Theme

As summer approaches, I begin to think about the theme I will use in my classroom for the next year.  I always of course look at teacher supply stores, other teachers room decor, etc.  But one important thing to remember is that MOST of the room will be covered with Word Wall, Math Wall (We used Number Corner) and multiple anchor charts and student work.  One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to not over decorate with my own stuff.  As you think about your theme, think about the way you can use the theme in your:

1. Classroom Rules
2. Reading Groups (name your groups after your theme)
3. Table Groups
5. Center Stations
6. Take Home Folder or Binder
7. Behavior and Job Charts, etc.

 I will provide an example of each of these in upcoming posts.

Here is an example of incorporating a Jungle theme into your Classroom Rules:

No Monkey Business

1.             Be Respectful

2.             Be Responsible

3.             Be Safe

When thinking about rules to post in your classroom, remember children can only remember a few things at a time.  I would choose three good rules that cover a lot of ground! Also, keep rules positive and to the point.

On the first day of school, I do an anchor chart with the class where the kids come up with ideas that match the rules and have to tell me what the class should look like and sound like. 

Reason For This Blog

After years of teaching multiple grade levels and experience in a few different districts and school settings, I have a very good friend, Nicole Landry, who inspired me to start a blog helping new teachers to stay organized and try to remember the millions of things that teachers are supposed to remember and complete on a daily basis.  My best advice to her: You NEVER get it all done.  Just when you think you have finally finished for the day, you think of a million more things that could be done.  Throw this in with being a wife, mother, etc, and we are FORCED to remember why this is our passion, not our life.  Try to focus on why you love teaching and what brought you to teaching in the first place.  All the other "stuff" WILL get done!   Through this blog, I will give ideas and organizational tips for the classroom.  I will try to provide examples and lesson ideas.  Mostly, I am doing this because I wish someone had shown me all the things that were involved in running my own classroom!