Room 35

Welcome to my first grade classroom. Since many visitors have requested pictures of my first grade classroom, I have posted pictures of the different classrooms that I have occupied throughout the years. Due to limited technology in prior years, the pictures do not return to the earlier years of my teaching career. However, there are pictures of literacy centers and general arrangements for management. I will be adding pictures of my new classroom at Triangle Elementary School (2006-07) in August. Be sure to visit again to see the changes from a bare, empty room to an exciting learning environment.

Palm Lane Elementary School

Phoenix, Arizona (2001-2004)

Come on in and look around our first grade room. We moved this year.. twice!! See what is new. Our first grade cheer is very popular this year.

First grade, first grade give a cheer

We will learn to read this year.

Numbers, counting, addition too.

And funny songs we will sing to you.

Lunch and recess, P.E. is fun.

Morning meeting time with everyone.

So stand up tall and say, "hooray!"

For all the learning we will do each day.

First grade work puts us to the test.

But first grade kids are the very best!

YEA

By: B. Sarah Froehlich

Pocket Charts

I have at least fifteen pocket charts. The charts are in use all day long for centers instruction, group shared reading and phonemic awareness activities, math, read the room, schedules, and more. Recently, I purchased the pocket charts for Venn diagrams, sorting, and graphing. The charts are used all year long. As part of our daily routines, students use the pocket charts individually, with a partner, or as a center. Students are taught how to use the materials at each pocket chart as part of our daily routines. We learn, practice, review, and keep reviewing. On the first day of school, I write each student's name on a sentence strip, laminate with contact paper, and place in the pocket chart. The chart is on a garment rack with wheels. I move this to the hallway so parents can read the class list. The name cards are our first word wall words. At the end of the year, I put the name card in a student memory book along with pictures I take of the kids during the first week of school.

Pocket Chart Names

Pocket Chart and Center Carts

Our Good-bye song, "See you Later Alligator" is written on yellow sentence strips for the pocket chart. Number words, counting, and number concepts are in the pocket chart that has is portable. The storage boxes below the charts are alphabet and literacy activities stored and labeled with the letters on the front. The literacy cart is below the pocket chart with the yellow sentence strips has wheels. This year our centers move to the tables. I am fortunate this year to have tables since I endured the problems with desks for too many years. All of my centers are on carts and move to designated tables. There is a master guide with the same symbols for the centers in a smaller version on a small bulleting board. The kids can look at the picture of one of the Pooh characters and know where they are to be working for the center activity. Additional items that I include on the front wall are not permanent fixtures. Magnetic clips hold various charts or enlarged writing paper. The rule bear, our rules for listening, and a laminated writing paper that is large are used for various activities. Some of my big books are also stored in the yellow, plastic big book storage. However, the books for our themes or skills are located within reach and easy access for student use for shared and independent reading. Pocket chart stands can be made from PVC pipe or using a rolling garment rack (Wal Mart).

Ms. Froehlich's First

Grade Class

Use the tune of the music playing in the background of this web page, "It's a Small World." The first week of school we sing this song and learn the teacher's long name.

We will study hard and we'll make new friends,

There's so much to do 'till the school year ends,

We will read, write and spell,

And do math very well,

In Ms. Froehlich's first grade class.

In Ms. Froehlich's first grade class (3 times repeat)

There's so much for us to do.

(we add a cha-cha-cha- at the end)

Meeting and Group Area

This area of the room is devoted to our group time in the morning, afternoon, and before departure at the end of the day. My morning meeting is based on the concepts presented in Responsive Classroom (see http://www.responsiveclassroom.org) Students are also visit this area for various literacy centers using the pocket charts and book baskets. There is a large carpet on the floor and carpet squares that students can move to other areas of the room. Morning activities include calendar, weather, songs about days of the week, months, counting, alphabet songs and shared writing. Piglet is always around and enjoys participating with the kids. The pocket charts on the wall remain all year long. I have wallpaper trays on the floor by each pocket chart to store sentence strips for the week. All of the sentence strips for a song, activity, or poem are stored together on separate rings inside of the tray. Easy to put together and put away.

The above picture is our group meeting carpet. This carpet was purchased through Lakeshore. There are 30 squares that are divided with lines. It is a wonderful management and instructional tool. Kids have assigned squares that we call their "apartment". If they cannot stay inside of the apartment or make some poor choices in behavior, they can be "evicted" from our apartment house. The children gather here for morning circle, shared and independent reading, as well as center activities. The squares can also be used for counting, calendar, colors, and more. This was a birthday present from my oldest daughter, Stephanie, who will be student teaching in the Fall, my team partner, Jane Burleson, and my PAL aide, Eva Martinez who is the most wonderful classroom assistant! Nice birthday!

Mural and Welcome Pictures

Palm Lane Elementary School

The Hundred Acre Wood Mural

I painted this mural on a long, classroom dividing wall last year. Due to classroom space and student numbers, I removed the wall to make space. However, several people have asked me for pictures and it is included in this composite.

Palm Lane Elementary, 2003-2004

Ahoy, First Graders!

This was the welcome mural for our first graders for 2003-04 school year. Pirates, and more! The kids each make their own pirate to put on the wall on the first day of school.

Margaret Brent School, 2005-06

To see pictures of Room 35, Margaret Brent School, 2005-2006, click on the pug link

OUR MASCOTS,

PAST AND PRESENT

Miss Fanny Fox Maggie the Pug

Fanny was our traveling mascot during Project Kinderact, 2002. To learn more about her travels and experiences throughout the United States, click your mouse on Fanny's picture to learn more. Maggie is our current mascot. Each weekend she travels to the home of one of our classroom "pugsters". Her adventures are documented in her personal journal, pictures, and in our classroom scrapbook.

To view more pictures of the classroom, thematic murals or bulletin boards, click your mouse on the pugs. This will take you to our first grade room.

Triangle Elementary School in Prince William County, Virginia, will be my new home during the 2006-07 school year. I will add pictures this week. Triangle parents may view our classroom web site throughout the year. Click on the pugs to see what is posted now.

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Other graphics by D.J.Inkers

Updated 7/29/07