Classroom Set-Up (AFTER)

Today I worked in my room for about six hours and am quite pleased with all I was able to accomplish! Here is a view of my room from the door...

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

As you can see, I got rid of the rows and made nice table groupings. I technically have five table groups (4 of six and 1 of eight) but I broke up the eight-student group into 2 fours. I created a nice whole-group meeting area on the rug for Morning Meeting and other purposes. Yippee! 

I also got my cursive alphabet letters up along with a couple bulletin boards...

The first board is to the right of my chalkboard (yes...I have a chalkboard) and will display academic language. Table cubbies are resting on the bookshelf below to keep the desks clear for meetings  taking place in my room this week. The second board is to the left of my whiteboard. I'm not quite sure what I will display here yet. My intent was to have a place to display student work (specifically, writing), but do not have enough space for all students. I'll have to use another wall for that! P.S. Can you guess my theme? ;-)

I moved my teacher desk to the back corner and created an "about me" space on the wall. I have my days of the week organizer from Lakeshore on the counter to help me plan out my week. This is a MUST-HAVE in my opinion. The folders that come in the set are plastic and extremely durable to last multiple years. This system helps you avoid the dreadful, "Where are my copies?!?" in the middle of a lesson. 

I am planning on getting some fabric to cover all of my bookshelves. I really like the "no clutter" look. On the left I have my "teacher books" as well as some privacy folders. My mentor teacher who taught second grade asked a parent to cut the boards in half (from Lakeshore). You get double the boards and can still see students' faces. In sixth grade I may have to improvise, as my students will be much taller and likely able to see right over the boards. I plan on doing a lot of project-based  assessments, however, so we will see! 

On the right side of the bookcase I have things for the "Student Store." I will be handing out tickets for displaying character, bringing Box Tops, and going "above and beyond." The students will trade in these tickets for small prizes. The tickets will go into the giant pink crayon bank I got at Target in the dollar section ($3.00). So far there are pencils, pencil cases, erasers, stickers, mini notebooks, and jumping frogs for prizes. Of course, each will have a different cost! (Something like this.)

Although I'm exhausted and ready to watch some Netflix, I'm happy with the progress I made and look forward to a couple days off as my room is used for administrative meetings! :-)

Have any questions or comments? Feel free to write them below!