[twopetes]

I'd like to see some pictures of everyone's classrooms to see how creative you are & maybe it might spark my creativity. I am thinking of an American Idol/Music theme but I'm still not settled. I was also thinking about a safari theme...I really can't decide. Hopefully, you guys can help me out.

[conolley]

I'd love to see some too! ; )

[Wrigley]

http://images.schoolinsites.com/SiSF...007-2008_2.wmv

[JulieP]

I am so JEALOUS at how large everyone's rooms are!!! My room is more like a wide, short hallway. It's about HALF the size of the one in the pics. I wish I could do my reading library center again!

[NCP]

Here are last years pictures:
07-08 School Year

And here are this year's. I am just starting on my room for this year. My hubby came in and helped me move the big stuff so I wouldn't do it my self in the fall when I am 8 months pregnant. I still need to do all my boards and tweak a little bit.

08-09 School Year

[conolley]

I hope this link works... This was from last year - My first! I have to say, I have a beautiful, peaceful view outside my windows!

PS-- I teach third grade.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...b1&id=17004815

[TLL]

Thanks so much for sharing. So what work stations do you use..could you list them? Thanks!

[marie1234]

I love your pictures! What are the colorful posters around the top of the room? Also, what type of system do you do for your writing center? I noticed a pocket chart on one of the closet doors....it may not even be for wriitng. Thanks

[Weezer]

I will attach several pics of my last year's room. I did the monkey theme. This is my reading area. We called it the Howler Hut.

[Weezer]

another pic

[Weezer]

This is my behavior board. I use a money system with my class. If rules are broken they must move their tack. They get paid based on behavior, grades, responsibility. They can shop every other Monday.

[Weezer]

Jobschange each week

[Weezer]

pic of my door

[Weezer]

This is a view from my door. I had 22 students this year. I teach 3rd grade.

[Weezer]

This is where my guidedreading groups take place.

[MrsCroak]

i apologize if these pictures are huge...i'm not sure how to fix that.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dpw...htmz89dg&hl=en

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dpw...fq535r4d&hl=en

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dpw...gtrqtchf&hl=en



i do believe you need a gmail email address to see pictures. if you would like a gmail address, i can send invitations for you to open one. just let me know your email address.

[andreea75]

weezer - those pics are awesome!

i'm so jealous because everyone seems to be able to hang things from ceilings, have stuffed animals and plants in their rooms. We had to stop all of that 2 years ago - no fun at all!! (apparently hanging things from ceilings sets off the motion sensor alarm, stuffed animals collect dust and lice, and plants bring little bugs)

mrs.croak - i have a gmail account but it said that i didn't have access to that document.

[TeachAbroad]

An American Idol/Music theme is a great idea. I might think about that idea for next year, too!!

[tshae]

emmbuedgmail.com

Thanks!

[hmccourtie]

I am jealous of all of you. I share my small classroom with a church that uses if a few times during the week, and this year so much of my stuff was messed with or destroyed by kids not being watched during church activities. It really makes me not want to spend a lot of time on a theme or decorating.

[conolley]

Thanks for your comments! ; ) The posters by the top are our math vocab for state assessments. You can walk into pretty much 3-5 classroom around this area and find those posters in some form around the room (several coworkers have them on the ceiling because they take up so much space). The pockets on the door were for library cards and library book marks. As for a writing center, *sigh*, I was bad this year and really didn't do one. We did some form of writing each day, but it was more project based and not really a center.

[jo]

Your room is beautiful! It is really inviting! How did you hang your monkeys from the ceiling? Did you use fishing line and staple to the monkey?

[momx4]

I would like one: becky.baconcox.net
Thanks,
Becky

[MrsCroak]

anyone who requests my pictures through gmail can see them when i check my email (i just click to approve you).

does anyone know how i get to post pictures here? it is not an option when i'm posting. i know i'm a junior member but I do not see an attachment section. THANKS!

[camp823]

Where did you get your "hut" over your reading center? Cute idea!

[Weezer]

I used fishing wire and looped it through plastic clothes pins that had a hole it the top. I just clip my monkeys to them.

[Weezer]

I got my hut at Big Lots. It was $40!!!!!

[bshelton]

Here is a series of picture from my classroom last year. Our school wanted academic vocabulary walls which I turned into "Power Word Walls." I taught 5th grade last year, but I am going down to 3rd next year and I am planning on doing a themed room for the first time. I'm leaning towards a camping theme This first picture is of my science wall.

[bshelton]

I always have my writing rubric up and the students and I define each part as we go along.

[bshelton]

Here are the science power words for the unit we were studying at the time.

[bshelton]

This chart is the size of a regular poster board. I take the student's pictures at the beginning of the year and then put their name and class number at the bottom so it's easy to refer back to (I also leave these pics out for subs to refer to when I'm gone). I then put velcro squares on the back of the pictures and the poster board. It works great and the poster has held up all year long.

[bshelton]

I use my math wall as a resource wall. It changes depending on what we're studying.

[bshelton]

Here is the book report and writing wall. I use choice charts for my students with monthly book reports. Along the edges are the book report and reading groups for easy reference and along the top are the writing trait posters given to us by our district.

[bshelton]

I have a central location where students can access the tools they may need for activities and projects during class. I tell the students to remember to return the tools their proper home

[bshelton]

I use the Santa Maria Bonita district website for Houghton Mifflin vocabulary for each story. Then all of my students have a visual with each word.

[dtrabilsy]

Here are the pictures to our dugout!! I love seeing everyone's classrooms!!!

http://www.woodridge68.org/education...ndetailid=3652

[MrsCroak]

still trying to figure out adding an attachment. until then, photobucket works.

here is a picture of my word wall:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...8/100_1694.jpg

here is a picture of my data wall (required by district):
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...8/100_1869.jpg

here are two pictures of my classroom library:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...8/100_1867.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...8/100_1866.jpg

[jourdansmom97]

Can anyone share with me the idea behind the Chica Chica Boom Boom tree? I saw it in one of the classrooms and I would love to make one for my room. It is so CUTE!!!

[jourdansmom97]

MrsCroak~

Specifically what do you use the wonderful pocket charts for? They look great on your wall. I have been trying to find some like that forever. Do you remember where you got those?

[marie1234]

Great pictures! I noticed that you had a trapezoid shaped table for your reading groups...what grade do you teach, and how many students are you able to fit around that table during a group? I had a round table last year, but there never seemed to be enough room. I thought about buying a trapezoid table...just curious. Thanks

[dtrabilsy]

I can get about 6 kids around the table with myself.

Years ago these tables were used as our computer tables in our computer lab. They would put two of these together and get 6 computers around them. Since then we have changed the configuration of our computer lab so the teachers were able to take them for their classrooms.

[marie1234]

What grade do you teach?

[CageyBee]

NCP...love your tree...is it freestanding? How did you make it?

[charya824]

It's so cool to see other people's classrooms. I'm new to PT, but I'm already addicted. Thanks for sharing!

Here are some links to some of my pictures. I just realized that there are no pics of my classroom setup without the kids, so I'm just posting pictures of stuff that's on my walls and some of the big books we made. There's two albums on each link.

www.myclassroom.shutterfly.com

www.classbooks.shutterfly.com


(hope the links work)

[MrsCroak]

I actually got the pocket charts from a donor on donorschoose.org, but they are from School Specialty. Here is a link to the catalog I got them from:

http://catalogs.schoolspecialty.com/...l.asp?page=701

they are a little more than 30 bucks each, and i neede three because every year my class size can fluctuate between 16 and 33, so i wanted to make sure i had enough pockets.

when my students finish a book that they really like, they check it back into the library, and then they put it in their pocket. when a student checks out a book, they are free to look in someone else's pocket for a recommendation and check out that book. Originally, I had them writing these titles down for their friends to see, but I found that not many of them were going to the board to look for recommendations.

[Weezer]

My daughter made a chicka chicka boom boom tree by using large coffee cans. She kept the lids on them and painted them brown. She staked them on top of eachother to make the trunk and the top one did not have a lid. She attached the green leaves to the top. It was really cute because the magnetic letters stuckto the tree. It was one of her centers in herclassroom.

[dtrabilsy]

I teach 4th grade.

[BookMuncher]

Your book people are ADORABLE!!! Could you tell us a little more about them? Did they write a title of one favorite book onthe cover? What did they write on the outside?

[charya824]

We did this sometime during the first month of school (1st grade). On the inside, they just had to tell something about their reading lives: who they read with, when, where, etc. On the front, they drew their favorite book or kind of book. So some wrote a title and some just drew a topic, like dinosaurs for example.

[BookMuncher]

That's terrific! I love it as a beginning of the year/reading identity thing. Thanks for sharing!

[NCP]

For the tree stump I used a carpet roll tube my friend gave me. She got it from a carpet store.

My husband made me a base out of a 1" x 12"x 6" (approximately) piece of wood. He nailed a 2x4 onto the top of the board standing straight up and then put two smaller 2x4's flat along the side of the standing board. The 2x4 stands about 2 1/2 feet high off the board. Then we slipped the tube over the top.

For the leaves I had an old umbrella I took the fabric off of and we used butcher paper to make them. We glued them onto the ribs of the umbrella and then made a top piece. The umbrella handle just slips right into the top of the tube.

Hope this helps!

[CageyBee]

How clever! Loved the umbrella idea. Hmm, I guess I'm baking this weekend and every weekend to get my DH to build me one. Thanks for the info.

[kellihenry]

How did you make the books in the first link? They have what looks like scrapbook paper on the folded edges. I love them and would like to try to make them.
Your pics are great as well as everyone else's. I have loved looking at them.
Thanks!

Your pictures are great, charya824!

I love the way you incorporate the student's work into your anchor charts with their drawings and writing!

Thanks for sharing!

[PPCDTeacher]

I just really love everyone's fantastic classrooms!I am getting great ideas. I'm so glad to learn the different ways of making a tree.

[charya824]

I'm not sure, but I think you're asking about the poetry anthologies? I got scrap book paper and cut in in halves. Then I pasted two pieces of 8.5x11" white cardstock on top of it (so the edges of the cardstock meet in the middle of the scrapbook paper, fold the top and bottom of the scrapbook paper down after). Then I used 11x17" paper and a long arm stapler to make the inside pages inside. I just thought it would be really pretty to have patterned paper to keep the coverstock together, kind of like binding tape.

I hope you decide to try it too!

[conniere06]

Check out Beth Newingham's webiste. Click on her second bulletin board next to the gumball machine. This will enlarge the pic and show you cute pics of her kids to the theme.

[Ga Peach]

When I made my tree several years ago. I too used a carpet tube. Carpeting stores will be glad to help although they might look at you like you're crazy.
I put mine in a large flowerpot full of plaster. I don't and didn't have a husband or a man in my life that could help me.

I used an umbrella as well. I didn't take the fabric off. I just cut huge paper leaves (bulletin board paper) and taped them on. The paper was free since I could get it at school.

The only out of pocket cost was the pot and the plaster.

Good Luck!

[MrsCroak]

for anyone interested, ikea sells a large leaf for children's rooms. i'm sure the umbrella idea is cheaper but i thought i would share:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60054636

[Jen72386]

Mrs Croak, where did you get those great book bins???

[kamehameha]

I went with a jungle theme a few years ago because of the amounts of things that were available at stores: target, teacher stores, disney, walmart--that is where I got the fabric. Jungle stuff was everywhere.

Here are pictures of my room: http://www.emsisd.com/10332066134568...BCOB=0&C=53525

[cool2read]

is awesome! How long ago did you buy it from big lots?

[MrsCroak]

i got the bins at dollar tree. i saw them on the shelf and bought them all! the technical term is locker box. two have snapped at the handle with too many books, but i bought extra!

[Jen72386]

Mrs. Croak~ Wow! Awesome! I will be on the look out at the Dollar tree for these or something similar

[PPCDTeacher]

I am just loving everyone's classrooms. I want to see more though!

Here is one of mine from a few years ago.

[PPCDTeacher]

Oops...why didn't that work? Let me t ry again...I think I forgot to click upload.

[PPCDTeacher]

This is a close up view. I teach special ed self contained 3,4,and 5 year olds btw.

[PPCDTeacher]

OK last one... apparently I have a limit of 1 upload per post. This is my circle time wall.

[BookMuncher]

Love the light covers. Can you tell us about them?

[Weezer]

I bought the hut last year right before school started.

[iteachkidz]

Here's my room from last year. I'm changing schools right now, so my new room isn't ready yet.
http://ecboe.schoolwires.net/2120206515401937/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=59939&2120206 515401937Nav=|318|&NodeID=318

[PPCDTeacher]

The light covers are from the Abilitations catalogue. They are great. Come in 3 different colors. They help my kids stay calmer because they block the flickering flourescent light. A lot of specail ed kids (and teachers too) have problems with the light. They also give the room a nice glow . People are always saying how calm my room is.
http://www.abilitations.com/

[camp823]

PPCD Teacher- I went to the website but had trouble finding them. What are they called? I have used bulletin board paper and I too noticed that the kids were calmer. I would love to have actual light covers instead of having to cut down the paper to fit. Thanks.

[#1class]

A co worker has a tree and she uses the carpet tubing...
she has a Christmas tree stand for the base. She had to fold in some of the tube but it works great for her. She has used it for years.

[iluv3rd]

year and used lots of Beth Newingham and Amanda Maddens ideas. I'll try to add some photos. The door... Says "Looks Who Popping Into Third Grade." Most of these photos are from before school started and don't really capture the feeling of the room. It is so much more vibrant with little people and their ideas and work included! I also now realize I didn't take photos of some key areas. I like to document what I do in case I need to refresh my memory if I want to do something again. I loved the front of my desk. It said, "We're Getting Rave Reviews" and is where I posted the schoolwide behavior incentive awards. I also had a word wall and used Hollywood Walk of Fame stars and titled it "Hollyword Wall."

[iluv3rd]

Here is another one. This is a terrible shot of my literacy board. It said "Setting the Stage for Literacy." I would post the different areas of focus for reading, writing and grammar.

[iluv3rd]

Library view 1...

[iluv3rd]

Library view 2... These two photos only show the fiction chapter books. My picture books and non-fiction are in long, low cases that run under the whiteboard.

[iluv3rd]

Information board...

[iluv3rd]

Calendar math...

[iluv3rd]

and hung it outside my door.

[CageyBee]

Originally Posted by ilove3rd

Here is another one. This is a terrible shot of my literacy board. It said "Setting the Stage for Literacy." I would post the different areas of focus for reading, writing and grammar.

Love the theater curtain! Did you make it or buy it?

[traveler123]

I just completed setting up my classroom, and I really think it looks like a home now. We have two couches, a nice wooden rotating bookshelf (as well as 6 large wooden bookshelves), comfortable seating, nice curtains, and carpet made out of 100% recycled coke bottles. Check it out!

http://www.bar.rcs.k12.tn.us/teacher...classtour.html

I have included a virtual tour with commentary, as well as 6 photos.

[iluv3rd]

of a bulletin board set. I don't remember the exact one but it had movie related stuff. It would be easy to make though.

[SusanTeach]

Here are pics of my jungle theme, if that helps. Scroll down to #41, 42, 43, and 44. There are other links on that thread, so you can see other classrooms as well!:

http://www.proteacher.net/discussion...classroom+pics

[MrsCroak]

loved the virtual tour. can you explain the shoe cubbies?

[traveler123]

My students bring in comfortable house shoes or flip flops for the classroom. It is not required but the majority swap their shoes out in the morning. It just makes students feel more at home, and it keeps our carpet clean (although it is pretty resistant to any kind of dirt).

[teacher4]

I love your big room and the set up. I would love to have two couches and chairs. How did you get the stuffed animals to stay on the bulletin board? Your room is homey and welcoming. Loev it!!!

[traveler123]

I'm in a portable, so everything sticks on our walls easily with velcro, push-pins, or staples. I just used push-pins for the stuffed animals. I haven't had one fall off yet (in over a year). I will be adding my word versions for the boards soon, if you are interested.

And, the room is smaller than you think. We had a lot of visitors last year who saw our site first, and they were always surprised to see it is smaller than it appears in photographs.

[TLL]

I've been searching for a couch and will be getting one soon! A friend is letting me have her large couch. I am so excited!!! Your classroom is a great inspiration. What grade do you teach again?

[MrsCroak]

i noticed you had a lot of student desks placed together. most people have groups of 8, but i am thinking of larger groups to make room for a larger reading area in the back of the room. however, i will have 32 on roll next year and i'm worried about too many kids at one desk. they are 5th graders, and they won't spend forever at their desks, but they will be spending at least part of the day there. how do these larger groups work for you?

[kidsrme11]

I also loved your room! Very neat, organized and super homey! I love it! I noticed the pockets on the backs of the chairs. Did you make those yourself? They look cotton? How do they hold up for you? I'm thinking of doing the same thing (with some help from a sewing friend.)

[traveler123]

I teach 4th grade.

And that's great about your free couch. You are going to love it!

[traveler123]

My sister was nice enough to make them for me (cotton). They will not be able to hold much though. Just pencils and our readers and writers notebook. I am planning on purchasing holders for under the chairs through Really Good Stuff soon...unless someone knows a cheap alternative.

[traveler123]

I set it up like this because the portable's shape(not many options). I think it works just great, especially because we don't use the desks for group work or collaboration that much. If we need to work together, we spread out around the room.

And are you saying you will have 32 students?!?!? Even when I taught middle school, 30 was my highest number. I had 26 last year, and I thought that was a lot. Wow. I am praying for you!

[BookMuncher]

I adore your room too!! I'll just add myself to your fan club. You did a fantastic job of making use of your space, and I love how many curtains you have.

Do you have any tips for getting them cheaply?

[traveler123]

Just kidding, but please visit my blog site and articles beginning August when I become Scholastic's new advisor.

I purchased my curtains at Global Market for 14.00 dollars a pair. I also cut curtains in half (vertical) so I could use it for two windows. How's that for cheap?

Okay, I am leaving my computer now. My son is wanting to take a trip to the park. This site is addictive. Eeek.

[kacie8]

Where did you purchase the banner you put outside your classroom? It is great!

[tshae]

I love your room. If you remember where you got the stage that goes with your bulletin board or what company made it, would you please let me know? Also, where did you get your sign made that is outside of your classroom? It is so cute, I would like to get one made. Did you order stuff off of the internet or get it at a party store? Thanks again, your room is very neat!

tmitchellrockwallisd.org

[spots]

Love the room as well as the musical presentation!

[pocahontas]

Hi guys, Just joined this site and BOY!!!! u r all sooooooooooooo CREATIVE. wanna thank you all for all the things that are already on the site and is of GREAT help to me. I stay in D.R.Congo and hav just started teaching. want to do so many things but dunno how to go abt it. also just wanted to know, the themes u choose for the class, stay the same through out the yea or change evry month?? I will b teaching the 5 year olds, so just wanted a little help with lesson plans and some over all ideas abt how to go abt the whole thing.

[teacherchar]

Love your room,Traveler123! I know what you mean about this site being addictive! I can't wait to check updates!

This may sound like a silly question, but I love the small white lights you have hung in your room! How did you attach them - and, especially, how did you create the dangling clusters of lights in certain areas? They definitely make the room so warm and inviting! Thanks for sharing so much. Looking forward to reading your columns on Scholastic!

[traveler123]

Very addictive, but it's all good research! You just never know enough in this profession...

The Christmas lights are simply pushed into the ceiling with push-pins (portable) or staples for the cluster areas. I started the dangling clusters after my arms started getting really tired! I just pinched part of the cord onto the ceiling, let part of it drop, then pinched in a new area on the ceiling. It really lights up the whole area in a neat way. Bonus- They are cheap, they last a long time, and don't require bulb replacement.

[Mrs.Y]

Just toured your room. You are so organized. Wish I could be. One question, the reading comprehension posters, where did you say you got them from. Thanks.

[augustisover]

You all have such fabulous ideas! Thank you so much for sharing )

[traveler123]

I read Tanny McGregor's Reading Connection and came up with the idea of a comprehension board. For each comprehension strategy she uses a concrete item to demonstrate the strategy (e.g. nesting dolls for synthesizing or trash with contents for inferring). I posted the posters on my site. Here is the direct link for printing:
http://www.bar.rcs.k12.tn.us/teacher..._articles.html

And I just realized that the link works, but is labeled incorrectly. It is the first link that says "CAFE" posters, but it is actually the comprehension board posters that you are talking about. I am correcting that in just a second...but in short, it's the first link on that page if you'd like a copy of what I made.

[go bucks]

Loved your Hut!! That area in your room looks very similar to a space in my room where I have my library, but I don't YET have a hut. Maybe I will borrow your creative idea!!! Awesome. Thanks a bunch!!

[liketeaching1]

I'll join in the praise for your classroom. It is so homey! I'm not sure our fire marshall would approve of having curtains.

BTW, I can't get the link to work.

[Mrs.Y]

Thank you so much for sharing!!!!

[traveler123]

From the main page, scroll on the left side for "Printable Resources/Short Lit. Articles". I fixed the mislabeled link a few minutes ago. All should be working now.

And thanks for the compliments. I still have more work to do, but everyone is keeping my motivation up!