Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

Teaching with Heart and Creativity

Classroom Progress 2012

I am not quite ready for the big reveal yet, but I do have quite a few pictures of the progress I am making in my classroom!

Just so you know I have no control over the color of the classroom walls, cabinets, or counter tops.  My biggest hurdle is tying in the existing color scheme with my new vision of how I want it to feel.   Baby poo yellow, motley maroon, and nauseated green would not be my first choice.

New front of room and word wall.  Alphabet and word wall letters by Katie from Queen of The First Grade Jungle  Katie is So WONDERFUL and she has many different sets/colors with even more than you see here. 

 This is a close up of one side of the word wall.  I put that black credenza thingy together myself! I am planning to recover the little ottoman stool in gray chevron.  Have the fabric just haven’t gotten to that yet.
 
Here’s a different angle.  I want to show you my new class rug!  It was a STEAL! 
 I am SO overly excited about it.    Is it big enough for 24 first graders?  Not sure.  
But is it cute enough for 24 first graders?  Oh yes!

 Here’s my daily 5 board.  I am not going to have these anchor charts up until we have gone through the process of making them in class, but I wanted to see how it was going to look once they were up.

 My pixy sticks arrived and I finished off that project.  Here’s a few links of where you can see more on birthday balloons.

Making the Birthday Balloons

 This is not a finished picture, but it will house my working with words materials for each week.  The signs will read, working with words…(they are not right in the picture)  A girl can change her mind!!! 

 Here’s another angle.  I will also have some writing materials here, but more to come on my Author’s At Work area…{Remember the signs will say Working With Words}

 Next up…Science center!  I always start with my Discovery Bottles.  Talk about getting kids excited about the Science Center!  More on Discovery Bottles.

 Here are my empty math tubs.  Our first experience will be exploration, so these will be full of manipulatives for each group to practice and play with while learning my math tub expectations.  I plan to go in depth on how I set up math tubs soon after school starts since I have had a lot of questions about it!

 This is a picture of that entire back counter area.  I am still dealing with lamp choice and how to hide cords once I choose the right lamps.  For now it is just showing you the soft light…Please ignore the towering lamps and white cordage all over.

 My class library area.  I am cropping this one big time.  I am not ready for the full reveal here, but again picture decorative pillows, a cute chevron fabric covered ottoman, and matching curtains to pull everything together.  It took me FOR.EV.A. to get my books all in their bins with their matching labels…But now that it is done I want to jump for joy when I look at this library!

 Here’s a little closer view of the library.  In each tub I still have the labels waiting to be stuck on each book.  They match the book bin label so every book will have a picture and a word showing where it goes. More on Classroom Library Labels.

 My mom promised to sit and just label the books for me one day.  Moment of silence for my mom………..<3

 Here’s a close view of the book bin and labels
ok mostly I just wanted you to see my favorite lamp.  

 My teacher area is coming along nicely.  My friend  Wersty borrowed my googly eyes drawer from my teacher toolbox, but other than that….

 This is m rocker that used to be chippy and green.  I gave it a fresh new life with spray paint.  When it is on the new gray rug it makes me squeal with happiness.  🙂 

My big book tub used to be blue and the pointer tub was red with polka dots.  I spray painted both.

 My wonderful mom has been plugging away at my cupboards for me.  I can’t show you the before picture due to embarrassment, but check out my math manipulatives now!  There’s even room to grow baby!

 closer view

 Here is my art cupboard…it was ridiculous.  Now it is SO organized.  I even added labels to each tub…but forgot to take a picture of that.

 Genius boy checked the mountain of headphones out for me so we could get rid of all the broken ones!

 Well there’s still 4,768,931 more projects to complete in this room but it’s bliss to me!
More to come…..
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    Comments

    7. LYNDSEY says

      Those two arm chairs totally say…"Hello, and welcome to Barnes and Noble!" PRESH! I'm dying over here. Love you AND your amazing talent, sweet friend.

      Lyndsey

      Reply

    9. Catherine says

      WOW! I loved your room last year and now this….how much would it cost me to fly you and your mom for an organizational and decorational overhaul? You could hire yourself out if you ever wanted to stop being a teacher! You have the BEST sense of classroom style. Love the pics! Keep 'em coming! 🙂
      Catherine

      Reply

    11. madefor1stgrade says

      You are amazing! I can't believe how nice your furniture is!!! I have been teaching for 25 years and have a hodge podge of stuff. VERY jealous. LOVE the rug too and all the colors look great!! Can't wait to see what else you get done.
      Diane
      Made for 1st grade

      Reply

    13. Jeanne says

      Your room looks awesome!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!

      You certainly inspire me to go work in my room tomorrow. I raced over and bought the chevron alphabet and number set. I like the way you have labeled everything!

      Reply

    18. Tara says

      It looks awesome!!!! Seriously! Warm and cozy, like I want to curl up in one of those chairs and read a book!!! Love it! Can't believe you can have so many lamps….I'll probably get written up for one…lol! Love it, love it!!!

      4th Grade Frolics

      Reply

    20. Miss Cosby says

      Okay, I don't know how to say this but I totally have a room crush on your room. It's cohesive, organized, thoughtful, fun but sophisticated, and either your room is huge or there is photographic magic…either way…looks great. Also jealous of your storage.

      Maybe instead of lamps you can get those touch lights and mount them under the cabinets so the soft light shines down.

      I look forward to seeing the rest. Maybe you can shoot a video tour!

      Brenda
      You Might Be a First Grader…

      Reply

    24. Bridget says

      That looks amazing!!! I absolutely LOVE your reading area! SO adorable! I love the mini-grown up chairs! I also love your desk space! My desk has been waxes around so many times that it was stuck to the floor when I got my classroom 🙁 I wish I could move it and do something cute like that!

      Bridget
      Little Lovely Leaders

      Reply

    40. Miss Squirrels says

      oh Reagan it is just gorgeous!
      I now forgive you for not answering my text! ….kidding…kidding….
      if you ever decide not to teach- you should go into interior design! you are FREAKIN' AWESOME!! ccan we call this glitzy transitional?

      Reply

    43. luvzenkms2(Leea) says

      Love it, can you send your mom my way, mine is were I inherited my disorganization from. LOL….You are so NOT lying about the library process…of course the SMART thing to do would be make the books match your library (which I WILL do for mine) but my coworker already started hers, and I don't think I have spent so much time with making labels BLECH…and I am a labeling queen…and sadly we are still doing it….PROMISE it is wonderful after it is all done…LOL….can't wait for the big reveal!

      Reply

    44. Debbie says

      Love it! The new word wall is so awesome! Now I wish I had put strips of paper for each letter like that, but it's already done for this year. Maybe next year!

      Reply

    55. Free Teacher Resources by Clever Classroom says

      OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG…. I am soooooo amazed. You are amazing! I kept scrolling down with my jaw dropped! Wow, I love your classroom. You have done such a great job, I wish I could see your student's faces when they walk in on day on! I'm going to share this on my FB page. I am sure that you will inspire many other teachers. I love setting up my room but am no where as good as you and I mean, no where as good!!! Good on you, you must feel better now it's mostly done. I especially like your computer area and also your teacher area oh, and your library!!!! I often wonder if it could be a viable business! I think that many probably wondered the same thing as the TpT concept! Thanks so much for your wonderful post, I will never forget it. Emma Farrell 🙂

      Reply

    60. Anonymous says

      Wow! I love your birthday balloons, but I couldn't link to the "how to" by your picture. Would you please tell me about the template? Thanks for sharing!
      Donna

      Reply

    61. Sheila says

      I absolutely love love love your room! Makes me glad that I haven't gotten into mine so I can rethink everything I was goingn to do! I have a question for you…..Did your math tub labels come from Katie at Queen of the First Grade Jungle too? I really want them!! Thanks for letting us into your room! Can't wait for more pics!!
      Sheila
      [email protected]

      Reply

    65. Molly says

      Your classroom is AMAZING!!! I love every single part of it! Your rug is incredible! I have been looking for a rug like that but smaller for my reading corner and haven't been able to find anything reasonably priced! Where did you get yours from?? Ahhh, just seeing your room makes me excited to go in and work on mine some more today!!! Can't wait to see more pictures when you are finished!!!

      Molly
      Lessons with Laughter

      Reply

    70. karen says

      Love your room! It looks fabulous! Where can I get the math tub labels? They are perfect for my room, but I didn't see them in your shop on TpT. Thanks!

      Reply

    73. Amanda says

      I love the serenity and calmness of your room. It looks so cozy with the lamps. I can tell you have brought in a lot of your own furniture and I have to say it makes all the difference! I want to curl up and read in one of those comfy chairs in your library. Looking forward to the final reveal. If you have extra time (because that happens so often…please note sarcasm) and want to come help a fellow SA teacher, I'm on the east side, hehe! 🙂

      Amanda
      The Teaching Thief

      Reply

    75. Kim says

      Your room is so neat, organized and beautiful! I love seeing other teachers' classrooms!

      Kim
      mrshsresourceroom.blogspot.com

      Reply

    80. Nikki says

      I love your room!!! The chevron ties everything together. The room seems a peaceful and elegant place to learn – the kids are going to feel so grownup in there. Great job!!

      Reply

    82. Ms.Jasztal says

      I'll tell you on here, too. Absolutely FANTASTIC job. I love everything about your room… the rug, the chairs, your personal touches! Where did you get the chairs? I've been looking for something like that for a while. I actually may go thrifting so I can find some wonderful seating… because last year, I found a slightly beat-up desk at the thrift store for $10.00 or so that looks great in my meeting area. It needs some work this year. Your post inspires me in many ways, though I teach fourth grade. – Victoria (love4thgrade.blogspot.com and teachingvision.org)

      Reply

    84. diditeach says

      Wow is all I can say…..my daughter said it looks like a beautiful living room :). I am feeling very lazy in comparison, but I don't go back until after Labour Day….

      Reply

    87. Patty Rutenbar says

      I'm so jealous of your room. Number one, you are in there working…I can't get in mine yet. Number two you have a lot of storage. My classroom is about 80 years old and apparently teachers in the early 1930's didnt have a lot of "stuff!"
      Patty
      [email protected]

      Reply

    88. The Polka Dot Room says

      Can I just say I don't even know where to begin on commenting on your room. It looks great. I love the colors! The rug is awesome. LOVE the piece of furniture your computer is on. What great little chairs for kids to sit on!!

      It looks like it could be in a classroom design magazine…fo' sho'! LOL

      Great job!

      Susan
      [email protected]

      Reply

    95. Suzy Q says

      Your classroom looks better than some living rooms! Love your use of 'real furniture' to make a warm, inviting space!

      tokyoshoes (at) hotmail (dot) com

      Reply

    97. sspeller says

      The chevrons are totally cute! I am also IN LOVE with the yellow rocking chair! In KG for the longest time we had rocking chairs as part of our unit supplies, but when I changed schools (opening up a brand new school) guess what they discontinued??? You got it – the cool, old school rocking chair just like yours! I have been on the lookout for a cheap one at yard sales, but so far, no luck! I will keep on searching though… lol

      Laura, [email protected]

      Reply

    100. Kelly Turk says

      Hi Reagan! Along with all your other admirers…I am right there with them…BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS and INSPIRING!! However, I haven't read about any teachers e-mailing their administrator your classroom photos! That is until I DID!! I was so impressed with your organization and style that I set myself up for high expectations…I attached your class photos to my message (to my principal, Mrs Nelson) and told her how I am planning on my room to "look like this beautiful one!"

      Reply

    101. Christine Quimby says

      Your room is exquisite! I would like to be a student in your class. I know you have spent hours in creating and putting it all together. You have very lucky students!
      Chris Q.
      mrsquimbyreads.blogspot.com

      Reply

    102. Melissa Empie says

      Your room looks fabulous! I just was moved to a bigger classroom, so your room inspires me. I just hung my word wall around my Smartboard too….was unsure about it, but love how yours looks. Wow! Your organization is fantastic!
      Melissa 🙂

      Reply

    107. Anonymous says

      YOu have an absolutely beautiful room! YOu can really see the time you have spent on it. Love it!

      I am trying to go with a red and black theme this year. I hope it comes out as good as yours did.

      Nice JoB!

      Reply

    111. Anonymous says

      Your classroom is the best I have EVER seen! You are a very talented lady and I appreciate that you shared it! You have given me many ideas and I love the calm, peaceful feel your room creates. Magnificent work 🙂

      Reply

    114. Julie Marciniak says

      Megan, I give you the happy classroom award for the decade!
      Amazing girl!
      Did you paint?
      I am now wondering if I would be allowed to paint my room…..
      If you did paint, please share the details with me!
      Thanks!
      Julie

      Reply

    118. yusfardiyah says

      Wow…I'm dreaming of having such a beautiful n motivating classroom for my students. It must have been costing you a lot, right ?

      Reply

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