Moving to First Grade Classroom Snapshots

Everyone should have to move classrooms at least once. Especially after collecting and piling layers of materials on back counters and saving copies for the next year...5 years ago.

I have changed job titles, classrooms, and schools many times but this may be the most nerve-wracking move. I have moved down 2 grades (firsties) and also into my own small town. (Years ago, I determined I would NOT work where I lived, and certainly not in my very own neighborhood .. but here I am ... and I think I'm going to like it here!) As my old principal would say, I now have plenty of professional growth opportunities! Every job I've had in my 17 years of teaching, I have been lucky to fall into opportunities to grow as an educator and a person.

Here's what I am loving:

First, let me say that my new room is gifted with beautiful cedar bulletin boards. I could not bear to cover them up with paper, even though they are slivery. Where children will be close to them, I put some paper and I am going to put a clear shower curtain so we can enjoy the wood and small reading nooks.

 I am so lucky that my own children are growing out of things that are perfect for my 1st grade room -- IKEA leaves, pillows, and butterflies for one reading area, as well as a couple of chairs (also IKEA from 15-20 years ago.)

 My second grade level chapter books are hiding behind family photos and a bug banner on sale from the costume shop (also on my writing table). I'll bring out those books after we have more of a handle on our reading routines. Or maybe after I have more of a handle.

Second, we are open concept and do not have doors. Not sure how that will work. These are the bulletin boards next to my doorway that all the teachers decorate with name and room number. I also anticipate avid parent volunteers this year and want to equalize the welcome for families who are not as comfortable in school so I added the "Parents and Family" board with information. I used my Classroom Garden Letters all over my room and had random capitals and lower case letters left for that board!

 I have LOVED seeing other classrooms on pinterest and facebook and also was excited to use all those book jackets I've saved for years! The number cubes also have nursery rhymes and alphabet on them -- another hold over from my own children. The wooden bunnies were a clearance item at the costume store again.

Third, I have more storage than ever before (I came from a portable with one closet, so this is like the best gift ever!) I can put everything behind a door and not see boxes and crates all willy nilly.

Darling Word Wall Headers

Fourth, my team and staff have been so welcoming and helpful that even if we had doors -- bring on the bathroom noise -- I could tell that we have an 'open door' policy! I cannot seem to hook up a printer yet, so they have kindly printed everything I share on Google!

Oh, and last, there are at least 5 other Sarah/ Saras in my building. I'm petitioning to go by last names. And we have a 'with an h' vs. 'without an h' rivalry started.

I went gnome crazy in my room this year and I'm loving how each small space allows me to rediscover what I fell in love with in the first place.

 Teacher and Others' communication: magnetic gnomes with names on them for attendance and tracking nurse, office, library, resources, etc. This one is for us ('we') and the above one is for others ('they') to know where we are with the clothespin. This will be a line leader job.

 Going Home Gnomes -- magnetic

I love these darling hands helping to show ways of making numbers! Numeracy Wall with tallies, dice, fingers, unifix cubes, ten frames, words, and number representation. Numbers 1-10 also have gnome/ garden clipart for the amount on that poster.

 Focus Wall 

Shapes

 I numbered everything with the extra table numbers so I can direct students to supplies, shelves and "off limits" areas. These trapezoid tables will be lowered later to allow for sitting on pillows at the writing table. The community supplies and variety of papers are in these bins (thanks, personal children! You'd think their rooms were bare by now, but noooo.)

 Small group board.

 Since we have tables, students will have permanent tower groups for workbooks, dry erase materials, unfinished work folders but then flexible seating choices (soon) around the classroom.

 Tooth Fairy Gnome, Calendar, and Birthday decorations with questions regarding data from weather and birthdays! My Circle Targets are available from the Tables and Labels product at my store and will have targets next to them in our schedule.

 Subjects/ Targets Headings plus Gnome Shapes and Colors

 I loved this idea for a book buddy (again, thanks kids for cleaning out some stuffies!) My sign is included in the Bonus Pack.

 Mistakes Help Us Learn and Make a New Plan reminders for students to work through problems, fail, but keep moving forward, from my Goal Setting and Growth Mindset resource (students put a marble in the jar every time they self-identify a mistake they made and can learn from.)

 Job Chart with names on popsicle sticks

Thanks for touring my new first grade room -- Gnome Style! (Gnomes water color paintings by the Ninja Woman Clip Art Studio on TpT.   So beautiful!! I had to keep making decorations for my firsties...ok, for me.)

Have a great year!

Sarah's Teaching Points