It's a 'Circus Affair'

       Hello fellow educators, this year I have decided to create a 'Circus Theme' in my classroom.

Our Welcome Wall

         I selected this theme because I wanted to provide my students with a unique experience while they are engaged in the learning activities in my class. As a child I remember visiting a Circus at the Queen's Park Savannah with my family and still cherish that great experience. In recent years, I have not heard of any Circus visiting our shores and therefore, I felt that it was my responsibility as an educator to provide my charges with the experience.
      In addition, I also understand the importance and value of the classroom environment in the process of stimulating and fostering learning. As educators we must take the initiative to enhance our classroom environment, creating a welcoming and safe place for our students. I have noticed that when students see the effort we put into creating such environments they feel loved and a great deal of responsibility in keeping the environment beautiful.

Here are some before pictures of my classroom.

The front of my classroom

The front of my classroom, showing the main writing board and Word Wall area

These are the western and southern areas of my classroom.

 

 

The after pictures of my classroom.

Please note that throughout the year, the students will further conribute to enhancing the areas.

 

 

Well,  at the front of the classroom over my main writing board there is " D' Big Top". This is central to any circus theme classroom.

 

When my students arrived on the first day, I explained why at the circus the tent in which the circus acts take place is called the "Big Top".

 

In my classroom my Word Wall is located at the left area to the front of the room. This must be is a central component of any classroom. In creating this year's Word Wall- "Up High, Down Low, Words We Must Know" I related it to the acrobats at the circus.

Take a Look!

 

At the beginning of every week students are introduced to five Sight Words. The words are then present in all learning activities to provide students with multiple exposures to these words.

 

The Reading and Writing Bulletin Board.

In my classroom students are engaged in several reading and writing activities throughout the course of the week. Important concepts are displayed to further support students.

In the writing area this year, students' writing will be displayed for all to see. As such, I came up with the lovely " Our Ring of Writers". Again this is related to the circus theme.

 

Take a Look!

 

During the first week students wrote about themselves. Here are some students' work which were really interesting.

 

 

The Mathematics Bulletin Board

This board has been assigned to display many of the concepts students need to learn in Mathermatics. I related this to the Circus Theme by naming it..... "We are Nuts about Maths". Of course, I used cut-outs of elephants and nuts.

 

 

 

Here are the other areas of my class.

 

 In fostering classroom management, the classroom job chart is central to my classroom. Of course, a circus would not be a circus without a clown doing some juggling. I got this area from the net. Will post the link soon.

 

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 This bulletin board  will display students' artwork and other important class content.

 

 

 A view of my work area. My desk is located to the western side of my classroom.

 

This is a picture of the general area of my class. The colourful pennants add immensely to creating the Circus Theme.

And finally, a circus must have Ringmaster to run the show. On entering my classroom the Ringmaster is first to greet you.

 

 

Throughout the year students will participate in several activities to deepen their understanding and appreciation of a Circus. Many books, songs, poems and videos will support this theme.

 

 

 

Hope you are inspired!!!!