The New Face of the Teacher Desk!!

The teacher desk in today’s 21st century classrooms are dynamic, welcoming, stylish and a hub of engagement. No longer is the teacher’s desk seen as a lackluster component within the classroom realm.

Instead, teachers are recognizing the need to create a space which reflects their personality, style and commitment to fostering a classroom environment where all members are comfortable and engaged.

A Dynamic Space

The teacher’s desk is a versatile element in the classroom, serving multiple functions in the learning environment.

The teacher’s desk can be used as the ‘point of contact’ between the teacher and students, where scaffolding of instruction can take place, as well as, enrichment activities.  Consequently, the very shape and size of a teacher’s desk has changed to accommodate its dynamic nature.

In addition, it can stand out as a technology centre housing various technological equipment such as: projectors, printers and laptops; to assist in learning. 

Lastly, the teacher’s desk is the site of storage of lesson plans, student work and records.

Creating a Dynamic Desk:

• ·      Decide on the size and style of your desk to accommodate its function in the classroom.
• ·      Place your desk in an area of the classroom which allows it to be close to electrical outlets.
• ·      Attach storage drawers to extend the desk area.
• ·      Use your desk side panel to display students work and classroom messages
•     If your desk is metal, it can be used to create work centres were students can use magnetic letters and numbers to reinforce concepts.

A Stylish Space

Gone are the days of the mundane grey metal or brown wooden tables. Teachers are sparing nothing on adding a splash of their personality into their workspace. In so doing, they are creating classroom environments which are welcoming and appealing to young and creative learners who enter each. 

The teacher’s desk is now a canvas for their creativity to emerge and invade the classroom landscape. Teacher’s names are displayed using bold fonts, colourful pennants and trendy banners plastered to the front of the desk. Colour coded pen holders, file holders and office accessories create a sense of organization and structure. Furthermore, quotes and family pictures are also displayed, creating chic spaces where both teachers and students enjoy being.

    Creating a Stylish Desk:

•       Determine a colour palette which appeals to you
•            Purchase stationery and file storage holders which are within your colour palette
•          Use a fancy font to display your name, either on the desk itself, in a frame or on a wooden cut-out
•            Select one personal item to be placed on your desk; a family picture or a teacher gift

An Organized Space

The teacher’s desk must represent the epitome of order in the classroom. Your space should allow you to function effectively by being able to locate items at the drop of a hat. This is easier said than done, for many a day I have fallen into the deep dark depths of clutter madness at my desk. 


However, I continue to strive for a clutter free desk. The greatest challenge is keeping the desk surface organized, for we can all relate to simply piling items here, there and everywhere on our desks throughout the day.

    Creating an Organize Desk:

·      Determine what are the most important tools which must always be at arm’s length, the ESSENTIALS!

·      Relocate Non-essentials to shelves and cupboards close to your desk

·      Invest in storage systems which encompass storage for multiple stationery items; pens, pencils, marks, paper-clips, stamps, stickers and scissors

·      Label storage containers to ensure that items are replaced in their correct location

·      Use vertical file holders to store paper work

·      Keep a bin close to your desk to get rid of unnecessary clutter immediately

·      Remind yourself daily that ‘clutter creates fluster’.

So, teachers are you ready to take the initiative and improve the look of your desk in the classroom? Remember, Be Dynamic, Be Stylish and Be Organized!!  
I can’t wait to see what you guys and gyals do!!-

Take COMMAND!

Hello teachers, are you ready to take command of the storage and organization in your classroom? Are you often times overwhelmed by the plethora of materials which need to be displayed and the lack of space to do so? Well, I suggest you take command with the use of 3M Command hooks! Yes, you heard right. The 3M Command hooks are versatile in design and can be used for multiple purposes when storing and organizing resources in the classroom.

It has been my experience that these 3M Command hooks are strong, durable and easy to remove without damage to surfaces to which they are attached.
The 3M Command hooks come in a variety of sizes perfect for varied use in the classroom.

 

To mount:
1. Select the appropriate size 3M command hook
2. Ensure the wall surface is clean and dry.
3. Peel off the red liner and apply to the back of the hook.
4. Peel off the black liner and apply to the wall, hold for 30seconds.
5. Wait for 20 -25 minutes before using the hook.

       To dismount:
1. Raise the hook upwards to reveal the base.
2. Hold the base and pull the tab downwards until the base is released.

Here are some uses of the 3M Command Hooks....as used in my classroom:

• The medium and large 3M Command hooks are ideal for hanging Pocket Charts. I often mount the 3M Command hooks at various areas in my class and rotate pocket charts when I need to display flashcards and work with students with vocabulary and sentence completion exercises. The 3M command hooks are sturdy and allow students to manipulate resources which are attached to them.  

Maths Flashcards

Pocket Chart used for Maths activity

Pocket Chart used for Maths activity

The largest Pocket Chart being used here for a vocabulary activity.

• If you are limited on wall space, the 3M Command hooks are excellent for organizing and displaying anchor charts in the classroom. Having all your charts available for students to refer to is always great.

Anchor Chart located at the front of the classroom.

Anchor chart with Adverbs which is displayed when students are engaged in writing.

• In my library area, using baskets and bins proved to be a challenge to neatly organize and display the Kids National Geographic magazines which are added monthly. The magazines were always falling over, making the front cover difficult to read. I saw on Pinterest that the magazines could be placed in page protectors and attached to rings. I immediately decided that my 3M Command hooks would be ideal for hanging the magazines in the library corner. I use the smallest 3M Command hooks here and they are strong!!!

3M Command hooks used for magazine display.

• The 3M Command hooks are also used to display the behaviour monitor chart which shows the desired student behaviour for students in my class.
  

  

  The addition of the Behaviour Monitor Chart.

  
  

As classroom teachers, I am sure you can find many other uses for the 3M Command hooks in your classroom. Please feel free to share your ideas!!

Hope you are Inspired!

5 Classroom Wall Essentials!

Hello again fellow educators, as mentioned before here is my second post focused on preparing your classroom environment for the 2016-2017 school year.

The classroom environment contributes to the academic and social development of each student who enters its universe. Therefore, we need to go beyond simply sticking or mounting subject charts as the means to create a motivating and stimulating environment. There are some elements which can be termed ‘Classroom Wall Essentials’ which are integral in helping to instill in our students a sense of responsibility, confidence, perseverance and cooperation.

Careful consideration and implementation of these ‘Classroom Wall Essentials’ can ultimately lead to classrooms where students are central in helping to foster a motivating and stimulating learning environment.

Classroom Wall Essential 1: The RULE CHART!

www.prekinders.com

Location: To the front of the classroom, where students can easily refer to them.

Purpose: to familiarize students to the expected behaviours toward others, while maintaining a safe environment to participate in learning (Marzano et al….2003)

Characteristics: The Rule Chart is generally introduced during the first week of school as the teacher and students become familiar with each other. In creating a Rule Chart, it is important to get an input from the students. In addition a few guidelines which can be followed are:

·        Always phrase your rules in the form of a positive statement.

·        Make sure that you do not exceed 5 major classroom rules

·        Ensure that the rules are stated clearly so that students can recall and learn them.

Classroom Wall Essential 2: The JOB CHART!

Location: A wall space which is easily accessible and viewed from anywhere in the classroom.

Purpose: to give students the opportunity to take responsibility and to ensure and maintain the smooth flow of instruction without interruption. The presence of a Job Chart provides the opportunity for students to engage in procedures and routines which engender the traits of responsibility and cooperation.

Characteristics: The role of each classroom job is clearly outlined to all students, since generally at the primary/elementary level students get the opportunity to participate in each capacity.

Some classroom jobs include:

·        Teacher helper

·        Lunch helper                    

·        Line leader

·        Paper manager (collects and distributes)

·        Library helper

·        Board eraser

·        Trash collector

Classroom Wall Essential 3: MOTIVATIONAL POSTERS!

Location: Any wall space in the classroom.

Purpose: to continually remind students that they are valued and loved, so to inspire and stimulate confidence in each child.

Characteristics: The Motivational Posters should be:

·        Eye-catching to students

·        Short phrases which can be chanted and learned

·         Promoting appreciation of self and others

·         Promoting positive attitudes to work and learning

Classroom Wall Essential 4: STUDENTS’ WORK

Location: Any available wall space at students’ eye-level

Purpose: to show students that their work is appreciated and they are significant in the learning environment.

Characteristics: In displaying students’ work in the classroom, it is important to:

·        Recognize ALL products and not just the exceptional products

·        Provide examples of the process and the product

·        Recognize the work of students by adding their names to their displays

·        Refer to displays during the instructional times

Classroom Wall Essential 5: SIGHT WORDS

Location: One or more designated wall areas which are easily viewed by students.

Purpose: to provide students with a word bank which they can easily access to improve in their reading and writing development. How students view themselves as readers and writers is integral to developing self-confidence.

Characteristics: The Sight Words are critical in students’ literacy achievement and must be:

·        High frequency words at the specific student and class level

·        Written in manuscript

·        Group alphabetically so words can be easily located

·        Grouped by subject area

·        Referred to often to ensure they are used by students in their oral and written communication

Fellow teachers as you prepare your classroom for your new students, I hope that you consider greatly the

 “5 Classroom Wall Essentials” mentioned in this post.

I would love to hear from you and see how you have implemented these classroom essentials.

Hope you are inspired!!

Get Started.....using a Classroom Theme!

 

 

Hey teachers! I know the July/ August vacation has just begun and thinking about your classroom is the last thing on your mind.

While this may be true, the reality is that preparing your classroom for the new school term is critical to providing a stimulating, enjoyable and appealing learning environment for your students.

This is the first of my posts related to helping you, my colleagues, in preparing a classroom environment ready to captivate and motivate students as they learn.

As you prepare for your next academic year, you should note that integrating a theme within your classroom environment is a creative avenue you can utilize.

 

Designing and arranging your classroom within a theme creates a cohesive and stimulating environment which captivates students visually and engages them. Classroom themes provide opportunities for students to plunge into a world of meaningful learning experiences. The themes can support curriculum goals or students’ interests.

At the beginning of the school year, your students should walk into a space which is delightful and interesting. The general layout and design of your classroom should be evident to your students from the get go. Let your students know that they too will contribute to the theme as the school year goes by.

Here are some guidelines you can follow as you implement a Classroom Theme.

1.    What are my Students’ Interest?

Knowing the interests and age of your students is very beneficial in helping you to decide on a classroom theme. Selecting a theme is not a daunting task, if you have knowledge of your new students. If you don’t, then the best theme would be one relevant to the curriculum. For example: a rainforest theme, patriotic theme, festivals or reading just to name a few.

2.    What elements are central to the theme?

You need to spend time researching and learning about the theme you have selected. Identify components central to your theme and how they can be used in the classroom. The elements should be replicas of real-life features and guide students to tangible and meaning exposures to the theme.

 

 

Elements in a Circus Theme Classroom- Ringmaster, Ring of Fire,
 Pennants

 

 

Circus Theme Classroom must have a Big Top

 

 

All aspects of the theme do not have to be presented initially, however, over the school year they can be incorporated.

Remember, in selecting your theme your goal is to provide students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the theme. At the end of the school year, they should be familiar with the words, terms and phrases related to the classroom theme.

·         For example:

 If working with a pirate theme you must include a ship, pirates, treasures, parrots etc. In addition, read books about pirates and their adventures. Extend learning by giving students opportunities to write about pirates.

If working with a space theme you must include planets, asteroids, spaceships, astronauts etc. Read books about space exploration and famous astronauts.

Space Theme Classroom with hanging planets.
Did you spot the astronaut?

 

 

Painting a lantern to make a planet.

 

 

3. What should be the focus?

Your classroom theme permeates every aspect of the classroom environment and therefore must be evident in the general and specific learning areas/boards within the classroom.

Your welcome board is the first introduction to your classroom theme and students and visitors are initially drawn into your ‘world’ by a visually appealing Welcome Greeting related to your theme.

·         If your entrance has a door, this is the best location to place your Welcome Greeting.

·         If you don’t have a door, like me, you can select a board or wall space to arrange and display your Welcome Greeting.

·         Your greeting should include a catchy phrase related to your theme along with students’ names or photos.

Infant Two Welcome Board

Grade 5/ Standard 4 Welcome Board

 

Another area where the theme should be evident in the classroom is the Library area. Draw students to this area by providing a cosy and comfortable nook. Support students’ reading and writing with books related to the theme.

Grade 4/ Standard 3- Space Theme Library Area

 

Infant Two- Circus Theme Library nook

 

Classroom areas labelled for Word Walls, Job Charts and subject areas can also incorporate the classroom theme into their design.

 

 

Infant Two Word Wall- Car Racing Theme

 

Infant Two Word Wall- Circus Theme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circus Theme- Job Chart

 

My Classroom Theme and Subject Areas

Circus Theme



Maths- We Are Nuts About MATHS!

Phonics- Popping Letters

Reading Corner

 

 

 

Hollywood Theme

 

Math Bulletin Board- Spotlight on Maths

 

Steps in Long Division- Directors Make Super Blockbusters
Divide- Multiply- Subtract- Bring Down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROLL CAMERA- Reading and Writing Bulletin Board
 

 

 

The Writing Process- Hollywood Theme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teachers remember to use these guidelines as you get started in planning and preparing you classroom as a fun and stimulating learning environment.

Hope you are INSPIRED!

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