You always say you forget how much they don’t know once they come to Kindergarten, but you really don’t forget until they come in the first day and it’s like the zoo released for the day.
Stars.
Needless to say, I have been a bit preoccupied for the rest of teacher week! I am going to try try and squeeze Tuesday-Thursday in to one smaller post for ya. I had my room all put together and cutified ready to show off! Then, open house and back to school got the best of my blog. Sorry peeps.
Here is some of my room! I am so excited to have my carpet in the middle (you heard me right) of the room. It feels much more like a community. The K classroom revolves around the rug. We do more than half of our day there. It should be the center of the room! It just took some adjusting on my part.
This picture is my reading table (my Dad built me that amazing shelf that is behind the reading table…so nice to have a handy pops!)
I’m in love with my new rug in the home living center from Big Lots. $16 for that bad boy. Then of course, my sweet little library. It’s actually a bit ridiculous for a classroom, but Amazon and I have a great relationship 🙂
Part of this post is to show you part of my classroom, but it also has some secret organizational tips.
Obviously, I’ve got my pinterest crate seats there at my reading table. You do not want to know how much “stuff” is in those babies. I did a post a last January on how to make them. If you didn’t make them this summer, maybe Christmas (unless you are a superhero teacher and can do it in a weekend during BTS)?
The other organizational tip is for your library. I have to organize my books in three different ways.
First, by level. All students need to be able to read books that are “just right” for them.
Second, I have books by themes. For example…insect books, weather books, Star Wars, sports, etc…
My last set of baskets is by author.
I found some great book labeling systems on TpT.
I don’t really have one I like better than any other. I made my own for the authors and then also purchased the Classroom Chevron Themed Bundle Set from Cupcake because I had to chevron my everything this year…apparently.
I can admit I have a chevron problem because you do too.
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All about management.
Right.
So here’s what I’ve been working with on the first two days.
Mind you, I’ve only had half of my kids each day.
They alllll will be there tomorrow.
I use my “Good Work” board and it has always been a hit. Keeping my fingers crossed it remains the same way this year and we don’t have to do any crazy behavior plans and all that mess. MusicMis
I always let the kids come in the door on “Good Work”. If they have a good day, they get to stay there. If they do something extra like help a friend or go above and beyond, they may get a “WOW”. This is a trip to the treasure box after 3 “Wow” days, so it’s a pretty big deal when you get to move your clip there.
Hand signals have always been implemented. I had to change some of my hand signs this year because 1. I was getting bored and 2. I had to have chevron to match.
I have four rules in the classroom, you can only see two of them here, but if you are interested you can click to grab them for free if you are looking for something!
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I am also going to be using Heidi Songs this year to work on Classroom Management. My best teaching bud next door recommended that we all try it so I am diving in with it!
It’s always better to have them up and moving as much as possible.
Especially in the beginning 🙂
Hope you all are having a fabulous week!
Just found your blog! Just want to let you know your links are broken! 🙁
Thanks for letting me know! I think I’ve fixed it!
Looks great girl! Good luck tomorrow! 🙂
Nicki
Mrs. Thigpen’s Kindergarten
I was thinking of buying some of heidisongs DVD’s. I wanted the letters & sounds one to jazz up teaching those. I am curious to hear how you like the management one. I might have to get that one too. 🙂
Amanda
Mrs. Pauley’s Kindergarten