# data[].attributes.headline
How to Choose Student Work to Put on the Wall

# data[].attributes.subject
How to Choose Student Work to Put on the Wall

# data[].attributes.body
Responsive Classroom provides many tips to choose what to put on the wall to foster student learning! I like this resource because it lays it out in a sequence, something that I find easier to follow.

Responsive Education (2002). Retrieved from
https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/displaying-student-work-2/

# data[].attributes.body
Edutopia is a great resource that many of my professors have shared with me throughout courses. This research discusses how what you put on the walls can affect your students' learning. It advocates for no clutter, abundance of student work, let in natural light, and keep the philosophy in mind that walls are the third educator.

Terada, Y. (2018). The do's and don'ts of classroom decorations. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/dos-and-donts-classroom-decorations

# data[].attributes.headline
Large Group Instruction: A Guide to Effective Instruction in Math

# data[].attributes.subject
Large Group Instruction: A Guide to Effective Instruction in Math

# data[].attributes.body
In this Ontario Ministry of Education document it outlines how to arrange and organize the classroom. This document give recommendations on placement of areas in the class including large group instruction.

Ontario Ministry of Education. (n.d.). An Effective Guide to Instruction in Mathematics: Kindergarten to Grade 6, Volume Three.

# data[].attributes.headline
Large Group Instruction: Kindergarten Rocks

# data[].attributes.subject
Large Group Instruction: Kindergarten Rocks

# data[].attributes.body
Kindergarten Rocks is a fabulous website run by a teacher named Kate. This website consists of her blog, resources, recommendations and tips and tricks. In one blog, she talks about her Carpet Time Area Set Up for Back to School. This blog explains what this large group instruction area should look like and things to keep in mind when setting up this area. She emphasizes that this will be the main meeting site for the entire year so it is particularly important to set it up with these recommendations taken into consideration.

Kate. (2020, February 19). Carpet Time Area Set up Back to School: kinder garten rocks resources. Kindergarten Rocks Resources. https://kindergartenrocksresources.com/2019/07/carpet-time-area-set-up-back-to-school.html.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join our FREE club {HERE} and get a FREEBIE!
It's back to school time and this year you are determined to not spend a week setting up your classroom. One of the most important, yet time consuming areas of the classroom to set up in preschool is the carpet time area. Have a plan before the beginning of the year to make classroom set up a breeze.

The carpet time/carpet area will be the main meeting area for the class throughout the year. The children will learn to follow routines and rules, learn how to be a kind friend, listen to stories, sing and learn what school is all about. Follow these simple steps and you will have the most amazing carpet time area.

1. Location is Everything

When scoping out a location for your carpet there are a few things to keep in mind:

I like to greet the children from the carpet in order to allow them to independently complete our morning routine, so I like the carpet area to be close to the entrance of the room or close to where they hang their backpacks. That way I am able to keep an eye on them while chatting with the students on the carpet. This will also limit the distractions.

plenty of wall space for a calendar and other fun calendar time activities

Back in the day you moved your classroom around based on the locations of the bulletin boards. Now days there are a lot of bulletin hacks, like hanging fabrics and other easy DIY bulletin boards that you can choose a location that is the most convenient for you.

access to a plug in or could safely run an extension cord to a plug in from the location

2. Have a Plan

This is one of my favorite areas to set up. I put a lot of thought as to what I will place on the walls. I use the early learning standards, district standards and what is expected at the beginning of kindergarten to plan out the concepts that I want to cover. It is one of the easiest places to observe children so I like to include concepts that are a big part of our progress report.

3. What to Include in your Calendar Area

One thing I always include is a calendar. For the first few months of preschool and kindergarten we focus on one week.

I like the boys and girls to start to recognize that there are 7 days in a week and we attend school 5 of those days. The boys and girls take turns pointing to the calendar as we sing out "Days of the Week" songs by Dr. Jean and other youtube artists. There are so many ways to change up calendar time to make it fun and exciting.

Shape of the Day and or any Skill of the Day Activity

I also, like to include a concept of the day. Shape of the Day is the skill we work on when school begins. We will work on shapes for several weeks and then move on to Name of the Day, Number of the Day and Letter of the Day before we return back to Shape of the Day. This unit will work in a small or large area with large and small pieces, as well as colored and black and white options. What I like about skills of the day activities is that you can differentiate throughout the year to meet the needs of your students.

I always include visual directions in our calendar area. As I give directions to projects and activities I place the visual direction in order from 1-4. If the children become confused they know where to go for help. Which is why it super important to place this in a focal area of a classroom.

Repetition is key for any concept in preschool. When a child is the calendar helper they take a turn pointing to each letter as we sing or say the alphabet song. As the year progresses I have the students try to spell there name, look for what letter comes next and a few of the kids will look for sounds. Depending on the levels in the classroom.

4. Classroom Flow is Everything

After the boys and girls enter the room, it's time for them to mark that they are at school. At the beginning of the year we use a picture. I had a lot of fun making this cute Who's Here Today board using Carson Dellosa birds and a tree I made out of paper. Write each child's first name only. If you are able to get a picture of the children prior attach a small photo to the bird. The bottom line-your kids will love doing this each day. Sticky tack would also work. As the year progresses this area may change to the question of the day or name writing.

5. Organization Can Help with Classroom Management

One of my favorite materials I place in my calendar area in our play rotation board. All of the areas of our classroom will be labeled with Posters and I am Stating so all of the adults that enter know what the children are working on at each play area and the kids can find where they need to go.

I set a timer or allow the children to remain at the center as long as it is going smoothly. When the timer goes off the kids tidy up a little and prepare to rotate. Did I mention that I also set up the areas so that we are able to rotate counter clockwise? It definitely makes for smooth transitions. I may even add a little song before we rotate. Make sure to rotate the sticks as they move.

**Note that all of the kids faces are my infant daughter:) I do not feel comfortable showing faces of students.

You can make many of these boards on your own. However, if you are looking for quick and easy check out the links below! Good luck with your carpet time area!
Shape of the Day Post Center Labels (Play Center Labels) Visual Directions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Carpet Time Area Set up Back to School | kinder garten rocks resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Join our FREE club {HERE} and get a FREEBIE! It's back to school time and this year you are determined to not spend a week setting up your classroom. One of the most important, yet time consuming areas of the classroom to set up in preschool is the carpet time area.

# data[].attributes.headline
Teaching Diversity and Acceptance through Play and Books: The Multicultural Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Teaching Diversity and Acceptance through Play and Books: The Multicultural Classroom

# data[].attributes.body
Jenny LaRocque also has an instagram page where she consistently posts about activities and books that she uses for her kindergarten students and fellow educators to teach diversity and acceptance. She suggests tons of resources and books that educators can use to create a safe, equitable, inclusive and welcoming classroom environment that reflects the student, family and community.

LaRocque, J. (n.d.). The Multicultural Classroom. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://www.instagram.com/themulticulturalclassroom/

# data[].attributes.headline
Classroom Tour: Joyful Learning in the Early Years 

# data[].attributes.subject
Classroom Tour: Joyful Learning in the Early Years 

# data[].attributes.body
Deanna Pecaski McLennan (2016) is a Kindergarten educator that I follow closely and in the video below gives a tour of her kindergarten classroom. Some areas to notice are; how the furniture arrangement makes distinct areas, reading area, the dramatic play area, carpet/blocks area, and areas dedicated to inquiry.

McLennan, D. (2016, May). Kindergarten Classroom Tour [Video blog post]. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LoxBYL_3Ko&t=1s

# data[].attributes.body
Alexis McDonell (2017), writes a fantastic blog called The Curious Kindergarten and has a post about redesigning the kindergarten classroom layout with the concept of the third teacher in mind. Below are 4 photos included in the blog that provide great examples of kindergarten classroom areas. On the top right there is a wide open space used for whole group meetings. The top left shows open space for play that would allow students to move between play areas. The bottom left shows an area dedicated to sensory exploration. Finally the bottom right shows a quiet space, or cozy corner, used for self-regulation.

McDonell, A. (2017, September). The Third Teacher: Classroom Layout 2017 [Web blog post]. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://thecuriouskindergarten.blog/2017/09/01/the-third-teacher-classroom-layout-2017/

# data[].attributes.headline
Culturally Responsive Classroom: The MultiCultural Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Culturally Responsive Classroom: The MultiCultural Classroom

# data[].attributes.body
Jenny LaRocque is a Kindergarten teacher, and professional development speaker. Jenny has an amazing and informational blog where she has multiple posts on how to implement, and resources to use in a culturally respective classroom. In one of the blogs she talks about a culturally responsive morning meetings, where she uses this time to inspire meaningful conversations. She offers ideas, resources, and activities to promote the inclusion of students, parents and community in the classroom.

LaRocque, J. (2014). Kindergarten: The Multicultural Classroom. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://www.missjennyell.com/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kindergarten | The Multicultural Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Resources that teach language, diversity and acceptance through play and STEM activities.