Folders along with their  Math strategies (see below).  You can get both at my Teachers Pay Teachers store for free. Simply click on the images to head to my teacher store.


08 September 2012

Classroom Pics

I've been meaning to post pics of my classroom, and I'm finally doing it.  I always get a lot of questions about where I get my colorful furniture.  We have a teacher on my campus whose husband creates fabulous furniture.  He  not only constructs all of the pieces himself, but also does all of the painting!!!  For the last 9 years, Ive been adding a new piece every year and now my classroom is a work of art!

Word Wall- The blue background is actually felt. It
makes adding words super easy.  I just add velcro and I'm good to go.

 Station activities are housed on this colorful shelf.


 Student Cubbies- I sort all their graded work for the week, 
as well as notes going home in these cubbies. 

 The next 3 are pictures of my classroom library or Book Nook, as we call it.



 He did  a fabulous job on my big book holder.  I love it!!!
 Big Books are so large and bulky, this was the perfect fix.

 Another colorful bookshelf filled with math manipulatives 
and leveled readers on the top.

 This was my lovely pregnancy chair from a few years ago.  Got me off my feet, 
but thankfully I didn't fall off the thing.  It's awfully high! 
Now, the mini bench below my Smartboard is the perfect size for my students.

 My new chair pockets- my mom made me a new set this summer and I LOVE them. 
We used a heavier fabric this time (duck cloth) and they should last a very long time.

 This is my newest piece of furniture.  I am lovin' it! It's a perfect way to stay organized.

 How may of you remember seeing the gumball machine on pinterest used as an eraser dispenser?  Well, I ordered one on Amazon and the thing just about made me crazy.  My erasers either wouldn't come out, or a bunch would come out all at once.  I got so fed up, I tossed the thing! This is what I came up with instead and it's not driving me nuts, so that's a good thing :) It's just a simple cookie jar from Sam's Club. 

  Listening Center on Wheels


 Love this table, but ignore the ugly trash can next to it-
 now you can see why I'm not a photographer.

 This may be my favorite piece.  The paint job is gorgeous.  My original intentions were to use it as an overhead cart (it's on wheels).  My overhead is on a table now, but I love that it's mobile and could be used in so many ways.

Teacher bookshelf- all my teaching resources. 
I don't have a desk, so this is where I store my teacher stuff.


 We made these flowers on the first day of school.  I read the book, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert, and we talked about how over the course of the year they will bloom like the flowers in Ehlert's book.  They make a cute display for Open House and they brighten my room for sure!




03 September 2012

Class Promise

On the first day of school we do several activities.  Some of these activities include- heart mapping, talking about rules, and making a class promise to each other.  I absolutely love the Class Promise created by Lesson Plan SOS.  Check out the promise here.  I have it posted in my room and I always print it in a smaller size for a classroom chart on the first day.  Check out the pic below.   I surround the promise poster with my students' heart maps which are super cute and made from the heart.  I'm planning on hanging it on the back of my classroom door, so it will be a visible reminder of the promise they made to their teacher and each other on the very first day of school.