Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists by Topic
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Classroom Pics – Under Construction

August 25, 2013

I finally crossed the threshold.  I’m not sure many families know just how much time it takes to set up a classroom each  year.  Even after doing this for more than a decade it never seems to get any easier for me.  Here is the state of the classroom I walked into:
View from the inside classroom door:
All my furniture was pushed up against two walls. 

The natural light flooding in from the window will soon disappear into a Pacific Northwest haze (Oct-Apr).

In this one you can see my perfectly ordinary, but extraordinarily boring alphabet line running across the wooden bulletin board at the top of the picture.
View from the outside classroom door: 

Oh, how I wish the floor space remained this wide and open, but for some reason I need to pack 25 or so second grade bodies into desks in that space.  A girl can dream, right?

Yes, that is definitely a hazard TV/VCR combo at the top of this picture.  It was one of my requests to be removed.  It was on a very shaky platform and we’re probably one earthquake away from watching it crash into a million little pieces.
I have spent a few hours here and there in the classroom tackling different projects.  I cleared out some space in my file cabinet (which I then filled up with other items).  I reorganized my supply cupboards, and shuffled some items around in my supply drawers.  I moved most of the furniture back to where it will most likely stay for the year.  My wonderful mom came to watch my little one, but I was able to snag her for a couple of hours.  She put together some folders for me and cut out 90% of my lamination (and it was A LOT).  Love that lady and am so lucky!  So, here are some pictures of my room after putting in a few hours of grunt work today:
Here you can see the new set of number posters I made.
And here is my bright new alphabet set.  I just wish the lamination didn’t give off such a glare for the photo.  I’m really happy with how they turned out!
View from the inside classroom door:
I have one set of desks that surround my computer table.  Then I have 3 pods of four desks.  In the back are 2 rows of four desks.
Another view of the desks.

This wall contains bookshelf after bookshelf of my classroom library.  The tables stacked near the back will be used for my reading table and a small group work space.
View from the outside classroom door:

My reading table will slide just a little to the right and fill the space behind that last group.

Now, do you remember that big, ugly monstrosity they called a TV/VCR combo?  Do you notice anything?  It’s gone!!  The custodians are even helping to patch the ginormous holes in the wall and touching up the paint.  It’s not an easy task.  Years ago, two teachers painted their classrooms and this wall was sponge painted.  The custodian said he’s going to try his best.  I’m planning to cover most of it with hanging chart paper just in case, but we’ll see 🙂
I have Monday to work in my room again.  Hopefully I’ll get a few more things on the wall and get a chance to take some more pictures of what I’ve been working on.
signature

Related posts:

No related posts.

«
»

Filed Under: classroom decor Leave a Comment

Comments

  1. D. Frideley says

    August 25, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    I'm not sure how I would feel about my classroom being sponge painted. I love the soothing turquoise color, though. I do wish all classrooms were a neutral grey with a deep, dark charcoal or blue-grey focus wall. Or were a light tan with a rich chocolate focus wall. This way most color schemes would work!

    Deniece

    Reply
  2. Holly says

    August 25, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    What a major transformation…looks great!!!!

    Holly
    Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

    Reply
  3. Krystyn Richards says

    August 25, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    It is coming together. I am in the same boat as you. I have to cram 28 desks in a room about the same size as yours. Have a good year!

    Krystyn
    Ms Richards's Musings

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe Via Email

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

A new month means new books to fill the shelf. Her A new month means new books to fill the shelf. Here’s what we have on display right now. We still haven’t seen any snow ❄️, but we plan to curl up and read all about it. Maybe that will help! Do you spy some of your winter favorites? ⁣
⁣
#winterbookshelf⁣
#seasonalbookshelf⁣
#januarybookshelf⁣
Happy New Year! 🎉⁣ ⁣ If you’re starting 2 Happy New Year! 🎉⁣
⁣
If you’re starting 2021 by making resolutions and setting goals with your students, I suggest sharing Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller. This book follows Squirrel around the forest as she learns what a resolution is and helps her friends get started on theirs. Swipe to see a kid craft you can pair with this story. I also have comprehension and vocabulary activities for this book. Just follow the link in my bio for more information.⁣
⁣
#squirrelsnewyearsresolution
As 2020 comes to an end, it has been fun to look b As 2020 comes to an end, it has been fun to look back at all of the books I’ve shared this year. It was so hard to narrow it down to a Top 9 list, so you’re getting 20 instead. Do you see some of your favorites?⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#raisingreaders #bookshare #bookpusher #classroombookaday #picturebooks #picturebookaddict #bookstagram #storiesbystorie #readersofinstagram #kidsbookswelove #kidlit #readalouds #iteach2nd #teachermom #picturebooksofinstagram #childrensbooks
Winter is officially here! Have you had snow yet w Winter is officially here! Have you had snow yet where you live? We haven’t, but my kids are anxiously waiting. While we wait, it’s been fun to revisit our favorite snow day memories while reading Ten Ways to Hear Snow.⁣
⁣
In this story, Lina wakes up to a blanket of snow outside,  but she is supposed to help her grandma cook that day. Since Sitta is losing her eyesight, Lina rushes to bundle up and get over to her home. Lina wants to make sure her grandma is okay and knows about the snow outside. On the way, Lina explores the city muffled by snow and discovers ten different ways to hear snow. ❄️⁣
⁣
What is your favorite (or least favorite) thing about snow?⁣
⁣
#tenwaystohearsnow⁣
#winterpicturebooks⁣
#booksaboutsnow⁣
#snowbooksforkids⁣
#winterbooksforkids⁣
#cathycamper⁣
#kenardpak⁣
@kokilabooks⁣
@kenardpak⁣
@cfastwolf ⁣
@penguinkids
If you could make a wish on a snow globe, what wou If you could make a wish on a snow globe, what would you wish for? ⁣
⁣
During one of the worst snow storms of the year, a little girl and her family settle in for the night. They build a fort by the fire and enjoy a picnic-style dinner. Later that night, the little girl makes a wish on her snow globe. The next morning the family wakes up to a winter wonderland outside. ⁣
⁣
“What if, ⁣
dear friends, ⁣
on this snow globe day⁣
EVERYONE comes out to play?”⁣
⁣
Snow Globe Wishes has a great message about slowing down, enjoying the simple things, and bringing a community together. It would be perfect to share while getting cozy on cold, winter day!⁣
⁣
⁣
#snowglobewishes⁣
#winterpicturebooks⁣
#childrensbooks⁣
#kidlit⁣
#readingismagic⁣
#picturebooksaremyjam⁣
#picturebooksofinstagram⁣
@sleepingbearpress⁣
If you’ve been around here for awhile, you’re If you’ve been around here for awhile, you’re probably a big fan of books. Whether you’re shopping for the holidays, a birthday, or celebrating a milestone, books make great gifts. If you still need convincing (or justifying your recent book purchases 😉), I recently shared 10 reasons why books make the best gifts on my blog. Follow the link in my bio.
Danny’s back in an all-new adventure!⁣ ⁣ In Danny’s back in an all-new adventure!⁣
⁣
In this latest book, Danny’s headed to the water park with his family. Throughout the day, he’s faced with a lot of important decisions to make. Will he be fair and kind, show empathy towards others, keep himself safe, and take responsibility for his actions? That’s up to the reader to help Danny decide! ⁣
⁣
Growing up, I loved reading choose-your-own-adventure books because it was so much fun getting to decide how the story ended. Now my own kids get to experience that same reading magic with these Power to Choose books from Ganit and Adir Levy. My kids are bound and determined to read every single one of the 9 different endings.⁣
⁣
Have you read any of the Danny or Darla books yet? If so, do you have a favorite?⁣
⁣
⁣
#whatshoulddannydo⁣
#whatshoulddannydoonvacation⁣
#thepowertochoose⁣
@ganitandadir 
#raisingreaders⁣
#picturebooksforkids⁣
#bookpusher⁣
#clasroombookaday⁣
#kidsbookstagram

Copyright © 2021 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs