The Walls

It's a personal choice of mine, not to have pre-made, pre-cut scholastic like displays in my classroom. I like to think of the classroom as a second home. Would I want to live in a home where every inch of space was covered with cartoon characters, words and bright vibrant colours? Nope.

Just for the sake of comparison. Here are two photos of my classroom (2013-2014).

Here are photos from my very first kindergarten classroom (before I began to learn from others and seek out new ways of teaching).

It doesn't mean that there is nothing on my walls on the first day of school. It just looks different from what other kindergarten rooms might look like. 

There are photographs of last years JKs on our classroom door at student height. To welcome back everyone, and as a way to visually show the new students and parents some of what we did the previous year. 

As soon as the children begin to draw and write. If they don't want to take it home, it goes up on the wall on the first day. They immediately have ownership of their space.

We have a classroom schedule displayed near the meeting area. We use a combination of visuals and words (it's made with a program called Board Maker) that are common throughout the entire school.

I might have one or two songs/poems written out on chart paper. I hang my charts low so the students can use them during the day. I use these clothes hangers from IKEA to hold the charts. I usually stick a 3M hooks on the wall or cabinets.

Stephanie.

Room Layout

When I think about my classroom set up I always start with the physical layout of the room. Where will the furniture and carpets go? Thankfully I've been in my room for a year already so when I go back in this time it won't take too long to figure it out.

Here is what I consider important with room layout...

-traffic flow of children

-sight lines (for children and adults...I always end up sitting down on the floor to check this out for the children)

-definition of space

Let me expand on definition of space. I want to have areas that are open enough for movement, but contained at the same time so that children don't interrupt or disturb one another during their learning-play. I often use the back of furniture to help create this. 

My goal is to have a room that is spacious and airy, but when you walk in you know exactly what every area of the room is used for.

Areas I'm considering having for the first month of school...

-meeting area

-quiet book area

-sand play

-water play

-big blocks

-small blocks

-art studio

-light table

-writing area

-math area

-loose parts investigation

-free flow snack table

-nature area (discovery table)

-dramatic play


When I have them set up. I'll take photographs of each space and explain my choice of materials and organization.

Stephanie

August

It's that time of year when I start to think about the first month of school. Suddenly when I'm in stores...I'm finding materials that would be great for the classroom. My car trunk is already full of materials to bring back with me.


What have I picked up so far...
-river rocks
-fallen acorns
-sparkles, sequins and stickers
-coloured plastic ice cubes (for use at the light table)
-craft paper
-clear containers for display
-small plastic animals

My favourite stores to find hidden treasures...

Value Village
Good Will
Dollorama
Dollar Tree
Target (especially things in the clearance section)
Home Depot (if you want larger river rocks...you can buy a bag there)
Home Sense
Winners

Stephanie.