My Classroom Tour... Finally!

I am so excited to share my classroom this year with all of you! Since I am looping with my second graders from last year, I wanted to change up my classroom theme a little bit but didn't want to start completely over again. I spent a ton of time sewing and creating things for my room last year and couldn't bear the thought of not using it.

I came across Schoolgirl Style's Road Trip theme classroom décor set and knew that it would be a perfect fit for my third graders. A little more mature but still fun and colorful! I love the way it turned out =) Here are some pics from my new classroom...

 

In the hallway leading to my classroom door, I wanted a fun welcome message for my kids. I saw this idea on Pinterest {here} and fell in love with the hallway display! The cars were actually very easy to make and Melonheadz had the cutest faces clipart that I used for the little third graders in the cars!

Don't you just love pennants?! This welcome pennant is hanging right inside my classroom door.

I have this funky little corridor right inside my classroom door and wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Since I have a massive hallway display (the cute little cars) I decided that I needed a space to display my students' work. I used ribbon, mini clothespins, laminated sheets of black paper, and road trip nametags to make this display. It is so easy to change out student work using the clothespins!

Here is a close up of one of the student work displays. (Please don't mind my reflection in the paper!)

This is the area where I display our daily "I can" statements and anchor charts. I stole the idea for the magnetic curtain rods from Christina at Second Grade Sugar and Spice. It has worked for me very well so far! I'm always looking for more space to hang anchor charts and this idea was perfect!

This year, I'm using a vocab wall instead of a word wall. Each week, I introduce the new vocabulary terms as we learn them and add them to the wall. I refer to the words throughout the week and the kids use them for their vocabulary homework. To make the display, I just used ribbon and Velcro. The Velcro makes it really easy to change out the words each week.

Here is a close up of the vocabulary cards. Each card has the term, definition, and illustration of the word.

I wanted to keep the lanterns that I used in my classroom last year, but wanted to put a new twist on them. In Schoolgirl Style's décor set, there are postcards from all 50 of the states. I decided to name each table a different state using the postcards. My kiddos LOVE being called to the carpet by their state!

Okay, I have to admit something here- I went a little crazy over the summer buying chapter books for my classroom! With the transition to third grade (and the fact that most of my students have already read the majority of my books), I figured I needed to add many more chapter books. I found these amazing bins on Really Good Stuff and filled them up in no time!

Each student has their own chair pocket this year where they store their data notebooks. On each pocket, I put a license plate with the student's name. They are attached to the chair pockets with Velcro so I can easily switch them out!

Here is our "Road Trip Through the Writing Process" bulletin board! My students always seem to think that once they write their draft in writing workshop, they are done. Does anyone else hear me on this?! I thought my kiddos could use a visual reminder of the ENTIRE process!

This is our student computer center. Nothing fancy, but my students LOVE when it is their day on the computer!

I HATE clutter. So last year, I made this curtain to cover up the last few cubbies that I wasn't using. Behind the curtain, there is stuff shoved everywhere! With very limited storage space, I have to hide things anywhere I can!

Okay, can I just tell you that I am in love with this 5 drawer organizer? One of my biggest issues last year was trying to manage my turn-in basket. It would get so full with papers all mixed up and out of order. This organizer from Really Good Stuff is FABULOUS. Each drawer has a different label (morning work, math, word study, reading, and other). It has really helped me stay on top of grading papers. I couldn't live without this thing!

Alright, you made it to the end of my tour! I hope you enjoyed checking out my classroom!

Fourth Grade Common Core Posters and Tell Me More Linky!

Calling all fourth grade teachers! I've finally completed the Fourth Grade "Kid Friendly" Common Core Standards Posters. I have had many requests for these and have been working on them for quite some time. I am exited to share them with you!

These 4th grade common core posters are unique due to the fact that the standards cards are two-sided: one side is the exact standard written and coded for your records, the other side is the same standard written in "kid-friendly" language so that your students will be able to understand what it is they will be learning. (NOTE: I've taken great care in trying to preserve the meaning of the standard when I changed it into terms that the students can understand. I kept most verbage the same and used synonyms for more challenging words to help fourth graders understand!)

This document includes ALL standards for Language Arts (reading, writing, language, etc.) and Math.

Also included are subject heading cards for your display, information explaining how to read the coding on each card, and directions on how to print and make the cards. Making the cards is very simple-- you just need to print, cut around the solid black line (but DO NOT cut the line in the middle) and then fold in half. One side will be the "teacher" side and the other is the "kid-friendly" side. Just laminate, if you wish, and display in your classroom to make the learning goals more visible to your students!

Two different options for display include:

#1) On a hanging ribbon- just use velcro to change out the cards each day to align with what you are teaching.

#2) In a pocket chart- these cards will fit in virtually all pocket charts. No need for velcro, just change them out daily!

Check them out... Click {here} to be taken to the link! I hope these posters help you with the new transition to the Common Core!

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Okay, on to something a little more fun! I am linking up with the fabulous Amy Lemons to share some quirky facts about myself! If you'd like to join in on the fun, just click the button below to link up!

Alright, here goes:

1. Growing up, I HATED being tall. I am about 5'10" and have recently embraced my height. I always felt like a giant (especially in middle school when the boys were about half my height!) but now I'm beginning to realize that being tall has its perks!

2. I am a Big Brother fanatic! I love the TV show and drop everything to watch it all three days of the week =) Now I don't go as far as watching the live feeds online like some people do, but I'm a pretty devoted fan of the show!

3. I have terrible eyesight! I thank God every day for contact lenses because if I had to wear my glasses, it would not be pretty... ha!

4. My favorite place to be is at my family's lake house at Seneca Lake. I grew up spending my summers on this lake. Three years ago, my husband proposed to me on the cliff at sunset. Ahh... I just love it!

5. I absolutely love reading! My favorite authors include Jodi Piccoult and James Patterson, among many others. This summer, I read a series of books that start with "50"... haha... very interesting reads to say the least!

6. I am a bit of a perfectionist... okay, maybe more than a bit! Since becoming a mom though, I've learned that things aren't always just so. I'm letting things go (you should see my house!) and realizing that those little things don't matter in the grand scheme of life =)

7. My hubby, Brandon, is the love of my life! Every day, I just can't believe how lucky I am to be married to someone so loving, helpful, and funny!

8. Okay, I have two loves of my life-- my son, Grady, is the best thing that ever happened to me. He makes me laugh every day and is such a joy!

Alright, that's it! I know this is the longest post ever so thanks for reading! Be sure to link up with Amy above =)

Have a great Thursday!

Customized Common Core Posters

I've had many requests for customized common core standards posters, so I decided to create these for 2nd and 3rd grade. These posters contain all standards for Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Language, etc.) and Math. I will also create Science and Social Studies posters to match your state standards in these areas. For more information, click on the pictures below!

2nd Grade Common Core Standards Posters:

3rd Grade Common Core Standards Posters:

2nd Grade Common Core Standards Posters

I am so excited to share my latest creation for my classroom with you... common core standards posters for second grade! These 2nd grade common core posters are unique due to the fact that the standards cards are two-sided: one side is the exact standard written and coded for your records, the other side is the same standard written in "kid-friendly" language so that your students will be able to understand what it is they will be learning. (NOTE: I've taken great care in trying to preserve the meaning of the standard when I changed it into terms that the students can understand. I kept most verbage the same and used synonyms for more challenging words to help second graders understand!)

This document includes ALL standards for Language Arts (reading, writing, language, etc.) and Math. Science and Social Studies are also included, although they are specific to Ohio. Some Science and Social Studies standards may be the same from state to state, although same may differ.

Also included are subject heading cards for your display, information explaining how to read the coding on each card, and directions on how to print and make the cards. Making the cards is very simple-- you just need to print, cut around the solid black line (but DO NOT cut the line in the middle) and then fold in half. One side will be the "teacher" side and the other is the "kid-friendly" side. Just laminate, if you wish, and display in your classroom to make the learning goals more visible to your students!

Check them out... Just click on the picture below to be taken to the link!