Working in Room...

Well, I bit the bullet and started working in my classroom this week.  I only meant to go in on Monday, and take hubs to move the big furniture, but we have decided to go out of town for part of the week next week, and I have a school improvement workshop the last 2 days of the week, then the next week my family will be in town.  So that leaves a week before teachers have to report back to get my room ready.  Not possible!!!!

I ended up going back on Wednesday AND Thursday.  I got my desks arranged, started to change out border on the bulletin boards (I ran out, so I couldn't finish the last one...so sad), my math center put together, and my desk and small group area! But what I am most proud of is Organizing not one, but TWO filing cabinets :)  I had needed to do that for a while now, so I am excited I actually made myself sit down and do it!

Here are the before pictures of my room...I will post after when I am completely finished :)

While I was at school on Wednesday, the Curriculum Specialist and Principal ran an idea by me.  Four of the teachers on the 3rd grade team (out of 6) grouped their students by ability, and then rotated the kids.  One teacher taught Reading, one taught Math, one taught SS/Writing, and one taught Science.  They had some kinks in the system, but enjoyed it by the end of the year.  Their only complaint was, the Math teacher didn't feel like she had enough time to get thru a lesson.  I think they ended up having an hour in each rotation.  So this year, they have 5 teachers, and two will teach Reading/SS, two teach math, and one teach all of the science.  Fifth grade is also going to go this route.  But they suggested the four teacher rotation for 4th grade...one would teach Reading, one math, one science, and one SS.  Last year, we had 2 groups of team-teaching, and one self-contained.  If we went to this method, 4 of us would team, and 1 be self-contained.  I have 2 problems with this:  a- two teachers will be responsible for all testing content, and b- it leaves one person out on their own.  Some of us talked, and told the principal, we either wanted to have the same set-up as 3rd and 5th grade, or keep it like it was last year.  I feel that is only fair.  I would just like to know what we are doing, and what exactly I will be teaching...considering school starts a month from today.

How do you guys work as a grade-level at your school? 

PS-  I posted the winner for my give-away last Sunday, and contacted them by email to get their address to mail the bag, and haven't heard back from them.  I emailed again tonight, and asked to please contact me.  If I don't hear anything soon, I guess I will pick another winner.  Is that rude?

Math Notebook expectations

Last summer when I was blog-stalking, I discovered interactive math notebooks on Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes.  I know A LOT of you use it :)  I started it at the beginning of the year, and I LOVED IT!  I plan on using it again this year, and adding more to it.

As I was browsing on Pinterest tonight, I found THESE expectations.  Of course when I clicked the link, it says its has been deleted.  So I took matters into my own hands, and made my own copy :)  (If you made the original, PLEASE let me know so I can give you credit!)

 

(click here for your copy) 

I plan on using it to go over expectations, and students will paste it into the inside cover of their notebook.  I thought of adding a place for parents to sign also, but haven't decided yet.  Thoughts?