Classroom

Hi Everyone, Amanda here!

I'd like to invite you all in to take a look at my 1st grade classroom! Before I start posting tons of pictures, I'd like to preface that my classroom is a flexible/alternative seating classroom.  I dove head first into flipping my classroom and I don't think I could ever go back to a traditional set up.  I will am also following up in later posts how I did that, and how I organize everything.  Capturing my classroom through pictures was harder than I thought, but hopefully you can all get a feel for it!

See more in depth posts here:
Alternative/flexible seating

This is a view from our doorway if you look to the left into our classroom.  The smaller tables are tall cafe tables that students can stand at.  On the floor are balance boards that some students use.

Here is a peak into organization.  Each table has two of these for student supplies.

If you are in the doorway and look to your right, this is what the kids come to first when they enter the classroom.  Here we have our job chart, as well as the student mailboxes.  I use file shelves for their mailboxes.

Next to the mailboxes we have our word wall and small group table.

Literacy Areas

Next to our small group table we have my FAVORITE and truly the HEART of the room....the library!  I spent a TON of time last summer re-vamping my library and I'm so glad I did!

Here is a picture if you are standing directly in front of it.

I use green and blue labels to show fiction vs. non-fiction and found these cute chalkboards at Target to help remind the kiddos!

Non-Fiction examples....

Fiction examples....

This fun bench is a nice nook for reading, and also has leveled books for students struggling with "Just Right Books". 

Next to the library we have our literacy area.  Again, there are typically anchor charts up in these areas. I used expandable curtain rods and had my mom make curtains for my shelves because I feel like it looks much less distracting that way.

Mini Lessons (Front of the room)

This is the front of our room.  This is where I do my mini lessons.  Students can sit on the carpet, in the seats, or on the bench, as long as they are with their partner.

The bench I made with some help from my mom and our wonderful custodian.  I bought the drawers at Goodwill and they were 2 separate units.  Our custodian drilled a board along the top to attach them, and my mom made the vinyl cushion  for the top.   In them I keep fidgets, weighted lap pads, and white boards for students to access as needed.

I have two doors in my room, and this is the view from the second door, which is located in the left front of the classroom.

Math Areas

The walls are typically covered in math anchor charts, but I took them down so it wasn't too distracting.  This is how I organize and store my math supplies.

Each student has a math bin that they keep all of their supplies and manipulatives in.

These are additional supplies for math.

Storage Areas

To the left of the math area, are cabinets and my desk.  The black shelf in front of my desk shows how the students store their supplies.  As I said, I'll go deeper into that in a future post. The door you see to the left is my closet.

Here is my attempt to stay organized with all of the papers that come my way.  I bought these at Ikea for about $8 a piece (I think).

All of my cabinets and supplies are labeled so that my kids, volunteers, and the variety of aides and services that are in and out all day are independent in getting what they need.

If you made it this far....thank you! I hope it wasn't too confusing and we look forward to diving into each of these areas in separate posts! If you have any questions or comments, I'd love to hear them and I'd gladly reply!

:) Amanda