Coloring

Coloring, before beginning my sojourn back into Kindergarten, I really thought that all parents colored with their children. Folks, that is NOT true. I have children entering my room having never held a crayon. While I would love it if all of my cubs knew how to color, the simple fact is they don't. So what to do? TEACH COLORING!!! Why have I not done this before? I have seen coloring rubrics all over and decided I would make one for my class and spend the time teaching coloring (when I say time, the lesson took 5 minutes tops). I began by going over the rubric. I just took my PDF to Office Depot and asked them to make it poster size. Easy peasy! 

 

My 3 Star Coloring

Click above if you would like the rubric to use in your room

After going through the entire process and all of my expectations, I handed out our first coloring sheet. I was amazed at how much time and effort my cubs put into these monsters. Taking five minutes and teaching how to color has already made a huge difference. I still have a few students that scribble. But, we are working on that and after all, it is only the third day of school. 

As you can see, my cubs are focused and being very careful. The only little cub in the corner has turned her crayon so she can "shade" her monster. Not sure where she learned about that. I thought I took pictures of the final product. But, nope. I must have seen something shiny and was distracted. 

Happy HUMP day! Week one is half way done :)

Classroom Tour!

Yesterday was my first day with my new group of Cubs!  I finally finished my room and I am excited to share the final product with you. In the past, I have done Bears, Jungle, and Fairy Tales. This year I did not do a theme. I chose to focus on color and making my room as inviting as possible. I think I accomplished that goal.  

This is the view from my teacher area. My whole group teaching area is in front of a giant bookcase. You can also see my technology cart. I love the technology, hate the cart. 

Back of my room.

Another view of the back of my room and computer area. My class library is currently in front of the big pink curtain. Not ideal but it is a work in progress.

Close up of my writing bins and  "What can I write about?" bulletin board. The basket will be used for math stations. 

This is where I will display student work. 

Here is where my differentiated reading centers go. 

Storage wardrobes and my sensory table. My plans are to put a tree in the big open space above the sensory table. 

Focus Wall

Small group/teacher area. The bright paper on the wall just above the floor is where my sight words go. Above the word wall is my Smart Board (love). The bulletin board is my Data Wall. We are all required to have a data wall and display our student growth. 

Close up of my data wall. Watch Me GLOW! I made the pom poms and found the "glowworms" at Dollar Tree. The Neon lines are really shoelaces. The students will use clothes pins with their class number on them to track their growth. 

So that's a peak into my room. I love the bright colors and had fun putting it all together. 

Getting Ready!

As I mentioned the other day, I have started working on my room. My little Cubs will be here in less than a week. I thought I was totally ready. After all, I spent hours working on new things for my room. However, I don't like it. UGH!!!!! I like the idea, it's just not working out the way I want. I have my welcome to Kindergarten banner up, it has a glare, hard to read the letters, and is too small. I have my focus wall up, I don't like the heading. I have my boarders up, I just don't think they are working. What to do, what to do!?!?!?!?! Redo almost everything. That's what I am doing today. I was so unhappy with the way it looked, that I didn't take any pictures. With hindsight, I should have. I might as well show the bad along with the good.

TRUTH!

Back to School!

Vacation is over!!! Hit four states in two weeks and had a great time with family and long time friends. I went to school yesterday to assess the damage. Not horrible, but not great either. Here's the before picture.

I was able to move all of the furniture where I wanted and exchange some furniture. After I was all done, our custodian came in and told me I would have to move 3 of my bookcases. NOT a happy camper! For the last 3 years they have been in the same place. That being said, it forced me to rethink EVERYTHING! While I wasn't thrilled about having to rearrange my room. I do like how I rearranged things. So, lesson learned! Being forced to change is often times a good thing. 

I also went in today. I got NOTHING done! The air was out and it was HOT!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is another day and I will get a lot done! Really, I will :)