I am back at work and working HARD
to get my room ready.
{Isn’t it funny how hard we work to prepare our rooms for new students?
I mean, we just took care of how many students last year and yet we have this need to make the room better,
cleaner,
more organized…
and we spend our own money.}
After I taped down 24 name plates to my tables, I decided to make new ones.
{Why oh why do I do this to myself?
But I love them!}
Then I printed our Maria’s Subway Classroom Rules.
Then I covered a high window with blue paper
and added the beautiful rules posters.
To make sure I huge them to showcase their perfection,
I backed them with a sheet of bright copy paper
then added the poster to the front.
To help center the signs and make sure they are exactly where I want them to be,
I use a small piece of clear tape to “hang” the sign in position.
I can move the signs around to find their perfect spot
without messing up the blue background paper.
Once each sign is in the best location, I use hot glue to secure them for the long term.
I did leave the tape on each one and you can’t see it.
{Unless you are super tall and super close to them of course.}
But you can always take the tape off as well.
I just didn’t see the point of spending the time doing it.
I just didn’t see the point of spending the time doing it.
I also had to decorate my door.
{Honestly, I don’t love this tree.
I should have not of put my leaves lower on the tree
and I am seriously considering redoing it.
But I show you guys the cute and the ugly.}
I uses bulletin board paper only and 4 coconut accents from Trend.
To make this door, I covered the door in blue paper.
I always shut the door to make sure the paper lays flat.
Then I cut out an arch with brown paper.
I took crayons and added dark brown and white lines to show details on the trunk of the tree.
Seriously, I just scribbled using crayons.
Then I did the same tape trick that I did for the poster to center
the trunk to the door.
To create the palm leaves,
I did the same crayon detail with the green leaves,
but I used light and dark green crayons on them.
To make the leaves,
I always folded the paper in half to cut them out.
It just helps me with the shape and symmetry.
I also got to complete the outside clips to display my
amazing creations.
{I did the border facing out on purpose.
It is a palm tree shape so I wanted the leaves to be facing out.
And yes, they are palm trees NOT holly leaves.}
Each student will have their own monkey.
I will add a banana with their names on it when I get my students’ names.
I like to tape the banana on to the TOP of the monkey’s with regular tape
so I can change them out easily.
This is a great tip if you have a high transient school.
And behind their money is a hidden clothes pin.
I glue down the background paper first,
then the colored paper which is green and yellow on this display.
Next I add the clothes pin with hot glue.
Last, I hide the clothes pin with a colorful accent, in this display it is the monkey.
This door leads to my student bathrooms.
I covered it with black paper. {Black is my favorite color.}
Then I added my favorite Monkey Behavioral Charts.
This door isn’t done, but it is a work in progress.
I also used Mod Podge to glue down paper to my center clips.
I did this last year and the paper stayed on FOREVER.
My
broke the clips before the paper wore off.
I will def be doing this for years to come.
To do this, I use clothes pins, construction paper, and mod podge.
I cut strips of construction paper and glue them down with the mod podge.
I let the clothes pin dry on the side of a basket to avoid smudges or such.
Then, I add another layer of mod podge to the top of the construction paper
and let it dry as well.
Then the clips are done.
{Here is the link to this center clip chart.}
And I also did this:
Here is what it looks like done.
I kinda love it.
And this gives my students and myself a boundary
to use or not use when we are on the white board.
So much to do in so little time…
will I get it all done?
Any who…
I hope some of these prep tips save you time and help you get your room ready for you
Thank you for taking the time to share!! I can't wait to set up my room!
I think the coconut tree looks great, don't re-do it! 🙂
Me too!!!!!
Please do not re-do your tree on the door. It looks great!! I loved seeing your classroom. I have a monkey theme and haven't found many other teachers that have this theme. I loved the hallway area that you will display their work on. Thanks for sharing all of the pictures of your room!!
Ms. King's Kinders
I agree – please don't re-do the tree!! 🙂
Lovin' the monkey theme!!
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
I also agree, the tree on the door looks fabulous. Additionally, that is an awesome take on the clip chart. I think it is great that you could work each and everyone into your theme. I am planning to do an ocean-themed classroom and am trying to figure out how to incorporate this into my clip chart…in Spanish. I shared your site with my teaching partner so she could see your student work board. I hope that we incorporate this idea on our student work board. Your room looks wonderful!
Amanda
teachingbiliteracywithmrsestevez.blogspot.com