My Classroom

  This was my classroom back in February when I first started in 2nd. Not much going on, but let me tell you...it was as grey and dull before I put a few touches on the walls. I wanted to use the accordian door for something, so I decided on my word wall. It is great space and at this time the other 2nd grade teacher couldn't open the door because of her bookshelves. The word wall lasted a couple of weeks and then I decided to move it to the huge bulletin board at the back of the classroom (blue and yellow). I moved the guided reading table to the front of the room (table with the tablecloth) because it was right in the away of everything. My first two projects when I came in February were my daily 5 chart and the what to do chart. Needless to say, I didn't wind up using either of them. Although, I do plan on actually using the what to do chart next year. I wound up doing daily 5 on a checklist on a clipboard, which was much easier and let me track what the students did all week.

It was extremely hard coming into a classroom in February and not having any time to decorate my room with a lot of thought. That is why I am looking forward to next year so much. I have all summer to work on my projects, thanks to many bloggers and Pinterest.

What I love about my classroom:

• the accordian door! Towards the end of the year the other second grade teacher and I made room to open this door and it was so helpful. It's nice to have when you have to run out to the bathroom or have to make a last minute copy. With no TA's/aids in my room, it was difficult to function everyday.
• my Promethan board! It is such an awesome teaching tool. Don't know how I ever taught without one!
• lots of cabinets and a pretty decent sized closet! Helps me to organize and keep things out of the way of the students.

What I need to learn to live with in my classroom:

• bathroom! Although, I used to think this was a good thing, I now wish it was not in my room. Needless to say, there is a student in there every minute of the day.
• How do I plan to live with it? I bought an open/closed sign from Lowes. Students are only going to be able to use it at certain times of the day.
• no wall space! The wall space I actually have is located in the most useless spots. The walls are painted brick, which also makes it hard to hang things. The teacher in the room before me used hot glue, so I guess I will try that next year. My huge bulletin board is located at the back of the classroom, behind the computer counters and my desk. Problem is, I cannot move either one. My computer has to be plugged in in the back, so moving my desk isn't an option. And I thought about doing away with my desk, but I just don't think I can.
• How do I plan to live with it? Cry and complain until someone builds me a new classroom...just kidding! I will just have to continue to find amazing ideas on other blogs, especially clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com!
• it's just too small! I had 22 students this year and the space in my room for desks is soo limited. It is hard to come up with different desk arrangements and I cannot isolate a student when they need to have their own space.
• How do I plan to live with it? Again...Cry and complain until someone builds me a new classroom...just kidding! I will just have to continue to find amazing ideas on other blogs, especially clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com!