The FREE Classroom

I'm really struggling with going back to work after spending such a great summer with my girls. So, I spiffed up my classroom decor (all for free of course) to make my new, VERY RED, classroom more homey. Check it out.

I'm pretty excited to focus on reading this year! This was a free font I downloaded, typed, printed, and cut out. Viola! No silly packages of letter cut outs.

It looks way bigger in panorama. It's actually about the size of a large shoe box.

I leave lots of open wall space for anchor charts and pictures. This area will be for student and family photos.

New pencil sharpener! Always exciting for a teacher!

One of the three benches Tony made for me- FREE. Non-fiction books organized by topics.

Fiction organized by author's last name. I have enough floor and bench seating for everyone, so no one has to stay at their desk to read! The only thing I purchased for my classroom this year was this outdoor bench cushion for $15.

Chapter books organized by lexile level and sets.

A place to showcase new books to our class library.

Featured books for lessons and upcoming read alouds.

The sweet (fairly hideous) rug for share square that's been in my basement! FREE!!!

Data board that we use for graphing class progress on assessments. We met our goal of EVERYONE passing a test 3 times last year.

Pictures of my girls, flowers, scentsy, treasure basket, main reading resources, library book return bin.

Black bookshelf is book sets for clubs and books that I want to keep seperate for lessons.

A week's worth of worksheets organized at an arms reach away. Ahhhhh (that's a sigh of relief, not a scream).

I came to the realization at the end of last year that I was wasting way too much time digging in cabinets for supplies during class. They are now kept in a "central" student area where I don't have to do all the gophering! Class jobs are on a clipboard (saves wall space, money, and a headache) and students sign up at the beginning of each month. There is a job for everyone and it lasts the entire month. I keep the previous lists on the clipboard so I can see if anyone keeps going for the same job.

In the back of the room, I keep a second stash of paper, pencils, and pens just so everyone has quick access. Under the table are all the indoor and outdoor recess goodies.

My favorite classroom quote. "Love is the key to the problems of the world" -MLK

This board will be for vocabulary.

The white board is used for writing our plan for the day and learning targets. I used the bunting from the girls' birthday party (made by MaddiandAddibowtique :).

A reference for the writing process. Teacher made = FREE!

A system the kids made last year. Thumbs Up cup for kids at the top of the behavior chart. They pull a slip of paper with a reward (all made up by students) like sit at the teacher's desk, no shoes, see a video of G&O, etc.

Thumbs Down cup for kids at the bottom of the behavior chart. They pull a slip with a consequence. I love these because they are not about the behavior at all. They are all letters that use up heir free time doing something productive and positive, such as thanking various people for what they do. Mr. Ralph, our awesome custodian, actually found a student who wrote to him and thanked him for the thoughtful letter.

The Get Along Cup (my favorite) for two students who keep tattling on each other or can't get along. They have to pull a slip with an activity to do together or for one another, like clean each other's desks, clean the board together, spend the entire recess together, say two nice things to each other. Last year after cleaning the class set of boards together, I heard a pair of bickering classmates apologize to one another then say "Mrs. Santora, your idea didn't work because we might be friends now!" Lol, if only it always ended that way!

Important papers kept handy. And my coffee basket. Look inside...

I just need to fill a Tupperware container with my coffee from home and I'm ready for my midday office keurig fix!!!!

More free colorful decorations from the birthday party!

That's my room. What do you think?

Also....

At the end of last year we were given a continent to use for our pod (grade level) theme, and we were given a budget. We got South America and I ran with it. Here is our Amazon rainforest fourth grade pod.