First Day in the Classroom

Yesterday was my first time in the classroom since my interview and wow I was impressed. The school was leveled and rebuilt this last year and it is GORGEOUS!! I had a tour of the building and was blown away. Let's just say I feel like I'm teaching at the Ritz. When we went to the teacher's lounge there was high cafe tables, leather couches, and even an outdoor sun patio.


Three priorities today: arrange new furniture in pod, pick rugs for pod, and familiarize myself with the curriculum (plus a few odds and ins)!


Here's some picks of the how the pods looks now.

We have two small group tables, a new reading couch and cubes to the left. I can't remember what the writing tablets are called but the kids work is displayed on the big screen.

The right side has a metal cabinet for magnet letter activities, student computers and that big rolling storage cart for science kits. We'll have to figure out a better spot for that and how to cutesy it up.

These are the carpets for the pod and hall. I love the kids around the world!!!

OMG isn't the Boom Chicka Boom Island cute...this is one of the spots kids can sit to read during the Daily 5. That's storage, part of the classroom library and the energy drink of champions in the back:)

Sorry bad picture but this is the group meeting area and technology spot. Plus, you can see another comfy bench for reading under the windows.

Here's the word wall, some of the kiddos personal library tubs, and the math manipulatives on the right side. We are going to try and find a new spot for the spelling unit boxes on the top shelf.

This is the small group area. From here you can see the whole classroom and to the right the windows look into pod. In the back is the other 1st grade classroom. We have a folding wall between the rooms but it is open most of the time I guess. That will be a new one for me.

Windows looking into pod and the writing/word work supply center

 I think you can see how much natural light there is...love it! We still have to add the crayon theme items and create a self portrait project to hang on the cabinet doors.


Now, I'm pouring through Treasure's trying to get a lay of the land. I've never taught reading using an anthology and combining it with the Daily 5 should be an interesting challenge. Hopefully I'm up for it:)

Paula