Back to Fourth Grade

For the longest time, I thought blogs were for married couples to share pictures and stories with family and friends.  Although I am not married (maybe one day!), I decided it was time to share some pictures and stories with my family and friends as I head back to fourth grade! I am sure as I get used to the idea of blogging I will post more than just details regarding my classroom and my students!  so Yes, fourth grade! After my elementary days, dreaded middle school years, high school adventures, and late college nights, I am off to TEACH fourth grade in Mapleton, Utah! Since my family lives in California still, they aren't able to see my classroom and hear all the funny things that will happen inside the walls with 28 10 or 11 year olds.  This blog will help capture those experiences and remember the memories! I can't wait for the opportunity to teach children and I am nervous yet SO excited to head back to fourth grade! Because I am a BYU intern, I had to create a theme for my classroom... the theme that I chose for my first year teaching is a CARNIVAL! 

How I came up the carnival idea... I am not really sure.  I saw on a few blogs some pictures and it inspired me to create my classroom into a carnival.  We will see how it all turns out!

My classroom before I started working on creating the perfect [as close as I could get] fourth grade carnival! 

front of the class - the white board

center of room - a pile of desks, chairs, and bookcases [overwhelming!]

teacher's desk!

New arrangement of desks! - I couldn't decide how I wanted to set up the classroom, but I thought this could create a good start so my students could have a partner if we were going to be doing some group work.  I also may want to have them turn around and create a group of four.  Each column of desks will be a table so they will be able to work together and earn table points! 

I was told I would spend 40 plus hours in my classroom working to create a fun and safe environment for my future students.  I can honestly say that I think I have already spent more than 40 hours in this room! It has been a ton of work, but work I couldn't be more than happy to be doing! here is proof that my room is finally coming along and looking more like a carnival!

once I saw this I knew it was official and there was no turning back! :)

back of room - bulletin board - this is where I will display student work!

 window! - So lucky to have the classroom with a window! 

behind my desk! - not completely done yet, but improving! 

I was lucky enough to have a great mother who constantly bought us beanie babies since we were little.  Once we got a little bit older, she decided to pack them up and store them... and good thing we kept them because look how perfect they help to decorate my classroom! Thanks mom!

above the sink! - here I displayed a few special books that I hope to share with my students in the first couple of weeks of school! I will let you know if my students end up hitting the blue and green lanterns on the left of this picture.  They are high enough that most of their arms couldn't reach...but if they have a ruler in their hand, we may not be so lucky to have these last all year long! We shall see!

the back supply area - not really finished with the decorations on top of the cabinets yet! 

come one, come all!! The major theme of my classroom! Through this I want students to know that every student in our class [and every person outside of our classroom] are welcome whenever! Who doesn't love a carnival anyway?

Can't wait for the journey ahead as I teach my fourth graders this upcoming year! School starts the 21st! Time is almost running out to get things decorated and ready to go!!