If you follow my blog regularly, then you know that I have been off for a few days. This was our first week in preschool and there was much to be done but now that school has started, I have SO much I want to share with you! Over the next few days, I will try to get caught up on all my blogging obligations and also start sharing the happenings in my preschool classroom. For this post, I want to simply share a few photos of my classroom setup in hopes that when I talk about what we are doing, you will have some sense of what the environment is like…
To begin with, it is important to remember that I have two classrooms. The photo above is my indoor classroom and the photo below is my outdoor classroom. Today, I will highlight the centers in my indoor classroom then moving on to the outdoor classroom in my next post…
The Indoor Classroom
Be sure to keep in mind that our space is very limited so I have to try and include as many different kinds of learning centers in the classroom while at the same time, keep an adequate amount of the space for the children to comfortably work within.
The Multi-Sensory Center
This is small space that has a combination of tools and supplies which I will change up periodically…
For now, we have items in the center to promote play involving magnets, lights, and felt…
Lots of small pieces in this center for the light and magnet board but my students are old enough to explore them safely…
Writing Center
I have the writing center stocked with common tools the children would explore that promotes creativity, drawing, cutting, book-making, and pre-writing skills…
Block Center
Our block center is filled with a variety of different types of blocks, cars, people, animals, and accessories…
I am still adding to the block center so some of the baskets are sitting empty but the kids haven’t been worried about it because there are plenty of materials to keep them busy for now…
There have been times when it seems the majority of my class has decided to join in on block play so it is for this reason that I set the block center up near our large carpet where we also have circle time…
Reading Center
Our primary reading center is a combination of books, puzzles, and games set up on a four sided library or bookshelf available at Guidecraft…
I like that the bookshelf has a variety of spaces to display books or other items so that I am not limited in how I use the shelf and that the shelf has wheels so I can move it easily to a new spot if I have the need…
Play House Center
The play house has a collection of really unusual dolls (donated by my mom), blocks, and fabric squares for the children to build their own furniture and set up spaces inside the house…
During our first week, I have sat with the children on occasion to show them how they can use the materials to set up their house…
But the children have had lots of their own ideas too and sometimes like to add their own dolls so I am mostly just observing the play that takes place in order to see what changes might need to be made…
This is the basic lay out of my indoor classroom. In addition to the centers, Mr. Hayden (my teaching assistant) and I provide additional materials for the children to explore at our tables each day…
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I love how everything is so well thought out and intentional. The blocks available at the doll house are a great idea! I don’t see a house area or much dramatic play. I’m wondering about that? Thanks.
I just don’t have the space Kristi so what we do is rotate in different types of centers throughout the year. Here is just one example of many:) http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/01/everyday-dramatic-play-in-preschool-and-a-linky/
Oh. I see how it works now. Thanks for sharing! I was just curious because my class of 3 and 4 year olds is ALL about dramatic play. 🙂
I enjoy reading your posts and seeing what you’re teaching! I’m a childcare director in Key West and have gotten many great ideas from you. Thanks so much for sharing. Your classroom is so bright and interesting centers.
Thank you Nancy! I have always hoped to vacation in Key West some day!
I love all your baskets and how you utilize the space you have. Very attractive and welcoming for the children. Thanks for your ideas.
Thank you Rosemarie!
You have a beautiful classroom. I’m wondering if you could tell me where you found the baskets used in the block area. They look very attractive and sturdy. Thank you.
The baskets are terrific and I got them from a store called Garden Ridge here in Indiana.
Love it, Deborah! I was wondering about the pompoms on the magnetic board. How did you attach the magnets to them? Are they the peel off sticky magnetic strips or did you glue magnet pieces on them? They seem to be a hit in your room and I’d like to see what my kiddos would do with them. Ms. Barbara from For the Children
Hi Barbara, I hot glued button magnets onto the pompoms. This works best and stays nicely. I made my set 2 years ago!
Very nice. Did you make the light board?
Hi Donna,
This light board is a light box which I purchased from an art supply store.
Hi, Deborah. I have been following your blog for many years and am such a fan. How many children are in your program and how often do the children come to you: daily, 2x/wk? I am very interested in how you manage to make this work from your home. If you prefer to e-mail me, please feel free: Carlaroni@yahoo.com
Thank you!
Carla M.
Hi Carla,
I have 13 children enrolled in my preschool. The prek children come Tue/Wed/Thur from 9 to 12. The preschool children come tue/thur from 9 to 12. So on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have a mixed age group of three to fives but on Wednesday I have just the Prek students.
What a lovely inviting room. I always enjoy your posts and look forward to seeing not only the setup of your room but the activities that you do with the children. I would love to work in such an environment. My your year be filled with lots of learning, joy and laughter.
Thank you Isabel!
You never cease to amaze and inspire! Thanks for all you share! Your classroom looks gorgeous 🙂
Ahhh, your so sweet! Thank you Amanda:)
Your classrooms r designed for the learners and very colorful.children really gttractrd to it. U deserve to be appreciated.best of luck
Thank you Tani!
Hi Deb! evrything looks gorgeus! as always! I wish I have a class like this here in ARGENTINA! you’re always inspiring us!
thanks for sharing!
kisses & love,
MIRIAM
Thank you Miriam!
I LOVE all the natural colored baskets!!! Organized but so inviting! Nice job!
Thank you Cari!
Looks beautiful!! Where did you get your playhouse from?
I bought the play house from a lady here in my hometown:)
Love the set up. I especially like the baskets and will keep an eye open for some similar ones in th UK. I can’t wait to hear about your outside classroom.
You are lucky to have so much room! I do a small in home preschool and would love to have a space like this!! Someday!
It’s funny because there are days that I feel like our space is so small but I am thankful for every inch of it!
I love all of your ideas, your are truly inspiring. I have a home daycare with mixed ages and babies crawling around so I have to modify many of your ideas. I am also open 10 hours days/5 days a week. I have done many of your great preschool projects. Thanks for all the support!!
Wow Jeanne! You have your hands full but it shows that you are a very good teacher when you are able to modify something you like to work for your kids! keep up the great work!
I am a director of a private nonprofit faith based school. I am enjoying your blog and have used some of your ideas in my program already. One of my teachers has been sharing your ideas and helped me get connected to your blog. I am hoping to get into the hive. I would like to share many of your strategies at our staff meetings.
I would love to have you join us Jackie! We will be opening up enrollment in September. If you haven’t signed up on the list, then I invite you to do so as it will keep you in the loop! https://hive.teachpreschool.org/
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