Classroom Reveal

I LOVE my red kidney table!! My computer table is behind the white shelves.





I do a lot of cooperative learning in my classroom. I really liked the idea of assigning each desk at a table a number and a letter. In my classroom, I have groups of 4 and groups of 6, so I needed a table mats for both types of groups. Since I couldn't find any mats to meet my needs, I created my own (see above picture).  Like my Facebook page to get your FREE set of table mats!!

I use these four covered crates to hold the math journals (composition notebooks) for each class.  Since I teach four classes of math each day, I have assigned each class a specific color (blue, green, red, and yellow). Notice the crate covers have colored buttons attached to the front. At the end of class during clean up, each table combines all the journals from their table in a heavy duty plastic bag, and then places the bag in their class crate. Next, they look inside the next class's crate for their table number. Once they find the bag of journals, they take it back to their table. This allows the next class to go straight to their seats and get busy. I found the crate cover directions on pinterst. Click here to learn how to make your own crate covers.

I stole this idea from my friend Kelly. I bought a popcorn tub and some black beans. I already had the scrapbook stickers. This is perfect for holding scissors because the kids and easily get to them.

I like having my math manipulative assessable to my students. I have more covered crates in which I keep bulky math manipulatives such as Unifix cubes and Cuisenaire rods. I also have many red baskets in which I keep smaller math resources such as protractors and dice. Two years ago I received a grant to purchase the red bins for my math manipulatives. Available for purchase from Really Good Stuff. Above my read bins is my Visual Decimal Number Line. On my door, I have my Think Math posters. Click here to download your FREE copy of the 1-35 number cards.  Click here to download your FREE copy of Polk-a-dot numbers. On the bulletin board I have photos of arrays with a title "Arrays in the Real World."

On this bulletin board, I put kid friendly "I can.." statements for a unit in the pocket chart. Each day, I write the daily objective on the picture frame with the red background. Stapled to the board I have conversation starters that I got from Hello Literacy. I use the numbers on the wall to take my lunch count each day. Click here to read about my lunch count procedures.

Lunch Count Procedures

I have used the same Lunch Count System for about 10 years ago because it is quick and easy. I have not had to replace any of the materials I used to create it.

Materials: I went to my local teacher store and purchased a blank calendar from the poster section; a tub of plastic chips which included red, blue, yellow, green and orange chips; a pack of calendar numbers; and a pack of Stikki clips. I went to Walmart and purchased three small red baskets to hold my chips. I went to my local office supply store to purchase Velcro circles for the back of the chips.

Setup: To create my Lunch Choice Poster, I trimmed the calendar so that only the grid remained. Next, I turned the trimmed calendar on its side, glued the calendar numbers inside each square on the grid, and then laminated the poster. Next, I put a Velcro circle on each number. I also place a Velro circle on the back of each of my red, yellow and blue chips. I created a Lunch Choice Key, laminated it, and put Velcro on each choice. I hung the Lunch Count Poster and the Lunch Choice Key with hot glue. Then, I place two Skikki clips under the Key to hang the paper lunch choice calendar our school gives us each month. Finally, I placed the three red baskets containing the Velcro Chips on a table under the Lunch Count Poster.

Each afternoon, my helpers write the lunch choices on the board for the following day. At the beginning of the year I assign each student a number. When students come in the morning, they unpack then they make their lunch choice by selecting a colored chip and placing it on their number. Afterward, my helpers count each choice and record them on a slip a paper. On the table under the Lunch Count Poster is another basket containing slips of paper and envelopes for lunch money. I also use this system to figure out who is absent by looking to see which numbers do not have a lunch choice. At the end of the day, my helpers remove the chips and place them back in the correct basket. I have them wait until the end of the day so that students do not change their lunch choice when they go through the lunch line.