Score!

This year is the first time I am designing our classroom around a theme.  I picked sports because it appeals to girls and boys and I value to the concept of working as a team.  Here are some things I have picked up for the room: wall decals, a soccer bowl, popcorn cups, a baseball bank and double sided ball decorations for a bulletin board or hanging from the ceiling.  

I've been keeping an eye out for things related to this theme and checking blogs for sports themed classrooms.  Our jobs are going to be on baseballs and have the saying "Look who's pitching in".
The Inclusion teacher and I are going to be "Coaches" of  "Room 36".   I'm really excited to see how this year is different using a theme. 

 

Do you use a theme in your classroom? 

Fish meets cat

One of my students moved to N.C. this summer and gave me her fish, Fresco, and his many accessories to keep as a class pet.  The class loved having him in our 3rd grade classroom.

 Fresco is in my son Alex's bedroom and was enjoying his summer vacation until he met our cat, Katarina.  We've been keeping an eye on Katarina's interest in Fresco.  Here she is caught in action:

basket addiction

Hello,  I'm Julie and I have a basket addiction.  I'm not sure exactly when it started, but I can't resist buying baskets for my classroom.  Whenever I go to a yard sale I always find a basket for a quarter.  As you can see from this picture, I do use them for books, but most of them get stacked in my closet.  Any creative suggestions for all these colorful baskets?

desk cup holder

These are gatorade containers that my co-teacher saved for me.  I used velcro to adhere them to the desk so they don't fall off.  It has made finding materials so easy for my Third Graders and I love upcycling!  I'm sure that you could use any large plastic cup to do this. 

classroom clean up

I was inspired by all the classroom organization several people have been blogging about.   At the end of the school year (which was only 2 weeks ago) I had to pack up my classroom.  Before I did this I knew I had to tackle the mess in my closet.  Here is the before and after:

Now I just have to keep it this way when school starts in September!  Thanks for the extra push. : P

Wordle

Check out this cool website at:   Wordle.net
I am going to have my students brainstorm words to describe their mothers and then we'll create some. Mom's will love this!

Here are a few examples from the Website:

Bye Bye Blockbuster

Our local Blockbuster is going out of business.  I stopped by hoping to snag a few DVD's.   I didn't find anything, but was lucky to snag these backers for 10 for $1.00!   They are the cards that go behind the DVD box on the shelf.   

I am going to have a writing lesson and have students be movie critiques. I know they will give this writing assignment 2 thumbs up!