Take a journey with me in setting up my classroom. Fortunately, I have almost everything I need to be successful. However, it's clearly not all in place. The person who set up this classroom was clearly not an Early Childhood Educator. I was told they did just enough to satisfy the Department of Children and Families. Here's what my new classroom looks like. Can you tell what's wrong with this picture? I'll be making the necessary improvements over the next few weeks, with your help of course:) I'll keep you posted on the results.
Let's see...you need a tree for sure! I would put in behind your book shelf in the corner and then add lots more fake of course greener (I always killed my real ones, poor things, plus you don't have to take care of them, way good!)..that always makes a room more "homey!"
ReplyDeleteAlso need a house keeping center, more shelves to break up the room and make more used able areas, bulletin boards for seasons, art work, themes,etc.
Use some bulletin boarder around the windows and the wipe-off board too.
Make a cover to hide the mats, maybe out of flannel so you could use it a flannel board as well!
An easel to hold your big books and stuff when you have circle time. Also a bigger rug would be nice..start hitting those garage sells, I always found wonderful goodies for my class there.
A small art table to do the messy, fun projects. A science area would be nice. Do you have a listening center? That is a must!! Doesn't have to be much...I used a student sized desk and 2 chairs, hung ear-phones on hooks, books and tapes in ziplocs.
I miss my classroom and kids! :(
This is a sad class - I think it needs some color and warmth:)
ReplyDeleteMy only stumbling block is I'm strapped for cash and the Center has only two children so far! I've been scanning Craigslist and Freecycle though:)
ReplyDeleteDon't just miss your class and kids...do something about it. That is how my business Centers and Circle Time was born. My teenager lost her marbles and had the family in chaos. I came home a year to do damage control. I too missed my kids and class and started to volunteer at my kids school. I also began volunteering once a week at a Community Center with their "Mommy and Me" program. Before you know it, I had literally taken it over. Bringing all my teaching materials, thinking of crafts, creating centers. And a business was born!
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteThe thing that pops out to me the most is that everything seems to be posted too high for little ones! The sticker charts especially.
Also you could use a lot more color and cute designs for kids. Perhaps fun bulletin boards to define centers better?
Also, I definetely understand what you mean about budget being tight but what about using border to create an Art Board to display children's art?
Best of luck! You have the most creative ideas! It is inspiring to me that you take Centers and Circle Time out of the classroom as well!
Thanks Marie for coming and sharing your thoughts. I haven't posted pictures of the entire classroom in quite some time. I'll have to remember to do that. It looks 100% better since the day I walked into it. I still have some minor adjustments to make but if you glance through some of my other posts you can catch glimpses of our transformation.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you feel inspired! You should venture out! Let me know if you make the leap from inspiration to motivation. I'd be happy to help. I'm still working out the kinks myself but I have a great time doing it!