Using Space Wisely...

With our bulletin boards on one side of the room and the SMARTboards on the other, many teachers elect to have one large circle space and another smaller space by the bulletin boards for calendar time. I thought long and hard about how to combine the spaces to make better use of my room. I chose to adhere cork squares to the back of this very sturdy cubby shelf (made by our carpenter custodian who is amazing!). By turning the shelf sideways, I create an entryway into the classroom and also a surface perfectly suited calendar time. Hooray!

Classroom 2012-2013

Welcome to my classroom! I'm very pleased with the way my room turned out. I organize and manage the tables by color, so you'll see the yellow table, blue table, orange table, and purple table. These colors make up the bright scheme. The bulletin boards are covered in cloth and from left to right are for "Hopes and Dreams," the word wall, and a student work display. I have 20 students and two tables situated to seat two adults for intervention/center time.

My classroom this year includes a writing center, class library, block area, art center, and dramatic play. I also have a sensory table masquerading as a side table under the whiteboard until I need it.

I'm excited to share this room with little people! Cheers to another great year!

Alicia

The Writing Center - 2011/12

I love a big open space where I can spread out and work. Most kids do too! Last year, I set up my writing center for Kindergartners underneath the word wall. I kept materials handy in baskets nearby, but avoided clutter by changing them out every now and then. I offered choices besides paper, with dry erase and doodle boards. The children often used the word wall and surrounding posters in a purposeful way when they worked on writing. The writing center was the place to write. :)