Like last year, I opted for the visual weight of the dark blue paper for my bulletin boards, put up some eye-catching coconut trees inspired by Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, arranged my centers and desks for maximum efficiency, safety, flow and fun, and even set out crayons, scissors, beginning of the year stories, and some stuffed storytime companions.
Here's the view from my desk and reading table (we're looking across the students' desks to the math board- counting coconuts 1-10- and the word wall, which is bare except for uppercase and lowercase letters):
...here's the view from the front door, looking toward the back of my room where "circle" and story time occur:
Next to the word wall toward "circle" area is our first language/literacy display board, and it's all about colors:
Some special story time friends:
...and our calendar, weather chart, and months and days:
Here's the art center, just waiting for some terrific artwork to keep the coconut tree company:
Books ready to to be enjoyed:
...and crayons and scissors (glue and pencils will be supplied by students in a few weeks)!
Super Stars, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, I'm So Glad You're in MY Room!
Your room looks wonderful! I know your students will love it because it looks like a place even I would want to go! :)
ReplyDeleteGood job on your classroom. One of my favorite things when I taught was setting up the classroom for a fresh new year. Love your Chicka Tree.
ReplyDeleteWow, from the looks of these photos, your classroom is at least 4 times the size of mine. :( (and, NO, that is NOT an exaggeration.) Looks great, which only makes me more jealous! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt really is a large room, but not the largest I've had- take a look through last year's classroom set-up photos to see pics of the cabinetry and storage. What I haven't photographed is a shared bookroom/storage closet I share with my next-door colleague and the shared sun room that gives access to the outdoors and our own set of student bathrooms. In the smaller rooms I've taught in, I've had to keep many of my materials in storage, rotating them in and out seasonally from home as needed. Class size certainly affects my organization and number of centers I offer (in this room students don't have to work at their desks during center time, but certainly they could if you don't have the room elsewhere for them to do so) as well as decor. Stapleboards and well-defined areas, no matter the size, seem to keep the flow of activities running smoothly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful room. And large. Mine is so small...and we have restrictions on what we can put on the walls due to fire codes. Only one bulletin board. : ( And limited storage space.
ReplyDeleteStill an inspiration to see what can be done...
WOW! What a wonderful and fun room you've created. I've been thinking about teaching kindergarten for a while now, your blog only makes me want it that much more! Thanks for sharing everything!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog, and I absolutely adore it! I, too, am a kindergarten teacher. This coming year will be my third year, and I have done Chicka Chicka Boom Boom trees with a jungle theme for the past two years (rotating it with other stuff as the year progresses just like you). I have a feeling we think a lot alike. I'm bookmarking this site and will look to you for future inspiration! This year, my classroom theme is dogs. I'm not ready to go put it up like you already are, but I have started working on projects and am really excited. Way to go on a superb blog!
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