Kindergarten Classroom Set-up

This year I have been blessed again to have a Kindergarten classroom. I am at a new school so it means new classroom and new students. The first week has already passed us by and it went absolutely fantastic. This is the classroom set-up for right now. I don't think I will be making changes to it as it has worked very well within the first week of school.

The back of the classroom. My ECE and I decided to keep the table there as the sensory table.

We use blue bins for the kids' lunch boxes. The children come in every morning and their routine is to put their lunch boxes inside their blue bins and then hang their backpacks on the hooks. It helps to clear out a bit of the traffic when children are getting their lunches out from their backpacks during lunch and snack time. The red bins are for any art work they want to take home as well as all the forms and newsletters that need to be sent home for the day. The children clear out both their bins at the end of each day. This promotes self-regulation and independence. And of course it cuts down a bit of the work for the teachers as well!

Another view of the bins. I printed out the class list of names on mailing label stickers. Then I put them on card stock and taped it to the bins. They look fantastic and we were done all this work in about 20 minutes.

Here is my carpet area. We have a nice bookshelf and another book bin for large size books. There are carpet toys in the big wooden bins. And my white board is full of a really tiny calendar (because I am not big on calendar) and it has the basics such as days of the week, seasons, colors, months of the year, O Canada, picture schedule, and a stash of books we will be reading to the children during the day. 

This is one end of the carpet area. My easel goes in the middle. The left side is the dramatic centre. The left side of the easel is my science table because it is near the windows.

My reading centre. Children can read books here during centre time if they wish and they can play with the toys on the bench and the shelves under the bench. (At the back of the picture you can see the easel and the science centre table more clearly).

On the other side of the 100s carpet is the computer table. In this picture is the large table which we use mainly for creative work and literacy. On the shelf if my awesome typewriter which the kids LOVE. You can also see other literacy items such as my mini blackboard on one side and the other side of it has a white board. The other end of the shelf is puzzles, Math books and other Math toys.

Finally, this is the front of my classroom. It consists of an awesome reading table and two small tables. The table next to the sink is where I will be using Paint quite often. It also has a dry rack near by. At the right side of the picture you can spot a little blue lid right by the sink. That is the water table. We also have a sand table but you can't see it here as it is by the bathroom behind the dry rack.

Classroom Centres - Sand Box/Table/Bin

I know. I know. I have been MIA since the beginning of October. But it is unbelievable how busy I have become. Battling my Masters part-time with a full-time Kindergarten position, I don't know how I found the time to even sleep some days.

But I am back. Hopefully not taking huge breaks this time. I love, love, love the sand box. In my classroom, I have done quite a few different things with building sensory skills but unfortunately did not get the time to photograph all of them. Here are some of the things I have used and some I did not get a chance to yet!!

http://kindergartenlifestyle.blogspot.ca/2012/02/sand-table-in-kinder.html

I started off the school year with putting in letters and numbers in the sand box. It is the easiest thing to put in, it's fun and it is also academic. The students love it. Yes, it gets messy. But that is the point in Kindergarten. To get messy. Also, under the sand table, I put a little basket with brushes and pans from the dollar store. The children tidy it up themselves at tidy up time. It's great for self-regulation!

Sand is excellent for adding in other things:

http://www.microscopy.org/education/projectmicro/image001.jpg

Shovels and Pails. Scoops and Cups. (teaches them to fill and empty and learn about mass, capacity and quantity).

http://dinosaurstudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/dinosaur-toys.jpg

Dinosaurs!!! (Always a hit! Add magnifying glasses)

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00rBAauMOtJYqQ/RC-Toys-Mini-Construction-Truck-ABC3378-.jpg

Construction Toys!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cQpyzEpn02prfw2Lw1QVD9MtVdB-NIVGUT0NX7cIOxuSv7CJiZatscqMME1Qw7dM2DZj0t-y8j_T-_I5JCcnesa3RyvVfPYQyJ8oi0LZxsnZ156oT2oU9yZAkN6F_uUq-snBaRFeRYE/s1600/Pictures-Of-Sea-Shells.jpg

Sea Shells! (with pails and shovels. Goal can be to find as many sea shells and then count them. Also, can look for patterns. Add some magnifying glasses!!)

http://www.glancesatnature.com/d/2387-5/Nine+Rocks+_amp_+Sand.jpg

Rocks! (with brushes. Great for archeologist-in-the-making students to find fossils!)

http://www.jeannienmini.com/persistent/catalogue_images/products/e4003seacreatures.jpg

Sea creatures (could be the plastic ones or actual rubber toys)

with shovels/brushes

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4735153689_f61a7252b7.jpg

Jewels/Gems!! (Buy these from the dollar store/Michaels. Look for hidden gems! Add brushes/pails/scoops).

http://www.zegarelli.com/getwhet/images/s_whet_water_pour.jpg

Water! (Making the sand wet makes for an excellent way to build castles!)

There are so many other ways teachers use the sand box in their room. Another way to build fine motor skills (small muscles) for better hand control is to put in the alphabet on the wall or beside the sand table/box and have the kids use their fingers to write letters/numbers/words. It works really well for children who have not yet grasped the strength (or learning ability) to hold a pencil well. And most of all, it is FUN! They don't think this is work that they need to finish.

How do you use your sand table? (Please share how you have used sand in the classroom since I will be doing another post about the sensory bin.....which is different from the sand bin! Thanks!)

Classroom Centres - Art Centre

So I have been away from my blog for nearly three weeks. I can't believe how fast time has gone by but I have been super busy with my family in the past month. However, I have found a bit of time today during putting in laundry loads and folding. 

Source: http://www.woodetccorp.com/R0042%20Art%20Center%20for%204.jpg

Here is my post about one of the most underrated centres of all time: The Art Centre. The art centre should be packed with all sorts of materials that you can touch, smell, hear, taste and see. 

I have walked into many classrooms and the art centre only has the regular materials: paint with an easel, crayons, markers, glue, construction paper, white paper, scissors, etc. What ever happened to using different kinds of art materials?? Here is my short list of materials that can be put into the classroom other than the regular paint, markers and crayons.

Large-knob paintbrushes for small hands. Allows for fine motor skills to become enhanced. 

Source: http://www.specialneedstoys.com.au/shop/images/stubby%20paint%20brushes.jpg

Different styles of paintbrushes. Allows children to experience different kids of painting with them.

Source: http://mailjust4me.com/crafts/paintbrushes.jpg


Funky brushes are awesome. They give out different textured results.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4sQSLcvd7XJNQ_SgHClQD56THPZ4RIV5LFfR4aaorv1sfZszyGLGyGEOrFf2Bknn4yURU16bCjYNpWeS-2t_KtAeFhHZGP8xA3irlcYULeP8kjSkmj8rx8Ymwlvk3248U_wCm9woRnY/s1600/Alex-3-Funky-Brushes-PaintBrushes-For-Kids-With-Special-Needs.jpg


How about a week with no paintbrushes allowed! Find out different materials to use. The picture below shows awesome ideas.

Source: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7023496541_9ed36f173d.jpg

Spray bottle art! Add water and food coloring and spray away!

Source: http://totschool.shannons.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/CoffeeFilterSpray-7608.jpg

I was in love with watercolours when I was a kid. I don't know why we don't use these as much as we did back in the day. They are fun because they also give different results compared to poster paint.

Source: http://www.kidsart.com/store/paintimg/ryrsetwat200_x.jpg


Where have pastels gone? I know they get a little messy but the texture of it is amazing. And the whole point of childhood is to experience all that art has to offer!

Source: http://blog.thedrycleaner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/82-preparing-pastels.jpg

Tissue Paper is fantastic.

Source: http://tissuepaperinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Colored-Wrapping-Tissue-Paper.87115339_std.jpg


Popsicle sticks. They are great for the block centre as well as the art centre. Allow children to experience and build all sorts of structures, animals and other creations.

Source: http://www.instructables.com/image/FEXES8LF9T3NR1D/Lincoln-Sticks-Popsicle-Stick-Log-Cabins.jpg


Feathers are wonderful to use to paint.

Source: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/media/images/products/full/lc120_f.jpg


Don't forget good old chalk!

Source: http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/chalk.jpg

Use cotton balls to paint. Or create your own masterpiece by making snowballs/snowmen, etc.

Source: http://headfullofhydrangeas.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cotton-balls.jpg


Marbles. Great for painting. Take a big box. Put paper inside. Dip marbles in paint and then put inside the box. Move the box around so the marbles spread paint everywhere. Use different sizes marbles for better results.

Source: http://6bdanielasblog.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/8/0/8780862/2605895_orig.jpg

Coffee filters are great for painting, spray painting, food coloring art and markers. Use any materials to have fun.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-0ytzs-QAm7z-7GLu3qVw_gINPGZVY6wATqVmDT57u7_ySXlCLriIQmZ3xGin8vrWVp20bHrntjpTMhRR7vsgqzSZnF-fqmMPYIjaZQJzzWxjdvcl6ZnczLZdEtNNj5CFSApEExLo40/s1600/coffee_filters1.jpg

Tea bags are fantastic after they have been dipped in the water for a bit. The colors and the smell will mesmerize the children!

Source: http://agapeantiaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tea-bags.jpg


I like to use glitter glue pens rather than glitter. It's a lot easier to clean up after!

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjLm4cWoBy0M0ew-nlGxuF43-E0H7XocyggbTN1iVUjUY1g7L85jHfuw2KyOlBSLTNKf0XZNVBxBsWlz9eBEfTCcgpLEOmrDHas62jKD-4sxxV2Brs-TCedR1QYgN5n9GodUAxwFLkk8/s400/712.gif


Stickers! Kids will never tire of stickers.

Source: http://blogs.smarter.com/blogs/Stickers1.jpg


Threads and Yarns are good with paint as well. Also, these can be used to create necklaces/bracelets, etc.

Source: http://www.aurorasilk.com/yarns_and_threads/naturally_dyed/hemps/images/hempyarncolours.JPG


Buttons and beads are an art on their own. Use them to paint with or put through thread and yarn for jewelry.

Source: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2459497354_8065cfcd01_o.jpg


Stencils. Use spray bottles, paint or markers.

Source: http://blogs.smarter.com/blogs/Face%20Painting%20Stencil%20Set11.jpg


Shaving cream with food colouring is TONS of fun. The children don't get tired of touching the shaving cream because it is so soft!

Source: http://artfulparent.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55246b63f88340120a690b608970c-pi


Add food coloring instead of paint for art to change up the style of activities. 

Source: http://healingautismandadhd.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/food-coloring-300x300.jpg


Home-made sponges with clothespins.

Source: http://picklebums.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/sponge-printing2.jpg


Bingo dabbers. 

Source: http://www.american-bingo.com/images/Bingo-Daubers/Ultima-Bingo-Daubers-4-Oz-sm.jpg


Finger stampers. Use with paint or use with playdough.

Source: http://www.alcoofcanada.net/images/T/Finger-Painter-Stampers-24-Pack-N16008_XL.jpg


Other kind of stampers.

Source: http://www.rainbowresource.com/products/036176.jpg


Different materials: pom poms, pipe cleaners, feathers, confetti, etc.

Source: http://www.littlecraftybugs.co.uk/images/XX%20KIT08.JPG

Another kind of stampers.

Source: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/media/images/products/full/la536_f.jpg


Large knob stampers.

Source: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F%2BJMp4yUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Paper mache. It's unfortunate we don't do enough of it anymore. 

Source: http://thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/paper-mache-pumpkin-craft.jpg


Clay.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/318224-12922-39.jpg


Playdough, of course.

Source: http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/playdough-homemade.jpg


Bubble painting! So much fun.

Source: http://www.worldslargestbubble.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bubble-art-colorful.jpg

Hope you enjoyed this post! Also, here is a link to different kind of art activities. It is a fantastic website!

http://nurturestore.co.uk/