Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

The summer went by way too fast! My school built an addition to fit all of our lovely students. I am one of the lucky ones to get a new room. I love setting up my classroom. It is the only time during the year where I get to spend all of my time organizing my room. I take my time to set it up because once it is arranged, I don't change it again. It would take an act of congress to get me to change my room once school begins. Is anyone else like that? 

I love to share stories with my students. My second grade teacher used to tell us funny stories about her life outside of school. I still remember them. So, I thought I would share my experience of setting up my classroom with my students. What better way to do that than when I am getting a new room. I had a chance to see my room last week so of course I had to take pictures. I'm hoping this will get me motivated to know how I will set everything up before I get there. Once my boxes and furniture are moved I will take more pictures before I unpack. I will continue to take pictures so my students can see the process. Here are a few pictures I have taken:

                                                                                     

I love my cubbies, counter top, cabinets, and most of all my sink!!!! Also, the first door that you see is the bathroom and it has a normal size potty:) My other room had a toilet that was about a foot off the ground and it was about the size of a basketball. Kindergarten boys have not had enough practice aiming for that little toilet....that's all I will say about that:)







This room was designed for kindergarteners, so
all of our whiteboards are moved down. The door goes out onto the playground. The only thing better would be to walk out on the beach!

Smart board and two whiteboards on either side with bulletin boards! I'm in heaven! I am so excited about the next picture! 

Wait for it......

                            

I'm so excited about having a phone in my room! I had to walk to the office, which seems like a good mile, to get to a phone room. Then, they were usually occupied. Now I can be lazy, sit at my desk and chat with a parent! I will still encourage email as my favorite way of communication!   

I have posted a lot of pictures of my room because I will use the pictures to go along with  "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten".  I am going to teach a connections lesson. I'm going to talk to students about ideas that pop into your head while reading a story. I will tell students that when I read this story, it reminds me of getting my classroom ready. I will show my pictures  and talk about it. Then, I am going to introduce turn and talk with my students. I will have them turn and talk to their neighbor about how they got ready for kindergarten. Then, we will make a predictable chart. Click on the picture below to download the charts. I'm going to transfer the charts onto chart paper but you do what works for you!

Do you share pictures and stories of things you do outside of the classroom with your students?
Thanks for stopping by!

                              -Shelley