Sunday, August 19, 2012

Classroom Complete!


Woo Hoo! Time to cheer! My classroom is FINISHED :) 

My inspiration for this classroom color scheme is my obsession with organization! Is organization allowed to be my inspiration? That really sounds like I am saying I am inspired by my type A personality...haha!

Because I like to "color code" everything, I went with a rainbow color scheme this year! I absolutely love it!

I am going to be showing you two different versions of rainbow classroom decor in this post. I used the regular set of rainbow colors one year, and then the rainbow brights the next year. I wanted to be sure to show both options because some of you can use the rainbow brights decor and you may not have to change much of what you already have going on in your classroom - you can just add to it!

Below is a quick look at both versions of the rainbow classroom. I added some quick links of items you can see in these photos below each picture. I hope this allows you to easily navigate and shop this post.


Rainbow bright:
Rainbow Banner (to make it say whatever you want)

Primary/Regular Rainbow:

Not in pic, but will be in later pics:

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We use a "raise a number" technique for students hand raising in all of our fifth grade rooms...so that it remains consistent. They simply raise that number using their fingers and we can nod to them 'yes' or 'no' without having to stop class...because we know what they want/need by looking at their fingers. It has always worked really well!

You can see the item I am referring to on the left side of this picture, click the links below to view it on Teachers Pay Teachers (depending on which color scheme you'd like). It is important to put this somewhere in your classroom where all of the kids can see it. Once they learn which number means what, they won't need to look at it anymore.

Raise A Number Posters:
Regular Rainbow
Rainbow Bright
Rainbow Bright with Black
Pink & Blue

The students are told not to abuse this system, though. They know that they should not raise a 3 in the middle of the lesson, for example.

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Now for the bulletin boards.....

We'll start with the rainbow brights and lead into the regular rainbow!




I think my favorite part of my classroom every single year is the wall calendar. I always do mine on white board space, because I happen to have a lot in my classroom. You can totally do this on bulletin board wall space, as well! I make my pieces magnetic using adhesive magnetic tape from the office store, but you could use Velcro or push pins on a bulletin board!


ALL Rainbow Bright Bulletin Decor Links:
Editable Bulletin Board Square Letters
 Rainbow Bright Science Alphabet
Rainbow Bright Welcome Banner
Rainbow Banner (to make it say whatever you want)
Rainbow Bright Full Wall Calendar
(not in pic) Rainbow Bright Math Alphabet
Rainbow Bright Classroom Board Tiles for Organization


 I have a Math Vocabulary bulletin board where I will keep the vocabulary we are using at that time. Once we move on to something new, these words will move to our Word Wall, and new ones will take a place on this board.

 This is usually a favorite bulletin board for the students - Super Work! They LOVE for their work to be displayed here! It is directly over the spot where we turn in homework, so it is right when you walk in the door...where everyone sees it! It is always excited to see the students' faces when they walk in and see their work on this board! I, of course, try to rotate the work as often as possible so that all students get to know this feeling!



All Rainbow Bulletin Decor Links:
A to Z pennant banner - make your own

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 I just love the class jobs I created! This is my latest creation for my Leadership classroom :) There are 49 different jobs available to choose from! The other students are "sharpening the saw" while they do not have a class job that week. I am sorry for the quality of this picture - it's awful!


These jobs target Leadership classrooms! I am super excited about them. I tried to use real jobs as the job titles. For example, rather than "Line Leader", we have a "Navigator" :) and rather than "Announcer" or something simple, we have a "Public Relations Spokesman" :)

Important note: In the photo above, the bottom piece says "Sharpen the Saw" because we are a Leader in Me school. Due to The Franklin Covey company's strong copyright laws, we are not allowed to use their terms of their habits. For this reason, I have two options in the pack for sale - one card has a pre-typed page that says "Take Ten" (which still means those students are taking a break at that time). The other option is a card exactly like the one seen in the picture above; however, the words that say "Sharpen the Saw" are simply left out (blank) so that you can write your own title there. Sorry about this!

Links for Class Jobs:
Rainbow
Pink & Blue

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This is the view from the back of the room. You can see my math alphabet (FREEBIE), and the "We Love 5th Grade" banner hanging over it. I just love the bright colors and I know it is going to make me so happy to be in a room so colorful :) Is it bad that I already can't wait to keep adding to the decor?


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I have talked about this calendar before, but I just love it so much that I had to add it to my final classroom design post! You can see my "how we get home" poster to the left of the regular rainbow calendar. I don't have mine posted on TpT, but my sister at Kindergarten Smiles, has an AWESOME one of these for sale in different color choices!

These calendar sets are on sale on my TpT. You can make your own of these if you have the space! I used electrical tape and magnetic sheeting. I cut up the magnetic sheeting and hot glued it to the back of my calendar set pieces. This is working like a charm and I just LOVE it! I can't wait to display all of our special events on this calendar! I love viewing the whole month at once. A student's planner does not allow them that luxury, so I am glad that they will be able to see the whole month at a time in my classroom!

LINKS:
Rainbow Bright version OR Regular Rainbow version
(not in this post, but there is also a pink/blue/teal version)



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I absolutely LOVE pom-poms...if you can't tell. I took this picture while standing on my computer tables because I felt like I was up in a pom-pom wonderland while I was standing there to hang things up! I am just so excited about it! I have 6 groups...one for each color of the rainbow. The rest of my room just involves LOTS of rainbow colors everywhere!




As you may be able to tell from this picture...and maybe you saw my earlier posts about it...Each color is color coordinated to match their supplies on their bookshelves! I love this about the room because I am seriously OCD about things like this! I looooove organization and coordination! The kids always know where things belong and they understand they cannot take from another group's bookshelf! Take a look at this picture below to get a better glimpse at green group's bookshelf.


So on the top there is a basket where I pass out papers that we will be using in class that day. I do this in the morning so that while I am teaching, their materials and work is already there waiting for them! No more passing out papers while I try to talk :) There is also the clear, little cup where they receive team pom-poms if they are on tasks or doing great that day!

The top shelf has their canvas with inspirational quote, group journal, team leader pin (team leader for certain activities gets to wear it!), paper clips and binder clips, pens, pencils, and highlighters (which are their group color, of course!). 

The middle shelf has their mini dry-erase boards, the bin with socks for erasers and markers, and loose leaf paper.

The bottom shelf is home to the group dictionary right now, but will be home to their morning work journals and other class related things that we don't need to stuff in their cubbies or desks :)









The reading corner is full of pom-poms, too! I also have class supplies on the shelf where my "Catch a Habit" station is (explain in a different post). I just looove the reading corner because it has that cozy, closed feeling, but it is open enough for me to see everyone in there!


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This shelving is behind my desk. It has anything and everything teacher-related on it! On the top, I have our buckets with our treasure prizes in them, all of m "7 Habits" materials, my CD player, and our buckets where I put students work once it is graded and ready to be taken back to the correct homeroom for filing. (I teach math to all 3 of our fifth grade classes, so I have to send student work back to the proper homeroom. It is so simple to just put it in the proper bucket and send a student over to the classroom with it!)


This filing organizer sits on my desk. It has anything and everything on it! The blue folders are where I put class homework once collected. The purple folders have papers I need to grade, and possibly take home to complete. The green folder is my "Later Gator" folder, for things I just need to put aside and get to later! The yellow folders are things that need to be filed, copied, laminated, or created into a poster. The orange files are empty for the most part, but I use them when I send a message to another teacher or someone in the office. There is a folder for each person I ever send a message to, so the student will not forget where they are going! The red  folder is for forms that I have collected, like field trip forms :)


I have already posted about this, but figured I would add it here, too! These are my plans for the week, organized by class, subject, and day of the week. This is sooo great when I have a sub because everything they need is there and I do not really need to write a lot on the sub plans, since it is already filed by subject and class :) This is one of my favorite things in my room! It has definitely come in handy!



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I hope you enjoyed looking at my classroom! I am really pleased with how it turned out. I hope that the students love it as much as I do! I can't wait to meet my students and get started on this new year! It feels so great to know that my room is done and I am ready for school!
:)

You can check out other blogs at 4th Grade Frolics
in the fabulous Made It Monday posts! Go check out this great linky party!!



53 comments:

  1. Everything looks so amazing!! I love how it is all colorful and organized. I'm actually making some poufs for my classroom too :) I'm thinking over the reading area...

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  2. Love your classroom! I really like the Somewhere Over the Rainbow poster - that's the song I danced to with my dad at my wedding!

    Sara :)
    Smiling In Second Grade

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  3. Love how your classroom turned out! I thought I was super organized, but now I may have some more things to do! ;)

    Caitlin
    Kindergarten Smiles

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  4. Gorgeous! Fantastic job. I especially love the color coding. =)

    Emily @ Second Grade Silliness 

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  5. Beautiful! LOVE the colours! I only have 3 pom poms in my room - but this is making me want a WHOLE lot more!!!

    LOVE the achieve sign, too!

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  6. LOVE your room! I also love the way you have your lesson materials for the week set up. Thanks for the ideas!!

    Becky
    Lesson plans & Lattes

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  7. Your room is so bright and cheery:) I love the lettering you used for your math vocabulary and super work. Did you make these or are they from somewhere else?
    Terri
    Terri's Teaching Treasures

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  8. Thanks for sharing your math ABC posters for free! They're great. I'm going to have to read more about how you stay organized that's always my biggest struggle!
    Laura
    Mrs. Castro's Class

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  9. Your room looks really great! I love your student jobs chart, what jobs do you assign in your classroom? The "Sharpen The Saw" sign at the bottom is completely over-the-top cute for those who are not in the job rotation for the week.
    :) Antonia
    forkin4th

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  10. Your room looks really great! I love your student jobs chart, what jobs do you assign in your classroom? The "Sharpen The Saw" sign at the bottom is completely over-the-top cute for those who are not in the job rotation for the week.
    :) Antonia
    forkin4th

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  11. I am so thrilled I found your blog! Your room is absolutely wonderful. I teach 5th grade as well, so I always like finding upper grade teachers. I hope you can stop by my blog.

    Mel

    Teaching With Ms. Mel

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  12. It looks REALLY great Bridget! I love the theme and the organization! I love the calendar and the little signs here and there. I am so impressed and inspired! I look forward to seeing all the great things to come for you this year!

    Fancy Free in Fourth

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  13. Bridget I love your room! The Leader in Me theme is fantastic for building self esteem. Some of the kids need that so badly!
    I'm following you.
    Ruth
    Teacher Park

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  14. I love it! Everything is so bright! And I love that each group has their own bookshelf. Your classroom is huge! How many students? As I was looking at your pictures, I found myself thinking "I wonder which one is Finn's desk?" LOL! Have a great first day/week. I can;t wait to hear all about it!!

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  15. I love your room! It looks great! I never thought to put the pennant signs hanging from clothespins and I love it! I am a new follower.

    Teaching Chick

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  16. Your room is fantastic! So organized and cheerful!
    - Michele
    MULTIAGE MOMENTS

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  17. Love your room! It's so bright and cheery. Did you make the letters for your "Super Work" and "Math Vocab" boards? Are they available for download?

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  18. Super organized and neat :) You have awesome chairs for the kids! Your pom poms from the ceiling are super cute. WTG!


    Always A Lesson

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  19. Your classroom looks great! Love the rainbow colored theme!
    Kimberly
    Funky First Grade Fun

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  20. WOW! Your room is amazing. I too am in love with pom poms. I am wanting to make some for my classroom, but I am waiting for the fire marshal to walk through before I put anything up. I know, I'm naughty, but just a small price to pay when you want a cute classroom. I am also a new follower!

    Jennifer
    Darling Little Learners

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  21. Wow, your room looks great. I love all of the bright colors! Poms seem to be the hot trend this year! I have them in my room too!

    Sent From My iPad

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  22. P.S. We are doing 7 Habits of Happy Kids this year! Just found out last week so I need to go get your posters! =)

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  23. I absolutely love that HUGE calendar!!!! I'm jealous! Your room looks great!

    Sarah
    Kindergarten Korner

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  24. BTW...just read your about me. We share an anniversary! Ours is June 2nd too (but 5 years ago!)

    Sarah
    Kindergarten Korner

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  25. I love your room! I haven't finished mine, as I have been home with my daughter who had back surgery. You have inspired me to finish mine! I just found your blog and am now following you! I would love for you to visit my blog when you get a chance!
    Patti :)
    A Series of 3rd Grade Events

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  26. I love all of this! It looks amazing! I have a coworker who has been telling me a lot about the leadership classroom! Definitely following you to learn more! :) Soooo happy I found you!!

    Amanda
    Reaching for the TOP!

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  27. I love your room!! So bright and cheery, your kids will LOVE it!!
    ❤Teri
    A Cupcake for the Teacher

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  28. I love your room!!! Everything is so cohesive and inviting :)

    Elizabeth

    Fun in Room 4B

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  29. I just found your blog and am a new follower. I also just downloaded your Math Alphabet Posters!! Thanks so much. I cant wait to read more.

    Brittany
    Stickers and Stamps

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  30. Your classroom looks absolutely stunning. It is so bright and colorful! I love how you arranged your desks! Your fifth graders are very lucky to have you as a teacher!

    Liliris
    Fourth Grade Garden

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  31. wow...great classroom. I love the ACHIEVE letter posters...did you blog about this anywhere?
    CIndi
    diaryofagratefulteacher.blogspot.com

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  32. WOW!! I'd love to be a student in your class. I'm VERY new to the world of blogging, your blog is very inspiring. I'm your newest follower. Hope you can stop by my blog soon!
    http://fifthisfun.blogspot.com/

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  33. I pinned everything! Looks great!
    Emily
    I Love My Classroom
    www.ilovemyclassroom.blogspot.com

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  34. Can you tell me where your found your pom poms or how you made them?

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  35. How were you able to print on your file folder labels? I wrote on mine but I am still debating printing on them, because it looks so much nicer.

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  36. What a unique way to arrange your desks...I really like it.

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  37. I love everything about your set up here! So organized, student oriented, and fun!

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  38. Amazing classroom setup! I love all the color! I am going to use so many of these ideas in my classroom next year. :)

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  39. I have recently been hired as a 6th grade English teacher and I was just wondering if you think that your 5th graders were comfortable in your room. What I mean is, did they think it was too juvenile for them?

    I love this idea and I am just like you in color coding and organization but I want to make sure that my 6th graders won't feel like I am babying them.

    Thanks!!!

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  40. I know this is an old post...but, I have taught kindergarten for 14 years and am going to be teaching 5th next year. And I am at a Leader in Me school. I LOVE your posts. Last year my kids had pen pals they wrote to in another Leader in Me kindergarten class. I will be teaching all the ELA this year and would LOVE an oportunity to provide authentic writing for my kids. Would you be willing to let your kids be pen pals with my kids?????? My blog is currently still in kindergarten mode but I am in the process of moving it over to 5th grade mode.

    Diana
    Cole's Little Pups

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  41. Where did you purchase the matching baskets and caddies on your bookshelves? I have looked everywhere and cannot find matching ones. Thanks!

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  42. I really love your class!!! Where did you get those colored basket on the bookshelf?

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  43. Yes,
    where did you get the matching baskets?

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  44. I love your classroom! I'm going to be 5th next year, but teaching Social Studies instead of Math. Your class has given me so many great ideas! Thank you!

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  45. Hi! I love your room!! Where did you get your bookshelves? I'm trying to work smarter, and not harder next year- and I think that's a great idea!

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  46. hi. .i love this amazing room! i wanted this kind of room badly but i hated to say it. .we have so many students in one classroom. .in my clASS there are 60 or more pupils and the space is not enough. .:(

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  47. Thanks for the peek into your classroom. I would love to know how to make those awesome pom-poms!!! I downloaded your math alphabet and have put some of your other TPT things on my wishlist!!! Have a great year!!!

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  48. I love your job chart ,but how do the kids pick who does what?

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  49. Everything in your room looks so neat. Are those tissue paper pompoms our did you purchase them. My theme is watercolors this year and I could incorporate the color coding easily.

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  50. Everything in your room looks so neat. Are those tissue paper pompoms our did you purchase them. My theme is watercolors this year and I could incorporate the color coding easily.

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  51. I love your bright color theme. That's what I'm doing this year. We are a Leader in Me school and i am thrilled to be using your jobs. I just wanted to ask how you have the cards attached to the ribbon and the ribbon attached to the wall. Just trying to figure out the best strategy. I'm doing it on a bulletin board, as a whole Leadership theme.

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  52. Where did you find the colorful hashtag circles?

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