Engaging Early Learners

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Progress over Perfection

My classroom has come a LONG way! Not only am I changing things before each new school year, I am constantly changing things during the year! I think that it is easy to want your classroom to be Pinterest perfect and insta-worthy, but this is not realistic. Our classrooms not only have to be a place that we like to be in, but they have to be a place where our students feel safe, comfortable and able to learn!

I learned this right away in my first year of teaching. One quick example is the way I stored my table toys. I had them in colorful bins on a wooden shelf. The way the shelf was, the bins were tilted sitting on the shelf. My students COULD NOT put these away independently. After a few days of school that first year I quickly realized that I had to come up with a new method. I could go on and on about all of the things that I have changed. Not only did I change a lot of the physical ‘look’ of my classroom, but I also changed a lot of the behind the scenes stuff. For example, since my first year I have revamped by closets and labeling system probably 100 times. Not only to make them look better (yes I had comic sans font my first year) but to also make it more FUNCTIONAL for myself and my classroom assistants! 

I wanted to post these pictures to let first year teachers, and even 2nd, 3rd year teachers know that PROGRESS is more important than PERFECTION! Your classroom, mine included, will NEVER BE PERFECT!!! We are always getting new students with different personalities and they all need different things. We as humans are always changing and like or dislike different things. Even though I love the way my classroom looks now, I am already thinking about how I will have to modify certain things to fit my student’s needs and the needs of my class as a whole. Just yesterday (2nd day of school) I had to add more stickers to the floor in certain places to help my students be more independent during different times of the day. It was not my plan to do this, but my students needed it, and in a few weeks when my students are fully independent when getting their seat work or putting their sticker on their chart, I will be thankful for those small changes I made!

I hope this helps some of you. I am no expert whatsoever, but I do think that after 3 years of setting up my classroom I have learned a lot! Good luck to everyone who just started their school year…I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one 😉 

XO, Rachel

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I started my teaching career as a preschool special education teacher in the town that I grew up in….(Read More)

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engagingearlylearners

engagingearlylearners
✨AMAZON FAVS✨- ORGANIZATION Welcome to a new ✨AMAZON FAVS✨- ORGANIZATION

Welcome to a new series I am calling…Amazon Favorites! Each post will feature a new category of favs that I have in my classroom. All products are from Amazon and you can find them in my amazon storefront…link in bio!

Here is how I use these products: 
—Groups caddies: These are a newer find and I am OBSESSED. I keep everything in them that I need for my small groups; crayons, dry erase materials, pencils, highlighters, visuals, etc!

—Drawers: I probably have like 20 of these around my room! I use them for upcoming copies, supplies, math manipulatives and more!

—Cubbies: These are PERFECT for right under the SmartBoard! I keep everything we need for morning meeting in them. I also keep other supplies that we need throughout the day in them. Lastly, they fit the drawers I mentioned above…HOW COOL!

—Binders: I put SO MUCH in binders! I love keeping master copies in binders for quick access. I also keep assessment materials, social stories and IEP information in them.

—Sheet protectors: I use these in binders A LOT! I love keeping my papers protected in sheet protectors.

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Thank goodness for coffee☕️ #teacher #teacher Thank goodness for coffee☕️

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This taco salad is STILL my fav @hungryroot recipe This taco salad is STILL my fav @hungryroot recipe so far 🍽️

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🤭🤭🤭 #teacher #teacherlife #teachersofins 🤭🤭🤭

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Teacher Interview ✨TIPS✨ Probably the most dr Teacher Interview ✨TIPS✨

Probably the most dreaded part of getting a job…the interview! At least for me, this is the most nerve-wracking thing EVER.

Lucky for you, I have quite a bit of experience in this area. I have my principal and supervisor certifications, so my principal allows me to help him in interviews at our school. Not only do I get to attend, but I get to ask questions as well. Since I have been doing this at my school for 3 years, I have collected a TON of interview questions and tips for you.

Check out the link in my bio for my TOP 6 TIPS for interviews AND tips for DEMO LESSONS!!

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If you know you know… @taylorswift #taylorswif If you know you know…
@taylorswift 

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It’s actually 26 but🤷🏻‍♀️🤭 #teac It’s actually 26 but🤷🏻‍♀️🤭

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VEGGIE BURGER 🍔 

#hungryroot #ad #sponsored #mealprep #dinnerprep #easydinners #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #hungryrootrecipes
Welcome to a new series I am calling…Amazon Favo Welcome to a new series I am calling…Amazon Favorites! Each post will feature a new category of favs that I have in my classroom. All products are from Amazon and you can find them in my amazon storefront…link in bio!

Here is how I use these products: 
—Stools: My co-teacher uses these rainbow stools and I use white stools around our small group tables. We LOVE that they tuck under our tables, so they take up less space than chairs!

—Lap desks: My students use these ALL THE TIME! They are able to take them whenever they are doing independent or partner work. They sit with them on the carpet or on the tile floor. 

—Wobble stools: We have a few of these at our round table. My students are able to sit there during independent or partner work. They are perfect for my wiggly kids. 

—Blue comfy seats: These are perfect for my students to use during independent reading and read to someone! They love bringing them around the room to stay comfy. We also pull them out when we watch Netflix or a movie!!

—Carpets: Of course our carpets are PERFECT for staying comfy and reading a good book!

#teacher #teacherlife #teachersofinstagram #teachertips #secondgrade #secondgradeteacher #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #specialedteacher #classroomorganization #classroomsetup #classroomdecor #classroomdecorations #teachertip #teachersloveamazon #amazonfavs #amazonteacher
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