Friday, June 22, 2012

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!!!!!!

11 comments:

  1. Wow, I can't imagine having to pack up everything every year! You did great for coming into someone else's classroom. I teach 4th grade and some of my kids would definitely prefer their own seats over the carpet, but a few years ago I got some carpet squares and my friends love them. I just went to a carpet store and asked if they had any samples from discontinued carpet and they gave me about 30 for free! They are perfect for independent reading and they stack nicely on the bottom of my bookshelf.

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    1. Oh, Angela! How I would love to not have to pack up my room every year! It is so much work! I like your idea of the carpet squares, but while my friends don't like to come to the carpet so much for shared reading, they do love to sprawl out with a good book during independent reading! For that reason alone, I will keep the carpet. You are lucky to get those carpet squares for free. In my area, the big box stores like Home Depot will only sell them to you.

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  2. You did a great job making the room feel inviting. I love the color dots in the background. It really brightens the place up. :)

    Amanda
    The Teaching Thief
    Fiction Friday: A Celebration of Children’s Literature

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  3. Nancy, I have been voraciously reading your blog for the past 2 days - you are such an inspiration to teachers! I have some questions for you about teaching guided reading and the writing workshop for grade 5. I know you are very busy this summer, but was wondering if you might have time for an e-mail loaded with questions? I was unable to find an e-mail contact for you on your blog.

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    1. Hi Morgen! Thanks so much for reading my blog. I would be happy to chat with you. I just added an email link to contact me with under the "About Me" section on the right side column of the blog. Feel free to email me. I will do my best to get back to you sooner rather than later!

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    2. Thanks Nancy, I have sent you an e-mail and am looking forward to hearing back from you :)

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  4. It never feels like home when it's not your place, but I love what you did with it :) My 5th graders didn't like to come to the carpet either, but LOVED having spaces to lay about and read or write when it was time to do so. I found that my carpet was more of a tripping hazard then a meeting place so I picked it up, but it looks much more fun with it down. I'm hoping to rearrange a bit this year and incorporate it back in somehow.

    Good luck with summer school! I'm going to keep reading to see how it goes :)

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  5. I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. :) Come by my blog when you have a minute to read about it and enjoy the air conditioning!

    I Want to be a Super Teacher

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  6. I just discovered your blog today and I wanted to tell you that I love your blog! I'm already planning on using a lot of the ideas you have mentioned. I'm excited to go back and read more of your past posts. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

    I am a 5th grade teacher in Oklahoma.

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  7. Hi!! I awarded you the One Lovely Blog award and the Versatile Blogger award!! Stop by and check it out!!

    www.fifthgradefancy.blogspot.com

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  8. Your temporary room is looking great! I like the yellow tablecloths and know what you mean about them brightening things up. Your room looks inviting and the kids are going to come in ready to learn!

    I am hosting a giveaway on my blog. If you have time, come check it out.
    Teach~Play~Smile 200 Follower Giveaway!

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