Wonderful Back to School!

I have loved being back to work!  I have been so busy decorating, planning, and creating!  Maybe that can be one excuse why I have been away from my teacher blog for so long! :)

 Does anyone else have a collection like this after summer break?  I always seem to stock up so much!  Even though this is my 5th year as a first grade teacher, I still can't resist a great idea for the classroom.  Not to mention, things to keep my room fresh and organized!

A local library was closing this summer and teachers could get books for free.  To say I went a little *CRAZY* would be a major understatement.  I made multiple trips and even snatched lots of books for my friends and husband who teaches fourth grade!  Here is what I grabbed for myself!  I hope it is normal how excited I get over these types of things. :)

For the first time this year, I finally have an EXTREMELY organized classroom library.  I am just loving it!  I have every book labeled with its AR reading level and put in a basket with the cutest labels I made.  (Pictures to come!)  AND... Are you ready for a great idea? I labeled a clothes pin for each student and when they choose a book from one of the baskets, they clip their clothes pin onto it.  Such a great idea for them to remember exactly where to put it when they are done.  It works great for a forgetful first grader and an OCD teacher! :)

Here is a before picture of my classroom for the 2012/2013 school year:

And NOW for some AFTER pictures after weeks of hard work:

 Here is where I write the weekly learning objectives.

 This is our calendar area.

Another view of the calendar area.

 My Math bulletin board.

My Rules and "Reminders" bulletin board.

The whole view.

AND one of my favorite touches to the room.  I am doing monkeys (and of course leopard print) in my classroom this year... in case you didn't already notice.

I LOVE how my back to school bulletin board turned out!  I can't take all the credit though.  Thank you to my creative friend Ally for letting me borrow her monkeys and idea!  (Don't you just love the green vines?)