As most of you know I got a job offer last minute.. (like really last minute) and it was TOO FABULOUS to pass up! And guess what?!! It’s in 2nd GRADE!!! Although I was super sad to leave my kinder babies, I was super excited to start a new journey with BIG kids in grade 2!
I am at an amazing school and I absolutely love my team and my faculty! Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive, it was a joy to join the Heritage family!!
Well, I got offered the position on a Friday and in-service started that following Monday. So I had one weekend to set up my classroom before I would be in training and meetings all day. Whew, was that weekend CRAY CRAY!!
Here’s how it all started.
Haha Please excuse the stroller. Maddox had to tag along the first day. 
Totally blah right? I had A TON of work to do!
Well after A LOT of work and help from some family and friends, it started to come together.
After day 1
Here are some pics of the final product! Thanks to Amy and Teri for all the help and inspiration! Where would I be without my blogging buddies!!!
Desk area, teacher’s chair and my “go to spot” for what we’re doing that day.
Side view from my desk, also known as All About Me, shelf.
Reading corner
Close up of the reading strategies posters, I can’t wait to use these with my second graders!
Still working on growing my “big kid” library but I had to keep my reading buddies close by!
Here’s my Classroom Rules bulletin (it’s blank because we talk about and make rules on the first day of school)
On the left are my birthday bags!! It’s a combination of ideas from Amy Lemons, Cara Carrol and my amazing Mother In Law, Lesa over at Moore News. It’s decoration, but it’s also useful. I filled each bag with basic party favors (dollar store stuff) and a cute birthday certificate! Then when it’s a student’s birthday they just grab a bag at the end of the day and voila! I don’t have to worry about remembering how many birthdays this month or what I’m going to “give” to my students, it’s all done! I also put a birthday sticker on the front of each one. (Sorry there’s no pic of that.)
This is how I’ll be doing attendance/lunch count everyday.
I also added this chevron magnet board so if a student goes to the restroom or nurse they can move their number to the board. So it’s very easy to see who’s where.
These are my student’s book boxes and their “buckets”. I’m sure you’ve seen all about How to Fill A Bucket ideas, this will be the first year I’m attempting it and so far, we LOVE it!!
Love my guided reading area!
And of course, storage ottomans are a must!
This is the acronym my school uses for specials. Being new to the school, I needed a little reminder so I put this right by the door.
Computers, Art, Music, PE & Spanish
Apparently I’m known as the crazy chevron lady! HAHA it’s totally ok though, I seriously love chevron!
Although, this student work wall is a little dizzying! I’m going to add plain black (laminated) pieces of construction paper to layer their work on, so hopefully no one will have a seizure while looking at it!
Although, this student work wall is a little dizzying! I’m going to add plain black (laminated) pieces of construction paper to layer their work on, so hopefully no one will have a seizure while looking at it!
Update: Here’s what it looks like finished, with student work!!
Still figuring out how to squeeze in all my laptops. We have six total and I’m out of space! Any suggestions?
Love, love, love this writing station bulletin!
(Sorry the pic got cut off)
View from the back of the room.
Hallway bulletin
Love the student banners they created on the first day!!
And I’ll leave you with my new favorite piece of art in my room!
Great words to live by!
Hope you like my new classroom digs, I know I sure do!
Hopefully I can be back tomorrow with a peek at my week! First week of second grade was AWEESSOOMMMMEEEE!
Omg! I'm going from teaching kinder to teaching a 1st/2nd split!! Can't wait to see what you do with your new class!
Kimberly Ann
Live, Laugh, I love Kindergarten
You did such an amazing job Miss Mandi! 2nd is such a fun age too!
Ashley
Flying High in First Grade
Where did you get the reading strategy posters? Did you make them? I would love to put those up in my room!
Wow what a transformation!!