My little "nook" in the classroom. Like many teachers, this is where I spend many late-night hours and weekends; grading, returning emails, and planning for future lessons. Every teacher needs a comfy chair and handmade pillow from a student to help her get through those hours. ;)
This is where we gather at the start of each day for our morning meeting. We begin by greeting one another. Then students have the opportunity to do a quick share: something interesting or exciting going on in their life, something they heard in the news, something they are concerned about, etc. Finally, we read the message I have written on the chart paper. Usually our message includes something we have been studying or something we are going to study. It is a great tool for checking student understanding, misconceptions, and prior knowledge. I have loved using the
Morning Meeting format this year. I think it is beneficial to start the day off with a routine that all of the students know and can be successful with. It also ensures that each student starts the day off being recognized and acknowledged for being there. I don't know if it is the morning meeting or the small class size, but my students are very respectful and supportive of each other throughout the day and I very rarely have to address behavior issues.
Don't you just love the orange cabinets? Our school is desperately in need of a remodel. Luckily, we are up next. I'm hoping for a larger room and no orange. :) This is the space I use for small group work. It works great to meet with a few kids that need a little extra help on the same skill. It also works great to hold extra math materials or for drying artwork. ;)
Because I have such a small class size this year (started out with 20 kids), I have more room for centers. We've been using this table to hold science tools like microscopes and magnifiers. Students brought in some samples from the muskeg behind our school and practiced using the tools to take a closer look at their samples. Behind the table is a bulletin with the names of the tools and pictures or actual examples of each. This way they can use the names of the tools when discussing with their classmates or making science notebook entries.
A tool shelf makes it easy for students to access the materials they need for writing, reading, art or any of our other subjects. These materials are kept organized by the students and keep them from asking me every time they need a tool.
This was my summer project. I got all of my books into tubs based on genres, authors, and special interests. This organization makes it much easier for students to pick books, look through them, and return them to the correct spot. My next project is to get them all labeled with a sticker that matches the tub they are in and another sticker that shows their reading level.
No library is complete without Dr. Seuss. I think so many of us start out our reading careers with Green Eggs and Ham or There's a Wocket in my Pocket. Such an incredible author!
My little "nook" in the classroom. Like many teachers, this is where I spend many late-night hours and weekends; grading, returning emails, and planning for future lessons. Every teacher needs a comfy chair and handmade pillow from a student to help her get through those hours. ;)
This is where we gather at the start of each day for our morning meeting. We begin by greeting one another. Then students have the opportunity to do a quick share: something interesting or exciting going on in their life, something they heard in the news, something they are concerned about, etc. Finally, we read the message I have written on the chart paper. Usually our message includes something we have been studying or something we are going to study. It is a great tool for checking student understanding, misconceptions, and prior knowledge. I have loved using the Morning Meeting format this year. I think it is beneficial to start the day off with a routine that all of the students know and can be successful with. It also ensures that each student starts the day off being recognized and acknowledged for being there. I don't know if it is the morning meeting or the small class size, but my students are very respectful and supportive of each other throughout the day and I very rarely have to address behavior issues.
Don't you just love the orange cabinets? Our school is desperately in need of a remodel. Luckily, we are up next. I'm hoping for a larger room and no orange. :) This is the space I use for small group work. It works great to meet with a few kids that need a little extra help on the same skill. It also works great to hold extra math materials or for drying artwork. ;)
Because I have such a small class size this year (started out with 20 kids), I have more room for centers. We've been using this table to hold science tools like microscopes and magnifiers. Students brought in some samples from the muskeg behind our school and practiced using the tools to take a closer look at their samples. Behind the table is a bulletin with the names of the tools and pictures or actual examples of each. This way they can use the names of the tools when discussing with their classmates or making science notebook entries.
A tool shelf makes it easy for students to access the materials they need for writing, reading, art or any of our other subjects. These materials are kept organized by the students and keep them from asking me every time they need a tool.
This was my summer project. I got all of my books into tubs based on genres, authors, and special interests. This organization makes it much easier for students to pick books, look through them, and return them to the correct spot. My next project is to get them all labeled with a sticker that matches the tub they are in and another sticker that shows their reading level.
No library is complete without Dr. Seuss. I think so many of us start out our reading careers with Green Eggs and Ham or There's a Wocket in my Pocket. Such an incredible author!
