This blog response will be due December 4th. Educators think about how classroom environment supports learning, collaboration and meeting the needs of all children. This process calls for continuous reflection and creativity as we ask children to interact with curriculum, expectations and peers. We will use our blog to support our colleagues as we begin to reconsider spaces in our school. Please respond to six images and corresponding text with specific ideas. Remember that no idea is right or wrong and that one idea could really make a difference for your colleague. Respond to Blog entry (Respond to at least 6 images).
150 Comments
Jennifer Boyaj
11/15/2013 10:10:14 pm
This post is for Sammy and Ernestina in their math center. I was thinking do you have a shelf in the classroom that has the small built in shelves with plastic bins already? That is a great shelf to use for math manipulatives because you could put the picture right on the front of the plastic bin. It also helps if you have a lot of one manipulative because you could use two bins. If you don't have a shelf like that then maybe you could get all the same size bins at like Ocean state or dollar store and put the math manipulatives in those bins with a picture or label of what the item is on the bin itself or on the shelf where the bin belongs. I know the dollar store has some really unique bins that could hold your math maniuplatives in a neat and organized way. That way everything looks uniform and easy to find. Sometimes just changing shelves around in the classroom helps. That is what Lucy and I did. We had a shelf that didn't work in one area and replaced with another that worked better. Good luck!
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Katie Doherty
11/18/2013 08:03:54 am
I agree with Jen for your math area having all the same types of bins with a visual label on them will help to organize your math manipulatives in a neat and organized way, and will also be easy for students to find.
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STACIE WITHINGTON
11/19/2013 02:57:29 am
This post is for Sammy, I agree about the uniformity with the bins. The bins should be clearly labeled and at a reachable level for the littlest learners.
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Maria Brooks
12/3/2013 11:56:53 am
This is a post for Sammy. I also agree with using the same bins and of course adding labels. There appears to not be enough room on the shelf for all all of the math manipulatives. My suggestion would be to not put all of them out if they are not needed at the time.
Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 05:43:19 am
Yes Stacie the bins must be clearly labeled for our little learners and their photos should be on the label as well. Children not only learn where to locate their materials but they also learn each others name.
Sammy Lingamneni
11/19/2013 10:23:47 am
Thanks for all your comments and ideas!
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Melisa Nettleton
11/19/2013 10:34:38 am
I like the idea of labeling the library bins with pictures and color coding each book to go in a corresponding bin. Maybe instead of limiting the books, keep the books you have and use fewer bins by labeling them with broader genres?
Amini
11/19/2013 10:50:11 am
I love your Library Area; it looks like a comfortable reading area in Barnes & Nobles. I would only suggest that you designate each row to one color container. It'll help struggling students learn their colors, you can even do patterns, and once the students take over Library Housekeeping Chores they'll get practice organizing it themselves.
Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 06:15:20 am
I submitted 3 photos but somehow they did not get posted. Well I will share with you the 3 places in our school that I would like some ideas to improve this area. The first is the yoga/gym/community room..... How can we make this more child friendly and promote student independence when engaging in the assigned activities in this room? The 2nd area is the outdoor recess yard. How can we promote children's appropriate social and communication skills when at recess? What school wide best practices can be launched at this time? and the 3rd area is the hallways and stairwells. How can we brighten them up and continue to promote school wide rules and appropriate social communication skills from children?
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Allie Bledsoe
2/1/2014 08:38:36 am
Paula,
Chakiela Williams
6/25/2014 02:01:36 am
Jen, awesome idea! I love the idea of the visual lables on the front of the bins. So easily accessible for the students and easy for them to recognize!
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Jennifer Boyaj
11/15/2013 10:17:20 pm
This post is for Sammy and Ernestina about your reading corner. I just saw the picture of your reading corner and thought those bins would work perfectly in your math center!! You have probably already though about that though!! Do those fit in the math shelf you have now?? You don't have to put the books in a bin because they could just lay flat or put them in like a library so you can see the binding and label. I would try to keep it simple with the organization. Like maybe 4 or five genres so its easy for the children to replace them. Labels are great too so they can visualize where the books belong. I hope that helps and if not at least you will have more ideas about it from other people. Good luck!
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Jennifer
11/19/2013 08:30:39 am
I like your suggestion of limiting the genres to four or five for the book bins. I have not labeled my own library, and it seems like huge undertaking. My students rip through the books like a midwestern tornado. At the end of the day, when I decide to look at the damage, I can see that the books were not returned to their proper bin. I am thinking of labeling just a small section of my library - the books that I really want to stay in my classroom.
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Lesley Lehane
11/19/2013 08:37:11 am
The above entry was written by me not Jennifer.
Jennifer
11/30/2013 10:17:10 pm
Lesley, I completely agree with you. Our kids do the exact same thing. For the first week everything was put back nicely and in the right spots but now, not so much. I think by limiting the number of spots for the books the children will find it easier to put back.
Emily French
12/3/2013 11:29:30 am
Hi Jennifer and Lesley - I have found that labeling the library has improved students' reading independence tremendously. I have run into a similar obstacle with returning books. To address it, I created a bin for 'returns' like in a main library. I then ask one student to return the books to the appropriate color bin or genre (someone who is quickly packed up at the end of the day). I am hoping that this becomes a way to promote more classroom responsibility and organization on the part of the students.
Maria Brooks
12/3/2013 12:05:58 pm
Limiting the genres and amount of books you have our and rotate your books will make it easier for students to find and revisit favorite books. I have recently limited and labeled my library and I have found that my students are actually looking at books more. They are able to find books they like and share them with the other students in the class.
Chris-Ann
12/3/2013 02:15:58 pm
Lesley, I totally agree with you. I have hundreds of books that were donated to me, but they are the quick guided reading books, that belong to the old Harcourt curriculum, or Rigby. I use those books for students to take home, and read during independent reading time. I choose the books according to their level, and then I put them in their book box. These books are totally different from my library books. I have those books in labeled genre bins. I think its useful to label the books that you want to stay in the library.
Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 06:07:59 am
In addition to having leveled books in the library every child should have their own individual book bin which holds 10 or more books that are on their independent reading level. Then you can have an additional independent reading block in which it will be sustained reading and children will not get up to go to the library but read the books in which they previously chose with facilitation from an adult.
Theresa Loliscio
11/17/2013 08:38:28 am
This is for Sammy and Ernestina's library area. I think that's a great idea that you mentioned about color-coding the library! It's visually simple for the students and will be a great visual reinforcer to the separate categories. Labels with a picture and text underneath would also help. This would give a variety of messages to the students about how the bins should be organized.
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Katie Doherty
11/18/2013 07:45:56 am
Sammy and Ernestina, I agree with the above comments about color coding the library. I think that by color coding the library it would make it easier for students to know what types of books they were looking at as well as where to put books when it is time to put them away. I also agree that a simple picture and text label would be the best way to label the library.
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Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 05:48:13 am
Emily I really like the idea to have a returns bin and to ask a student to return the books to the appropriate bin. I am sure your students are asking you if they can have a turn. This way everyone will learn where the books are and how a library functions.
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Theresa Loliscio
11/17/2013 08:42:18 am
This is for Lesley and Erica's math area. It is very important to provide labels for the separate bins with text and pictures. Taking your own pictures to make the label more meaningful for the students can also be useful. The way in which you organize the bins is also important; Sammy and Ernestina mentioned a great idea of color-coding the bins in their library, so you both could potentially use that system in the math center.
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Melisa Nettleton
11/19/2013 10:45:53 am
I really like the idea of taking your own pictures to label the bins! I agree with what other people have said about storing supplies that aren't being used out of sight, even the extra books.
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Emily French
12/3/2013 11:33:27 am
Theresa - Your suggestion about using actual pictures (when available) instead of clip art is so helpful! It really does make the ideas, routines, and visuals so concrete for students. I am going to focus on this more in my classroom as well. Students love being a part of the classroom visuals, so this is a great way to add to that. Thank you!
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Chris-Ann
12/3/2013 01:57:25 pm
Theresa, I love your idea of taking pictures for the labels. I am going to take a picture of the students using cubes, and then label the connecting cubes with the picture of them working with the cubes. This would be a great way to label the math materials. Also I took a suggestion from Carol, and moved my math reading books from the library area and put them next to the math manipulatives, so students could math the connection.
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Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 09:32:31 am
I love the concept of color coding! This I can see as being accessed by all learners in various ways. This can help alleviate some stress on non-readers and keep kids self-sufficient organizers as well as improve their chances for staying on task in a short amount of time!
Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 05:51:29 am
Theresa, I like real photos too! Also including the written word like geoblocks pattern blocks etc helps students learn the labels and you will be surprised to find the words used in their written assignments when drawing representations and or discusing their work.
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Alliberthe
11/17/2013 10:06:56 am
Ms.L & Ms. E's math are think of putting some of the materials away and not having all out. I think you right on track with labels that should help. Have times when you give formal instruction on various ways to use materials.
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Stacie Withington
11/19/2013 03:00:23 am
I think that putting the materials that are not needed at a certain times away is important. Students at this age need work that is easily attainable and not overwhelming or over stimulating.
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Allie
11/19/2013 08:04:23 am
I also agree with the idea of having fewer materials out. One way in which we are lucky at this school is that there is a lot of storage space with the cubby areas. I think that less is more where materials are concerned. You can have fewer things out and rotate them.
Emily French
12/3/2013 11:47:59 am
Allie - I completely agree with your idea to store unused or infrequently used materials and then rotate the materials needed for instruction. This eliminates distraction and helps students to know exactly where they need to go in order to get supplies and materials.
Alliberthe
11/17/2013 10:09:49 am
Ms. L & Ms. E's library area I agree with you get you labels up and then lessen the amount of selections. I say try and have the selections match up with Reading Street topic and always have a bin that the students may find interesting.
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Stacie Withington
11/19/2013 03:01:44 am
I love the idea of labeling and corresponding to reading street however if that becomes to much just focus in on genre. This way students gain independence to genre's and read various types of age level appropriate text.
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Melisa Nettleton
11/19/2013 10:48:49 am
For Ms. L & Ms. E's library area, would you maybe consider having less bins? I agree with Stacie about focusing on genre. Sometimes having too many choices becomes cumbersome.
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Alliberthe
11/17/2013 10:12:01 am
Rm. 206 for you library area I would think labels would help both in written words and pictures. I think with your age group think about them helping you to figure out the genres and make the labels.
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Stacie Withington
11/19/2013 03:03:56 am
Having students create labels is an interesting idea. However, I think that the teacher should use photographs and their own legible writing to help reinforce skills. A student can create their own reference sheets to help them self-reinforce a topic.
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Alliberthe
11/17/2013 10:14:12 am
Rm 206 I think labels in the math area will be a great help!! I have labeled my math area this area in the very beginning and I feel my students are able to access that area with greater independence because of the labels. I think you all are right on track with wanting to label the area.
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Alliberthe
11/17/2013 10:18:16 am
Theresa I think the outdoor space can be utilized in a better way I agree that the lower playground should be used. I feel like the older grades should utilize that space!!. I would think bikes and skate boards would be cool. However that is a cost, it would be lovely to get a playground grant.
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Lesley Lehane
11/19/2013 07:21:48 am
Alliberthe,
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Allie Bledsoe
12/3/2013 09:54:25 am
I like the idea of raising money but I am also wondering what we could do that would be low cost to brighten up the playground. I know that City Year was at the Ellis and the Haley recently. At the Haley they built some benches and painted things like hop scotch and four square on the cement. I wonder if we could get something like that done.
Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 09:35:40 am
I love the idea too! To add to the idea of toys for recess time-- also to think about Indoor Recess play items and resources.
Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 05:56:26 am
I too wanted to do something with recess for our children outside but I do not know what happened to the photo, Oh well. I wonder if we could arrange some structured games outside and some exercise routines, jogging, speed walking, relay races. Right now it is one big slab of concrete with happychildren running and standing.
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Allie Bledsoe
2/1/2014 08:42:59 am
Could we try to arrange a day where we paint games like four square and hopscotch? I also wonder if it might be good to have the classes separated when there is more than one class outside. I wonder if we could have a check out system of some kind for playground materials so that people are accountable for the balls and hula hoops that they take from the gym room.
Alliberthe
11/17/2013 10:22:53 am
Theresa the hallway in between the bathroom this hallway I think could be used for some great waiting/transition time learning opportunities. Having the alphabet up students can ID letters as they move in their environment, numbers, shapes. We can have letters or numbers out of order and students must put them in the correct order. We can have a riddle or thought provoking question on a white board students that solve it can write their name down and such it could be very cool way to support learning in all the grades.
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Katie Doherty
11/18/2013 07:43:48 am
Alliberthe,
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Stacie Withington
11/19/2013 03:08:24 am
Finding work that is appropriate for all the grades is extremely important and useful in transition time especially in the hallways. A good idea is also book titles and photographs.
Melisa Nettleton
11/19/2013 10:54:20 am
Great ideas about things for the hallway. You could also post posters similar to what you want on the stairs about proper behaviors. Online you can find a bunch of different acronyms that make it easier to remember, like H.A.L.L. walking (hands at your sides, all eyes forward, lips zipped, low speed).
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Emily French
12/3/2013 11:08:29 am
Alliberthe and Theresa - I completely agree that the hallway and storage cabinet space in the basement has great potential as a learning tool. Having a thought provoking question or even interactive information displayed at student eye level would make the time spent transitioning more instructional and engaging for student learning. Because students don't often get to see one another's work (across grade levels), it would be great for them to see it posted in this high-traffic area.
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Katie
11/18/2013 07:50:19 am
This comment is for Theresa, I agree that we need some visuals for the hallways about walking in the hallways. In my room I have a visual poster of the steps for walking in the hallway that we read before we leave the room. I definitely think that visuals in this area of kids walking in a line, quiet mouths, right hand on the railing, etc would be helpful. Maybe we can even take pictures of various students in the building doing these things to make it more personal to the students.
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Lesley Lehane
11/19/2013 07:29:19 am
Katie,
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Amini
11/19/2013 10:55:12 am
Hey Neighbor,
Amini
11/19/2013 11:00:15 am
I agree with pictures in the hallway comments. Student drawings, writing, and kid-focused posters who brighten up students and my day as well.
Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 09:38:19 am
I love the idea of Hallway reminders and activities! The activities and visuals can possibly have school culture and social skills involved-- such as how we walk in the hallway or talk to one another in a fun and creative or even interactive way!
Katie
11/18/2013 07:55:23 am
Theresa,
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Stacie Withington
11/19/2013 03:06:16 am
Trying to find space is so difficult but I agree that students need areas for both free and structured play. Students must feel as partners to understand how individual classrooms work.
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Jennifer Boyaj
11/19/2013 06:55:03 am
Katie and Teresa, I definitely agree with you that our outside space can be utilized better. It does it make it difficult because we can only have so many children out at a time and mostly they just have "free play." Like Katie said maybe we could have a couple people be in charge of structured play and the other instructors could be in charge of the children who aren't involved in structured play. I am really glad you brought this up Teresa because appropriate behaviors for children outside are just as important as inside.
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Katie Doherty
11/18/2013 08:01:42 am
Alliberthe,
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Emily French
12/3/2013 11:17:03 am
Alliberthe - I agree that the bulletin board space is much more valuable when given an interactive feature! As I read through your post, I was thinking perhaps have you tried velcro? The hook and loop tape might be a good feature and sticky enough to hold against the material that is currently up on your boards. My students love anything that involves the tactile approach and perhaps it would be sturdy enough that your students could take things on and off the board.
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Lesley Lehane
11/19/2013 06:51:39 am
Theresa,
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Amini
11/19/2013 11:07:04 am
Yes, I feel the playground is a fun and dangerous space. Yes, I want the students to run free and release that kinetic energy, but when we have ~30 students all doing that, injuries are bound to happen. I have found playing group games (4-Square, Duck-Goose, relay races, kickball) helps them practice good social skills, and organizes some of the chaos. How do we get playground equipment in our schools?
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Jennifer Boyaj
11/19/2013 07:05:05 am
This comment is for Theresa. I really like the fact that you brought up the use of hallway space as a visual for children to model appropriate behaviors in the hallway. I think like Katie said pictures of actual students from the school modeling appropriate behavior would make it more personal. That way if a child has a hard time we can point them in the direction of the picture showing them the correct way. Maybe even having footsteps on the floor walking in the right direction on either side of the hallway as a visual for children to stay on the correct side. I know sometimes we tell the students to follow the crack in the hallway downstairs so children can stay on task. Not only would it benefit the children but the teachers as well because hopefully it would ease up on us having to try and watch the whole entire line if we are by ourselves.
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Jennifer Boyaj
11/19/2013 07:16:35 am
This message is for Katie, Kamini and Chakeilla. This is about your reading corner that you want to try and also make a quiet corner. I know how limited our classrooms are for space, but I was talking to Allie the other day and she told me that she made a separate "time-out" or break area other than the reading corner. She said that it has worked tremendously because the reading corner had too much going on. Plus the children know that this area is just for taking a break. There was too many distractions in the reading corner and plus they use the reading corner as an area to choose for centers. I definitely think your idea of having squish toys for children to use is a great idea. We used that in our classroom last year with a child who got upset with transitions and we would give him a squish toy.
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Melisa Nettleton
11/19/2013 10:59:10 am
Katie, Kamini, and Chakeila,
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Theresa Loliscio
11/29/2013 08:17:00 am
I think that's a great idea with the painter's tape. Rugs can be expensive, but having that visual boundary there could be extremely useful for your students.
Emily French
12/3/2013 11:39:09 am
Melisa - I wanted to respond to your photo with your students' "Daily Work" label. Do you students keep their binders in a designated area or in their desks? Labeling students' individual materials is just as important as the classroom areas. Your binder idea is really something I would like to implement in my classroom, especially because my second graders will be moving to third next year! This consistency may really help them and also help them with self-organization.
Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 09:45:53 am
To go on what Jennifer is saying to Katie, Kamini, and Chakeilla: My students last year had a hard time recognizing what a "quiet" reading corner should sound like. A tactile visual was really helpful! What I did was make a tent! You can alter what this "tent" may look like (not covered completely or with pillows inside or just a sheet roof over the corner walls) but the purpose to create a visually soft, safe space that can help them transition into reading or taking a quiet break.
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Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 06:00:01 am
Great idea Erica! I love tents to use to encourage buddy reading ..... You can introduce flashlights too. At first they may need to explore and play around with it before you bring it to the tent to read. Just let them explore and then set some limits with its proper use.
Allie Bledsoe
2/1/2014 08:48:09 am
We have also worked to make our reading area more cozy by putting in pillows and a few chairs Lynda made out of crates. On cold days we get blankets out and let the children cover themselves when they are looking at a book with a friend. They are also allowed to have a stuffed animal in the area when they are reading. Paula, I also love the idea of a tent as a way to help make quiet reading fun.
Chakiela Williams
6/25/2014 01:57:55 am
Erica, great Idea. I love the use of the tent to keep the kids intrigued. Paula, I also like how you would use this tactic to encourage reading buddies.
Ernestina
11/19/2013 07:27:58 am
Theresa, I really like the idea of posting visuals demonstrating appropriate behavior for the hallways and staircase. I often find myself reminding my students how to safely and quietly walk through the halls and down the stairs. Its important for them to know that their behavior in the halls affect the students in the classrooms and students who may be walking through the same hall. This is a good way to teach them to give respect to the school as a community.
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Allie
11/19/2013 08:01:52 am
I also think it would be great to have visuals in the hallway reminding kids of the hallway rules. At the beginning of the year I was carrying a sheet with me when I walked and now I try to remind the kids every day before we leave the room but it would be great to have something to point to in the hallway too. I also wonder what way we could better use the space where boys line up outside the bathroom with either interesting visuals or reminders.
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Paula Brassil
2/1/2014 06:03:30 am
I too wanted to do something with the stairwell and halls but I do not know what happened to my photo. I wonder if we could establish school wide rules with filing in the halls and stairwell and post the visuals that represent the rules. Also, could we some how post photos of children displaying appropriate social skills such as waiting in line, walking quietly....
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Lesley Lehane
11/19/2013 07:44:24 am
Alliberthe,
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Chris-Ann
11/19/2013 08:32:45 am
Ms. Lehane and Ms. Switzer, I have struggled with the same issue, of how to organize my classroom library.Currently, my books are organized by genre, but I would like to level a majority of my books, so that my students can easily find books according to their reading level. I think if you start by sorting your books by genre, it will help the students to quickly find books of their interest. I can send you a link to library labels.
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Chris-Ann
11/19/2013 09:06:20 am
Ms. L and Ms. E, I think your "Math Center" looks great. The only suggestion that I would make, is finding some colorful labels with the names of the materials. Also, I would try to get the materials on the top shelf, moved to a lower level, so that all the materials are accessible by the students.
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Sammy Lingamneni
11/19/2013 10:53:33 am
Hi Chris-Ann,
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Theresa Loliscio
11/29/2013 08:18:48 am
For students with special needs, actual photographs have been shown to work better because they are more concrete and there is no interpretation involved. If you could get get actual photographs I think that would be awesome!
Lesley Lehane
1/30/2014 11:16:33 am
Thanks for the suggestion Chris-Ann! Ms. Switzer recently made some changes maybe you could come check them out. And, while your there, feel free to make some changes yourself. Your room is awesome.
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Sammy Lingamneni
11/19/2013 10:32:56 am
This message is for Ms. E and Ms. Ortiz,
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Theresa Loliscio
11/29/2013 08:15:18 am
Sammy has helped me create boards in my room, so I agree with her suggestions. I've also found that using packing tape works really well because the tape is so strong.
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Sammy Lingamneni
11/19/2013 10:40:55 am
Theresa, I totally agree with you about the play yard. We definitely could use equipment (i.e. hula hoops, jump ropes, balls, etc.) outside to promote more structured play. It seems that the children do enjoy running around outside, but I feel like without the equipment they are more likely to get hurt. Maybe a big recess bag (or even a plastic hamper, which I have that we can use) that could go outside for each recess, and then the last class brings it back in?
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Sammy Lingamneni
11/19/2013 10:48:51 am
This message is for Lesley and Erica,
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Amini
11/19/2013 11:14:08 am
Hey Ms. E and Ms. J,
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Amini
11/19/2013 11:17:57 am
After reading the resources on the importance of Classroom labels, and looking at folk's pictures of their quiet spaces and library, I am reconsidering turning my Breakfast Table/Science Display Area into a reading nook. I have another resource table that can serve as the Science Display area.
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Chris-Ann
12/3/2013 02:05:52 pm
Hi Amini, I agree that a nice library nook would be a great addition to your room. Students in the primary grades are just beginning to fall in love with books, and reading as a whole. We should make the reading area as inviting as possible, to continue to instill that love of reading. Students will be able to go to the library, choose a book, and sit quietly. I also found that a cozy library nook, is a good incentive, because students must be invited to the library.
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Jennifer B.
11/23/2013 10:28:16 pm
This post is for Maria about the teachers room. I definitely think we can jazz up the teachers room. So far staff have pulled together to make it more efficient like bringing in chairs from home and contacting BPS to get a refrigerator. Maybe we could find some inspiring and cool posters to put on the walls about how teachers help children everyday. Also, we could make some bulletin boards like the one that's already in there for staff information. We need to make one for Union information anyway. Maybe we could do a sign up sheet for decorating the teachers room every couple months or seasonally like we did last year at the Fifield. It definitely makes the room more inviting and warm.
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Theresa Loliscio
11/29/2013 08:09:57 am
This comment is for Amini's table. I think it's great that you're able to utilize that space for multiple activities. However, I feel as if having cool science experiments while trying to work one-on-one on less interesting schoolwork may be distracting. Something as simple as getting a small, fold-up divider may be useful to put up when you need to work one-on-one with a student, and then you can take it down during science.
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Carol
11/29/2013 11:19:02 pm
Hi Chris Ann, Maybe you can combine two of your questions for a possible solution to both- what if you use your "catch all" table as a writing center? You can position it in front of your Writing wall, and have graphic organizers, writing paper, pencils, colored pencils, etc. on the table so the children are ready to go when they get to the table.
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Chris-Ann
12/3/2013 02:01:31 pm
Hi Carol, I have since turned that table into a phonics/making words center. I attached a making words pocket chart to velcro, and use the daily activities for making words. The students love that they know exactly where to meet for the making words center, and they love that they are able to manipulative a small set of letters, to make many new words. I love having this center time, because they get so excited to make words. I also use the table for phonics games that i have laminated, during word work time.
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Carol
11/29/2013 11:29:58 pm
Hi Amini and Jossie, One way to separate / highlight information might be with border- you can make sections for different types of information. You could make one end of the board for your info and leave the rest for class work.
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carol
11/29/2013 11:34:37 pm
Hi Lucy, Can you use colorful bins to organize books on those shelves? The bins can be labled by genre and might be easy for the children to access .
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Carol
11/29/2013 11:39:48 pm
Hi Theresa! The basement hallway was one of my images also! I agree the area should be more colorful and student -friendly. Along with displaying some student work, maybe the shelves could hold teacher resources.
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Carol
11/29/2013 11:47:49 pm
Continued about the basement hallway use - I love Alliberthe's idea of making it "interactive" with a place to anser a question - maybe a "Chalk Talk" with chart paper/ markers?
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carol
11/30/2013 02:45:21 am
Hi Alliberthe, have you tried using peel-off cork squares over the ceiling tiles ? AC Moore and Staples carry them, but the one at Staples is thicker and may work better to anchor charts, etc. so they are accessible to your students.
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Marie
12/1/2013 06:40:09 am
Hi Theresa,
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Marie
12/1/2013 06:48:21 am
The stairwell and hallway areas heading down in the basement has limited lighting which I would like to brighten up. There may be fire laws, which prevents us from being able to post things in the open areas on the stairwells and the open areas down in the basement.
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Marie
12/1/2013 06:48:27 am
The stairwell and hallway areas heading down in the basement has limited lighting which I would like to brighten up. There may be fire laws, which prevents us from being able to post things in the open areas on the stairwells and the open areas down in the basement.
Reply
The stairwell and hallway areas heading down in the basement has limited lighting which I would like to brighten up. There may be fire laws, which prevents us from being able to post things in the open areas on the stairwells and the open areas down in the basement.
Reply
The stairwell and hallway areas heading down in the basement has limited lighting which I would like to brighten up. There may be fire laws, which prevents us from being able to post things in the open areas on the stairwells and the open areas down in the basement.
Reply
The stairwell and hallway areas heading down in the basement has limited lighting which I would like to brighten up. There may be fire laws, which prevents us from being able to post things in the open areas on the stairwells and the open areas down in the basement.
Reply
The stairwell and hallway areas heading down in the basement has limited lighting which I would like to brighten up. There may be fire laws, which prevents us from being able to post things in the open areas on the stairwells and the open areas down in the basement.
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Lesley,
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Lesley Lehane
1/30/2014 11:23:43 am
Great suggestion. I have resisted doing this because I honestly want my students to keep the books. There are some books that I want and need for my classroom, but the vast majority of my books can go home and stay home with my students. I have a cellar full of replacement books waiting to go into my bins, and my sister has a cellar full for me as well.
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Hi Alliberthe,
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Amini,
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Meghan Harrington
12/3/2013 05:28:07 am
Sammy and Ernestina- I love the idea of using a color code system to create easier accessibility for your students to find their appropriate reading!
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Chris-Ann
12/3/2013 01:35:12 pm
Hello Meghan, I would love to see your idea for finding "Just Right Books." I think it is important for the students to know exactly how to choose a book at their reading level. I began the process of color coding my library books. The books have either a red, green, or blue sticker, and the stickers correspond to the reading groups that are set up in the classroom.
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Lucy Leung
12/3/2013 06:08:18 am
Lesley & Erica -
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Lucy Leung
12/3/2013 06:12:37 am
Katie, Kamini, and Chakiela - I forgot to mention that I replace the trucks with smaller ones only if they're using it inappropriately, or "unexpectedly."
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Allie Bledsoe
12/3/2013 10:01:12 am
I didn't find a strand for the bathroom and i'm not going to add a picture at this point but the boy's bathroom which is the only one that i spend time in really needs some work. Our boys always fight over the number over the urinals so I would love to have something like alphabet pictures or interesting collages for them to look at while they are standing.
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Maria Brooks
12/3/2013 12:15:16 pm
To Lesley,
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Maria Brooks
12/3/2013 12:25:02 pm
Alliberthe,
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Maria Brooks
12/3/2013 12:29:38 pm
To Theresa,
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Maria Brooks
12/3/2013 12:53:14 pm
Chris-Ann,
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Chris-Ann
12/3/2013 01:24:08 pm
Hi Maria,
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Chris-Ann
12/3/2013 02:11:02 pm
Melissa, I love that you have a section of the students' binders where they keep daily work. I am interested in hearing how that works. Do the students keep all the work they have done for the day in that section, and then you go into the binder and take it out and correct it, or do they turn in all the work at the end of the day? I am currently utilizing a "finished work bin" for all the daily work. I would like my students to take greater ownership of their work, by putting together all the work they have done for the day, in one folder, and then turning it it. This will help me to stay organized as well.
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Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 09:52:27 am
Melissa, I too love the student binder idea! In room 206 we have writing folders that are organized by "finished" and "unfinished." I would love to see what a collective subject binder would look like; almost like a year portfolio where students can not only show off their work but self-monitor their own progress.
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Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 09:57:21 am
For Katie, Kamini, Chakeila: For the block area: if rugs are too much of a hassle to arrange and keep clean (or purchase!) Blue (or any fun color) painters tape on the floor works as a visual aid! You can also have the kids physically practice this and take pictures to put in each center as a visual reminder.
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Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 10:00:25 am
Ms. L and Ms. E:
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Erica Switzer
1/7/2014 10:03:41 am
To Lucy and Jennifer: To make more space useful for teachers- consider putting roll-away shelves (or existing shelves or bins) under a table- that way you have storage, but also table space. You could also utilize the window pane area- those are practically shelves in itself!
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Carol Harrington
1/30/2014 01:48:51 am
Space is such a concern at the Higginson, it is important that we work efficiently and creatively. As we have moved through the year each classroom is becoming more organized in use of binders, bins, and bookshelves, and labels are everywhere! One of my concerns was the dismal space in the basement hall, and there were several thoughtful ideas for the area. Hopefully the space can now be more constructively used for practice with sight words, nonsense words, and letter/sound correspondance.
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Jomary
2/11/2014 08:46:19 am
I agree with Theresa's idea as making photo as labels for chris annes library, therefore students can get a book as quickly as they drop it off so theyre wont be any groups of kids hanging out by the library area rearranging books. If not you can try to label books by the number of levels from 1-5 from fastest learner to those who are just picking up on reading.
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jomary
2/11/2014 08:48:57 am
This is for sammys and ernestinas math center i recommend sandwhich bags or some type of unbreakable bags that can keep all the materials together. I hope you guys found a solution for your math center.
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jomary
2/11/2014 08:53:18 am
I agree sammy with your idea about color coding by genres because alot of children cant tell a difference from a fiction book to a non fiction book nowadays the type of book it is may not be as familiar this is why I agree with color coding by genre it really opens up their learning.
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