My New Summer Digs!

Summer school starts Monday!  For various reasons, I wasn't able to go in and set-up my room until today.  I will be teaching in one of the other elementary schools in my district.  One that has AIR CONDITIONING!!!  I'm a bit happy about that!

The room I am in is a third grade classroom, but everything in it has been packed up by the teacher.  That means I had to box up supplies from my classroom to bring over.  It's a good thing I threw everything and then some in my boxes because I found out the summer school supplies they ordered were not going to be delivered in time.  So, here's a look at my temporary digs:

It is so strange to be in a classroom that isn't yours.  When I came in the desks were all in the middle of the room with chairs scattered.  I had to rearrange.  I also had to do some decorating to make the room somewhat inviting.  I had some leftover circles from my classroom, so I put each friend's name in one with some encouraging words on the white circles.  I can't put up too much, but as the weeks go on I know there will be anchor charts and student work up.

I set up two tables of four and off to the side of the room, you can see the meeting table.  I have eight friends who are at three different reading levels.  It makes for three tiny groups!

This is the supply table I set up.  I had to find something to do with all those extra desks!  On my way in, I stopped at the dollar store to grab a couple of plastic tablecloths.  The yellow isn't very bright in these pictures, but in person it's much brighter and perks up the room nicely.

On the other side of the room, I hid some more desks and spread out some center activities.

In the front of the room, the teacher has this nice carpet for shared reading.  I notice that my 5th graders do not really like coming to the carpet.  They would often much rather stay at their seats.  Does anyone else notice this with their older friends?

Finally, in the back of the room, I set up a couple of table/desk meeting areas.  Sometimes you just need to spread out a bit.  Also, some friends tend to work better when they can sit away from others!  I wanted to have options for them and me. ;-   In the left corner, you can see that there is another carpeted area.  I think that will be used in independent reading more than anything else.

So, that's where I will be spending the next five weeks.  Tomorrow, I need to work on some lesson plans.  The work never ends!!!!!!