Classroom Job Board
This year I am going to try out a Classroom Economy as part of my Mathematics curriculum. I had an adapted version of this previously with another class and it was wonderful. I am a bit worried about students who don't earn as much money due to behaviour in grade 3 (I don't want upset parents calling me!), but I do plan on always having the bank accounts reset every couple of months.
Writing Station
My writing station will be for use during Daily Five/Ketchup&Pickle time. I am hoping that it actually encourages children to do some authentic writing.
I have provided some resources such as thesauri and dictionaries for the students to use. I have Guinness World Records Writing prompts, greeting cards that I got from our local Recycle/Reuse center, recipe cards from the dollar store, postcards and stationary (Also from Recycle/Reuse Center), old journals and some blank paper for students to create comics. I also have loose lined paper for students who want to create their own books in the center.
On the bulletin board I used the Woodland Writing Choice Pack from Nicole Bunts TPT store. I plan do to a mini-lesson on each type of writing, plus more in depth writing workshops on others such as writing stories or letters.
Classroom Library
I used to always sort my books by genre. Then last year I leveled according to easy/medium/hard because I had many students who could read at grade level would would pick easy, easy picture books. They didn't like to challenge themselves when reading AT ALL. This was even after I did multiple lessons on how to choose a good-fit book.
This year I am doing a combination of genre/levels. The books are sorted according to genre, but inside the front cover they have a sticker to say the approximate level. If a student appears to need direction on their book choices, I will tell them to pick within a two color range, like "Try to read a couple of yellow and orange books this week". That way they still have plenty of choice, but they can also see what range of books are appropriate for their reading abilities.
This year I am doing a combination of genre/levels. The books are sorted according to genre, but inside the front cover they have a sticker to say the approximate level. If a student appears to need direction on their book choices, I will tell them to pick within a two color range, like "Try to read a couple of yellow and orange books this week". That way they still have plenty of choice, but they can also see what range of books are appropriate for their reading abilities.
I have a bin of partner books for when students are reading with a partner. Each set is in a ziploc bag with a label of how many books should be in the set. They won't be limited to just these books, but it does allow for them two have a set of two or three when reading in small groups.
Photographs from Around the Classroom
Here is the back wall of my classroom. The posters above the bulletin boards are from Native Reflections and are based on the eight sacred teachings. If you are looking for classroom decorations that are a bit more on the art side rather than the cartoony side, I highly suggest Native Reflections. Even though they are obviously meant for teachers who teach Aboriginal students, their message and beauty would be appreciated by anyone! Here is the set I have:
I put my Word Wall on the whiteboard. This way if I have to quickly throw a word on I can just write it there, or if I have time I can place it on a word strip and put magnetic tape on the back.
I got the owl/tree letters from First Grade Owls. I love how the vowels are identified! I think that will be a great reminder for my grade three students!
I got the owl/tree letters from First Grade Owls. I love how the vowels are identified! I think that will be a great reminder for my grade three students!
Above is the Art Center for when students complete work or during Ketchup/Pickle time. In a drawer below the station I have a variety of How-To draw books and craft idea books.
I have two cookie sheets hung under my SmartBoard/WhiteBoard for Word-work practice.
Below is my morning work bulletin board. Most of the Morning Meeting is done on the SmartBoard, but I like to have a real calendar. It is also from Native Reflections.
Each classroom in my school has to have one of the charts to the right for behavior management. While I don't particularly find that it works, it is nice to have a common language among us teachers.
Each classroom in my school has to have one of the charts to the right for behavior management. While I don't particularly find that it works, it is nice to have a common language among us teachers.
I am short on desks right now, so I am going to be using my Guided Reading table for student seating for the first few days until we can figure out our numbers. Each student has their MOOSE (Managing Our Organization Skills Everday) binders on their desk, and inside their desk they have their math pocket.
The guided reading table has whiteboard stickers on from Martha Stewart. Although I have plenty of whiteboards, these were cheap and I think it will be great management-wise.
The guided reading table has whiteboard stickers on from Martha Stewart. Although I have plenty of whiteboards, these were cheap and I think it will be great management-wise.