Thanksgiving Books

Our district has help workshops on each of the 6 Writing Traits. One idea that was provided for Organization is a listing & categorizing graphic organizer. Our students researched Thanksgiving in books and webquests, they took notes in their journals. Some of these notes were transferred to the graphic organizer (the students chose which notes were "most important") and then categorized. We also created notes on current Thanksgiving traditions and categorized them as well.

 

From those notes, the students used half-sheet notebook paper to write rough drafts. The students wrote three pages about the first Thanksgiving and three pages about current Thanksgiving practices.

Then the rough drafts were turned into beautiful books! The students worked SO HARD on making their books and creating their illustrations. I am very proud of how they turned out!!

 

Under the Sea Classroom Tour

Classroom Reveal Time!!

We will start in my favorite area, the library. My wonderful husband spent a couple hours helping me cut and staple the plastic tablecloth in the shape of waves. I love this so very much and it really ties the whole ocean theme together! Plus, each of my library book bins have an ocean label as well. I have too many books (not a problem at all for any teacher) to fit into the bins, but the collections are housed together.

 

Onto my desk area! Here is the view from my desk and the lantern fish that hang above me. Then a quick pic of my actual desk.

 

 

Writing Area: This area will be added to throughout the year. I will be doing mini-lessons about various writing activities and types of writing. Then, an example of that writing will be added to this bulletin board.

 

 

Hallway outside my classroom: My third graders are Swimming To Success!

 Front of the classroom, guided reading area, calendar area, & birthday fish bowls:

 

Bulletin Boards

     

Classroom Management:

  

Student Resources

 

 

Reading & Guided Reading

Who's Got A Fancy Planner? ME!!

Let me tell you a little story:

My great friend from college (who teaches in a nearby district) ordered a wonderful Erin Condren planner for this school year. She got it in the mail, but it was the wrong one. Sad day for her, but lucky for me. After she called to let them know the mistake, they promised to send her actual planner quickly. But they told her she could keep the planner that isn't hers or get rid of it.
Here's the happy part for me: SHE GAVE ME THE PLANNER!

Here is the beautiful (and free to me) planner:

Pretty Tape for Common Core

While at Walmart, I found some Expressions Scotch tape. It is SO PRETTY!! I used the most colorful one on my whiteboard with the intent with write my students' I Can... statements for each content area and one for reminders/upcoming dates for my students.

New Room in the Fall!

Our school district built a new elementary school to help relieve the size of the school I teach in. Currently, we have two extra buildings for the third and fourth grades. Next year, I will be back in the normal building and have a regular-sized classroom! I have been on Pinterest finding some great ideas for organization and ideas to go along with my fish/ocean theme.