Writing Center

Here is my writing center...it has crayons, markers, colored pencils, stencils, letter stamps, beginning sound stamps...and all kinds of fun paper for the children to use. There is a shelf to the right of this table that holds quite a few of the supplies. I also added my scissor stand...an idea I originally found on Pinterest.

This is how I store stamps for the children to use for beginning sound stamping...I found this tool caddy at the thrift store. The drawers have dividers, so I have two letter sounds per drawer. These stamps are just the "picture" stamps. I have all of the letters in another tool caddy on the shelf to the right.

I made a cute label for the top of the container!

To begin the year, I put my ABC bottle and a popcorn bottle with the children's names in it. They color the letter or the name when they find it in the bottle. It's an easy activity for them and it's a good way to introduce them to the center. They can, of course, also do "free" writing there if they want to.

Thanks for looking and have a super day!

Classroom Tour 2011

Hello! Well, school starts Monday...and I think my room is ready. There is always something to work on...we could be there 24/7 doing school work! But, I am pleased with my room and excited to meet my new class. Here are a few more photos:

This is the view as you enter my classroom. To the very left is my writing center (you can just see the chairs and part of the table in this picture.) I have a very small classroom and need to be efficient about using my space. 

                                                This the view from the opposite corner.

This is my computer center. I have 3 MacBooks for student use. I use iTunes for my listening center at this table as well.

This is a picture of my "games" center. I have board games as well as handmade learning games.

Right next to that is my ABC center. Right now it has letter matching activities, alphabet puzzles, letter magnets, and an old computer keyboard to practice letter recognition. I made those "munchers" a few years ago, but they are still in great shape and the kids love using them.

I have my helpers chart hanging on the back of my file cabinet, next to my desk. I change helpers every Monday.

This is the shelf that holds puzzles and to the right of that are the "building" toys like legos, lincoln logs, and Knex.

I have a few more photos to share, but it seems to be taking a long time right now, so I'll be back soon with another post on a couple of writing center activities. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

"Listening" Bulletin Board

Hello! I've been working in my classroom a little bit. Most of my bulletin boards are done. Here's a picture of my "Listening" bulletin board. I originally saw this idea on Pinterest. Here is my version. I think it's a great way to encourage children to use empathy and treat each other with kindness.

I also made some polka dot pillows for my reading area.

This is my Reading Focus Wall. The pocket charts are set up for rhyming words and letter focus. The smaller alphabet will the word wall for class names. I printed the vowel cards from Mrs. Lemon's site.

The last picture is the board where I will display the children's "Masterpieces." I know....it looks a little busy, but I think it will be ok if mat their work with black construction paper. : )

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Beginning Sound Gems

Hello! I have a FUN idea to share with you!! I saw this idea on Pinterest using large "gems" from the dollar store. It's a great way to practice sight words, so I thought why not use this same technique for other skills??? I printed small clip art pictures and letters and made beginning sound matching gems. I love the way they turned out! I still have to make a cute bag to put them in. I can just see all of the possibilities for these gems...can't you??? Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Binder Easel Cover

Hello! Since I can't get into my classroom quite yet,  I have been working on projects at home. Have you seen the cool binder easel on Little Miss Kindergarten??? I found a binder and have started collecting poems and songs to put inside. I made a cover for my binder so it looks cute when it's closed. Here it is if you are interested in printing it. I used DJ Inkers clip art.

 

Here is a picture of the completed binder. I added a piece of scrapbook paper behind the cover... it goes along with my polka dot theme. : ) Thanks for looking!

Another Pinterest Idea!

Hello! I have another idea I found on Pinterest to share with you today....it's the scissor holder made from a mug tree. I painted mine red (like the original one I saw). I am going to put it in my classroom to hold extra scissors and the "fancy" scissors the kids can use. Thanks for looking!