Mayree's Room

Friday, August 10, 2012

My Classroom for 2012-2013

Well, I finished fixing up the classroom for this year. I took several ideas I found on blogs and Pinterest. I’m sure you may recognize some of them. I am really looking forward to this year and using the interactive math and reading journals with the foldables!

The Reading Nook came out really nice! Thanks to my hubby! I was able to set up my room for 25 students (4 groupings) and 6 rotation centers. I love for my kids to be able to leave their desk and rotate around the room.

Here are the pictures! J

Classroom library ....all leveled out for reading levels

Group supplies so everyone can work

My door, but it isn't quite finished yet

A list of 8 things to do if students finish early to earn treats

this is where the students will keep their binders with their interactive math and reading journals with foldables

My weekly objectives. The glass can be wiped off and used over and over.

The reading nook. I worked all summer on the pillows, covers and quilt

Tired words center.

This is the Vocabulary/Grammar center. It is on the backside of the classroom library shelves

Mayree…

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Reading Journal

Fact and Opinion foldable for “Letters Home” from Reading Street 4^th grade.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Reading Journal

I’ve been working on reading journals today. Many of my students have trouble identifying the Main Idea of a story.

So here are a few journal ideas to help solidify locating the “Main Idea”

This flip book shows the students the steps they need to do, to identify the main idea.

This “Pocket Full of Main Ideas” Uses the story “The Great Kapok Tree”. Students write 2 facts and 2 opinions about the story. Remember the opinions should be the author’s opinion.

The final pocket contains the main idea in the student’s own words formed by reading the facts and opinions.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Classroom Décor

I decided to make a “Reading Nook” for my students in my classroom. I have an old unused classroom heater under my window in the room. The past few years I’ve used it as a really nice size shelf….but now, I want a Reading Nook.

So….here it is sitting in my garage ready to be assembled!

The heater is about 18 inches deep and 3 foot tall.

The tall pieces of wood that I painted green and covered the tops with striped denim (to avoid splinters on the portion the kids will lean against) will be screwed into the sides of the heater. The students will sit on the heater and lean their back against the wood.

The bench I painted and recovered is an old piano bench I found. My husband cut off about 5 inches from the legs. Students (2 small ones) can sit on here and lean against the front of the heater and read. Students will also use the bench to access the top of the heater. The top of the heater will hold 2 students. Each student will lean against one of the boards. I embroidered the pillows I made. The students will use them while in the Reading Nook

Friday, July 27, 2012

Teacher Interview: 1^st day of school

Make up index cards with only the answers to the questions on them. Pass out the index cards to students. Play “Who Has? I Have.” Ask the class…..”Who thinks they have the card with the answer to this question: What is my favorite color?” As each student answers, open up the conversation and discuss this part of your life.

When a student gives you the correct answer, take their card, but ask them a similar question and let them share with the class.

These are the questions I’ve decided to use. Be sure you have a question for every student.