Re-Work It and Oh, Boy! New Stuff!

 

I'm linking up with Mel at the Frogspot again for her Re-Work It Wednesday linky.  Last week I shared my "Thanksgiving on Thursday" unit.  You can read that post here.  I finally got the updated version posted at my TpT store so be sure to head over there to check it out!

 

Instead of one of my products, I have decided to re-work my classroom.  I've been teaching in this room for 7 years and I am growing a bit tired of the view.  I'm a BIG follower of Pinterest and I've seen some UBER-CUTE classrooms that are color-coordinated.  So I'm taking the plunge. 

 

 

I'm starting with the color scheme.  I recently came across this color combination and fell in love with it: Red and Turquoise!

I found some great decor at Oriental Trading.  Here I have some red chevron chinese lanterns, turquoise polka dot fans, red striped and polka dot pennant banners, turquoise striped and polka dot pennant banners, and red tissue balls.

I also plan to make some curtains that will compliment this new scheme.

 

 

Now here is the biggie!  I'm changing over to tables instead of indvidual desks!

I found these 30"x60" work tables at School Outfitters for an incredible price.  A single student desk is half the price of these tables and these will seat up to 6!

 

Now, I teach 2nd grade, so there are a lot of supplies that come along with the students.  In addition to text books, we also have art boxes, rulers, pencils, glue, scissors, folders, notebooks . . . You know what I'm saying.  I spotted a  great solution on Pinterest: 

Each table would get its own bookshelf.  These I found at Walmart.com and they come in 4 different colors.  I'm thinking about getting them in white to go along with my color scheme better but I think black will hide the dirt better.  What do you think?

 

These shelves will hold all of the books and bins of the students sitting at that table.  Every day, there will be a "Table Manager" who will be in charge of handing out books or other supplies.  I'm even considering giving each bookshelf its own pencil sharpener.  These from Classroom Friendly Supplies would work perfectly!

 

  I still plan on keeping my rainbow-colored supply bins for the tops of the tables.  These have been such a time-saver.  Students don't need to dig through their desks to get an important supply and everything is communal.

 

 

So that's it!  I'll be posting photos of the new set-up once I get it done!  Perhaps I'll even get the walls painted . . . . Hhmmmmmmmmmm?!?!?!

 

  

 

And of course I made a few purchases from TpT's Teacher Appreciation Sale.  I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin to share what I bought!

 

First, I bought Leanne Prince's My Plant Observation Journal {and other activties}.  This will go perfect with my gardening unit.  I just wish I had found it sooner! I could have used it this year! 

 

 

Next, I bought The Teacher's Cauldron's Second Grade Common Core Bundle. This bundle includes a Common Core gradebook and statements.  This is an amazing set and I hope it will streamline my lesson planning!

  

  

 

Third, I visited Charity Preston's store and picked up her Pacing Guides.   The Common Core can be daunting, at times.  I hope this ELA pacing guide will keep me on track next year! 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I just COULDN'T leave without getting something from Melonheadz!  I've had my eye on these for awhile and the prices were just too good to resist!

 

Link back up with Frog Spot and Blog Hoppin to share your great ideas!

 

~Stacy

 

Re-Work It Wednesday Linky

 

I'm linking up with Mel over at From the Pond for her new linky "Re-Work It Wednesday".  I think this is a really cool idea!  With all the new changes with Common Core, many teachers are going to to want to rework their products to meet the standards.

 

I've been doing just that!

 

Last fall, I posted my "Thanksgiving on Thursday" unit.

It was very popular.  But I started to look at it through Common Core eyes and I wanted to make it correlate by adding new activities and seeing if my current activities are in the Common Core. 

So even though I not finished with it, yet, I wanted to share with you the changes that are on the way!

As you can see, I updated the graphics using Melonheadz "Happy Thanksgiving" set. 

 

 

 With the new graphics, I was able to provide a color and black and white version to save on printing costs.

 

I also aligned each activity, and added a few new ones, to the Common Core.  These are only a few of the aligned activities and they are now aligned to the 3rd and 4th grade ELA standards.

 

As I said above, I don't have this update finished and posted yet, but I do hope to get it done before the end of the month.  If you have already purchased this item from my TpT store, when I get the new one posted, I will send out a notification to download your own updated copy.

 

Next on the list is my "Officer Buckle and Gloria" and "A Chair for My Mother".

So that's it!  Be sure to head over to Mel's and link up to share your latest re-work!

~Stacy