Getting Started and Favorite Pinterest Inspired Project

I never thought I'd write about my classroom.  This summer, however, I've spent my time reading about other teacher's classrooms and it hit me that if they can share all the creative things that they are doing to prepare for their kiddos and then engaging lessons that happen once school starts that I can do the same.  

I've always had a classroom theme and worked hard to choose something that interests (almost) all students.  I started my first year with a construction theme as I was constructing a new class two weeks after school had begun (That's a post for another day!).  Then I switched to a race car theme to entice the boys.  Surprisingly, even my first grade girls got into it.  The year our school was remodeled and the primary students moved to The Primary Center we secretly named the building NES West and hence the wild west theme was born.  I only kept that theme one year as it didn't seem appropriate in a newly remodeled building.  The first two years after the renovation I stuck with something more simple, dots and chevron, but became bored of that quickly.  Therefore, this summer I've decided to ROCK OUT my first grade classroom.  ...Lots of pictures of the room to come as I finish it up in the next few weeks.  School doesn't start until August 12th, but I'm working a little at a time so I can take a day or two off before opening day and the many PD's that I'll be sitting through.  

I'm most excited about my latest Pinterest Inspired project (which doesn't have anything to do with Rock 'N Roll at all).  Thanks to Mrs. Terhune for the wonderful idea @ http://mrsterhune.blogspot.com/2013/10/ready-for-parentteacher-conferences.html.  She created a project board with ideas for parents and students to use to practice skills at home.  Mrs. Terhune pulls this out at parent teacher conferences and the parents can take activities that match skills that are needed for their child.  This gave me the idea to have a practice board out at open house.  I'll be meeting my first grade "band members" the Monday before school starts.  The students are able to see the classroom, take a tour of the school, drop off school supplies, etc.  It's a fun (yet sometimes nervous) night for all!           

This is the start of my board.  Sorry for the blurriness.  It says Ideas for Home in the top left corner.  This is what's on the top right...

I'm hoping to provide all the materials needed for the activity for each parent and student.  So far students need dice and a deck of regular playing cards.  Both can be found  at your local Dollar Tree.  

My favorite activity is a ring of 22 math games that are played with playing cards.  No other materials are needed.  :-) The other math games only need dice.  

I'm also including an extensive list of books that are great for the beginning of the year.  All of these can be checked out at our local library and some can be checked out at the school library, but I'm sure you'll find most of them in teachers classrooms the first week of school.  :-)

The titles for each folder of activities are paper clipped to the front.  This way activities can be changed out as the year progresses and content becomes more difficult.  I'm sure that I'll follow Mrs. Terhune's lead and pull this back out at conferences.  The rest of the activities I'm including (sight word games, writing practice, etc.) are at school.  However, feel free to comment below with suggestions for the board.  Have a great weekend!  Too much rain here in Kentucky!

~Kim