Classroom Reveal! Part 1

I'll be going back for teacher in service next week. Which means that this is my last week of summer break! When I got my keys on Tuesday, I decided I needed to get my classroom set up quickly so I could enjoy my last week of freedom. There really is nothing like falling asleep without an alarm!

I'll be starting my third year at an amazing school. Thankfully there have been no classroom or grade level changed. That allowed me to start prepping for the new year before we ever wrapped up the school year. My first year I had a garden theme going. The kids loved it, so it continued the next year with a little chevron here and there. But by the end of the second year, I was ready for something new! Only one phrase can truly describe my current classroom theme: CHEVRON ALL THE THINGS! :)

But first, I had to get my keys. This is a little more difficult than my first year, just because we now host summer school on our campus. This delays our amazing custodial staff in the floor process. They strip the wax from the floors and then wax it for that new school year glow. They do such a great job! So, alas, I got my keys and was ready to roll. Because of the waxing, shelves must be empty and everything left must be easy to move. Here is what I walked into. 

The easiest place to start was to move the desk, and then arrange my furniture. One tip that has really helped me is creating a classroom floor map. It helps me visualize where I want things to be and allows me to get a feel for the layout. Once my furniture was set, I could start going through boxes. That led to a few hours of cabinet and drawer organizing! 

Organizing...It calms my soul. My classroom this year is probably the most organized it's ever been. Here is a look at all the containers that are helping me with that. 

My trusty teacher tool box! This guy holds so many of my essentials. I love having a spot for everything rather than having to rummage through my desk. I recently changed out the labels for it.

This is right behind my small group table. I'll be using the chalkboards and dry erase boards during math intervention. I love the banners!

I like having the kids' work sorted by day. I can then, go into the day's bin and pass it out. These ice containers are great for that without having to spend lots of money on the typical book box. Thank you, Wal*Mart!

My library is very different this year. Rather than being self contained, I'll be teaching math to three different groups. I debated getting rid of my library, but I opted to minimize. Reading has never hurt anyone! This can always be an option for those early finishers. I decided to use the built in shelving the classroom provides. That saved some space. A lot of space.

This wall has the paper sorter for my home room class. That's where I put their graded papers in the mailbox. It also has math manipulatives in the twin rainbow drawers and the bookcase. Here's a closer look.

The crate bench has seen better days, but it holds books, so I don't dare part with it! The storage seat holds clipboards.

Here are more manipulatives and some turn in trays. The blue trays are split into three, one for each of my classes. I also have a tray for Daily Folders and Graded Folders. My kiddos will drop those off as they enter in the mornings. 

This container has math games and flash cards inside. I Modge Podged paper and flowers into each clear drawer. And yes, I just used Modge Podge as a verb.

My pencil buckets are a couple of my classroom favorites. I'll post more on that later.

This will house their BUILD center games. I'm excited it try BUILD this year! Homework trays for each class are also here.

Each class will have their interactive math journals in their colored bin. And their graded papers will go in the corresponding drawer until they're passed back out.

Thanks for joining me for my very first blog post! I will post more (including some of my favorite things!) later. 'Til next time!