(Enjoy it, it's the cleanest my desk will look all year!)
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A few more plants for the classroom, and I'll be happy.
~Here's a list of safe and poisonous plants to review before you purchase greenery for your classroom... VERY important info since some kindergarten students are still *oral* when school starts, putting lots of non-food-items into their mouths.
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I'm baking Kissing Hands today- head over to Mrs. Fischer's Kindergarten Theme page for more ideas on how to use this special story on the first day of school!
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I hope you have a WONDERFUL start to the school year!
I enjoyed looking at the pictures of your room. Thanks for sharing. It looks like you put all your stuff out in your centers to star the year. Do you cover any or somehow make them not available until you introduce them? I have all mine open but have heard of many teachers only having basics out the first few weeks.I love the blue bulletin boards it gives your room a sense of continuity. I hope your kissing hand cookies turn out ok. I may try that this year! Again, you inspire me!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like the photos!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I set out five to eight full centers (depending on the number of students I have in my class) each year in order to make sure I catch every student's interest. Some kiddos are so fearful and nervous about kindergarten, but they see the Lego table or the dollhouse and they relax. Others enjoy painting, or want to play dress up. Still others want to listen to stories with headphones on, tuning out the other noise. I look for *anything* to calm the kids, to give them something to look forward to- because I'm not always *it*.
I'm still a stranger to the students, and even if parents have told them all summer long things like "oh, you're going to LOVE your kindergarten teacher, yadda yadda yadda," there's a chance that a student WON'T. Students need to take ownership of their classroom, and feel as if they belong while they build a relationship with me and their peers. Finding something that interests them early on helps me in that arena.
Yep, it can be a lot to clean up, and I go home every afternoon of the first week of school exhausted. But when kids skip back into my classroom on Monday morning, greeting me with a cheerful "hello," relaxed yet eager to participate in whatever I have planned, it is all worth it!
:)
Wow, what a great room. I have a TINY classroom, and I fantasize about having that much space! You have done an amazing job getting your room organized and ready. I'm really impressed. I will definitely be using these photographs for ideas and inspiration as I go back to work (a little more than a week from now!).
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS CLASSROOM! CAN I COME BACK TO KINDER!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos & I might just be mailing Zachary to you for kindergarten!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I called dibs on Zachary anyway, didn't I? :) Send him up!
ReplyDeleteSo glad the rest of you liked the photos too- hopefully they convey a safe, interesting, creative environment that will motivate my students year 'round.
Yes, the space is wonderful, and my room was almost fully equipped when I opened the door for the first time. This district certainly gives its students a lot to work with.
Hope you all have a wonderful year- and keep dropping by- I've got some posts ready in the queue for Monday and Tuesday, and have photographed Kissing Hands, my gifts for my colleagues, etc., to post on Wednesday.
Aww man. A teaser, now we have to keep checking! :) Can't Wait!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I stumbled across your blog through several others (just love checking links!) I'm so jealous of your beautiful classroom! I teach kindergarten in Chicago, and my classroom is literally less than 1/4 the size of yours. We have no bathroom, I have 30 students and NO assistant! Again, sooo jealous! :) Have a great school year!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of your room how big and spacious it is! Love all the natural light!
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