My Classroom Reveal!!! #2getherWeAreBetter

Hello there! I'm excited, once again, to be linking up with Ashley from SchroaderShenanigansin2nd and Angie from LuckyLittleLearners for the #2getherWeAreBetter CLASSROOM REVEAL linky! Keep strolling to see the classroom environment I've created for my PreKinders! Some areas still aren't complete, but for the most part, everything is ready! My students started on August 24th! Enjoy!

I thought I would get rid of my Safari Classroom Theme after having it for four years, but it's this years theme at my new school! This is my classroom door and entrance area.

This is the view of my classroom when you open my door. I decided not to do a theme on the inside, just a color scheme (yellow, blue, black & white). From this view you can see my desk, part o fthe Dramatic Play Center, carpet area, Promethean Board and instructional resources on the wall. 

Here is a closer look at my Carpet Area. Here I use the easel and Promethean Board on a daily basis. I also use all of the other resources on the walls. The alphabet line is from Doodles-And-Lines on TPT. I haven't added my Melon Headz color posters yet. 

This is the Writing Center, located to the left after entering my classroom. The students already have "Wow Work" on the board. You can also see my closet door in the picture. The number posters are from Jessica Contratto's TPT store. 

Here is our Conputer Center, next to the Writing Center. We also have 6 iPads for student use. The DATA Wall isn't complete yet. I'm currently assessing my new PreKinders. 

This is the Dramatic Play Center. It's next to the Computer Center. You can see some more student "WOW Work" here.

This view is to the right after entering my classroom. You can see the Puzzle Center straight ahead along with the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree behind it. Once we do our Letter & Number Unit we'll add them. To the left of that center you can see a small part of the Manipulative Center. To the right you can see part of the Library Center. To the very back is the Word Wall, student cubbies, Art Center, Science Center, Birthday Board & counter. Don't worry, we'll take a closer look. 

This is the Library Center. We have labeled book bins. Each book is also labeled. I add and take away book bins for each Unit. This keeps a new selection available for the students throughout the year. The students know exactly where to put their book when they're finished reading. You can also see our corner Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree with comfy pillows. Some of their seasons work is already displayed. You can also see part of the Concept Board here. 

This is more comfy seating in my Library Center. I've haven't decided what to add to the back of my sign in shelf yet. 

This is the Concept Board. It's focusing on all things "Back To School". More will be added soon. The "I Can" statement are from Alison and Karen's TPT store "Planet Happy Smiles".  

This is our Art Center. It's beside the Library Center and to the left of it it the... SINK! As you see, we've been discussing David! The students love discussing him daily and rereading his stories. You can also see the flag and pledge to the left.

This is our Daily Schedule, American Flag and Pledge of Allegiance. 

This is the sink and counter area, located beside the Art Center. More info on the Birthday Board is below.

This is our Birthday Board. I'll add pictures of students holding their birth date sign to each month. These posters are from a TPT Author but I forgot her name :(.

This is our Science Center. It's not fully stocked yet. Behind it (not pictured) is the Sand/Water Center and Sensory Cube.  You can see part of our Word Wall and student cubbies in the back. 

This is more of out Word Wall and student cubbies. That's a shower curtain being used to hide clutter :).

This is the Block Center. The Music Center is behind it. You can also see more instructional resources on the wall as well as the Promethean Board. Haven't added my Melon Headz colors posters yet :).

This is our Classroom Helpers Chart. It's on the side of my old, bulky desk. Each student has a responsibility each week. Some jobs have two students. I rotate the chart every Friday and the students get new jobs on Mondays. A selection of books are here as well. 

Thanks for viewing my Classroom Reveal! I hope you enjoyed. Make sure you visit other teachers blogs who are a part of this linky as well :). Leave a comment and let me know what you think about my classroom.

My Behavior Management System!

Is your classroom a Bucket Filling Classroom? Do you know what it means to be a Bucket Filler? Come  find out what it is and how I implement it in my classroom from day one. Yes, that’s right, from day one! 

Who created it? Carol McCloud is the amazing author of many Bucket Filler books. She also came up with the Bucket Filler behavior system which so many schools and teachers use today. You can find all of her products by clicking the link under her photo.

http://www.bucketfillers101.com/

What’s its purpose? The purpose of Bucket Fillers is to focus on positive behaviors that a student or group of students display. By focusing on the positive and acknowledging it, students begin to make conscious efforts to be their “best self”. It becomes a part of who they are. 

How I implement it: On the first day of school I have a discussion with my students about how we should treat others and ourselves. The students usually say things like “We should be nice” , “We should take turns” or “We shouldn’t be mean”. I acknowledge their responses and write them on a chart for later references. Next, I read the story Will You Fill My Bucket?. This story introduces students to the idea of Bucket Filling. It helps them to grasp the concept that Bucket Fillers help others feel good and in return they, themselves feel good. 

After reading the story, I challenge the students to be Bucket Fillers from that moment on. I explain to them that each time I see a student or students displaying positive behaviors, using their manners, uplifting other students or adults, working hard, following procedures or simply being their “best self”, I’ll add a pompom to our classroom bucket (small/medium sized bucket with the Bucket Fillers Logo on the front). The bucket stays on my desk and the students can see it at all times. I also explain to them that once the bucket is full, they may choose an incentive (popcorn party, extra p.e. time, sit with a buddy at lunch, show & tell, etc.). They are usually excited and ready to start earning pompoms immediately.

We also discuss what it means to be a Bucket Dipper (being mean to others, making others feel bad, etc.). I don’t display a clip chart because it seems to focus on the negative and embarrass the child. If I see any student displaying inappropriate behavior, I simply talk to that student individually about their behavior and remind them about the characteristics of a Bucket Filler. This usually works. 

Later on in the day I show the YouTube video “Bucket Fillers - Nature Jams - Lyrics Video”. We sing and dance along to the video. Afterwards, the students color a Bucket Filler picture. By this time the students are feeling really confident about being Bucket Fillers. 

Before we dismiss for the day, I read the story Have You Filled a Bucket Today?. This is a time for the students to reflect on their day and acknowledge the positive experiences they had. They are able to discuss how they filled someone else’s bucket, while filling their own. 

Lastly, we add the poster “We Are A Bucket Filling Classroom” to our classroom. As the students dismiss, they each receive a Bucket Filler sticker.  They leave empowered and ready for a GREAT school year! 

I hope you've found this information to be helpful. Maybe you'll consider making your classroom a Bucket Filling Classroom, if you haven't already.

How I do my Bulletin Boards!!! #2getherWeAreBetter

Hello everyone. Welcome to my first OFFICIAL post! I'm so excited to be linking up with Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd and Lucky Little Learners for the #2getherWeAreBetter BULLETIN BOARDS linky! In this post I will take you into my classroom and show you my Bulletin Boards. CAUTION: They are NOT complete yet. I'll add content once my students arrive and get their little hands busy LOL. Hope you enjoy! 

Room Inspiration: These colors and patterns are what inspired the color scheme for my room this year. The blue is very calming and the yellow helps to stimulate the brain. They work very well together. The black and white patterns break up the colors a little bit. I think this makes for a great classroom color scheme and learning environment. 

When you enter my room, the first thing you see is my HUMONGOUS Teacher Desk (wish I could get rid of it & have an extra Small Group table). You also see my Promethean Board (not pictured).  I wanted something to grab the students attention and immediately make them feel a sense of belonging. The front of my desk is now our "We Are Family" board. During Open House I will take a picture of each student with their family. Ill add those pictures to the board. I'll also be adding a small rug and pillows in front of it. The students will be able to come to this area anytime they miss home! I've been doing this for a few years now and it's always a big success.  

                                   

This "Wow Work" board is in the Writing Center. It will display student writing. I hate that the paper is wrinkled, but you won't see the wrinkles once I put the laminated sheets of paper on it. Each sheet of paper will have a clothespin on it. It'll be easy interchanging their work throughout the year. I'll be changing the title of this board to "Wow Writing".  

This "Dynamic DATA" board is in the Computer Center. It will be turned into a big Bar Graph. It will display my students growth on assessments throughout the year. The Bar Graph will include each content area, number of students assessed and their progress. Their names will not be listed, for confidentiality reasons. 

This "Wow Work" board is in the Dramatic Play Center. It will be set up just like the "Wow Writing" board. It'll display student work samples.

This is the "Seasons" board. It's in the Library/Listening Center. During each season, we will do studies/investigations. The students will read stories about that season and create pictures to represent the season. They'll  be displayed here. The books will be added to this center before the kiddos arrive. 

This "Concept Board" is beside the Library/Listening Center. It will display our units, objectives, standards and I Can Statements. Student work samples will also be displayed with each objective and I Can Statement. This board will be changing weekly and monthly, depending on the unit and activity. I'll be adding a big check mark at the end of the title on this board. :)

This board is in the Art Center. It will be titled "Amazing Art". The students will be making various art activities throughout the year. Those activities will be displayed here. 

These cabinets will be our "Word Wall". You can barely see the letters on this picture.  As we learn new words, they'll be added under each letter. Environmental prints will also be under each letter.

This is the continued "Word Wall".

   

This is the "Birthdays Board". I got this product from Ashley (That's So Second Grade) on Teachers Pay Teachers. You should check out her store! I'll add a photo to each month. The photo will be a picture of the students whose birthday is in that month. They'll be holding a sign with their birth date on it. Look over the messy counter LOL.

                           

Thanks for checking out my Bulletin Boards. I'll be posting a Classroom Reveal soon, once my room if complete. Make sure you visit some of the other teachers blogs who are a part of this linky. :)

Welcome!

Hello there! I'm so glad you decided to stop by. I hope you find this blog to be of assistance to you in many ways. Feel free to check back often for more ideas and news.

Thanks,

Mr. B!