First Classroom Update

Hello all!

Two weeks ago I began readying my classroom for the fall. (This mainly consisted of moving things into my room. This being said I have a lot of things.) I have put a lot of work into it so far, yet I still feel like I have a ton left to do! Here are some pictures and quick explanations as to what I’m doing in my room so far! Enjoy 🙂

A view from my door. Some boxes are unpacked and there are still many more boxes in the corner.

One of my bulletin boards right by my door. Going to hang “Ways we get home” on the side next to the calendar. Hmm…any other ideas of things to add?

I became tired of unpacking box after box of books. (TONS OF BOOKS). So I decided to put up part of the alphabet. We teach our kids how to write using D’Nealian. Grab a copy of it over at my store. (FREE).

My glorious desk area. Very messy currently I know. I am not going to have a normal teacher desk. I wanted to start with a guided reading table. I have little stool that go underneath it too. The bookshelf behind my desk has all of my books for teaching. Also behind there is my handy-dandy supply cart (SO IN LOVE WITH THIS) from IKEA ❤

A close up of my classroom library, which is somewhat sorted.

The wall space behind my computers will be where I have my word wall!

Another view from our carpet area.

Corner by my bathroom. Tables soon to be set up and in corner to be used as a center area. 🙂

A view from the back of the room. (Alphabet isn’t centered I shall fix that)

My coat racks and classroom mailboxes!

First picture of me in my room! 🙂

Do you have any new ideas you want to try in your room this year? What are some organizational things that have always worked for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’m having a tough time deciding how I want to organize certain supplies.

Have a great day!

 

Temperature Dilemma

This summer I have been scrolling through 2nd grade math standards for VA trying to see which standards I needed more materials for. One of these standards is ” Students will read the temperature on a Celsius and/or Fahrenheit thermometer to the nearest 10 degrees”. I image teaching this concept by first introducing how to read a thermometer with my large classroom thermometer. I plan to have one of my classroom jobs be a weather related job where we tally weather and record the temperature outside. (I think this will be good practice for my students throughout the year). I also imagine myself having some sort of activity where students are measuring the temperature of different cups of water. I feel that it is important to give students as many real world experiences as possible.

While I feel that these first experiences with reading temperature are essential, I also feel that I need some other way to gauge student understanding without having to get out water, cups, and thermometer set. (A lot to arrange and it could get messy with spills!)

THUS, I created these task cards/flash cards for practicing reading temperatures. They have both Celsius and Fahrenheit and have multiple uses. Not only do I have the 12 cards in this lovely little package, but I also have 2 poems for remembering different temperatures for Celsius, and a handy-dandy recording sheet! Hope over to my TPT store to download this freebie. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Temperature-Task-Cards-Celsius-Fahrenheit-727329

Here are some possible uses:

*Use as flashcards to quickly assess individual students

*Use in a science/math center

*Create a quick “Write the Room” game with these cards (Assess all your students at once)

*Create a small scoot game

How do you teach reading temperatures in your classroom? Do you have any ideas for having students practice this concept at home through a short assignment or mini project? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Welcome!

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

Welcome to Talkin’ Pinata Teaching!

I am so pleased you have stopped by for a visit. I couldn’t think of anything better than Howard Thurman’s quote for my first post. It is by far my FAVORITE quote- as teaching truly is what makes me come alive as a person!

This fall will be my first year of teaching and I wanted a place to document everything from setting up my classroom, lessons throughout the year, and EVERYTHING up until the last day of my first full year of teaching! I currently live in Virginia and am thrilled to be starting this spectacular adventure in SECOND GRADE! 🙂

As I get this blog started up feel free to check out my TPT store- which includes ONLY freebies (as of right now, exciting is it not?) http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Talkin-Pinata

Have a terrific end to your Thursday!