Howdy! So my fall break is winding down. I zoomed into my classroom for a few hours to get some stuff done and ready for our return! I switched out our centers…I got things organized and cleaned up. We’re about ready to head back for the next 9 weeks! I guess…
I am planning a few posts on what I do with my guided reading and math time, so I thought I would start off by giving you a glitterific tour of my small group area!
Today I want to show you my small group area. This is where I spent a majority of my team working with students in math and reading groups as well as one on one!
This is the nerve center of my small group area. In these three drawers you find the supplies for guided reading groups, guided math groups and you find our level books.
In the guided reading drawer you find letter cards, a letter tracing book (you can get this book HERE!), sight word cards, cvc word cards, and a few other random items! This is where I pull resources when working with students during guided reading.
The bottom drawer is where I keep guided reading books for the week. Each Monday I visit our book-room and pull 4-5 sets of books to meet the levels of my ‘staches. I keep the books in this drawer until we use them. After we read the book the first day, the students keep it in the book bag. I keep the remaining books (or empty bags) in the drawer so I don’t lose them. I lose a lot of things…
The middle drawer is my guided math drawer. This drawer has everything I need for math groups. You find work mats, number cards, counters and manipulatives and other math supplies.
Behind my table is my office supplies. I have everything you need in here. Tape, glue, staples, crayons, markers, stickers, Velco, scissors and everything else under the sun. I like having this stuff right behind me so if I need it, I just spin around and grab it. I also have the drawers somewhat organzied. The top drawer is writing instruments, staples, tape, pencils and the such. Drawer 2 is basic supplies such as crayons, Velcro, markers and such. Drawer 3 is fastener stuff. Duct tape, masking tape, and zip ties!
And finally, I keep our QR code center beside my table. Everything we need for QR codes is in this basket. We have the cards, recording sheets, crayons and my iPhone are here. This is why this center is located right next to my table….the ‘staches use my iPhone to scan the QR codes so they stay right with me while working on QR codes!
Now, I want to show you a little project that has helped me keep a bit of sanity (yes people, surprisingly I still have sanity!) and keeps me organized!
One of my big things with our centers is that I like students to have a recording sheet for their centers. This isn’t true for every center but a lot of our centers have recording sheets. The recording sheets keep the ‘staches accountable and gives me a product I can glance at (NOT GRADE!) to see if they’re doing their week and understanding the skills. Keeping up with these sheets got to be a disaster! I had papers everywhere…when we needed more I had to dig and scramble…and then I’d get annoyed…and I’m ugly when annoyed…so what’s Mr. Greg to do?!
Well…here is the solution! I recently was contacted by my friends at Barker Creek asking if I would like to review some of their products. Of course!! Right?! They sent me these great file folders (which came with coordinating paper and labels!) so I knew immediately how I was going to tame the center recording sheet monster!
CLICK to see more!
I set up my handy dandy file holder and placed the folders in the rack. In the folders I placed extra copies (about 20 each!) of our center recording sheets. Now, the center sheets are organized and all in one central location! When we run out, I can just reach over and pull out what the ‘stache needs!
I organized these folders like this: a folder for ten frame recording sheets, a folder for I Spy sheets, I folder for dice games, I folder for letter sheets, and a folder for write the room sheets. There is also a folder where I store the originals!
What I love about these folders is that they match our room! We have blue and green as our color theme so these green folders match perfectly! And that’s important, ya know?!
A huge thank you to Barker Creek for sharing these with me! They are just what I needed and they look good! It’s a perfect combination! Be sure to visit my friends at Barker Creek and check out their stuff (especially all of the awesome file folder designs!!)
They also sent me a set of Draw, Write, Now books! I will be sharing more about these on Halloween and giving away some of the books! Stay tuned!
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9 comments
Thanks for sharing Greg! I wish I had a table like that one!!! My guided reading area in my room is NOT child or teacher friendly… I just have a plain old rectangle table. I do appreciate the ideas on the shelving units and how you keep them organized, that is nice! I love the organized data sheets too. I have always been trying to come up with an effective way to keep an eye on my kinders activities to see if there is a good way to make sure they are finishing their activities. Do you have a tub that they turn in dittos to? Do you have them bring it to you before putting in cubbies? What is your routine for when switching stations? I say to infinity…. they say and beyond! and they know its time to clean up their station and move on. Smetimes I say chicka chicka they say boom boom, I try to change it up to see if they are listening for my beautiful voice… 😉 Thank you for sharing, you inspire me daily.
xoxo
Becca
Almost forgot to ask – how did you get Barker Creek to send you those awesome folders? Another blog I was on today was sent a package to use in their classroom from Ticonderoga! WHAT?!?! I didn't even know that companies did such a thing! Help a sister out!
I love your guided reading area!!! I made seat crates 2 years ago for my guided reading area so I could keep more supplies and activities close to me!!!!!! Oh, if you ever feel like making the drive to CA, my classroom door is always open for Mr. Gregg!!! My teammatesow now who I. Talking about when I say…. “Well, mr Gregg is doing such and such!!!”
..teammates now know!!!
I love how you manage your guided reading books each week. That's a great idea. I am always trying something different. I also love the folders! Don't you hate it when you can't find something- like the originals? Sometimes I am so “organized” that I can't find anything! I know it is somewhere… Loved seeing your room! Have a great next 9 weeks… 🙂
Carolyn
Kindergarten: Holding Hands and Sticking Together
Hi, I’m having trouble getting link to open for the letter tracing book on this post. I have the other file. Hoping you can help. Thank you so much!
I’m having the same trouble as Melissa. I would like the older version of the letter tracing book you use with your students for Say and Trace, but I can’t seem to get that file to open. Any help you can give would be much appreciated! Thank you for sharing your ideas with us!
Hi there,
I love the idea of this Say & Trace book! I am going to try this with my kinders. Any way to get the older version of the Say & Trace Alphabet Book? The link doesn’t seem to work. Thanks 🙂
II wasn’t able to open the link for the Say & Trace Alphabet Book either, but would love a copy.