Non Basal First Grade

Our district has gone with Benchmark Universe instead of a more "common" basal for ELA. I am excited to get away from the traditional but am very apprehensive about our firsties adjusting to Benchmark. For example, it is assumed that all the kids entering first grade have a solid foundation in phonics. My class...not so much. We have reviewed the short vowels and consonants and now are entering the blends!

R Beginning Blends by Jean Brown Nelson

We will see! I am hoping a little picture sort will at least help them "hear" the beginning sounds.

Classroom view

I've finished my room due to the fact that school has already begun. I tried to take a few pictures but the quality is horrible.

This is the view from the back of the room toward the door.

From the computer area toward the front:

View from the door toward the back of the room and guided reading table.

This is the spotlight book area. I use these for read alouds.

The writer's eye rubric that has been all over Pinterest!

Science Area that I will use for different studies.

I plan to use these pocket charts to display our comprehension and vocabulary, etc.

The chevron on the bookcase tops is actually a contact type paper I ordered.

One of the book nooks that the kids use for reading to self and partner reading. 

Reading buddies to use occasionally!

Bulletin board ready for self portraits.

One of the stations I sat up at Open House.

Writing area for Work on Writing during Daily 5. I also have a Writing Workshop at a separate time of the day.

Math area.

And the guided reading table:

Now...I've been with my firsties for six days and I've changed their seating three times. Does that give you an idea of the verbal abilities of this group?????

Monday Made It

Today is Monday so it's linking time with Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics.


Oh--Monday! My last one...before school. Three days! As in PD starts on Thursday!

Thankfully I have been able to work in my room and have finished all the little things that need to be done.

I made this Chevron wreath for my classroom door. All the supplies came from Hobby Lobby: wire frame, chevron burlap ribbon, and solid burlap ribbon. I wasn't sure how to make one so just googled and got directions for the wreath and bow.

Sorry for the quality of photo--I left my camera at home.

I didn't make the next addition to my classroom but I saved 20% at Bed, Bath, and Beyond!

And my final make it==a nap! Last few days need to include a nap on the couch with my best little bud:

Michaels Ideas

I've been getting some great inspirations from Michael's instagram. It's nice not to have to be creative--in the sense of thinking up ideas. I'm a good copier!

I went to Michaels and picked up a pack of cork tiles (4 for $10.00) but used my 40% coupon plus the teacher discount. They had acrylic paint for half price so it was only 39 cents a bottle. I had sponge brushes and painters tape.

First step was to paint all the cork an almond color.

Then came the measuring part since I wanted them in four different colors of chevron. I googled "how to paint chevron" and came up with easy enough directions. It was a matter of drawing lines and making rectangle boxes. Then adding the tape from corner to corner on a diagonal. Lots of taping but not a difficult chore. (If I can figure it out I KNOW you can also!)

Then it was a quick process of adding the colors. 

As soon as I finished painting I removed the tape and let it dry. I touched up the almond color to hide the lines I had drawn.

I dropped by school and hot glued those babies to the wall. (Do you love hot glue also?)

Finished and hung!

Classroom Sneak Peak

It's getting closer. Time. for. school. August 1. Need I say more?

I spent a few hours at school tossing and tossing old stuff. When I get in a cleaning mood I get in a throw it out mind-set.

Since our district is moving to a literacy based concept I tossed all our old reading series files.

Do you see the leveled readers below this bulletin board? I pulled them out of the display boxes and saved them. I do plan to use them in guided reading so I didn't toss those!

The new, cleaned off area:

I pulled out my little storage "benches" that Mr. Spouse built and placed those at the end of the desks.

From this:

To this:

The baskets go inside their desks to hold various items so that I can't see the orderly disarray inside. (Picture hidden unfinished work that I couldn't possibly know that is missing?)

I'm thinking of displaying our common core standards (I Can statements) that are required to show that I indeed am a Tennessee teacher who is going to be evaluated on said standards. I really need to have them close to our meeting area. 

I did have half of the student book baskets stored in this area but since I may use those little storage benches near their desks I have placed the science area/journals there. I will move all my non-fiction book baskets to this bookcase. The ones pictured in the blue baskets are actually author studies and chapter books. Above the area is my Daily 5 choice pocket charts. I'm a little undecided as to how those will go with our new "balanced literacy" reading/writing workshops. I am more of a Reading Workshop person than a Daily 5 so I sort of made my own way to combine both.

Well, this week I have three days of Common Core training.