Classroom Library

I love my classroom library! :) I got my pillows a couple of years ago at Bonton on Black Friday. I am so happy I did, the kids LOVE them, plus it gives the area a pop of color. In my classroom library I have my books organized in a couple of ways. First, if you look at the top shelf it holds books in boxes with a letter from the alphabet. This is new to our building, we are all required to level our books according to Fountas & Pinnell levels, which I love. That is why you see the letters posted on each box, the levels range from A-Z, A being the lowest level and Z being the highest level. Then, all the books below are organized based on their genre. Lastly, if you notice the spiral book shelf on the right, that holds all my chapter books. I feel like it is really hard to keep my library organized, because the younger students don't put the books back where they belong. If anyone has any suggestions to prevent this please leave me a comment. 

A Peek Inside My Classroom

Being a reading specialist I am very privileged to having my own classroom. My classroom is half the size of a regular classroom, but big enough for me and my small groups of students. I try to make the best of the small space, plus it only being my second year teaching I am still learning what to hang up on the walls and how to organize my space.

Here is the front of my room, with my kidney table up front to be used for small group instruction and guided reading. I tried to arrange my room so that it has an open concept so that it is easier to monitor my students. 

Here is my word wall, which I placed right on my cabinet doors to try to utilize the space that I have. 

This side of my room holds Wilson letters and pictures on the top of the white board. I also have the Kindergarten map sounds, which I posted right above the Wilson letters. I also have my Essential Questions posted right by the door so they are easy for my principal to find when she comes in for a walk through or observation. I also have other things posted on this side of my room that relate to my different RTI groups.

1st Day of Blogging

Today is the day I actually start my teaching blog! :)  I have been wanting to do this for awhile now, but I just never carried through with my plan. My blog is all about my RTI classroom (RTI=Response to Intervention). I teach reading in small groups to grades K-4. This is my 2nd year teaching at my district and I am hoping that communication with parents will increase through the use of this blog. I am also excited to jump into the technology frenzy of blogging. I have seen so many teaching blogs and have learned so much from them that it inspired me to create my own blog and share what I am doing in my RTI classroom. I hope that I can keep up with posting...I am not that great at checking my email...haha so we will see! I am hoping that because I am excited about doing this, it will give me the motivation to post often.