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The Brown Bag Teacher

Teach the Children. Love the Children. Change the World.

Classroom Organization and Set-Up Ideas

Hi, Friends! I have SO many projects to share with you and the best part is that they all match! Woohoo – I am all about things that match….like I will do ridiculous things (i.e. cutting out 78 circles) for ‘matchedness’.

In an ideal world, I would be able to meet with all 28 of my students during each 40 minute writing period. Realistically, this is not possible, so I decided to create a way to have a quick visual reference at the end of each period to chart the progress of my students. Using this charting system, I can make a plan of ‘attack’ for conferencing with students the next day (i.e. is Speedy Speedster flying through his/her piece paying little attention to the organizer or is Dilly Dally stalling in the writing progress because he/she is confused). Each student had his/her own pocket, and at the end or beginning of each class period moves an ‘app’ stick to the pocket to focus himself/herself, as well as, to let me know where they are at.

I saw this awesome idea by Melanie on Pinterest and she gave me the go ahead to create my own version! Since I am a 1:1 classroom, it is important for me to fully integrate technology and iPads in all aspects of the classroom, so iWrite was the perfect to do this. This charting system holds every student in my classroom accountable for working through the writing progress. Additionally, it provides me with a visual representation of the ‘big writing picture.’ [Click on the picture or here to learn more!]

If you follow me on Facebook, then you know that I have been designing binder clips inspired by this pin. I wanted easy to make and matching labels for my student mailboxes. I bought 1 inch binder clips (I really should have used 2 inch clips but they were 4 for 1.59 or I could buy 12 one inch clips for 1.59 – easy choice), printed out tiny labels, laminated the labels, and attached them with this glue. I {love} this glue. It is made by the Super Glue company and I am SUPER impressed with it. 🙂

In the middle of May, I was shopping for almonds at Sam’s and spotted a 10-drawer rolling cart for $24!!!! This week, I made some snazzy black/white/yellow labels for each of the drawers and I am very happy with them! This is where students will turn in their work each day, and then, the last 5 drawers are where I’ll store my materials for each day.

Last week, Target had sheet sets on sale, so I picked up two sets of grey sheets. I spent foorrrever ironing, picked up some border with a Parent Teacher Store gift card, and then, got to work. A word to the wise – NEVER put striped fabric on a bulletin board. If you are compulsive {even the tiniest bit}, you will spend forever trying to get them ‘just-right’. It makes me twitch to think that in less than 30 days students will be leaning on my fairly perfect stripes making them not-so-fairly perfect. This is my outside bulletin board, so student work will be displayed here throughout the year using these iExcel templates.

I spent my Sunday cutting circles…a lot of them. Seeing that I do not have one of those snazzy circle cutters, I had to do it by hand. Over and over I had to remind myself…it’s for the children, it’s for the children – ha! Last year in 5th grade, class times were cut short and there was no spelling or vocabulary. Now, I have not gained any time, but know that vocabulary is a HUGE part of the Common Core and state tests, so I want students engaging with and grappling with new vocabulary on a weekly and daily basis.With that said, I really want to do it in an authentic way…I do not want to throw a list of words at them. So, I am going to use an interactive word wall this year where students learn 8 new words each week – 2 ‘Teacher Choice’ words and 6 ‘Student Choice’ words.Throughout the school year, my students submit vocabulary suggestions from their own reading, using a quick and easy form. From these requests, I pick 6 words each week to include on the wall. The first 2 weeks of school, I pick all 8 of the vocabulary words as I ‘train’ students to use this system. This weekend, I got my system together and printed everything, and I {love} it! I cannot wait to hang it on Tuesday. 🙂 Look…it matches?!?!?! [Click on the picture or here to learn more!]

If you can’t tell, I’m in the 21 day countdown and I am SO excited and terrified and thrilled and have oodles to do –eeek! Well, I am headed off to Literacy by Design training today, so I’ll see you later!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Kate says

      Thanks so much, Jessica! I completely understand. Honestly, I was not planning on having a word wall, but ended up with a HUGE yellow partitioned wall that has to the covered…hence, the word wall! 🙂

      Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you, Kelli! It has been a wonderful week, and I cannot wait to see it altogether. *Fingers crossed* I'll be ready to go a week before schools starts….we'll see!

      Reply

    • Kate says

      Haha – not silly at all! I could not find the just-right apps, so I ended up dabbling into the world of clip art and made my own…woohoo for a one time adventure. 🙂 Using small laminated pieces of card stock worked well for me, and the super glue was great! I can't wait to see how yours turn out. 🙂

      -C

      Reply

  9. Jessica Lawler says

    What fabulous ideas! I LOVE your 10-drawer cart – genius! 🙂 And your kids are going to loooovvvee the iPad writing pockets to track their progress.
    As a fellow 5th grade teacher, I am really interested in your interactive word wall – what are the kids going to do with the words throughout the week? How will you incorporate it into your day?

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

    Reply

  13. Kristen Bagnola says

    So cute and coordinated! Any chance of you sharing your clip/drawer cart labels in your TPT store? Or do you have any helpful hints for those of us looking to do something similar?

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Hi Kristen! Thank you. 🙂 I {love} things that coordinate! I just added this set to my store – http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Classroom-Organization-Labels-Black-White-and-a-Hint-of-Yellow-798286.

      These are the labels that I need, so if you would like any other types or size labels added, please let me know! 🙂

      In terms of actually putting it together… First I cut and laminated the labels. Then, I held them up to the end of the drawer (with the knob removed) and drew a circle on the back of the label where I needed to put a hole. I removed the label and put a pencil through the label making a hole and then, taped the label onto the drawer and screwed the knob back on (the knob hid the hole). Well, I think that is as clear as mud – ha! If you have any questions, you can email me at [email protected] 🙂

      Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you so much, Tessa! Yes, I just added this pack -http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Classroom-Organization-Labels-Black-White-and-a-Hint-of-Yellow-798286.

      If you would like anything added or tweaks made, feel free to email me at [email protected]!

      Reply

  17. Third and Goal says

    Oh my gosh-I'm obsessed with everything you have created. The drawers look incredible! I just bought mine at Michaels, and didn't even think to label the drawers. I also love the fabric on the bulletin boards. Your kiddos are lucky to be in that gorgeous room!

    Kerry

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Haha – thank you, Lisa! I was thrilled when I found them at Sams. Plus, I was really happy to find them in white rather than the multi-colored ones…I love coordination. 🙂

      Reply

  20. Bridget S says

    This post is full of so many fantastic ideas 🙂 I'm so excited that you have your own classroom!! I love all your great ideas and positive energy!!

    How did you "stick" the labels? I might need to pick up one of those carts!!

    Bridget

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thanks, Bridget! I am SO blessed and thrilled to have my own classroom 🙂

      I had to put on the labels before the little knobs, so I used masking tape in the four corners. Then, I added the screw and little knob which also tightly holds the label to the bin. It was really simple!

      Reply

  21. Heather Byers says

    Hi Catherine!
    I just found you through Fun in First Grade's blog comments. I'm a Kentucky blogger too!
    I love your room colors and décor. Our school is slowly becoming a 1:1 school. The 6-8 have laptops and this year our 4-5 are getting tablets. They plan on bring down tablets through Kindergarten. However it will be awhile before I get mine:(

    Heather
    The Busy Busy Hive

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Hi Heather! Thanks so much for stopping by. It's so much to learn how many awesome KY bloggers there are in cyberspace. 🙂 That is awesome! Our school is slowly becoming one, too. There are 2 5th grade classroom, a 1st grade classroom, a Spanish classroom, and a K classroom that at 1:1. Everyone else has 5 iPads. Hopefully, you'll be able to snag yours in the next few years they are such a huge asset to my classroom! 🙂

      Reply

  22. Mikaela says

    You have been one busy little bee! Your room is going to be awesome. LOVE the IWrite board- SO cute and a great way to see where each of the kids are in the process.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you, Farley! 🙂 They were super easy to make, and should be easier to manage to alphabetizing names and then, adding new names when new students arrive. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you SO much, Alicia. I really, really like it, too! I was planning on keeping it on a wall, but when rearranging furniture today, I ended up with a bare side of a filing cabinet. Tomorrow I am going to add magnetic tape to the back! I can't wait to see it completely finished. 🙂

      Reply

  27. Joanne Miller says

    EVERYTHING looks so amazing and beautiful! I love that 10 drawer rolling cart! Several teachers at my school picked up that great deal, but I seriously have absolutely no room! Our classrooms are so small! I must know…where did you get those frames for your vocabulary words? Love them!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

    Reply

  29. The Polished Teacher says

    Catherine you just blew me away with this post! Your iWrite display was phenomenal! It looks so impressive! You clearly were destined to be a teacher! Your first year is going to be amazing! You are going to really knock those veteran teacher's socks off with your creativity and innovation! Everyone is going to be asking you for decorating tips and help creating fabulous resources!

    The Polished Teacher

    Reply

  35. Erica says

    I bought one of those carts the other day, and I love your trapezoid labels. I am also in love with the black and white, though they don't match my room. How in the world did you do that? And how did you get them to stay on the drawers? Are they taped or glued or contact-papered? I want to make new labels for my drawers now!

    Erica
    Blooming In First

    Reply

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