This is a closer look at the table tops. Each student has a name tag and a cup. In their cup they keep their crayons and a pencil. They use their cup at their desk, but they also carry them around to their centers. They will use these cups all year long. Each month I give the students a new paper insert and they can decorate their cup for each season or holiday. They love it!
At the end of each table there is a cabinet. The cabinets are color coded to match the tables! I love when things match!!! The top shelf of this cabinet keeps my SLB (Structured Language Basics) items organized. We need alphabet mats, alphabet strips, alphabet letters, mirrors, dry erase boards and dry erase markers. On the bottom shelf there is a container for center work.
This is my centers board. I have 8 literacy centers and 8 math centers. We do 2 literacy and 2 math centers per day.
Here is my AR apple tree. If my first graders need to take an AR test, they put their apple on the tree next to the next available number. It has worked very well the past few years.
This year I am trying two word walls. The picture above is going to be my "Fancy Words" word wall. As we read our 'Treasures' stories and learn new vocabulary words we will add them to our fancy word wall. Then, after they have been on there a few weeks I will move them over to my 'Outlaw Word Wall.' This word wall will be for our spelling words that don't follow the rules and for our fancy words once I move them over. We'll see how this goes this year!
Morning Work
I wasn't really a fan of morning work......that is...until I started this system last year, and now I love it! Now their morning work has meaning and they are reviewing a different skill daily. When my students come in they look in their yellow morning work folder. In their folder is a calendar, they look on the calendar to see what morning work drawer they have for the day. Each drawer is a different skill. I have 11 drawers that are a review paper that they turn in to me. Then, I have 11 drawers that are review games. When they are finished with their morning work they raise their hand and I take a quick look and put a smiley face on their morning work calendar. It is so easy and a quick review first thing in the morning. Every 22 days I will put new papers and games in the drawers.
These are a few examples of the games and papers in the drawers. I will put these on Teachers pay Teachers soon! This is a game where they write their sight words with their finger in tempra paint in a plastic bag.
Here they pull out that baggie of blue hair gel and put it on top of each letter and trace it with their finger.
On this one they shake that bag of beans and then write 10 words they can read, and then they read them to me before I give them a happy face on their morning work folder.
Write the room......
This is one of their favorites. They get to stamp their sight words in play-doh!
You have some wonderful ideas here! Did you have to paint the small bookshelves at the ends of the tables or did you get them colored? And where did you get the formica table tops? Thanks for sharing!!
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ReplyDeleteYes, I did have to paint the bookshelves at the end of the tables.
ReplyDeleteI had an actual Formica table top guy come out to my school and take measurements. There are 6 desks under each table top.
I'm so glad you like it!
I just found your blog. I am a Fletcher (Fletch) too! I teach 2nd grade in NC. Nice to meet you!
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Hi! I was wondering where you got your bookshelves? Love your room!
ReplyDeleteHi! I was wondering where you got your bookshelves? Love your room!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I actually had them made for my classroom. My grandfather made them! I usually put a fresh coat of paint on them every year or so. They have been with me for 12 years now!
DeleteI am so in love with your table tops and am wondering how much you paid to have them made. I teach in Canada and we get about 7.00 per student to spend on our class. Do you have to pay for all of those beautiful extras?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do pay for all the extras in my room. The table tops were about $150 each.
DeleteI am also wondering how much your table tops cost! I want them!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. The table tops were about $150 each.
ReplyDeleteFormica? are the table tops permanently adhered, or only put on top? How do you mount without having them move? They look great!
ReplyDeleteYes, they are Formica. They fit snug and the weight of them keeps them in place.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great ideas! I am going to be starting at a new school and have been looking for ways to start the classroom set up. The cup idea is great!!! I love the apple names. I love the way things are organized!!! Love, love, love Organization!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great ideas! I am going to be starting at a new school and have been looking for ways to start the classroom set up. The cup idea is great!!! I love the apple names. I love the way things are organized!!! Love, love, love Organization!
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