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Please come right in! Our classroom is always open to visitors! Creating a safe and welcoming space for my learners each year is a top priority. Environment plays a vital role in supporting the type of learning I want to see take place in our classroom. Ultimately, my classroom set-up embodies the idea that "this is our happy place" where we learn together, play together, laugh together and create together.
First Grade, Village Oaks Elementary
My Classroom
Flexible seating is a key component in promoting independence and collaboration. All of the desks in my classroom are on wheels, making it easy to move around the room and rearrange for group work. Students are free to find their best learning space at any time. Some options they find in my classroom are scoop chairs, hooki stools, yoga chairs, pillows, lap-desks, and the student favorite, kid cave!
Flexible Seating
One of the most important principles stressed in our classroom is inclusion and self-value. I want students to know that they have a safe space where they are loved and cared for, a space where they belong, and are part of our family. In order to make students feel at home, we have a special wall in our classroom titled "#YouMatter". On this wall are picture frames where we put a picture of each student. The pictures change out every month with different themes and students get a collection of photos at the end of the end of the year to see how much they changed!
Student Value
Our district and classroom uses a positive behavior intervention system (PBIS). We refer to the positive desired behavior as having H.E.A.R.T. These letters stand for:
H-Have a growth mindset
E-Empathize and show kindness
A-Act Responsibly
R-Respect others
T-Team-up and collaborate
Students are rewarded with bucket-filler slips when displaying these behaviors and one student a month is selected for our Shiny HEART Award.
Positive Behavior Intervention System
The kid cave is the most used, and attention grabbing space in our classroom. The kid cave was set-up as a space for students to kick back, relax, and read. The cave now also provides a safe space for cool downs as well. Students can use our classroom calm down kit and escape to our kid cave to recognize big feelings. The large stuffed animals that are housed in the kid cave have become beloved reading buddies. This area is such a hit with the kids that many parents have replicated it at home!
Kid Cave
When walking into our classroom, you will find the walls covered in student thinking. Their thinking is displayed around the room to showcase our value on the process and not the "product." Students engage daily in visible thinking routines that deepen understanding and push them to understand different perspectives. By focusing on our thinking, students constantly explain the "why" behind their thinking and have learned to how to name and explain the thinking that is happening.
Student Thinking
Our classroom library is filled to the brim with diverse books, ranging in genre and topicI The library is leveled to assist students in selecting "just right" books. New books are constantly added to the a library to help develop a love for reading. From this library, students select 5 books each week to add to their personal book box.
Classroom Library
Why spend so much time setting up a classroom?
I'm so glad you asked! For me, the answer is simple. It’s for them, the 23 first graders that become a part of who I am. What may look like a classroom to some is not to us. This is our home. A place where students are loved, listened to, and valued. A place where they matter and will always belong. So as I pour time, money, sweat, and tears into our space I never second guess a minute of it. I know those things will be replaced with smiles, giggles, hugs, and friendships. It will always be worth it because they matter most. Welcome to our happy place!
"My favorite thing about my classroom is who I share it with."
Influential Books on Our Space:
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