I am finally relieved that I can actually say my classroom is ready {insert a sigh of relief}!!! Can I get a Whoop-Whoop??? I really did not have it as bad as some. I kept my theme the same this year and we were allowed to leave up our bulletin boards. I just basically had to rearrange and clean out. And of course put up all my new stuff that I acquired over the summer. Ever wonder why we keep on buying so much???? Sometimes I just buy stuff just because I THINK I might use it.
I officially changed my theme last year. For the longest time I was black and lime green with monkeys. But I had finally had my fill of monkeys and decided it was time for a change. So I switched to black and white polka dots, yellow, and daisies. I originally saw a similar idea on School Girl Style. If you have not checked out her website it is a must. She has awesome themes and color schemes. You have to be pretty creative to come up with some of the ideas she comes up with. I am really pleased how my room turned out. I wish I could hang more on the wall and put curtains up, but my principal does not want a bunch of stuff hung on the walls. She has a good reason – I am in a fairly new built wing at our school and she doesn’t want the walls to get funky!!! I hope you enjoy taking a peek into the place where I spend a good portion of my time as much as I enjoy being there!
As you see this is my before and after pictures {cleans up nicely if I do say so myself}. This is also a wreath that one of my sweet little students from last year mother made me for Teacher Appreciation. I am going to hang it on the outside of my door for most of the year. She also made me one for Valentine’s Day. So adorable!!!!!
These are a few of my storage bins. As you can see everything gets a label. I bought some of the labels from School Girl Style and inserted a text box to type on it. Then I used my Cricut and cut them into a flower shape. Even my cabinet doors have labels on them. We are not allowed to hang on the walls or cabinets. So I improvised and tied labels on them with cute ribbons. Some of the bigger buckets in the top left are a lunch bucket, AR bucket, and teacher manual. The baskets by the pencil sharpeners have the labels: Extra Papers and Turn Papers In Here. Even my trash cans are painted up. A sweet friend down the hall painted my trash cans for me!
Above my shelf I have a little subway art with the verse to the song, “You are My Sunshine”. I also have a bunch of daisies in an old antique mason jar. A quick little story behind the mason jar: If any of my followers have picked up by now, I like a little old mixed in with a little new. My home and classroom are done like this. I found this old mason jar in my grandfather’s barn. It was extremely dirty and even had rust on it {there is no telling how old it was, he couldn’t even remember when he bought it or where it came from}. I took it home and showed it a little TLC and bravo – good as new. It is not a normal size jar. It is a taller size mason jar {at least a foot in height, probably a little more}! The Mrs. Knefely sign hangs outside my door on the front of our class display runner. The same sweet friend that painted my trash cans also painted this. I so wish I could free hand paint.
This is a peek inside my storage closet. It is organized for the most part. I have clear tubs with all my supplies in them. The picture to the right is my book shelf. I purchased the shelves and bins at Target about 4 years ago when my theme was still black, lime green, and monkeys. I spent a little money on this item so I am not just ready to give it up yet. I wish I could find yellow fabric bins to go in the shelves. I have all the bins labeled with the colors my school uses to code AR books.
I use one of my bulletin boards for our behavior chart. Also the two tokens on their desk is what I give them to help me keep up with who is not following directions. I started using tokens last year, because I noticed I was correcting a lot more than I should or giving way to many chances. So I decided to come up with another system I have seen used before. I give you two chances then you have to clip down. You may be wondering what the black popsicle sticks are for. I use them to keep up with bathroom breaks. We only have one set of bathrooms in our building and there is always a line for them. I was so tired of always waiting in a line, so I decided that they get two bathroom breaks during class time. Of course recess, PE, and lunch are all free times. I have used this system for about 3 years and it works really well. Next to my behavior board is what I call, “Fast Fact to a Fudge Sundae”. This is something that all of my team does to reward the kids for learning their basic addition and subtraction facts. We give timed drills and they get a chance to move down the board all the way to a cherry on top. It is not for an actual grade but rather for a fun incentive. I will put their names on the cards where the popsicle sticks are and on the fast fact board when I get my class list.
Just another bulletin board on the other side of the room. The objective ribbons is where I hang my “I Can” statements. Since going full Common Core last year we have to post our objectives up in the room.
This is the front of my room where my smart board is. I have above it hanging from the ceiling a welcome banner I bought from School Girl Style. Also on my board is my system for keeping up with who needs to test or checkout during AR time. Everyone in the class gets a number and they just move their stick to where ever it needs to go. I have to work with them a little on this the first few weeks of school, but after that they are able to go at it on their own. The clear containers with polka dot labels is where they will keep their extra school supplies. I will also put their names on this once I get my class list.
Just a few little decorations in my class. I decorate the shelf above the backpack hooks. And of course my treat jar has to have a cute label on it.
Here is a closer look at my AR system. The picture to the right show where the students turn in their “Rocket Bucks”. Rocket bucks is a school wide PBIS system that is in place for the students.
Since I am limited to what I can hang up, I kinda snuck and put my Star Student on the back of the door. I don’t think anyone has notice yet, and if they have there not saying. For star student I just go in number order of my class. Each week a new student is star student. They bring in pictures and a info poster about themselves. We hang it on the back of the door. The star student is also the one that is the line leader for the week and the helper. They also are the one that brings snacks on Friday. I don’t know if many of you are allowed to have snacks at your school, but luckily we can. Second grade only has snacks one day a week.
So there you have a peek into my classroom. I think it is very cute. The only thing I wish I could do different is to add a few more things to the wall or maybe cabinets. I would like a word wall in my room maybe under my smart board, but we are not allowed to hang on the walls. So I will just have to make do. I put up a lot of cute power points on the smart board instead. I would also love to have curtains. Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek. I hope you enjoyed getting to look in my classroom.
P.S. I have uploaded a reading unit for the Reading Street series if any of you use that. I have also uploaded a really cute set of Halloween/Fall digital papers. Be sure to check it out!
Love your room. All the tags, labels, and ribbon add an extra element.
Thanks for the sweet comment!!!!
Jamie
I agree w/Miss Nelson! Super cute! I'm hoping I don't get sick of chalkboard/red too soon…the decor thing isn't cheap or quick to do either!
I agree about the decor thing. I plan on keeping this theme for a while.
Jamie
Your room looks lovely!
-Lisa
Grade 4 Buzz
Thank you for the sweet comment!
Jamie
I love your classroom so organized and inviting, your students are so lucky!!Where did you get the yellow chevron pail on your desk?
Stephanie
I ordered the pail from a shop off of Etsy. I can't remember the name of it. But I am going to try and make my own. I bought pails and fabric from Hobby Lobby and was going to Mod Podge it on. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Thanks for stopping by!!
Jamie
Love how cute your classroom is! So many cute touches! Can I be a student in your classroom?
A Tall Drink of Water
Thank your for the sweet comments!!!
Jamie
Love the black and yellow! The flowers give it a nice touch. A job well done! 🙂
Debbie
Thank you for the sweet comments!!!
Jamie
Your room looks GREAT, Jamie! You have been working very hard and it shows!
Alison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
Thanks for the sweet comment!!
Jamie
Hi, Jamie! Welcome to blog world! I am your newest follower. I just started blogging, too! 🙂
Your classroom looks so inviting! Hope you have a great school year!
Kristen
A+ Classroom Creations
Thank you so much for stopping by. I will check out your blog too!
Jamie
So cute!! Your students will definitely feel welcomed into your room! Love your ideas! 😉 And lucky you–your room is already spruced up and ready to go! Since we are "neighbors," can you come help me with mine?!?! 😉
Thank you for the sweet comments!
Jamie
Your room looks fantastic! Very inspiring!
Nicci
Chalet Ré
Thank you for stopping by!!! Thanks for the sweet comments!!!
Jamie
Can you come decorate my classroom next? I love it! I do not have much storage in my classroom 🙁 I have to adapt and adjust. As time goes on, hopefully I can find some bookshelves and more storage!! I am now following your blog 🙂
-Jessie
Lil Bit Country in the Classroom
http://www.wholeheartedcountry.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Jamie
Your room looks wonderful! Not sure how I missed your reveal… Guess I have been busier than I thought getting ready to head back to school. I love your wastebaskets–creative! Have a great start to the year!
Smiles,
Sarah @ Hoots N' Hollers
I would love to say that I painted the waste basket, but a friend down the hall did it for me. She can free hand just about anything.
Jamie
I found your blog through Five for Friday and I just love looking at pictures of people's classrooms. I love your black and yellow ~ and those trash cans are great!!
Your eldest daughter's uniform is adorable. Our K-5ers wear jumpers and then the middle school girls just have skirts and polos — the tie is adorable!! I'm going to show my VP for sure 🙂
I can not believe your little ones aren't allowed snack daily. Our school does snack K-5 and then it's not allowed in Middle School {but us rule breakers allow kids to eat!}. I believe some of the heath problems in this country with children is because they don't eat enough healthy snacks throughout the day. Oh well that's enough of my soap box…
I'm your newest follower!
~ Kristin
thisoldartroom.blogspot.com
I nominated you for a Liebster Award. Should you wish to accept please check out my blog post for the directions!
http://thisoldartroom.blogspot.com/2013/08/liebster-award.html
Thanks for sharing all your ideas on your blog!
~ Kristin
Love your room! My class is on Sunflower Circle. You should move there this theme is perfect for it!:)
That is too funny – it would match perfectly.
Jamie
Goodness, your room is very calming. You did a great job considering you can't hang anything. I'm kind of shocked your principal doesn't require a word wall or a concept wall. Did you buy your backpack hooks? Do you know where they came from? We're in a Junior High Building with no hooks so all of our backpacks stay on our chairs – junky. A lot of teachers want to buy hooks for them. For curtains, can you use a tension rod? You don't have to put holes in the wall for it. Or you could use a pennant/bunting and attach it with command hooks:)
Deniece
The backpack hooks were built in with the new building. We have asked about tension rods and my principal still says no to curtains, but I notice that she is starting to get a little more relaxed with it. I guess the newness of the building is wearing off. Maybe by next year I can put a few more decorations. Thanks for stopping by I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
Jamie
Your room looks great! The yellow and black look so good together. Thanks for linking up!
Swimming into Second
Thanks for taking a peek. Also thanks for hosting. I follow you all the time and you have awesome ideas. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a comment.
Jamie