Welcome to my Room!

Happy Friday!

I'm still working away in my room. I had a meeting all day long, so I didn't accomplish much. But I'm not freaking out...not at all!

So as promised, here is the entryway to my room. The kids' cubbies are right inside the door. I covered the bulletin board in the same burlap that I used outside and added an owl that I made a few years ago. I'm going to put our class pledge up there so that it's the first thing people see when they come in the room. I will write the pledge with the kids on the first day of school.

The little banner is for our gold stars. Our school hands out gold stars as a whole-class reward for walking quietly in the hall or doing a great job in the cafeteria, library, etc. (They come from other teachers and adults in the school--not me.) When we get 10, we get a treat, like lunch in the classroom or pajama day. Every time we get a star, I clip it to the banner. The numbers help the kids quickly see how many more stars we need to get our prize. Bonus--it really helps them develop "ten-ness"!

I have a little basket to put box tops in, a basket with my Diet Coke money (super important), pens, nurse and library passes, hand sanitizer and anything else we might need on the way out the door...

A note about the pens: I never have any "grown-up" pens in my room. I have a million pencils and every color of crayon and marker you could imagine--but never any regular pens. It's embarrasing when you have to sign an important document with a cherry-scented Mr. Sketch marker. So this year, I fancied up a bunch of pens by wrapping them in yarn and attaching pom-poms and flowers. We'll see how many I have left come October.

And here's my bulletin board tip of the day: I have been using a lot of black die-cut letters. The staples stood out and were really distracting. So I colored them with a black Sharpie. It was so quick and easy. The staples blend in now. (Okay--maybe not close-up, but they do from a few feet away--I promise!)

I'm going back in tomorrow and I'll be sure to update you on my progress. But now--I'm going to go watch Project Runway. See you soon!

Comments

[Sharan]

I'm so glad you are back! Your ideas and professional dedication inspire me Kathryn. Yours is the first kindergarten blog that I ever visited years ago. I hope all is well for you and that you have a fabulous year.

[Kimberly Lewis]

I really like the burlap. It's soothing and natural. Your baskets remind me of acorns- very cute. I just found your blog this summer and it is extremely helpful. Thank you!!

[Rebecca Knowles]

I check your sight periodically because you have so many ideas I can adapt for the younger children that I teach! I love using felt for my bulletin board backgrounds and letters. That makes it super easy to change captions--and no staples needed:)

[Christina]

I am really happy to see you have your blog up and running again. I particularly found your posts about Math problem solving and math journals helpful. I used your advice to start some math journaling in my classroom last year. This year, I am continuing to refine this and integrate it with our small group work.

I really like the picture and post you included about the star banner and how it helps your students with their "ten-ness". What a great way to integrate number sense with your everyday classroom and school routines. Thanks for all the great ideas!

[bestmishu]

I check your sight periodically because you have so many ideas I can adapt for the younger children that I teach! I love using felt for my bulletin board backgrounds and letters.

[Aine]

You can't see me here in Oregon, but I'm jumping up and down!!! So glad you made it through last year and are back. And I'm glad that those staples aren't distracting only for me! Sharpies are the best!

[eve]

This is of much help