RSE - D04

Well, getting my room into shape was no easy task this year. I thought starting the year 2 weeks after the kids had been coming was stressful, but I didn't realize what stress came with 2 months of thinking of ways to improve the classroom. I spent many-a-Saturday going to countless yard sales. I'm talking getting up at 6:30 am yard sales, people!! My sleepless nights paid off with all the goodies I found while on my early morning bargaining sprees. By the way, does anyone else get intimidated when you go yard sale hunting solo?

Anyway, here are some pictures of the classroom. I don't have everything personalized or completed, but it gives you a general idea of what I'm working with this year!

I went to a training this summer and saw some fabulous K classrooms. I got wonderful ideas and took pictures of some things I'd like to try. Like this:



P Diddy came to town the week before I went to school and helped me make some great seats for the classroom from paint buckets and some other general items. Here are some pictures of our final products.





Of course Scarlet had to check them out. They averaged out to being about $7 per seat and I've gotten so many questions and compliments from other teachers that I told P. Diddy we should go into business and sell them next summer. They were easy to make and so far have proven to be such an assett to the classroom!

I bought this dollhouse at a yard sale. We just had to buy the hinges to to re-attach the door. Unfortunately, it's already been broken off and the screws are in my teacher desk. Whatever...



Here's a picture of the seats we made in the classroom at my art center. I hope to make 6 more next year for my writing center. The kids have great posture when sitting in these seats!



A crowd favorite. The kitchen center! I love kitchen, but it can get very LOUD. And MESSY! So, I make sure to be close to this center and reinforce rules in the beginning or else it can be a nightmare. The kids love it, though. Lots of things in this center this year were purchased at yard sales!!





I love this sign above the sink. I'll change it with the seasons. So cute. Unfortunately the cat on the windowsill cannot be seen. :(


Here is our recycle bin for this year. Last year I used a cardboard box and I think the pick-up guys thought the box was meant for recycling and they took it as well. :(



This is where I post the centers for the day. I have since updated this and every child has a crayon with their name on it as well as center signs. This has worked out perfectly so far. I'm so glad I bought the fabric! It makes the front of the desk much more useful since I glue the magnets onto the center signs and name tags.



Here's a picture of my teacher corner. Yes, I know. Our technology is not up to par, but I've got a great job and I love it and that's the least of my issues. Seriously, they're 5! I found all the cute border and supplies at the Learning Circle - hard to believe stuff this cute is found at the teacher store!! I bought the fabric background at Hobby Lobby where I bought all my other fabrics.



I made the Warm and Fuzzy Jar for this year. Each time the kiddos do something that makes me feel "warm and fuzzy" inside, I will put a cotton ball in the jar. When the jar is full I will make us a special treat of brownies and NO NAP!!



This is my reading center for this year. I will put the tent up in a few months when they have a little more self control. But these stuffed animals and chairs will work for now. The bulletin board beside is going to be my Environmental Print wall. Things like McDonalds, Cheerios, Coca Cola and Pizza Hut will go up there.



Rest time was a complete challenge last year, so this year I bought this book and some stuffed possums to help with the napping ordeal.



Basically, the book talks about a possum who can't ever sleep cause he's always laughing but finally his mom teaches him how to "play possum". I bought the stuffed possums and I pick two of my best resters or "Awesome Possums" and place the possums beside them. This means they get a special treat that day before they go home and the next day instead of resting they get free play computer time. :)




Our birthday cakes!!



Here's our bathroom door. I'm going to put their pictures and names next to the first letter of their first name.




Here's my small group/literacy centers for the year.



The infamous monkey tree. When a rule is broken, the monkey moves to the next color vine. A black vine is a black banana and a ROTTEN monkey! We have very few of those. Partially because I'm too easy on the kiddos. :)



The tree with our rules sign.



I added these shoes to the mix this year so that the kiddies would know where to stop when going out our door.



This is the same Star of The Week board that I used last year. I'll probably change it last year and add fabric for the background instead of butcher paper.



The backdoor to my room - our playground exit - and the view of my cubbies and monkey tree.



View from the backdoor cubbies into the room.



I put fabric on the backside of these tubs to make my helper chart. I have since added the helper titles. It's working great!



Our calendar.



P. Diddy also gifted these fabulous colorful mats for my classroom this year. This is a view of our main circle time area.



The view from my desk.



Our work display wall. The name tags are ladybugs. Hence "Good Work Spotted" - I really need to think of an entire room theme. I've got bees, monkeys, ladybugs and zebras!



I haven't put anything else on this storage cabinet yet, but I had to add the fabric! That whole wall was just too boring and gray without it.



My new shapes and also the curtains I made! I wish the shapes weren't up so high, but I bought them after everything else was hot glued up and I didn't have anywhere else to put them. They're super cute, though!



Here's our number line and my word wall.



My door.




I also put a wish list outside my room on parent orientation so parents could take a flower and donate to the room if they so wished.





Whew....this update seriously took forever!!!!! If you have questions about any of the pics, please ask!! I love talking about my job. It's my passion and I really enjoy what I do! :) Here's to a great 2010-2011 school year!!