Here we go again! I am so happy to be in my third year of teaching and teaching 3rd grade for the second year now. I feel so much more organized and know what to expect! In the picture above is me showing off the beginning process of setting up my classroom. This has been the third year in a row that I've had to move my classroom, I'm hoping I won't have to anymore now!
Here is my awesome classroom tree that my brother Jeff painted for me! I’ve always wanted it painted on the wall, but didn’t get around to it until now. I had a paper trunk in the past, but this just looks a million times better and more realistic! It’s nice to have such an artistic family. This tree changes with the seasons. Soon it will be having fall leaves by the end of this month. It's a lot of fun and I like to give it a personalized touch with my students help! Each apple on this tree has one of my student's name on it, I have 21 little apples in my class. 8 of them I had when I taught 1st grade, so that's a lot of fun! It's really cool to see how they have grown academically and that I get to help with that again!
This is a picture of my workshop board that I change every week to go with the story we are reading, math we are working on, and many other activities for my students to do independently during reading group time. I am all about reinforcing things and giving them as much exposure to it so they can master the skill. You can also see the homey touch I like to add to my classroom. I have a classroom job that is a gardner, they are the ones responsible and who oversee the plants and make sure they are watered weekly. I want my classroom to be as welcoming and enjoyable place as possible for my students to learn and comfortable.
Lastly, I will end with another view of my classroom. This is my classroom library area and my desk. I have tons of books on other bookshelves just ready to be read by my students. I have to pillows on the floor under the tree that you can't see, that my students ask everyday to go sit down there and read. I had to start making a list of who's next to sit down there. Can't beat a class that loves to read! I think it is going to be a great year! I already feel like we have connected with each other and that the respect is there. They know what is expected of them and know what the consequences are if they break those expectations. I feel that I keep learning new things and know what I show implement and do to makes my students have the best learning environment possible. I want to make sure that I teach them the best I can academically, yet make sure that they learn life skills and relationship skills that will better them for the rest of their lives. I am excited to watch them grow! It is the greatest to be giving tons of hugs, notes that say 'you're the greatest teacher ever', and that they are so happy to be in my class. It's pretty nice to have kids say they are sad to go, that they want to stay at school. It is nice to be in a profession that is so rewarding. Believe me, you will be hearing plenty more!