Class Tour

So I have to admit, I am a creature of habit. I honestly don't change much about my room from year to year. ~ That is how my usual class tour begins....but oh my! I have made some major changes that I could not be more happy about! If you would like to read more on what changes I made and why, check it out here.

I find that I spend so much of my time in this room that I want to make it as comfortable and cozy as possible, not only for me but for my kiddos as well. I have also learned that a flexible learning space works best for my kiddos and for me, so I hope you enjoy the tour of pics. :)

Welcome to room 506...the BEST fourth grade class ever ;)

The view just as you enter the room.

Still in door, looking towards the library

Looking to the right at my desk

Small bulletin board behind my desk...
look at that collection of butterflies that
kiddos have given me over the years :)
...my place for current newsletters and lunch menus

Walking toward the front of the room... carpet & meeting area

Standing in the front of the room looking toward the student cubbies

Because we do not have desks, each student gets
 a canvas bag to decorate... all personal items
go into the bag and can be carried back and forth
from one class to another ~ This one was decorated
by my sweet friend, Vicki!

Still in the front... looking towards the library

I fell in love with this little book table,

 and it became the perfect place for both our "Who Was" and "I Am" series.

Our largest library... I have worked diligently to add as many titles as possible.

Lots of great pillows and bean bags to use around the room during reading workshop.

Baskets are organized by subject, series, genre, or author.

 

Baskets and books are numbered to help kiddos return them.

Our Caldecott library

This library is full of multiple copy texts and used for teacher recommendations or small groups.

This is an older pic, but I wanted to show you a close up

of the string and clips across the small group library...

this will be used to hang anchor charts throughout

the year...it sure hurts my soul a little every year

to cover such a pretty shelf with anchors but

with limited wall space...you do what you have to LOL 

 

These tables are for the kiddos that still prefer to sit at a table. :)

 

My computer - then turning towards our nonfiction library with another small seating area.

Again...another old pic..but
I wanted to show  you a close up...
when it is time to rotate anchors...
this is perfect for storing my extras or out
of date anchors that I can't bear to throw out

Our graphic novel library. 

 Moving toward our carpetw/hole group area. 

Morning meetings and mini-lessons take place here.

The texts at the bottom of the chart are the mentor texts that have been pulled weekly or as needed.

Our mentor text library... 

here with the pillows in front.

When using the pillows, kiddos must remember the three "B's" - bellies, bottoms, and backs. 

Mentor text library with pillows moved. 

Books are alphabetized by author...
This is an older pic - you can get a glimpse of our old rug.
I can not tell you just how much I love our new rug!

 

These are both gifts from former kiddos... 

they know me so well. :)

Just one more shelf - one more way to bring more books in :)

I added a couple more series baskets and an author basket this summer.

You may have noticed our collection of stools. 

Students may sit on the stools, or use them as a hard writing surface if they are sitting on the floor.

The view from my desk, looking back towards the library.

 

Standing in the library...first looking towards my desk and then towards the door.

Love this little photo display...some pictures are from my first year. :) 

I work with an amazing group of ladies! 

On my door I have started displaying the graduation invites that I recieve from former kiddos. I am missing a few, but I excited for current kiddos to see this collection grow. 

This is where book recommendation cards will be displayed.

this board is located just outside of our classroom.

Another area for us to display our awesome work!

Because we do not have desks, each student gets
 a canvas bag to decorate... all personal items
go into the bag and can be carried back and forth
from one class to another ~ This one was decorated
by my sweet friend Vicki!

Some of my writer's notebooks...the kids really love looking
through these

Our Class "Book Worm"
for every book recommendation card that students fill out...
they get a ticket to put in the book worm jar for a chance
to win a free book of their choice. 

This is where book recommendation cards will be displayed.
this board is located just outside of our classroom.

A cute idea I found on Pinterest...**
(please see below)

Another Pinterest find...
our daily objectives board **

I saw this online a number of years ago...
before the days of Pinterest LOL...
we have used it successfully for many years now!**

Another area for us to display our awesome work!

Well that is it! I know there is sooooo much more to teaching than what your room looks like, but since the kiddos and I will spend so much time this year in this room, I wanted it to be as comfortable and beautiful as possible. AND I wanted to give the kiddos as many different options as possible. I hope they love it as much as I do!
Be sure to check back.... working on my next post - Why I Tossed my Tables!

Happy Reading, friends!