Classroom is ready for the arrival of 17 new students. After several long days of hard work, it has come together. I love bright colors and a cozy atmosphere. One of the biggest parts of setting up the classroom is how it will work with my classroom management plan. To ensure it is conducive for learning and function I walk through the typical school day and determine if all the supplies and seating is easily accessible. I also look at the placement of furniture and items to best meet transition needs and that flow is smooth. I have created a teacher vlog on Youtube giving a classroom tour. The video is linked below.
What student doesn't love to use special supplies? This was an idea that is not my original idea. I saw several teachers using this special VIP desk as an incentive for students to earn based off behavior or academic achievement. I put together fun supplies like Mr. Sketch markers, fun highlighters, twistable crayons, cute pencils with animal erasers, special sparkly scissors, and a metallic ruler. The big topper is the rolling chair.
Student mailboxes make it so much easier to put together folders with student work needing to be sent home. Again, I used the numbering system for students to make teacher life simpler year to year. Binder clips worked perfectly in clipping student numbers on the boxes.
Here are some of my favorite classroom elements.
Reading Nook
I couldn't let these great windows go unused for reading. This is the perfect place for students to get cozy with a book and build stamina in reading. Great lighting and comfy seating makes it an excellent reading spot!
Classroom Library
Library looks much more cohesive and clean with new library labels and uniform black baskets. Students have plenty of space to book shop and pick a just right book. Above the library is a display where students will put their work. Also to the left of the library wall is the word wall. Sight words will be displayed after introduction.
Writing Center
The writing center is where students may go to write during their center rotations in the morning. This is also where students record their writing goals and are able to go and have the supplies necessary to write creatively. The table has been dropped to the lowest level to allow students to sit on the rug for an alternative seating choice. Students also have lap desks they are allowed to take anywhere in the room to work on writing. If you would like more information on the writing center and goals, I will be doing a post and video just about this element if your interested in the near future.
Classroom Jobs & Birthdays
Students will find their weekly jobs on the side of the cabinet each week. Each student is given a student number. They can easily locate their number and find their job. Birthdays are displayed next to the calendar for easy access.
Student Organization
There are many supplies students need to complete various tasks in 2nd grade. I am big in community supplies. I believe it is an element of my classroom management that works for me. Students do not keep supplies such as: crayons, scissors, glue, pencils, erasers, and markers in their desk. I found that students have a tendency to play with those types of items, when they have them inside their desk. It also helps keep control of what can be a desk disaster. Earlier in my career when a student's desk became unbearable and needed cleaning out, I would find a dozen pencils shoved at the back of students messy desk. Pencils were always disappearing. This has helped tremendously.
I also believe students should always have a book readily available at their fingertips. This is especially important when there is any down time, such as early finishers. My sweet husband took my idea and built me a shelf to put between desks to hold students book boxes. I have used it for the past four years and still love them! It also has a cubby at the end for students to keep additional supplies needed for math.
Student Rewards and Incentives
This is my second year implementing brag tags. The students earn tags based on behavior and academic achievement. Student are awarded once a week and are allowed to wear their brag tags on Fridays. It is a big deal in my classroom.
I also had my sweet husband build me a stage during the summer for students to share their ideas and work. I added the vinyl saying to encourage students who are reluctant in sharing. I loved how it turned out.
Teacher Organization
The amount of supplies necessary to effectively teach throughout the year is evident by the containers that fill my shelves. Math requires many hands on manipulatives for students to get those concrete concepts. Social studies and science also require a lot of hands on supplies. I found that labeling my containers have saved time! There was a time that my supplies were not organized which took unnecessary time from other important things I could have been doing. What a blessing to be able to find what I need quickly and efficiently.
Student mailboxes make it so much easier to put together folders with student work needing to be sent home. Again, I used the numbering system for students to make teacher life simpler year to year. Binder clips worked perfectly in clipping student numbers on the boxes.
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