Classroom Organization
I would like to set up a dedicated space in my classroom as a science area. What should I include?
As a Kindergarten teacher, I guide my students through a calendar routine everyday that includes the date, the weather, counting how many days we have been in school and singing songs about the days of the week and the months of the year. Is there anything else that you do that has been helpful to review or introduce your students to skills that could be added in this time?
I was looking for things for some new teachers for math talk and I came across this list. Are there any you would add or change?
What are some of your first day “must have” lessons? How do you introduce your routines and procedures to your students?
What materials do you have in your classroom for your students to play with? We end our day with Discovery time (free play) and I am always looking for new items to add, the more open-ended, the better!
How do you organize student data?
I have several data recording sheets I purchased online to help me see each of my students' growth over time and keep those in a binder. How do you store and keep track of anecdotal notes or informal observations you make?
Last year, I had a bulletin board up outside my door with questions for each grade level. Since moving rooms, I don't have as much room outside my door so I was looking for some ideas on how I can engage students. I was thinking of doing some of these boards with questions. I love the idea of them proving me wrong -- that was the premise of what I did last year too. Have you used something like this before? Any suggestions or tips? (It probably goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, this is not my photo.)
How do you organize your classroom library in your Kindergarten classroom? Do you sort books in bins by topic or some other way? What are your most popular titles?
