WELCOME BACK! or welcome if you're new :) Hope you enjoy today's classroom setup!! thank you so much for watching + supporting me!! follow me on instagram: @elementary.withemily AMAZON WISHLIST: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls... XOXO
Okay LOVED seeing you share your Amazon haul! So many people donated to my classroom when I was a first year teacher and it meant so much to me, so I love being able to give back to first year teachers when I’m able to as well! Your classroom is seriously looking great and I say focus on the decor as much as your heart desires because you are working on this during your unpaid summer time!! Spend your time as you wish - it’s YOUR time and you are already going above and beyond to make your space inviting for your fourth graders! 🥳
Hi guys! I am actually going to be a first year fourth grade teacher. I have nothing to start and I made a wishlist as well. If anyone would wanna contribute I’d be so grateful. - Ashley
Do you know how to get the wishlist out? I have no one that has contributed yet it’s getting close to the next year. I’m going to be teaching for the first time 4th grade as well let me know if you have any suggestions!
Girllll decorate that room! I’m going into my second year and if the thing getting you excited for the year is decorating then 👏do 👏it!! Don’t feel guilty for wanting to make your classroom beautiful and cozy for your kiddos. You’ll learn the curriculum and stuff as you go, and will be able to collaborate with other teachers before the year starts to plan and figure it all out. You got this!! 🤍🤍
You are not a bad teacher, you are a NEW teacher! My first year I felt completely lost and overwhelmed. You are doing a great job and it's very obvious you have the passion needed for this profession!
Ahhhhh I'm so glad my package got to you! Velcro dots (and magnet dots) were EVERYTHING in my first classroom so I knew I needed to send some with the pencils! Here's to a positive first year experience filled with wonderful memories- my first class is one I will never ever forget 💖
Oh my gosh! Yes! I am a first year teacher setting up my Kindergarten classroom. I have been so excited to finally get in my classroom and set everything up and now that I'm in there, I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing...Ahhhh! But we got this! Just wanted you to know you are so NOT alone!
For the desks! Instead of having two kiddos alone on the edge, save that room for sitting on the floor and working together/walking space and add the other two desks to your back tables (add them on the end next to your current #5 desk to make tables of 6). Looking good!
Coming from a 13 year veteran teacher… a classroom is so personal, so you are the only one that knows what is best! The beauty of being a first year teacher is that you get to figure it out as you go making it impossible to do it the wrong way! Your room will be perfect because it is already a testament to how much you love your students before you’ve even met them! 💙
Hey there! 👋🏽 My order of doing things would be… 1. Layout 2. Creating areas for centers + library 3. Organization + supplies 4. Bulletins, posters, white board etc. (I would do printing, cutting, laminating, labeling etc at home.) However, I completely agree with Kim regarding to things YOUR way because it’ll all be perfect by the 1st day of school. Good luck this year! 😊
I am only 3 minutes into the video and had to pause to comment. My heart hurts for you right now! You are doing a FABULOUS job and will be a phenomenal teacher. I am going into my 4th year and I am still learning so much every day. Rome was not built in a day. It takes time to know how you want to set up your classroom. Even then, sometimes what you think you want goes out the window when the kids show up. 😂 What works for some classes does not always work for other groups of kids. You are doing great! Be proud of the things you have accomplished. You are creating a warm and inviting space that your students will feel safe in. ❤️ That’s what matters.
Be easy on yourself- the first 5 years are always tough, but keep going; your classroom setup looks great so far, and you've got what it takes to be a great teacher. Everything of the best in your teaching journey 💗
Also I agree with Kim, decorate all you want!!! It is helpful when decorating if you do know how you want your class to flow, but decorate your heart out, you spend so much time in your room!
I have moved classrooms all 4 years that I have taught, and I am with you in that I have to decorate my classroom first. I find it is so much easier to plan once the room is complete (or close to it) because I can visualize how the kids will move around the room as they work and turn things in. I want to reiterate that you are doing a great job. Your students will love you and the space you created for them! Have fun at your Bachelorette party!
I'm getting ready to be a first-year teacher as well! I was originally going to teach fourth grade, but they moved me to first. I had already bought so much fourth-grade stuff lol! You are so blessed to have people donate to your classroom. I have been so excited that I've pretty much bought everything on my own lol. I love watching your room come together! I pray you have an amazing first year!!!
I’m teaching first as a first year teacher as well! Good luck. I created an Amazon list because everyone kept asking me how could they help. Most of the items on my list have been purchased from others😁 my debit card is glad for the break🙃😂
Girly, don’t worry about what people say. First of all this is a classroom SETUP video. I watch these to see cute ways new teachers are setting up their rooms. Obviously yes procedures and classroom management are important but no one knows what you’re doing at home. Enjoy being excited about being in your room for the first time and making it cute and fun for your students. I promise it does make a difference. Good luck with your first year and have fun at your bachelorette! Mine was last week.
I love how your room is coming along!! The first couple of years is SO hard to figure everything out and when you see classrooms “done” you don’t always see the struggle in getting them there. Have so so much fun on your bachelorette party and enjoy every second of it ☺️
You are SO not a bad teacher!! I can tell that you really care about your students and want them to have a welcoming environment, and that’s what makes a great teacher. I’m also a first year teacher and feel like I have no idea what I’m doing so you’re not alone!
If you're using the "I can" statements as your learning targets, I've seen others print them out and attach them all to binder rings by subject. Then all you have to do is flip to the learning target and they last for years to come, so long as you keep teaching the same grade/subject/curriculum.
This will be my first full year teaching. I took over a class in January and have learned alot! Even teachers who have been teaching for years forget things. Don't be too hard on yourself, you're going to do amazing!
It does stink as a first year teacher. But know that there is no one "right" way to do things. Things you thought were an amazing idea may turn out to be a flop and things that you put together on the fly can turn out to be incredible. The important part of classroom setup is to put together a welcoming environment that functions for you and your students. And honestly, you might not know what that is until you meet your students. Good luck this year! I love watching these videos.
I am loving your classroom setup! For the teacher toolbox labels maybe try to print them to fit to the page or not fit to the page. Your drawers look like normal sized ones. Hope this helps!
This will be my 18th year and I still LOVE decorating my classroom. It’s YOUR room and you need to feel comfortable in it. Whatever you need to do to make that happen, do it! People like to give advice and that’s ok, but at the end of the day, it’s your class so do you! You’re doing wonderful already! ❤️
I’m a second year teacher and I felt the way you’re feeling my first year too! Any effort you’re putting into decorating, getting things done early and preparing a warm environment will show your kiddos just how much you care. They really notice! You’re doing great, and I love watching your progress!!
I have to decorate my room first too!!! No worries about that girlie!! Give yourself some grace! I didn’t really know what to do academic wise until I prepped with my team and we decided together on certain things! It’s coming together and will look amazing when you’re done!!
Your room is looking amazing and so inviting for you/your students! I also love how transparent you are with your feelings and your ADHD. I can’t wait to see more of your classroom come together!! :)
I am also a first-year teacher this year. I feel your stress and can relate to you SO much. I don't know if I am getting, saying, or doing the right things. I relate to you and I hear you. You're incredible and are making me think so much of my own classroom too! It is making me excited to get in my own classroom and get started! You are going to be amazing, keep your head up girly! :)
I totally get you with wanting to do layout and decor first! The last 2 years I did it that way, and it made it so that the space wasn’t chaotic and made it easier for me to envision how procedures and management would work! I can’t efficiently think about those things when I’m thinking about the 1000 little things that are still unknown like where thing go or where there’s space to add things
I know this comment is kinda late and now you've already had your first day of school with the students but i just had to say that your classroom is so cute and you put so much care and thought into the room and your students learning
You're doing a great job! Don't be hard on yourself. I've been teaching for 5 years and I also like to do decor first. It gets me excited for the school year, and once you get started with curriculum and procedures, you won't have much time for decor, so why not do it now?! Do what's best for your, and remember you are doing awesome! I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's all done! ❤️☺️
You are not a bad teacher! Last year was my first year of teaching. Setting up your first classroom can be hard, but try to keep in mind what the important aspects of a classroom are. The cute things are fun to do, but make sure everything you spend time and money on work to help teach your kids! You will learn along the way! Just try to embrace your first year with open arms and you will be fine!
You listen to your heart! At the end of the day it is YOUR classroom so just do what you want and listen to the comments that work with what your doing!
I'm going into my tenth year teaching, just wanted to say that you are WAY ahead of where I was in my first year. You're doing a great job so far, keep it up!
I am going into my 3rd year of teaching this year, so I am still a relatively new teacher myself. I'm with Kim on this, you definitely have to go about doing things in a way that makes sense for you and that make YOU happy. This is the time during the summer you can focus more on decoration and still have plenty of time during official back-to-school days to work on procedures, management, and planning. I know that when I got my 1st classroom I was extremely overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that was left behind by the previous teacher. I had nowhere to put my things, so I had to organize everything first. That meant bringing all of my desks and tables down so I could sort things into piles. (I am going to have to do the same thing again this year since I am moving rooms again, lol.) I wanted to jump right into decorating but my OCD got the better of me and the mess had to go. Besides, the decorations are part of classroom management. They are one of the first things that students see when they walk in your room and they set the tone/send a message to the students. You are creating an extremely welcoming space for your students and I can guarantee that they will notice and appreciate that.
It’s getting so cute! I love the excitement in your voice. Don’t worry about what others might think you should do. You do YOU!! I, too, struggle with clear thought processes when tackling a big task. I like to decorate first so that I’m surrounded by a nice looking classroom that isn’t screaming “help me!! 😂🤣 Enjoy your party and be safe!
I just found your channel tonight! I’ve binged all of your classroom setup videos! Everything is looking awesome! :) I’m currently a special education major & this makes me so excited to get into a classroom!! keep up the hard work. you’re doing awesome🤍
I have really enjoyed your videos. I like seeing your think process. First thing I want to say is, never apologize for your style of organization and planning. Each person is individual and unique, you do it the way is best for you. Personally, I have never been able to do any paperwork or planning done until my room was set up physically, and I don’t have ADHD! :) I’ve been doing it this way for 30 years and it’s always worked for me. I have just ended my final year of teaching but I still enjoy seeing the young teachers being so excited and enthusiastic! Welcome to the club and I wish you many years of happiness and joy with your students!!
You are doing great! When I was a first-year teacher, I did not have such great teachers offering advice. However, you have to put things into perspective, you will not be able to do it all but do what makes you feel good about your room. Make it "YOUR' happy place. Advice on organization and other things are great but your decor should be based solely on your taste and likes. I hope this helps you! Keep up the great work and I love all your videos!!!!!!
Girl… you do you!! Everyone does it differently! One of my teacher friends starts with her bulletin boards and has those completely finished before starting on anything. I’m going into my 4th year and have done it differently each year😂
Here’s my two cents on the decor/order of setup tasks-you KNOW you will get done what you need to get done. (That’s why some of us are at school until midnight the night before school starts lol) but if you don’t get the decor stuff done before the kiddos come you never will. You spend SO MUCH TIME in your room-making it a happy place to be matters! (The very first thing I ALWAYS do is bulletin boards/making my teacher area pretty b/c it makes me happy to do it.)
I know you can print the labels smaller. You just have to change it on the print preview screen. You can scale it to probably 50% or wherever you need them at
watching this a little late. i am not a teacher or anything but i love watching your vids. also love the give, serve, love hat. my dad use to be lead pastor at north point's main campus but now we live in arizona. anyways just wanted to say i love your classroom and do not get discouraged, you are doing great!
OOoooo heres a good idea for the calender, you can put the kids birthdays there so for the start of the year u print out cupcakes the kids can draw on and then after they decorate at the end of the day when they all leave u can put the kids birthday cupcakes they made on the day of their and the month u know, hopefully that makes sense.
You are doing great. There are going to be a lot of times you will think you are doing it wrong. I'm starting again as a Special Area teacher so I'm sure I'll be doing something wrong. Keep up the good work!
I think for the white board you should divide it into sections.You could user border to divide them and you could also over lap them so one side won’t look flat. You could even just write some squiggly line or something but yeah!
The groups are amazing but what I would’ve did was a group of two in the front and then three in a straight row on the right and then on the left and then keep putting them back and then whenever you get down to two desk put them in the back but idk if it would fir but go youuuu girllll!!
I just did the same thing with the boho rainbow labels for the teachers toolbox. I have the same toolbox as you and found other boho rainbow labels on TPT. Make sure you look at the product description before you purchase but I know there are some that will fit yours!
That other pocket is also storage for the other months. You would face them backwards then rotate. Or you could put the big holiday for the month or something like that.
No amazing teacher I bet anyone will give you anything in life just don’t be streak And you are beautiful don’t make yourself a bad teacher you are amazing teacher
Hi Emily! I’m going to be a first year, first grade teacher and I just wanted to tell you that I TOTALLY related when you were talking about not feeling like you know what you are doing at the beginning of the video. I haven’t started setup yet, but I feel that so strongly. Part of me feels like O know exactly what to do and the other part feels like I have no idea. Just wanted to tell you that I think you are doing amazing and I can tell how much you already love your kiddos. Have an amazing first year ❤️
To be honest when I was in Elementary School I hated it when desks were in groups like that because it was either hard for me to see the board with the person next to me blocking the view... Or it ended with me sitting weirdly to be able to both see the board and write along.... But u do u. Other than the student desks, I love the way u set up ur classroom. U'll do great.
I’m so jealous! I don’t get to see my room until the end of July! I’ll be a first year 3rd grade teacher in California! Glad I found your channel! Have fun at your Bachelorette party, how exciting! For your two extra desks, I wouldn’t have just one group of two, I think those kiddos would feel left out. Maybe groups of 4 instead?
I have been teaching for 26 years. I think you are doing a great job. As for your desk set up, when you get the two extra desks try 5 groups of 4 instead. I find it works great especially with things like turn and talk or partners. Everyone has a partner and there is less transition for those things. Just a thought.
I have the same floor lamp in my room for mine the little light got really hot, I changed out the lightbulb and it was fine. Just letting you know in case yours does the same thing!
I had the exact same issue with my toolbox and the labels I bought. What I did was I measured the drawers, then took a screen shot of one label with no text box. Then opened PowerPoint and put the screeenshot label for the amount of drawers that I had and changed the size to fix my drawers. Then put a text box over, and typed. If that makes sense. A few extra steps, but I really liked the labels and worked just fine
I think you should consider photo copying the borders you didn’t have enough to complete. Then cut them out and glue them to another border to make it the right thickness.
Another great book by Kate Di Camillo is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I have been reading that book aloud for years. Thank you for your presentation. Take care.
When I look at you and especially ur thumbnails u just reminds me of Kassidee(dk if i am spelling her name right lol) from NOT ENOUGH NELSONS💜💜💜 Love your vids 💜💜💜
The reason the pink fabric is appearing as two different colours of pink is because the fabric is not facing the same way. If you flipped it over and placed the stretch going the same way, the colour will appear seamless. Just a tip for next time. :)
ADHD BRAINS UNITE!! ✌🏽 You know your way and that’s all that matters! Lol but no joke like you said in your first video LISTS are the only way my brain can do things orderly! P.S. I am also oddly obsessed with Velcro Dots 🤪
I am a list person, too. When I interviewed my Superintendent asked how I feel about lists and organization and my knee-jerk response of "I have my finances mapped out for 3 months, and owe my degree to a daily to-do list" must have resonated because she smiled. 🙃 I drive myself crazy sometimes.
