Some of my 2014 Classroom Set-Up Ideas

Here are some of my Classroom Set-Up Ideas for 2014!

Back Corner:

1. Street Sign

My husband and I made this for an 'Out of this World' youth camp at Luntanda, Mt Victoria. I fell in love with it and I just had to bring it to school. The street sign points to places such as: Hogwarts, The Enchanted Forest, Middle Earth, Hundred Acre Wood, etc.

2. Cupboard

My cupboard is still a work in progress. I have SIX tote trays for students work books. I have another tray that I will use to collect work to be marked. The draws to the left contain coloured paper, scrap paper and bits and pieces.

Literacy Station/ Stationery Station:

1. Literacy Station

I bought these tubs last year for about $20 and they've paid for themselves (check out my Literacy Groups post for more details). I have a tub for each one of my Literacy Groups and a couple of spares... I've already begun to think of things to fill them with.

2. Stationery Station

On the top of the tubs, I have the 'Stationery Station'. I have found some cute containers that house rules, pens, pencils and scissors. I also have a large eraser that students can borrow and a sharpener.

The idea of this station is that everything is like a Boomerang... meaning that it comes straight back. I find that I usually have to replace the stationery every term (sometimes more often). However, it is nice to know there is NO EXCUSE for not doing work in my class!

On My Desk:

1. How I store my stickers

I don't know what made me thing of this... but I've had this for about a year now and it has been really helpful. 

I picked up a travel wallet from Typo for a couple of bucks and I use the wallet to store my stickers. Travel wallets usually come with dividers, so I use the dividers to sort my stickers... I sort them by way of size. I also put a pen and post-it notes in the wallet so that I have everything I need to mark books.

2. Magnetic Tape

Seriously, this stuff is amazing! It's just like a roll of sticky tape, except the tape is magnetic. This means you can tear off a strip and place on the back of a laminated card, then you can magnetically stick it to a whiteboard. Genius!!

I make sure I have some in my draw AT ALL TIMES. 

I pick my magnetic tape up from OfficeWorks and it's usually around $5. This is a must have!

I hope you have found these ideas to be useful! Remember you can always find PLENTY of ideas on Pinterest. Why not follow me?

http://www.pinterest.com/rasellen/

Literacy Groups/ Centres/ Rotations

I call them Literacy Groups, but you may call them something different.

Regardless... here is a quick overview of how I have organised my groups this year.

I have FIVE groups: Rodda, Jennings, Glietzman, Thompson and Griffith (surnames of authors) and all five groups are mixed ability groups.

The stationery packs that I wrote about in my previous blog now have name tags and look like this -->

I have made an extra name tag to put on a tub where the stationery packs and their Literacy Group folders will be stored.

I bought the tubs/drawers from K-Mart. They're called '4 Tier Chrome Drawer Trolley' and I found them in the bathroom section... I have no idea why!

They're currently being sold for $24... which I think is an absolute bargain. I actually bought them last year and they are still in good condition. Check the drawers out at the following link: Product: 4 Tier Chrome Drawer Trolley - Kmart

Each student will have their own Literacy Folder. In their Literacy Folder they will store their worksheets, workbook and School Magazines. I like when everything has a home and can be stored away neatly. I bought the folders from TARGET for a bargain (5 folders for $1.50).

I will keep you posted with the final product!

The 2014 school year is here!

Yes... you read correctly!

The 2014 school year is here and I have decided to start a blog (thanks to my good friend Jess). 

I do not claim to be an expert... but I thought this would be a cool way to share some of my teaching ideas and get some feedback from anyone willing to share.

This will be my fourth year teaching... and my fourth year on Stage 3. I have spent the past three years on Year 6 and I am excited to take on the new challenge of Year 5 for 2014.

I have been getting things ready for the new year and have come across these cool pencil cases. They're in the 'Back to School' sale at TARGET and they are only $5 each!!! They also include pens, but I've taken them out and I'll use them for something else. 

I am in the middle of making labels for them and I will use them in Literacy Groups. The whole idea is that each group will have one and when they break off for their activities, they will have everything they need. I will nominate one person per week to make sure that everything is put back into the case.

Pack includes: 12x markers, 12x coloured pencils, 3x HB pencils, 2x erasers, 1x pencil sharpener, 1x highlighter, 3x ballpoint pens, 3x gel pens, 1x scissors, 1x glue stick, 1x stapler, 1x 30cm ruler and a PVC pouch.

In the same sale, they have FIVE document wallets with buttons on sale for $1.50... and at K-Mart they have the same deal for only $1.00!!!

Over the next two weeks I will be posting more of my back-to-school ideas. 

I hope you enjoy!

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