Three-Ring-Circus!!!

Have you ever spent time in a kindergarten class? If so, then you know that "circus" is a perfect theme to use for my new classroom. I'm posting a few pics for my far away family and friends to see how it's all coming together. It doesn't always end up how I imagine it, and it all takes twice as long as I assume it will. But at least this year it's less of miss-mosh and more cohesive. A work in progress that will continue for sure. But this will give you a glimpse of the overall theme. And for now, all things circus are on hold because I have to actually get ready to TEACH...not just make my room fun. Darn!
So, these three things are hanging just outside my door and have nothing to do with the circus. I just like them. A lot. I found the picture of the kindergarten crossing sign online....now if I could only find the real sign!

Small hall wall next to the door.

Part of the large hall wall outside the classroom. 

Large hall wall outside the classroom.

Close up of the very cool pics I printed out for our retro circus alphabet on that hall wall.

Centers rotation station.

Class library center.

ABC center.

Writing center.

Listening Center.

Math Center. 

Teacher shelves. Student mailboxes.

Weekly helpers chart.

Writing wall where we'll display students writing all year.

Circus books below get to be read in the circus tent above, which is a special privilege that students will earn. This is separate from the classroom library.  

Our class mascot, Sampson the seal. Logan and Ellie named him after the real Sampson the seal that lives off Bainbridge Island. Elephant cloth came from the DI and covers storage shelving.

I made the striped window awning with cardboard and hot glue. They almost made me move it but the district safety guy gave me the OK. Whew. Balloon numbers taped to the floor to line up on. (Really to learn teen numbers. Shh.) Red, yellow and blue fabric I hot glued together and hot glued to the shelf to cover the clutter. (We all know I do NOT sew.) The fabric was passed down from a sixth grade teacher. Blue elephant mug is an older version I bought at an antique store in Oregon. 

Popcorn word wall.

And one of my favorite new things....Rule #5. "Keep your dear teacher happy!" It's part of a method called Whole Brain Teaching that I've used a little bit. And this year, we are using their rules. And #5 is great because it can pretty much trump any behavior.

And at the end of the show when it's time to go home, the ringmaster always says, "May all your days be circus days". First said in 1968 by Jack Ryan who worked for Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Part of the big hall wall outside the classroom.
(And DUH!!!!!! No wonder it hasn't looked right! I keep wondering where I put the laminated exclamation mark that goes at the end of this quote. Look closely at my words. I just need to switch the two 'days'. I seriously did not notice until right now typing this blog! It has been hanging on the wall at school for days!! How embarrassing!!! I'll change out this pic after I take a new one.)

 

All are welcome to come help with our three-ring-show any time!!!