Classroom Reveal

Oh my, the past couple weeks have been so busy!
My hunky husband was selected as a Chief Select (yay!). In addition to his crazy schedule, I have somewhat adopted the men in his group, so I am cooking for 5 grown men every night.
I officially started PD on the 8th, though I was unofficially working on transforming our school hallways into a rain forest. I will have to get pictures of all that goodness on Monday.

In between meetings and all the other good stuff, I have snuck in a few minutes to work in my room. While it is not finished, I have to say that I am very happy with how it has turned out!

Starting from the beginning, this is the door to my room. I know the polka dots don't match, but that is some insight for the craziness on the inside! (: Everyone has to have something representing their college on their door, and that was the first wreath I ever made. Go Titans!

Here is the finished product that I posted about awhile ago. My momma shipped me the wood and I painted it. There is a pass for boys, girls, office, nurse and water. Jesus help the child who loses one of these passes!

Here is my desk area. I don't ever sit here during the day, but it is a great reprieve in the afternoons. Would you believe that that desk was salvaged from the dumpster? Last year my husband refurbished it for me with duct tape and some fabric. (: The "gum ball machine" is made out of a glass bowl and a flower pot. It hold our warm fuzzies!

Wonderful Writers! I love displaying my students' writing as the year progresses. We will do a free write at the beginning of each month, and it will be placed on top of the student's previous work. Anyone who comes into the class can easily see how our writing is progressing. I put them on binder rings so I can easily take it with me to meetings as well.

The book shelf at the bottom of the photo will house our class library and student manipulatives.

 Last year, this was a chalkboard that I attempted to repurpose. The white board laminate I bought fell off before school even started, so it stayed covered with butcher paper all year. Now it is magnetic and the same color as the rest of my room so it really opens things up. The right side will be my reading focus wall and the left will be my math focus wall. I have some heavy duty magnets to hold up anchor charts and essential questions.

 My calendar area. We don't go over it extensively, but it is at the front of my room so I prefer if it stays cute. (:

The back of my room. The left side of the picture is our reading area and student supplies are housed in the cabinet. I am lucky enough to have 4 student computers in my room. They are sitting on a shelving unit, so I am able to hide things behind the fabric.

We are not supposed to open our blinds (and I wish I could because the court yard is right outside. It is always green and plush, and last year we planted our garden there), so I have used it for my word wall. I think I may go back to print the word cards larger though. 

My room had minimal storage last year, so when the opportunity to take 2 large filing cabinets arose, I jumped. I knew I could easily repurpose them. A little contact paper and duct tape! For our birthday presentation, I have each student's name and birthday written on a candle shape that will go into the appropriate cupcake.

And this is my pride and joy! My class family tree. Students are invited to bring pictures to add to the circles, and I will add pictures from school as well. It only took about an hour (minus cutting out the circles), and I know that it is really going to bring everything together!

I have put so much hard work into my room. That is the joy that comes from staying in the same room two years in a row. I was able to build upon what I started last year. I hope my students love it as much as I do!