Classroom Organization

So, here are some before and after pictures of my classroom.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Circle time and library area with the computer just off to the left so we can show videos at circle time.

The Childrens' Hatch Computer

Our word wall with no words added yet. I love that it takes up much less room than the one we had last year.
These letters were printed from the TpT Store of Love of Teaching.

Writing Area

Sensory Table

Block Area

Dramatic Play Area

Toys and Games

Discovery Area

Art Area

A lot of the room stayed the same, but we just flip-flopped the blocks with toys and games and the circle time with dramatic play.  I love the new setup because it's much easier to show the whole class a video on the internet now and the room just feels more organized. I also love our discovery table. So far, the kids have mostly been flocking to the dramatic play area, although when we get out specific table toys, they tend to like those as well. We'll see how it goes and if we need to make any changes. I also tried to de-clutter as much as possible. Sometimes I feel like that is a losing battle with 2 classes of 17 coming through there each day and 2-3 other adults sometimes using the space as well, but you will never get there if you don't start out that way.

What did you do differently in your classroom setup this year?

Thrift Store Finds

Recently, I have been doing a lot of back-to-school thrift store shopping. Here are just some of my awesome finds.

Most of this was 50 cents or less. The 2 puzzles at the bottom came as a set for .75! Got some geoboards, a few games, xylophone and bowling set for the kid.

Here are my craft finds. Little of this and that. Also found some more scrapbook items for cheap at Ollie's that are not pictured here.

Books galore. Gotta feed my addiction. All these added up cost me only $13.00. I would say that's a deal, how about you?

Happy bargain hunting!

Dollar Store Diva

Here are some of the new items I have bought or made for the classroom and how I will use them.

Dollar Tree: $1. Not sure if these will stay in the classroom or if I will be tempted to bring them home and use for scrapbooking ;) These would make excellent frames for children's work to hang in the hallway or border for a sign. Or just put them in the art area, so the children can use their own creativity with them.

Spinner! Dollar Tree: $1 (Is there anything that's NOT $1 in Dollar Tree?) Anyways, this can have many uses. I love how big it is with the big numbers and colorful sections. We will probably put this to use with some homemade board games.

Ok, so I did use materials from our resource room at work, these are all things that can be purchased from a dollar store. Caterpillars for use with the Eric Carle book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. More to come on The Very Hungry Caterpillar! So, stay tuned!!!