Room Reveal 2018

 I am so excited for the opportunity to teach 5th grade this year.  I'm at a new school too, and a little nervous, but ready for the challenge.  So much to learn!  Here's a peek at my room.  It's pretty similar to my last room, with a few changes.  My far wall, by the small group area, is for outstanding work.

 I am so fortunate to have round tables again.  They are so helpful for collaboration.  The back wall is for our academic reference.  I plan to change out the posters based on whichever standard we're addressing.

 The AVID wall is here again.  This year I printed color photos of the kids in their graduation caps.  I can't wait to hang those up!

 It's kind of hard to see but each canvas is part of a larger quote.  Love this idea!  My wonderful helper, Jacky did this for me!  : )

Some kids are smarter than you.  Some kids have cooler clothes than you.  Some kids are better at sports than you.  It doesn't matter.  You have your thing too.  Be the kid who can get along.  Be the kid who is generous.  Be the kid who is happy for other people. Be the kid who does the right thing.  Be the nice kid!

Who's In Your Circle

I got this great "getting to know you" activity from Michael Friermood on TPT. It was a great way for the kids to find out who in the class shares their interests.  The students also got a much needed opportunity to move around.  Finally, it was a chance for us to practice rotating from group to group. 

This product offers a couple of pages of pre-labeled favorites and a blank page of circles.  Next time I will have the students use only the blank page.  I will let them label their own "favorite category" so that they can find others that share the things that are important to them.  For example, one of the pre-labeled circles is "favorite ice cream flavor".  I don't think that knowing that someone else loves vanilla ice cream is very useful. Fun, but not useful.  If a sports loving student could label their own circle "favorite sport" then that might be more helpful in finding friends with common interests. 

Overall this was a great activity, and I will definitely use it again!