After two weeks, my classroom is coming along. I haven't been staying
too late every night, but I'm excited to not stay and work on it every night (during the winter break). Although, I'm sure I'll find a ton of things to do to my classroom over break, therefore, causing me to want to stay and do things...again. ha!
So I have a lot of pictures...40 to be exact...of what my classroom currently looks like (as of last Friday). I'll break it down into separate posts. (See the before pictures
here.)
Here are the changes:
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| I broke up the 3 long "tables" into 5 tables. |
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| I moved the showcase bookshelf (that was being used in a strange way previously) to the library area, for proper use. |
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| The biggest issue for me to begin with was the bookshelf. After closer inspection, there were books for high school students and preschoolers...quite a range. I got rid of all of the inappropriate books and basketed the rest (I know, I made up that word). I haven't categorized them yet. I have a wonderful parent who is purchasing a ton of books for our classroom, so once I receive them all, I'll categorize. |
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| I bought the cardboard magazine boxes from IKEA. I categorized folders by subject (math, writing, social studies, science). |
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| My language arts focus wall looks so much better now. It's still needing some organizational work (and is blank now because of change of content), but I'll get it there soon enough. =] |
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| Hello behavior clip chart. Love it. Students can go up or down. I didn't like the behavior system that was already in place (flipping cards) because I didn't like that all students start on green and can't "improve". There are some kids that make great examples - starting work without being told, coming into the room from recess and sitting quietly while reading, etc. - and they deserve recognition. More about this later. (I got this idea from Sunny Days in Second Grade.) |
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| More magazine boxes. These hold small white boards, dry erase markers, and mini erasers. We use these for math. |
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| Still going to tear down that ugly red (terribly placed) paper along the bottom of the board. I think I may do that tomorrow. |
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| We cleaned out their cubbies and now we only use them for papers they're going to take home with them. Nothing else goes in there. |
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| And my Thirty-One Organizational Utility Tote...in love. I take it with me to school on Monday, and home on Friday. I store things in the file throughout the week that I need to take home. I have everything with me that I need when I go home for the weekend. And when I come back on Monday, I have everything organized for the week. (The plastic open-top file box (the medium size) is from The Container Store.) |
Tomorrow I'll be posting part 2. Come back and see more, if you're interested. =]
I LOVE your organizing utility tote idea! I can't explain how helpful that would have been during student teaching last year. If I ever get a teaching job, I'm so using that! Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's looking awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing! You've done a great job! Can't wait to see more pictures. BTW, I love that tote! I think I need to get one. I currently use any old bag or my cart. I just took it to school this morning and bring it home each Friday to get ready for the week.
ReplyDeleteI need to look into getting one of those!
I love the idea of the Thirty One bag, and I am trying to do the same. BUT..i can't find a file box that will fit in it, do you mind telling me where you got yours?
ReplyDeleteYou can get a file box from Office Max. I brought my bag in to the store so I could try them out.
DeleteAmber
amber.langerman@gmail.com
@ Anonymous - The file box I have is from The Container Store. It's the only one I've found that will fit inside perfectly. Here's the link: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10029415&N=&Ns=p_price_sort%7C0&Ntt=file
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Thank you! PS--I love your blog!! So many great and interesting tips and ideas!
ReplyDeleteWhitney from Louisiana
I'm a first year teacher as well! I teach high school special education. :) I found your blog today and have really enjoyed reading it! You are much more organized than I am...but I try!
ReplyDeleteI use "magazine holders" too - except I got mine from walmart when they were selling back to school stuff - they throw out the boxes so they let you take them for free!! You should check them out next year!
Brie @ Breezy Pink Daisies
This is such a great idea! I'm a new follower of your cute blog!
ReplyDelete✿ Kaleigh's Klassroom
I love your blog! And I love that bag! Can I ask where you got it?
ReplyDeleteThe bag is the organizing utility tote from Thirty-One. http://bit.ly/wHsVyy
ReplyDeleteA simple replacement for the magazine boxes.... wine boxes. haha If you drink wine from a box... they are SUPER sturdy (and free, of course). Just cut off the handles and cut the corner at an angle. Cover in contact paper or colored paper... or I use wrapping paper so I can specify season (I'm a music teacher).
ReplyDeleteJust an idea for you!
I ordered one of the Organizing Utility Totes last weekend, and I can't wait to start using it! Thanks for the excellent idea!
ReplyDeleteI really want to use the organizing tote idea as well, but the link to the container store goes to the page where all three sizes are. The closest store to me is 86 miles away. :-( Do you happen to know if your open top box is the small, medium, or large?
ReplyDeleteThanks~!
Can you tell me the exact name of the file organizer you put in the bag? I looked on the container store website and can not find it. A item number would be even better. Thanks
ReplyDeleteKimmysaul39@gmail.com
I loved your bag!I just ordered mines along with the large tote that was on sale for $10.00. I am so excited and just hope that it is delivered while my hubby is at work.
ReplyDeleteShe uses the MEDIUM size. She says it on the pinterest link.
ReplyDeleteI just ordered my thirty something bag on eBay for $10.00. I got the file from the Container Store, and I even found hanging file folders that matched my bag! Thank you for this amazing idea!!!
ReplyDeleteI've soooooooooooo been wanting to use my Thirty-One utility tote for this! Thank you so much for posting the link to the Container Store! Purchasing one TONIGHT!!!
ReplyDeleteWhich size of the Utility tote is this? I was looking on line and saw that there were several different sizes.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Mary
msampson@wacoisd.org
Love your idea of the utility tote with the files inside! I saw it on pinterest and my friend is having a 31 party that closes tomorrow so I'm ordering one in "Minty Chip"!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have the same bag and found a container at Target.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of container did you get at target?
ReplyDeleteIt is a clear bin by Itso, it fits perfectly in the thirty one bag. I found it in the area with storage containers.
ReplyDeleteThanks I will look for it at target
DeleteSo I realized that I've been responding to everyone's questions via email...hence why I keep receiving the same questions.
ReplyDeleteThe file box - as stated in the post - is from The Container Store. It's called "plastic open-top file box" and is the medium size. It can be found here: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10029415&N=&Ns=p_price_sort%7C0&Ntt=file
Anonymous - Thanks for letting us know that they have boxes at Target that fit. A year ago I couldn't find one in a local store anywhere that would fit.
Great looking classroom. However, stop taking all that work home. If you are going to last in the teaching profession you need to keep home and school separated. After 13 years this is how, I keep my sanity and I think it makes you a better spouse and teacher. Moderation.
ReplyDeleteLove the discipline and the organization thirty one bag!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! Love your tote idea! Thank you...it has saved my life! Looking for anything that will make this first year go smoothly! :)
ReplyDeleteDo you happen to have the labels (for the 31 tote file) already typed out to share?? I am terrible and typing labels.
ReplyDeleteI'm a teacher and Thirty-One Consultant. I use the Organizing Utility Tote for files as well. I bought a file crate from Office Depot for about $7. I've also seen ones that fit at Staples. I took my bag in to the store to make sure it fit properly since some are too, tall and make it difficult to carry. Great bag for teachers!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the best way to order a bag? Can you act as a constant to anyone???
DeleteJamie can you give me some information on the cost of the tote shown and how I could order one of those...Lois Davidson
ReplyDeletemontyd@ipa.net
I am using your tote idea this year and I mention it on my blog tomorrow. I've linked directly back to you. I'm a brand new blogger, so come on by if you want. I'd love any constructive criticism you might have. I love your blog and I love what you do in your classroom. Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteBri
I'm on the same page as Amanda^^^^
ReplyDelete"Do you happen to have the labels (for the 31 tote file) already typed out to share?? I am terrible and typing labels."
PLEASE SHARE! Thanks!! :)
3rd grade "not so good at labels" teacher! ;)
The labels were typed out using a label maker, not my computer, so I don't have them to share. Sorry!
DeleteJust an FYI - you can get those totes at Michael's craft store (same one!) for $12 (just use a coupon)! Mine is black and I LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I have just found your blog thanks to some lovely people who are part of the Philofaxy community posting a link to your blog on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI am a Teacher myself and LOVE what you have done with your classroom! I thing the behaviour clips are a fab idea and I love your bag/filing system! I am in the UK but am going to see what I can find over here!
Some very exciting ideas thank you! :)