classroom decor Archives | Lucky To Be In First

September 15, 2013 5 Comments

September Freebies!

I feel like I say this every month, but seriously, how is it the middle of the month already? Crazy to think we’ve been in school for a few weeks! Even crazier that I forget how little they are at the beginning of the year {and how exhausted I constantly am!}

Well, we should be rewarded for making it a few weeks…without naptime!

Today, I have two freebies for you!

As I mentioned in my Back to School Classroom Tour post, I was tired of looking at my calendar! So, I created a whole new set of numbers and headers!

Now I’m happy to look at my calendar!

You can snag the calendar freebies {here}

Calendar Days of the Week Freebie - Lucky to Be in First

Calendar Number Freebie - Lucky to Be in First

* Please note that the month cards are each on a separate paper. {see below!} I was having trouble printing the pages with more than one month on a page because of the size of the graphics! So, I spaced the months so that you could run the same piece of paper through your printer twice!

Calendar Months of the Year Freebie - Lucky to Be in First

The second freebie is for this Wednesday’s Constitution Day. As you may {or may not!} know, any school that receives federal funding must chat about the Constitution. Obviously, this is a super-challenging idea for the littles! So, I do what I can!

We always read We the Kids.

It’s a kid-friendly version of the big, important words!

Constitution Day Freebie for First Grade - Lucky to Be in First

And this year we’ll follow it up with a making words activity using the word CONSTITUTION!

You can snag that freebie {here}

Slainte!

August 28, 2013 11 Comments

First Grade Classroom Tour!

Hello everyone! It’s the night before school begins and I have a to-do list as long as my class list. However, I thought now would be the perfect time to share my classroom photos! That Back to School Night Book, those student labels, and giant pile of laundry can all wait!

Enjoy the photos {at the cost of an art project not being prepped tonight!}

My Library!

Over the summer I purchased ALL NEW fancy schmancy baskets! Big score at Big Lots! You should have seen JB’s car. I think he doubted my ability to fit all 40 baskets into his car, but in true teacher form, I did it! Love the colors! My library will probably look this nice for 4 seconds.

Readmore Bear is all set to meet the kids tomorrow. He is still a true Giants fan {he doesn’t care that they are 18.5 games back. Wah!}

I was putting my calendar up this morning and I realized that I absolutely hate the numbers that came with the Lakeshore set. So, I whipped up some numbers, days, and months that would make me happy. You can snag those numbers {here}

I bought three clocks at Ikea for two bucks each and labeled them with the important times. I think the last clock is my favorite 🙂

For the record, that second hand is really bugging me. So, I may put a battery in the clock for 19, 36 and 55 seconds to get it right on the minute!}

My NOISE board is all set! I can’t wait to start my year with a little quiet!
{Become a fan of Lucky to Be in First on FB to snag this freebie!}

Here’s a peek at my Smart Cookie Math Board and Daily 5 hub. I still need to fill it with some more stuff! Fortunately, it takes a while to build that stamina, so I have some time 🙂

I had to make a new clip chart because I changed the colors in my classroom this year. Here’s this year’s version. If you’re interested, you can find it {here} I’m very excited to begin the year with this system. Last year, I introduced it half way through the year and it totally worked. I’m excited to see what a whole year brings!

I put my favorite Really Good Stuff nametags down using velcro {one of my favorite teacher tools!} It makes changing desks throughout the year a breeze!} Folders on the desk include a Parent Questionnaire, list of sight words, In the Car Activities and a few other important school forms.

I’m in love with my door – Check Out This Year’s Playlist!

You can grab it on TpT {here}

And here are a few other random goodies around the room:
* My super cute {and editable} labels from That’s So Second
* “Whoooo Needs a Turn & “Whooo’s Had a Turn” Pick Me Stick Tins
* My Magnetic sheet metal cabinets
* Adorable Going Home phrases poster from Christina Bainbridge

* Tattle Phone made with my silhouette & a cheapo phone
* Poster again because it’s so cute {and I wasn’t about to make another collage!}
* Fabulous lazy susan catch-all my sister made me!

For all of you who are still on summer vacation, enjoy your last few days! Fingers crossed tomorrow is a great day with the new group!

Slainte!

March 6, 2013 3 Comments

Our New Reading Gnomes!

S.U.R.F. (Silent Uninterrupted Reading Fun) time is one of my students’ favorite activities each day. Like many classrooms, we spend 15 minutes each day after lunch reading books they’ve chosen from our classroom library. The only guidelines are that they must find a quiet spot to sit (in a corner, under a table, relaxed on the rug, etc) & stay quiet! They’re allowed to have one book out at a time, but can swap out books as they finish reading (or looking at the pictures).

I cherish S.U.R.F time too because I can either settle in with my Kindle to silently read along with the kids or {and the more likely option} I can run around like a crazy person getting ready for the upcoming science or social studies lesson!

To make S.U.R.F. time a little special, I let our class president sit in my teacher chair. However, as you can see, it’s seen better days and has lost its lustre 🙁 If you can’t see in the picture, there’s no back to my chair!

I’ve been scouring Pinterest to find a special ‘friend’ to replace my chair. Oh my word…look at these little cuties I found! The kids are WAY more excited to read to the little gnomes than sit in my broken chair!

In her etsy shop, Colleen of Feathers & Fairies has the most ADORABLE little gnomes. She even has gnome homes {those are on my wishlist!}! I love that she customized my gnomes to match my classroom. Definitely pop over for a peek at her cute lil’ shop!

Check out how focused these little guys are on reading to our gnomes!