My Classroom

I am currently the literacy coach at my school.  This was the theme of my classroom when I taught third grade.  Although I do not currently have my own room, I wanted to share with you how I used a theme to enhance the environment for student learning.

I chose a Hollywood theme since I teach in HOLLYWOOD, Florida.  Let's take a tour of a classroom where STARS are born!

My favorite part of the classroom is the reading corner.  I LOVE motivating students to read.  I have an obsession with children's books.  A great way to build your library is to participate in Scholastic Book Clubs.  When your students order books, you earn points to receive free books.  

My favorite place is the reading corner.

Baskets are a great way to organize your books. 

Popcorn containers from the Dollar Tree
are perfect for a Hollywood themed classroom.

I Iove rotating book displays.

Book boxes make it so much easier for students
to store the books that they are currently reading.

The bulletin board for classroom jobs/helpers is called Stage Crew.  Each job has a Hollywood themed name.  It is very easy to use because the students' movie clappers just rotate each week and every child is assigned a job.

Stage Crew - Classroom Jobs

This is an example of each job.

The word wall is placed on a dry erase board.  I find this to be very convenient because words can easily be added as needed.  HOLLYWORD is definitely used by students to help them spell words correctly.

The Bucket Fillers bulletin board is used to spotlight children who are displaying kindness to others. A great book to read to your students is Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud.  

Homeworkopoly is a wonderful way to motivate students to complete their homework throughout the week.  To find out more about this wonderful idea visit: teachnet.com/manage/classroom-decor/get-work-done-by-playing-homeworkopoly

Students absolutely love the class store.  They earn Kraus Cash for positive behavior and decide what they want to purchase.  Financial planning and responsibility are just two of the many benefits from having a class store (Thank you Beth Newingham for this wonderful idea!).

My students love having the job of banker.

Kraus cash is kept in their wallets.

In the classroom you will find many plush animals that represent the characters of classic literature books.  The students are placed in groups and their table names are, of course, based on storybook characters.  

The Accelerated Reader board highlights students as they POP and earn points.  How exciting to see their popcorn piece POP and move to different popcorn boxes!

The goal is for the classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable and are excited to learn - a place where STARS are born!