Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

Teaching with Heart and Creativity

Classroom Tour 2014-2015

Whew…it happened.  I got to a happy place in the room today.  I hope it will be a wonderful space for my incoming first graders.

Before we start with the zillions of pictures let me just say that there is very little content on the walls to start.  All the blank spots are meant for future charts, creations, and reference needs of the kids! 

Another important thing to note is that the back wall of my room is all windows.  I absolutely love it.  The blinds are always open but in these pictures I had to close them because of lighting.  If a picture looks dark I assure you it is not the case.  This room is full of natural light with a pretty view too!

There is not a theme, but rather a color and organization scheme.  The walls and floor are white and a lot of the furniture in this room is black.  Because of these two factors, I decided to go with black and brights scheme honoring the clean modern feel.

Clean and Modern = Calm and Organized 

I tell you I have been organizing for the last month and a half.  Every single center and activity is now grouped by skill in boxes. 

Enough…let’s get to the fun stuff!
 
 Standing at the doorway looking in.

 Looking to your left from the door (front of the room}
This rug came from HERE

More on the left wall.

The writing center is here is nestled in the middle of the wall.

Back wall of the classroom with window blinds open as they usually are. 

Standing in the back where the computers are while looking to the front towards the door. 

The pockets under the today arrow will have my objective cards.  We change these out daily to match our day.  

 I grabbed these black file pockets at Scholastic HERE.

Right side of the front of the room a little closer up
The circles are my schedule.  I got them from the amazing Ladybug Teacher Files HERE.

 These are my free voice level charts

 This clip board has my teacher cheat sheet which I use for daily documentation.  Grab it on my Facebook Page under the freebie tab.

We use the super improvers wall and these are our class rules.  I got them free from Amy HERE.  

 Let’s turn around and face the opposite wall now.  We are going to explore the left corner where I have my small group table set up.

 This is a much cleaner look for me this year!  The boxes I got from ikea are full of my centers and grouped by skill.

 I still need to make 2 labels. 

 Example of how I grouped

 Behind my small group table I have a little teacher table.  My docking station, bucket of lessons for the week. supply caddy and paper tray.  Under the table I have a group of shelves for both math and reading small groups.

 I ordered this organizer thingy on amazon and I am CRAZY about how it holds iPads.  You can find it HERE.

 Going along the back wall are the computers.  I tried to keep it clean and modern by lining them under the window in one long line.

These table place holders can be found HERE.


Jumping over the library we are going to check out the reference wall.

This is the most I have on the wall but I tried to keep all the reference items together to minimize the clutter.  Everything here has a specific purpose in our daily routine.  Students need to reference these concepts all year.  Sorry about the glare!  Lamination and flash do not mix!

 To get the word wall letters, number line, and labels around the room you can grab them in my facebook freebie folder!
To the left of the reference wall is where we keep our math tubs. 

 The math bin labels below on the green bins can be found HERE.
Another interactive area is our word wall.  This year I put it on our cupboards.  I really wanted more whiteboard space.  I think it will work!

Next to the word wall I have some counter space.  I put extra student supplies here. 

Let’s talk about the writing center!  I have a square table here next to the shelf of materials, but I didn’t really get it in pictures very well. 

 Next to the little table, I will have many different options for writing paper, but we start very slowly and build up to all those fabulous choices.   For now we are bare.  Students love earning new choices as we build up stamina.   

 This little supply rod from ikea just makes me happy.

I gave my word work station a little facelift with the help of Mel’s labels. 

Finally, the library!  Okay so it isn’t completely done.  I took my library which was organized by genre and author and I leveled all the books using book wizard.  I really wanted to do this because I felt it was so important to ensure my firsties had the correct books developmentally. 

 These six sections are color coded this way to bring calm and organization to the space.  I have 6 anchor charts ready for our reader’s workshop training time.   I plan to use this space to anchor our learning throughout the year. 

I bought Maria’s library labels and got organized!  As you can see I have the books organized, but still need to sit and label each and every individual book.  I am considering hiring on some kids for this one. 

My students will keep their book boxes right here in the library when not with them around the room.   I guess I better not get more than 21 students since I don’t have any more room.  😉
The labels came from Ladybug Teacher Files HERE.

This is my beloved big book tub.  It has been 3 colors over the years.  I got it at Target in the garden section.  It was royal blue metal.  It was 15 dollars and I remember I did not have the money to splurge on it but I knew that I just had to do it.  This was money well spent! 

 Well that’s a wrap for this year…oh wait…It’s just beginning!  Happy school year!
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    Comments

    1. Oh Reagan! this is like a completely different space! I love how you made bulletin board space! Makes me wish my entire room wasn't cinder blocks!!! It's lovely!!

      Reply

    4. Love, love, love everything in your room! Very organized! I especially love your black carpet!! Where did you get it?

      Sarah
      teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com

      Reply

    12. Beautiful room!!! We are not able to get into our rooms until August 11th!!!!! Can't wait!
      Love your leveled reading area. Where are the book bins from… I like the size of them.

      Reply

    14. Thanks for sharing your room with us. I love it and the colors. You have a great space. Good luck and keep us posted!

      Reply

    18. Oh my gosh, your classroom is GORGEOUS! I love all of the black furniture against the white floors. And your library looks amazing! LOVE! Thank you so much for the shootout!
      Maria

      Reply

    21. The balance of those colors throughout the room does indeed make it calm & organized! Super cute! I'd live to know where the little blue table is from and the leather chairs. Have a great school year!

      Reply

    23. I love the simple clean lines! The black and brights are happy and cheerful. Your room is calming and cheerful at the same time. So many ideas I can take away to my own room. Thanks you for giving us a peek.

      Terri Izatt
      KinderKapers

      Reply

    25. Reagan, this looks amazing! So organized and colorful but not distracting. Where did you get the labels you used for your student book bins? I love them.

      Reply

    26. Reagan, I always look so forward to your big reveal! It gives me so many great ideas as I work to pull my own classroom together. Sending you and your new Firsties so much love as you start the new year.

      Reply

    28. OMG!! LOVE your room!!! Very colorful, well organized, ready for students to learn,have fun and teach! Thank you so much for the freebies and sharing your ideas with us all! Think i'm going to snag a few ideas and use the freebies to add some Tunstall's flair to my own classroom! Happy Back To School<3!!!!

      Reply

    29. I love how crisp and clean your room is! I also start with a lot of bare space and add on with charts made in class. Looking at your pics makes me excited to get back to work this week and work on my own space. Thanks for sharing pics of your space!

      Marlene
      I Heart Teaching Elementary

      Reply

    30. I absolutely love the Writing Center supply buckets hanging from the magnetic towel rod, as well as all of the blank bulletin board space waiting for student work and group-made anchor charts! What an inspiring, organizing, and welcoming space!
      Thank you for sharing!
      ~Jennifer
      Stories and Songs in Second

      Reply

    34. GORGEOUS!!! Your students are going to be so excited to come and learn everyday in a beautiful room like that! I have some serious envy about your clean white tile, sleek black chairs, and walls that aren't cinderblocks. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
      Erin
      Short and Sassy Teacher

      Reply

    39. Love! Love! Love! Thank you for sharing. Your room is so big compared to mine but it still gave me some good ideas. Where did you get the stands you use for holding the Table numbers, centers, etc? Love that idea!
      Thanks for all your fabulous sharing!

      Reply

    41. I was just thinking, ooh, it's August 1, time to start in my room! And here you are finished. As always I am impressed by your detail and organization. Congratulations on another year of 1st graders, and I am so glad to hear you still have smaller class sizes out there. Everyone who spends time in your room will be calm and focused. Have a great start of the new year!

      Reply

      • They are used for building number sense. It's a great teacher tool to use with student number bracelets. You can learn more about them at mathcoachscorner.blogspot.com. Her blog is a great site. Check it out.

        Reply

    48. Your room looks fantastic! Love the black with the bright colors. I saw your writing center bar from your IKEA trip earlier this summer and I had to have it for mine, too. Your library is so comfy and inviting! Love the space for the anchor charts. Lots of fantastic ideas, thanks so much for sharing.

      ~Laura
      Luv My Kinders

      Reply

    51. Your room looks so organized and cute! I am wondering, what are the odd/even numbers on the board for? Just for math lessons or are they student numbers?

      Reply

    55. Your room looks AMAZING!! You have done such a wonderful job creating a safe, bright, and happy learning space for your firsties!! Kudos on the awesome job!!! 🙂 I'm going through an Extreme Classroom Makeover and it's stressing me out, but your gorgeous finished product gives me hope!! 🙂 Have a great school year!!

      Warmest Wishes, Erin from Kindergarten Dragons

      Reply

    57. Ahhhhh!!! I LOVE IT!!!! You will laugh when you see parts of my room–I have almost the same rug and I am reorganizing my bright bins so they are in groups by color too! Reagan, your eye for design is insane–you have created such gorgeous classrooms over the years and I always look forward to seeing what you have done next. I am beyond thrilled that you like the schedule signs 🙂 🙂 🙂 Best wishes for the happiest of school years!!!!

      Reply

    60. Just beautiful. Your room looks HUGE! I wish we had built ins like you do….I can do so much with a room like that! 🙂 I am pleased with my room but still looking at tweaking it some! 🙂

      Reply

    69. I love the black as your background color & that makes everything else pop. Hmm maybe I can use this as color scheme for next year. Great job, I love how clean & organized everything is. 🙂

      Reply

    70. I'm not a teacher anymore but every once in awhile I still see a blog post about teaching that catches my eye and your post certainly did that. I had to check out all your pics and in a word…wow! Your.classroom.is.awesome. The design, layout, organization, colors, everything. You're the teacher I would have visited on my off periods to see if your skills would rub off on me! 🙂 I hope you have a great school year and I'm sure the kiddos will love walking in to their new classroom on the first day and seeing what you've created for them.

      Reply

    71. Your room is amazing! I have been thinking of going with black & bright all summer, and you've definitely convinced me! I cannot get over the space and resources you have. My itty bitty room is 20×30 feet, no computers, no iPads, and almost every wall is either a door, cubbies, cabinets, or an escape window (so very little wall space). I love how you turned your walls and cabinets into usable bulletin board spaces – I'm on it! Thanks for all the inspiration!

      Reply

    74. Wow! I don't know if it's your pictures or if it's true size, but your room looks HUGE!! Those windows are super nice, too. I love all your light.
      I am super jealous of all of your computers and your 5 iPads!! You are so lucky! I have 3 older iMacs,
      1 O-L-D MacBook Pro, and one of my old iMacs for my kids to use, and I thought that was pretty good! Ha Ha!!
      Your room looks so AMAZING! Will you come do mine? 😉
      I think I am inspired to step it up in my room now.
      I hope you have a wonderful year.

      Jamie
      Thrills in Third Grade

      Reply

    77. How did you ever replace all of your containers all at one time? It must have cost a fortune. I just don't have that kind of money to spend on my room. I also wonder where are all the other teachers with mismatched furniture and garage sale finds.

      Reply

    78. Love your classroom!! How were you able to get the rod with the cups to stick to the writing center wall?

      Reply

    81. Wow! I simply adore your room. I'm a middle school teacher and had no idea it was a first grade classroom. This kind of room/decor is so classic it could be used for any grade. I love the combination of black and colors, and also love how it's not over the top colorful. The furniture in your room is also beautiful! Did you purchase it all this year or are they pieces you have collected over the years? Thank you for the inspiration!!

      Reply

    83. Love your classroom! The colors are gorgeous, and it is so modern and soothing! Love everything about it! Question….I'm new to teaching 4K this year. What is the round thing (looks like a hula hoop with cut pool noodles on it) hanging from your board, and what is it used for? Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

    84. I absolutely love your room!! I completely agree that the clean look will lend itself to an organized and calm year. Great job!! I am also a huge fan of Ikea, BTW!! 🙂

      Reply

    90. Love your beautiful classroom! Thanks for the tour and inspiration.
      I, too, would like to know about the hula hoop and "beads" hanging on your "reference" wall.
      Have a great year!
      Lisa in CO

      Reply

    92. I may have missed this one so I apologize if you have answered the question up-teen times already… Your black easel/white marker board… Where did you find that piece?

      Reply

    94. Wow! I am inspired! I am looking for the MATCHING CHEVRON COMPUTER BACKGROUND FREEBIE and I haven't located a download for it. Can you direct me to where it is?

      I need to get off your blog and get to work in my room! If you could maybe email me the download link ?
      pgarrison@cullmancats.net

      Thanks so much!

      Reply

    96. Love your room! I started using book wizard to organize my library by GRL. I have found several books that don't have a level What did you do with those books? Thanks!

      Reply

    98. They are used for building number sense. It's a great teacher tool to use with student number bracelets. You can learn more about them at mathcoachscorner.blogspot.com. Her blog is a great site. Check it out.

      Reply

    101. I didn't want to look through all the comments to see if someone else posted this, but where you have your student's numbers for their own file holder, I believe your number 9 is upside down! Just wanted to let you know! 🙂 I love your room so much! I now have a lot more ideas for my first year 🙂

      Thank you!!

      Reply

    103. Wow! Very inspiring! I am also going with the neon and black theme, but my "creation" is not half as lovely as yours. Thank you for the great ideas and wonderful pictures!

      Reply

    107. I LOVE it all!!! Thank you so much for such a wonderful classroom tour – I have gotten so many ideas from this post. I know everyone is asking you questions, but I don't think anyone has asked you yet where you got your objective card pocket holders?
      ~Heather
      Loose Shoelaces

      Reply

    110. This is the best classroom I have ever seen!! It just kept getting better and better. I love how the black lets all the bright colors pop. So many wonderful ideas here! THANK YOU for sharing!!!

      Reply

    114. Your classroom is beautiful and inspirational!! I taught 3rd grade for 9 years and now this will be my second year in first grade. I noticed you had a LOT of first grade leveled books in your library. Any good ideas on where you found them all? I can't seem to find many level A – J books. Mostly I find books K – O. Thanks in advance,
      Heather
      Kickin' It With Class

      Reply

    116. I love your room!!! Where did you get the number and shape cards for your reference wall? I am looking for some for my classroom.

      Reply

    118. Hi,
      I'm a french teacher and i'm so admiring! Your classroom is very cute, I want to have the same!!!
      Thank you to show us your work, and sorry for my english wich is not so good I want it to!

      Reply

    120. I love your classroom. I wish more teachers could do this. My oldest is in Kindergarten and when I go to his class to help or visit my OCD kicks in and I have a hard time concentrating because I want to organize everything, but it seems to work for his teacher.

      Reply

    122. Beautiful room! I wish I worked for a school system that would give teachers some money each year to purchase some of the accessories that you've found. I spend a fortune every year gradually buying book bins, rugs, storage shelves, etc. a little at a time, and my room is nowhere close to what you have created. I'm sure you probably had to buy everything yourself, too, as most teachers do. Just the matching book bins alone must have cost you a small fortune! The inviting, welcoming, calm, organized environment has GOT to motivate your students to work hard, do their best, and learn. And, wow… so lucky to have all that technology right at your finger tips! Just amazing! I have to confess that I'm a little envious! Good for you!

      Reply

    123. I love your room–so clean, organized and bright! Question: I was wondering where you found the bright, colorful borders (pink, yellow, etc.) above your library book boxes? I'm thinking I'd like to do the same kind of idea for a center rotation board.
      Thank you!!

      Reply

    125. Do you need to buy all stuff yourself? I teach in a high school in England – classrooms just don't look like that here because no-one uses that much of their own money. And if you had all wonderful stationery, the students would just borrow it, never return it or just take it. Your classroom looks wonderful.

      Reply

    130. Your space is amazing! If I had the money, I'd buy everything in it. It looks so comfy and inviting. It's just what I'd picture my ideal room looking like. Slowly but surely, I'll get little by little on my way! Looks…WOW!

      Reply

    131. OMG!!! Your classroom is amazing!!!! I've been teaching 27 years and I've never seen such a lovely classroom space. You have such awesome organization, flow, and aesthetics. I would LOVE to work in a space like this!!! Thank you for sharing-there are so many great ideas.

      Reply

    132. Hi Reagan! I am so in love with your classroom and I'm actually not sure if I've posted on this post already. But I was wondering if you'd share a picture of your library area now with your reader's workshop anchor charts, I'm just curious as to how that looks. Do you leave these same anchor charts up all year? Our principal is so into us changing everything as the year progresses; but since these are something that the students could constantly refer to, I'm wondering if he'd be okay with them up all year. Sorry for rambling.

      Reply

    136. I can appreciate the time and money you have spent on this room. Quite remarkable! I would just appreciate desks that match in colour and size.

      Reply

    138. I just ordered the charging station "thingy" you use for your ipad station. Do you put the cords into a basket? Your room is so so so so so awesome!

      Reply

    139. What do you put in your black pocket folders? Also, I love how you do not have a traditional teacher's desk and have freed up more space.

      Reply

    141. Hi! Where did you get those green tubs that you use to organize your math manipulatives? I have a shelf like that in my room, and want to do that for next year. Please, and thank you 🙂

      Reply

    142. I am a first-year classroom teacher, so I'm constantly looking for tips on good organization.What do you use the file folder pocket chart for?

      Reply

    144. I love your rug! I guess AtHome does not have an online store. I want to make a trip to a store if I could find out the price on it. It would be greatly appreciated!

      Reply

      • I went to At Home today to find out the price of this rug. I saw a similar one to Reagan's rug (same style diff color) for $199 it was a 10'x12', I think… I know it was bigger than 8×10. That's cheaper than most classroom carpets!

        Reply

    145. Your classroom is my dream classroom!!! I aspire to one day have mine look similar. 🙂 Where can I find the AMAZING center/station labels you have in the table place holders and the birthday balloon templates?

      Reply

    149. I love this so so much! I was wondering where did you find your tan and black chevron border? I am looking to decorate my room soon! I can only find black and white.
      Thanks!

      Reply

    150. Your room looks amazing!!!! Where did you get your book bins from?? I have been searching the internet for neon book bins like that and I can't find them anywhere 🙁

      Reply

    151. I really like the way your classroom is organized! I was wondering where you found the plastic sleeves you have under the "Today" arrow on the wall. I want to do something similar and would love to get some of those sleeves. Thanks for your help!

      Reply

    162. Where did you get your ipad cases? I teach special education and I am about to get my class set of ipads and I would like to find some very indestructible ipad cases. Those look pretty substantial!

      Reply

    163. Absolutely stunning classroom and set up! You definitely have an eye for classroom design! Very inspiring! I know how much time and effort went in to organizing, printing, laminating, setting up. Congratulations!

      Reply

    165. Very inspiring! I am especially enamored of your reading area. I've been looking like crazy to find affordable, comfortable chairs for my reading area, and have had no luck. Where did you get your chair?

      Reply

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    173. I love both of your classroom reveals! Which classroom environment, do you feel, was more cohesive to the students learning? The classroom with warmer colors like a home, or the bright, crisp colors?

      Reply

      • I got them at a store called at home. Target has similar ones. They are smaller than a normal chair. Perfect for kids!

        Reply

    177. Where can I find the circles that you have on the board for the subjects? (Math, Science, Social Studies, ect.)

      Reply

    179. Love your classroom! So nice and neat 🙂 Are the black bulletin boards made with fabric or bulletin board paper? How do you hang your anchor charts on them?

      Reply

    180. I like how you have the credenza instead of a teacher desk! Where’d you find it? Any tips for parting with a full on desk!!?!

      Reply

    183. Ok Reagan, I am a teacher on a shoestring budget moving not only schools but states! Where can I get cute armchairs like you have…on a budget? I have also been searching high and low for recycled classroom furniture places and I have come up empty-handed. Any suggestions?

      Reply

      • I got them at a store called AT HOME. I think target also carries them too. They come with ottomans. so cute!

        Reply

    185. Hi!!!

      I absolutely love your classroom. Where did you get the yellow buckets and black bin storage things that hand on the rod? I have been looking for things like this for my classroom. I would greatly appreciate your help.

      Reply

    188. Love your room!! I’m looking for new bookcases to streamline my library. Can you tell me where yours are from please?
      Thank you!

      Reply

      • Hi Danielle! These were provided by my school, but IKEA has great quality, inexpensive ones!! 🙂

        Reply

    191. I can’t find you Facebook freebie file. Where can I find the word wall, number line, and label file you have??

      Reply

    192. I am literally in awe! Your classroom is beautiful and organized so well. I will be using many of these ideas as I set up my classroom this year! Thank you so much for such a detailed tour!

      Reply

    194. Hi! I love your classroom decorations! It inspired me to create an exciting and welcoming classroom environment for my own pupils. How did you do those curve borders for your bulletin boards? Or was it ready made?

      Reply

    197. Hi! What are the sizes/brands of the black shelves with the book bins and then that great light wood shelf with the green bins?? I need to get a better shelf for storage and those fit the perfect amount.

      Reply

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