Twenty-three PRECIOUS children entered my room on Monday, and then THE FUN BEGAN! We truly are a one-of-a-kind crowd! They are kind, helpful, hardworking, and downright HILARIOUS. We began the week with a little jitter jig song to “shake out our jitters.” It certainly seemed to work because it felt like we were all family in no time! Ha! Much of the week was spent going over rules and routines. My kids LOVED “meeting” The First Grade Experts (hallelujah!). They referred to them by name all week long and even saw them run past our classroom windows a few times. SO SWEET! On Friday, we filled out our applications to be the next members of the club and shipped them off in a big envelope. I know there will be many smiling faces on Monday morning when they see they were ALL “approved.” Woo hoo! In addition to learning rules and routines, we played many “getting to know you” games, explored math manipulatives, and started The Daily Five! They made it up to 8 minutes during Read to Self by the end of the week. I felt like a proud mom because I bragged about their time to anyone who would listen. You know the feeling, I’m sure! Here’s a little collage of some of what we did. I brought my camera each day with the intention of taking many more pictures, but it seemed like I would blink and the day would be over. The Find a Friend activity you see in the collage is from Abby’s Fun with Firsties pack. It was a class favorite!
I did manage, however, to snap a few pictures of my classroom late last night. So, let’s go on a little tour, shall we? This is a view of my library. Last year, my library was closed off with two bookshelves, which made the classroom feel much smaller. I LOVE this open feel so much more. I’m OBSESSED with the book banner (inspired by my dear friend, Maria at Kinder Craze) that hangs overtop of the library. This is the space in the classroom that everyone gravitates towards. My kiddos seem to REALLY love it!
Here’s another shot of the library, from the other side. Those cushions are so comfy and the big chair is, of course, the favorite seat in the house.
This is my Daily Five corner. You can find all my Daily Five posters you see below and other resources for free here. The yellow chevron seat cushion was made my darling friend Tracy’s (Creekside Teacher Tales) mom. She is the SWEETEST. I plan on holding all my writing materials in the storage bins underneath the seating. The fabulous reading genre posters you see in the corner were made by Rachel Lamb. I plan on introducing my kiddos to these soon! 
Here’s another shot of the library. You can see the “Bravo Job” sign and boards behind the library that hold student work. 
To create the “Bravo Job” wall, I painted 23 clipboards a bright and cheery green and then placed a little name label on top of the ugly metal part to create a special board for each student. I think it’s SO important to display student work. It really allows them to take pride and ownership in what they do, and it reminds them that the classroom is NOT mine, but OURS. 
On the opposite wall, you’ll find this monstrous Dr. Seuss quote. I created this using my Silhouette Cameo (obsessed!). It’s a quote I refer to a lot in my classroom, and it creates a fun focal point.
Below the quote is where we rest our book bins. One of my FAVORITE people in the whole world, Kristen (from A Day in First Grade) made the little labels for me. I just love her! So sweet, huh?
These are my students’ mailboxes. I labeled them using cute little signs I found at Michaels. I believe they were 30 cents a piece. This idea was inspired by The Teacher Wife (see her post here). They are held up with two pieces of Velcro. Easy-peasy! I bought circular labels for the bottom two mailboxes, which will hold extra papers (in case students lose a paper, etc.).
When you enter the classroom, you first see the “Our Class Pact” bulletin board (located on the left in the picture below). That’s where our school’s mission statement is being held for the moment. My plan is to have my students write our own classroom pact to display there. The little green bin (with the drawers) is the first place my students stop at when they enter the classroom. They put all of their important papers from home in the tray on top. I hold extra tissues, hand sanitizer, and band-aids in the drawers. The alphabet line (at the top) was inspired by Miss Nelson’s Got the Camera. I LOVE it! Already a few students have said, “Hey, I know why some letters are yellow: they are VOWELS!” So smart!
The chalk number posters and the word wall cards ( found here and here) really add a little extra cheer to the room. We haven’t added any words to the word wall YET, but we will soon!
Next to the word wall is our little writing station, which holds all of our writing supplies for Work on Writing and Writer’s Workshop. You can read all about my Writer’s Workshop resources here. Underneath the desk is where I store all of some SUPER cool lap desks I found at Ikea. Once I introduce the Writer’s Workshop and Work on Writing, I plan on having my students use the lap desks so that they can spread out around the classroom to write. Right now they are using them during Read to Self and they’re really enjoying them.
In this little corner is where you’ll find my TINY teacher space and the horseshoe table. Giving up my big desk was the best decision EVER! I now have a teeny desk that holds my computer and a small bookshelf for my printer and teacher books. To save space, I found some awesome stools at Ikea (I swear I am not a spokesperson for them!) for 6 bucks a piece, I think! They are sturdy and easy to move around.
And, finally, another shot of the library side of the classroom. I had to stand up on the counter and risk my life for this shot, people! And, I’m only half kidding.
I’d love to share more detailed pictures in a future post. It was LATE on Friday night when I took these and our poor custodian was ready to kill me, I think. I’m pretty sure she was sitting in her car waiting for me to leave so she could lock up the building. That’s it for now! Have a FABULOUS and well-deserved weekend!
Kristen Smith
August 31, 2013Lyndsey! You are too sweet. I love you! Your room looks amazing! Your students are so lucky to have you as their teacher.
Kristen
A Day in First Grade
Kristin
August 31, 2013I love love love your classroom!!!!
That clipboard Bravo board is TO DIE FOR!
Teacher and Life Long Learner
August 31, 2013Can you bring your classroom to Northeast Wisconsin? LOVE IT!
The Polished Teacher
August 31, 2013Absolutely adorable! No wonder they reached 8 minutes of stamina! Your reading corner is so inviting with all those comfy chairs! I just love the clip board names! It makes the ugly metal too cute! Have a wonderful year!
ThePolishedTeacher
Stefanie Galvin
August 31, 2013What a gorgeous looking classroom!
Stef
Miss Galvin Learns
kinderfort
August 31, 2013Adorable! Where did the individual book boxes come from? I've been trying to find some that size.
April Kreitzer Wolfe
September 1, 2013Your room looks great and big!!
April
Wolfelicious
Deirdre
September 1, 2013Your room is so so cute! I want to be a first grader in it!
Deirdre
A Burst of First
Sharon
September 1, 2013I absolutely LOVE your room! I need to get me a silhouette!!
Caitlin Ramseyer
September 1, 2013Wow! Your room is amazing and such an inspiration! What fonts did you use to make your bulletin board headings and wall quote with? I love it all!!
Jennifer Jones
September 1, 2013Lyndsey…you inspire me! Thank you for sharing so many amazing pictures with us, so many great angles, and shots. Love the big quote, I've never heard of a Silouette Cameo, I'll have to check those out…and I already have the genre posters in my cart! Good luck on a great school year.
Jen
http://www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com
Raintree
September 1, 2013LOVE LOVE LOVE~ what font is the Daily five white words in? I have a Cameo too and would love to do this for my walls. 🙂
Lovely Nina
September 1, 2013YOUR ROOM LOOKS BEAUTIFUL!! "WOW" TO YOUR DR. SEUSS QUOTE!!
Miss Cosby
September 1, 2013Please come decorate my room. 😀 I was actually looking at Seuss quotes on Amazon this evening bt I love the personalization of using your silhouette. (envious of that little maching…really considering one!)
Your room looks amazing. I also bragged about some stamina! (we hit a bump but I'm working through it)
Looks great.
Brenda
You Might Be a First Grader….
Miss Kindergarten
September 1, 2013Don't be surprised if you find that I've moved into your classroom… lol
Bethany Louise
September 1, 2013Your room is such an inspiration! It is cute and comfy looking! Thanks so much for sharing pictures!
Bethany
Ship Shape First Grade
Stephanie Stewart
September 1, 2013Love it all!!! The Dr. Seuss quote knocked my socks off!! Your Cameo skills are seriously impressive!
❤ -Stephanie
Falling Into First
Nicole Alderson
September 1, 2013Beautiful beautiful room!!! Love everything about it girl!
Nicole
Rowdy in Room 300
Heather VanKuiken
September 1, 2013I LOVE the colors in your library area!! So cute!!
Heather
The Land of I Can
Annie Moffatt
September 1, 2013Oh my goodness Lyndsey!!! Your room looks AMAZING!!!
Samantha Kearns
September 1, 2013Pretty sure I'm obsessed with your room!!! I love all of the colors and the set up and well just everything! I definitely clicked on the links for your posters around the room, so thank you for posting those. I'm keeping both fingers crossed that my fiancee and parents go in together to get me a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas! You made so many beautiful signs and designs with yours! I'm also going to pin your clipboard wall. In the move to my new room this year, I wasn't able to find space for my You're Spot On wall, so hopefully looking at those lovely green (my fav color) clipboards will give me inspiration for next year. How did you attach those clipboards to the wall??
Samantha
Tales of a #teachernerd
Karen Potter
September 1, 2013Is there any possible way that you would be willing to create and SELL that Dr. Seuss quote for my classroom?
Bearcat
September 2, 2013There is so much I love about your room! I love that chevron rug, where did you get it? The clipboards are genius, I am assuming you spray painted them, right? How are they hung on your wall? Thanks for inspiring!
Mrs Cupcake
September 2, 2013Your classroom is beautiful!! It looks so big!
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Mandy Myers
September 2, 2013I love your room. I want to be in your class.
Traci - Dragonflies in First
September 2, 2013I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your room! The clipboards are an awesome idea. I am OBSESSED with your HUGE Dr. Seuss quote/mural!
❤ Traci
Dragonflies in First
Kim Gierahn
September 2, 2013Most of the times when i see classroom pics I think they are cute but I am not easily wowed…but WOW!!! You did an amazing job!!! How ever did you get the clipboards hung on the wall???
Chris and Sallie Thomas
September 2, 2013LOVE everything about your room. Could you explain more about how you did the quote? I have a Silhouette and would love to make one for my classroom. Is it paper or vinyl?
Jennifer White
September 2, 2013I love your room, Lyndsey! You totally should do a tutorial for those letters!! (not that I have a Silhouette..lol)
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Miss Nelson
September 2, 2013Your room LOOKS amazing. I love every little detail you put into making such a fabulous room. Thanks for the shout out.
Katie Rockey
September 3, 2013I'm obsessed with your room! Ah-mazing!!!
Jess
September 5, 2013Wow you have a wonderful room! Everything is so beautiful!
Rambling About Reading
jennygollup
September 19, 2013Where did you get or how make the name plate for the clipboards? I love the frames.
Adriana Berry
October 17, 2013Just ran into your classroom picture on Pinterest. I ? your class decor! I love chevron and Ikea!
Adriana Berry
October 17, 2013Just ran into your classroom picture on Pinterest. I ? your class decor! I love chevron and Ikea!
Theresa
January 7, 2014Your classroom is AMAZING! Oh my goodness! So warm and inviting! 🙂 How did you make the name clips for your clipboards? Also, where did you get that adorable rug? Oh my goodness! LOVE!
Elizabeth Conwell
March 3, 2014Your room is very organized and adorable! Where is the yellow bookshelf from? I am needing something like this. lconwell@putnamcityschools.org
Elizabeth A. Billberg
March 10, 2014Lyndsey, I've been working on reorganizing my classroom library. Can I ask how your library is organized? Do you have labels for sale in your store?
Jessica Ambrose
April 18, 2014I love the rug! Did you paint it?
Jessica Ambrose
April 18, 2014I love the rug! Did you paint it?
Ms. Anna
June 21, 2014If you put tennis balls on the bottom of your cute stools, your floor will not be as scratched. Have a great day.
Ms. Gatt
July 1, 2014I too want to know where your rug came from. Love your room!!
Cas
July 8, 2014How did you make, or where did you get your HUGE alphabet? I teach Kindergarten. They could actually SEE these letters!
Your room is inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
Mar
July 23, 2014I have the IKEA stools and love them too!
Christie Howell
July 24, 2014Hi! I LOVE your room! Could you tell me where/ how you got the large letters for your "daily 5" bulletin board?
rchristiehowell@gmail.com
Emily
August 10, 2014Hi! I was wondering if you could tell me exactly which fonts you used for your Dr. Seuss wall mural?? Thanks!
Mallory Gendron
August 19, 2014how did you attached the clipboards to the wall? Beautiful classroom!
Rayna
August 22, 2014What an ADORABLE classroom decor. I would like to use your idea for the BRAVO board. How did you get the sweet name template? Thank you for all of your help!
Mrs. Koehler
September 10, 2014What font did you use for your daily 5 board? I want to use it if I can!
Thank you!
Tarynmoto
October 20, 2014Love your room!!!
Can you tell me where you got the genre posters? Thanks!
Kaley Grinsteiner
May 18, 2015Where did you get your chevron rug in the reading area? I LOVE IT!
Amber Davis
May 30, 2015I love the simplicity of your calendar in this classroom. Can I ask where you got it? I have had no luck finding one I love and I love this one! Thanks.
Jessica Webb
June 30, 2015Where did you get the bench/storage shelf that has the yellow chevron cushion? Also, where did you get the bins your library books are in?
Jennifer Weigand
July 9, 2015I just bought the same IKEA desk except in orange used from someone and cant wait to trade in my desk!!! Love your room
Deirdre Jean-Baptiste
July 30, 2015Curious how you adhered the clipboard to the wall. Thanks!
Deirdre Jean-Baptiste
July 30, 2015Curious how you adhered the clipboard to the wall. Thanks!
Sarah
August 3, 2015Love the Bravo Job Wall!!! How did you make the labels for the clipboards? Also, how did you adhere the clipboards to the wall? Your classroom in such an inspiration!
sweetrenee1441
August 5, 2015Where did you get the blue cushions from?
Laurie Burghardt
August 12, 2015Absolutely GORGEOUS! I love everything about your classroom. well done. bravo. It's so happy & cheerful & functional.
Ms. Juengel
August 30, 2015I'm obsessed with your chevron rug! Where did you get it?!