Ocean Themed Classroom

 Here are some pictures of my classroom. It of course is always a work in progress. I am always wanting to change things around and make things flow better. I did not take any pictures of the desks but I keep them in pods of 4. This allows for my cooperative learning structures that I LOVE! Every once in a while I will have a creative idea come to mind but that does not mean I don't turn to my beloved teachers and of course Pinterest for some additional help. :)




My easy bulletin board was inspired by a picture on bulletinboardideas.org. I just painted on some waves, printed out surfboards, and cut up a lay from the dollar store.

 

This is my reading library. I sorted out my books according to grade level (yes I wrote (with the help of my awesome husband and a friend) in each and every book so students know where they belong.) I know my seat crates are not the cutest ones out there but I got these crates for free (and they didn't come with the ledge) from the school cafeteria and made some fluffy pillows to put on top. The board in the background will eventually display student work.



This is my teacher desk. Behind the desk I hung up a dry erase board and a magnetic board so I can keep important information. (First week of school and it is already filled up. :) ) I also have my math board. This is where I keep track of the student's multiplication tables as well as where I will put study guides for that weeks lesson.

Instead of a traditional word wall with the alphabet I decided to do a word wall based on grammar. Since I use Fetzer strategies I color coded it to flow with the other grades.



On the left is my reading choice board. Every couple of weeks I will put out a book that the students can read. Each student will have a picture of themselves and after they finish reading a book they can either put their picture under "yes, I recommend or no, I don't recommend." On the right is my board configuration which says what we are learning each day. I chose to put up some really cute duck tape to separate each section.

 

 

On the inside of my front door I have my "Who is Where" sign. The students have to sign out every time they leave the room. On the bottom are ribbons that tell how each child is going home every day. If they change their way (which is frequent) than I will just change their clothes pin. This is a great way to let substitutes know how they are going home.

 

 

This behavior chart is quite small. When I taught younger grades this chart was large and in the center of my room. Now that I am in 4th grade I decided to make it a bit smaller. It is on the corner of my white board. I took mini Popsicle sticks and used sticky magnets to attach them. Once their names are on the sticks students will be able to move them up or down based on their behavior through out the day. (We always start out on "ready to learn")

 

 

We do a lot of AR at my school. One way I track it is by putting out a bulletin board in the hallway. Students love to see their picture move from star to star. I take pictures of the students wearing those huge sunglasses from the dollar store (they love it!) My sign says "We're so bright we have to wear shades."