Once Upon a Classroom: A Teacher's Tales: Summer Link Up

We are so excited to be a part of a summer link up! Throughout the next couple of months, follow us and learn about the following topics: Classroom organization, math workshop, organization of literacy blocks, writing instruction, phonics, word study, and much, much more! Let's get started!

I organize my classroom! Organization is a strength for me. I love organizing, labeling, baskets, binders, etc. Being organized sets a good example to students as well. I always show them how neat and organized our room is, and emphasize that this is the way it should stay. They take a lot of pride in organizing their materials, too. Let's delve in and check out how my room is organized...

This is how I plan out the year. I have these wonderful calendars that help give me a scope and sequence. I wish I could remember who I snagged these from, to give them credit! Look for something similar in my store this summer!

Our classroom library is organized by genre. The books and the bins are labeled to help the students try out new genres. In addition, the labels help keep them organized. At the end of the day, I have a "Leader of the Classroom Library" go through and check to make sure everything is in the correct spot.

This is where I keep my leveled readers. Each tub is labeled, so I can quickly grab the level I need. I had never done this until this year. With first graders, it is a great tool in case I need something quickly. We also have a leveled library book room.

Here is where I keep the word work stations. In each labeled basket, the students will find the materials that they need for the activity. I always keep an eye on this to ensure there are enough copies available. At the beginning of the year, I model and explain the expectations of each.

This is my Leader in Me board! Unfortunately, this product is unavailable on TPT due to copyright, but it helps me organize my classroom jobs. Each student is the leader of something. I only change jobs every quarter. This organization has enable the students to become a "master" of their job!

The front of the room is organized with all the tools I need when reading or teaching. In the small cups I have brain breaks, numbers of students to pull sticks, Kagan questions, and pointers. Everything I need is right there!

This is our writing area. The way I have this section organized is by centers. Each center has it's own spot in the cubbies of the desk. The students can easily find what they need. Again, I have a leader of this area, who organizes it when we are done. Students love coming to this designated area!

This is the mailbox, pencils, and supplies area. It's hard to see, but I also have a "Lost and Found" drawer. This has been a HUGE lifesaver for me. If students find something on the floor, they take it and put it in the drawer. They know that this is the first place they should look if they can't find something.

Every morning, students are expected to move their number to the correct lunch. This is a really simplistic way for me to take the lunch count! As you can probably tell, I'm big on leaders in the room, so I have someone in charge of moving the numbers back at the end of the day!

These two pictures above show some of my guided reading/math organization. I keep all my supplies at the back whiteboard table, so they are easily accessible while teaching. I use the drawers to organize each groups materials. Every Friday, I empty them out and add what I need for the following week.

Centers time! These tubs from Really Good Stuff are awesome! I use them for everything! With first graders, it's nice to have everything in one spot. They know where to get the materials, and where to put them back. We spend a lot of time on expectations for these too.

This is where I store my iPads. I didn't want to buy a huge iPad cart, so I got these mailboxes and cut holes int he back of them for the cords. They are the perfect size and MUCH more inexpensive than the cart.