Learning With Mrs. Parker

Each summer, as I see teachers laboring for weeks in their classrooms, I wonder if I should do the same. But I refrain, because I love my students' work and learning to be as much of our space as the decor I set up prior to their arrival. The first few weeks, our walls are minimal. Weeks later, this is what our classroom has become. It may not be "magazine worthy" but it is a homey learning space. View as you enter

Our Meeting Area

This is the heart of our classroom. Much of our learning takes place here. Book Boxes

One change I made this year was to purchase these shelves. Our book boxes fit perfectly and it looks much more streamlined than it has in the past.

Library Area

Our library space contains a mixture of board books, easy readers and themed books. I also have our listening center here.

Writing Center

Currently, our writing center has student generated word lists and focused vocabulary from our Language arts adoption. I will add words into the pocket charts as students become more confident to write.

Exploration Table

I am trying to add more play and STEM projects. This table will house different activities. So far, we have used it to explore magnetic and non-magnetic items, build with legos, and to play with letters. The class really likes this space.

Guided Reading Area

I use one of the tables my students sit at for Guided Reading. I like to do this so that I can have as much open space as possible; less tables.

Our classroom is beginning to look and feel lived in. I am sure that our classroom will evolve as the year progresses.

Happy Teaching!

We just completed our eighth day of school. And, to be honest with you, I am exhausted. You just simply forget how much goes into teaching; let alone teaching kindergarten.

This is one of my favorite bulletin boards. (I hope to share more detailed pictures of my room later.)

We have been busy working on routines and procedures. My class this year needs more direction so I am finding myself looking for new ways to effectively deal with classroom management and behavior. First off, we are beginning our day with community circle. During this time, we greet one another, share and work on creating our classroom community. I am also using some Whole Brain Teaching Strategies to keep us focused.

Here are a few activities that we have used in our classroom; many are freebies.

1. We used beads and dry erase markers to write our names. Find this excellent freebie here.
2. We read from our book boxes. The book on the table is from my blog about school expectations.
3. We built number towers.
4. We love Pete the Cat! We made these directed drawings from First Grade Blue Skies.

Overall, we've accomplished a lot in these last few days.

Happy Teaching!