Last week I shared some of the background story for how Rachelle and I decided to start our new co-teaching adventure this year. (You can read about that HERE.) Today I thought I would share “how we got here” this year and a tour of our new room. Here we go!
So, at the beginning of the year we decided that we would like to do a lot of collaborating and bring our students together a lot this year. (I had done this at 2 previous schools and this “Family Time” was always my favorite part of the week!) Knowing that we were going to try to create a cohesive group, we decided to streamline several things. For example, we both use the same class rules. We each taught the students in our rooms the same motions and way of reciting the rules (Whole Brain Teaching style). We even decided to display them in the same place in our rooms (up front near the Smart Boards). Whenever we got our students all together as one big group, we began by reviewing these rules all together. (Below you can see a split screen photo of our rules displays. Mine are on the top and Rachelle’s on the bottom.)
I think that this was a really great way to set the students up for success with both of us as teachers. If you are interested in using this set of rules you can grab them for free HERE.
We began getting our classes together once a week for “Family Time” a few weeks after school started. Each time we got together we rotated back and forth between the two classrooms. In both of our classes, students have a specific square to sit on in our gathering area. We decided very early on to assign spots to the students that were coming to visit as well. This way, as soon as students entered either room they knew exactly where to go. It minimized any confusion that might be created by a large group and helped us get settled quickly. My carpet wasn’t big enough for this. However, we made it work by creating “imaginary rows” beside and behind existing rows.
For the first few weeks, we got together for read alouds (lots of books about friendship!) and music and movement. We made the “family time” a fun time that everyone looked forward to. We took time in the beginning to teach the students the same songs and finger plays. As we alternated classrooms, we took turns “leading” the group. One of us would lead the group while the other person attended to any behavior or student needs. It became everyone’s favorite time of the week very quickly!
By mid-September we began playing sight word games and having competitions during our Family Time. We began by having the 2 classes compete against each other. Soon, we were able to mix things up and compete as girls vs. boys or 5 year olds vs. 6 year olds.
In November we began our first thematic unit together. (This is how we do our science and social studies instruction. More info on this soon!) That’s when Family Time changed from weekly to almost daily. (We started with 3 times per week in November and were up to 5 times per week by December. Things were going so well that in December we invited a 3rd kindergarten class to join us each morning for our thematic instruction.
So, that’s the set up and how we got our slow start this year. Next week I will share more details about how we decided that Family Time wasn’t meeting our needs anymore and that it was time to go “all in”!
However, I can’t end without sharing a few more pictures of our new setup! We are so in love with it right now. Everyday we work to smooth things out a little more and see how we can tweak things to work better… but it is really off to a great start!
This is the view when you walk in our “in door” (what used to be my classroom door).
I think our new set up is so bright and friendly. I feel so happy every time I walk in the door to our new classroom… I hope all of our students do too!
Thanks for reading. Come back next week to see more of our set up and hear about how we are meeting the needs of all our students and having more fun together!
Supportive data. Lucky me I found your site by some coincidence, and I am astonished why this spot of destiny didn’t came about before! I bookmarked it.
I was intrigued accepting that you at whatever point imagined of changing the plan of your site? Its very much made I genuinely like what you’ve got to say. However, no doubt you might somewhat more in the technique for material at some point so individuals could get along with it better.
Greetings to each one, it’s really a particular for me to visit this website page, it comprises of helpful Information.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but
after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless,
just wanted to say great blog!
It’s in fact very difficult in this full of activity life to
listen news on Television, therefore I only use internet for that reason, and obtain the most recent news.
my web-site … PornHaus.co
No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, thus he/she needs to be available that in detail,
thus that thing is maintained over here.
Here is my website – divorce lawyers In utica new york
I’m not sure why but this blog is loading very slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my
end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
My site dallas Seo services
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it has aided me out loads.
I hope to give a contribution & help other users like its helped me.
Great job.
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also pay a quick
visit this webpage on regular basis to take updated from most recent
reports.
Review my page: Cn.singaporego.net
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever
run into any web browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog visitors have complained about my blog
not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great
in Safari. Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?
Feel free to visit my web site camping a costa rei
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks
you really understand what you’re talking approximately!
Bookmarked. Please additionally discuss with my website =).
We may have a link change agreement among us
whnoah this weblog iss excellent i really like reading your articles.
Stayy upp thhe good work! You know, a lot of persons arre
looking around for this info, you can aid them greatly.
Acabamos de ver que uma das funções que demandam vigor do organismo é nem mais nem
menos a apreensão. http://frases-da-conquista-compl64185.imblogs.net/45470953/dieta-para-emagrecer-r-pido-e-saud-vel
Thanks designed for sharing such a good thinking, paragraph is pleasant,
thats why i have read it completely
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized
it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and
checking back often!
Hurrah, that’s what I was looking for, what a material!
present here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web page.
My homepage: PornHaus.co
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my younger sister is analyzing
such things, therefore I am going to convey her.
Stop by my homepage Painting Company
I really love your website.. Very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting
to create my very own website and would love
to know where you got this from or just what the
theme is named. Thanks!
This post provides clear idea designed for the new viewers
of blogging, that actually how to do blogging.
Hi there this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to
get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would
be enormously appreciated!
my web site – Nex10 connector
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your further post thanks once again.
Feel free to surf to my website :: http://www.Simracinglinks.com
Each man knows wat hacing a proper escort means. https://www.toprussianescort.com/
We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your site en question
provided us with helpful information to work on. You
have done an impressive process and our whole group will likely be grateful to you.
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your website in internet
explorer, may check this… IE still is the market chief and a good element of folks will miss your
great writing because of this problem.
Here is my web blog … Precisionbearing.co.in
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you ought
to write more about this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but generally folks don’t discuss such issues.
To the next! Best wishes!!
Greetings! I’ve been reading your blog for some time now
and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Tx!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work!
My page Keto Slim Cuts Reviews
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to
do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to
let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the issue
solved soon. Kudos
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the
longer term and it’s time to be happy. I have learn this submit
and if I may I desire to counsel you some attention-grabbing things or advice.
Maybe you could write next articles relating to this article.
I want to read more issues about it!
Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my
weblog thus i came to return the favor?.I am attempting to in finding issues to improve my web site!I
suppose its good enough to make use of a few of your ideas!!
of course like your website however you need
to check the spelling on several of your posts.
Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the reality on the other hand I will surely come again again.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining,
and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The problem is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently
about. Now i’m very happy that I found this in my search for something
relating to this.
Check out my blog post – Wallpaper hangers In Charlottesville va
If some one wishes to be updated with most recent
technologies therefore he must be go to see this website and be up to
date all the time.
Also visit my blog; maserati Of long island
Thanks for the good writeup. It in truth was a enjoyment account it.
Glance complicated to more added agreeable from you! By the way,
how can we communicate?
fantastic issues altogether, you just won a new reader.
What could you recommend about your put up that you simply made a few days in the past?
Any positive?
Here is my web-site … personalised canvas clutch Bag
Great work! This is the kind of information that are meant to be shared around the internet.
Shame on the seek engines for no longer positioning
this publish upper! Come on over and seek advice
from my site . Thanks =)
Look at my website sardinien costa smeralda ferienwohnung
whoah this weblog is wonderful i like studying your articles.
Keep up the good work! You understand, many individuals are
hunting round for this information, you could aid them greatly.
My web-site: Symptoms Of Mold In Your House
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit
more often. Did you hire out a developer to
create your theme? Outstanding work!
Here is my site; pet canvas Portraits
I have been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers
made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
Keep this going please, great job!
Great blog here! Additionally your website rather a lot
up very fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I am
getting your affiliate hyperlink on your host?
I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Look into my blog post :: XXX Videos (Sherlene)
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and
I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
My website: ควย
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking
for. Do you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write in relation to here.
Again, awesome site!
Because the admin of this site is working, no hesitation very
quickly it will be renowned, due to its feature contents.
If some one needs expert view regarding running a blog then i propose him/her
to go to see this weblog, Keep up the nice job.
Also visit my page; PornHaus.co
Well composed articles ⅼike y᧐urs renews mｙ faіt in today’s writers.
Ⲩοu’vе wгitten іnformation I сan finaⅼly agree with and aⅼso make uѕе of.
Thɑnks for sharing.
Hеre is my website; physic Reading
You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve read through anything like this before.
So good to find somebody with some genuine thoughts on this topic.
Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This website
is something that is required on the web, someone
with a bit of originality!
Hi there very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb ..
I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
I’m satisfied to find numerous useful information right
here within the post, we want develop extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.
. . . . .
Review my homepage :: سئو سایت حرفه ای (Stephaine)
Make the content material about the reader.
I think this is one of the most significant info for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark
on some general things, The website style is wonderful,
the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
my site; سئو سایت (Taylah)
Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was searching for!
Also visit my web page Loans For People With No Credit
Appreciate it for this terrific post, I am glad
I found this site on yahoo.
My page … Natural Vibration CBD Oil
thank you for this rattling post, I am glad I detected this site on yahoo.
Also visit my web page Infinite Restore Cream Reviews
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some good details,
I besides believe this is a very superb website.
my web-site: Life Vibes CBD Review
You could certainly see your expertise within the article you write.
The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not
afraid to say how they believe. At all times follow your heart.
my site Blaux Portable Heater Review
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges.
It was truly informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
Thank you for sharing!
my webpage … Blaux Personal Heater Price
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe this website needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more,
thanks for the info!
Feel free to visit my page :: Ultimate Keto Fuel Pills
Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
Thank you for sharing!
my homepage: Blaux Portable Heater
Hello there, I discovered your web site by means of
Google whilst searching for a similar topic, your site got
here up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.[X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]Hello there,
just turned into alert to your weblog via Google, and found that it is truly informative.
I’m gonna be careful for brussels. I will appreciate for those who proceed this in future.
Numerous other people will probably be benefited from
your writing. Cheers!
my site; FlowGenix Male Enhancement
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you
ought to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject
but generally folks don’t talk about these
issues. To the next! Kind regards!!
Awsome post and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is
actually the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where
to get some professional writers? Thanks in advance :
)
my page :: Natural Vibration CBD Oil
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme
in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to
work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility
problems? A small number of my blog audience have complained about my website
not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?
Had to compose you a quite little word to appreciate you yet again in connection with nice ideas you’ve offered here.
Amazing quite a lot of superb info!
Best Essay writing
Categories of research https://servicethesis.com/research-papers-on-adhd
Hi there, just wanted to tell you, I liked this article. It was funny.
Keep on posting!
Cheers. I like it.
Best Essay writing
187buying term paper online https://highqualitywritingservice.com/9033persuasive-essay-paragraph-starters.html
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this
one these days.
Great post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am inspired!
Extremely useful information specially the ultimate part 🙂 I
care for such info a lot. I used to be looking for
this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
When someone writes an post he/she retains the plan of
a user in his/her mind that how a user can be aware of it.
So that’s why this paragraph is perfect. Thanks!
Do an individual have a spam concern on this website; I actually also am a tumblr, and I desired to understand your situation; many associated with us are suffering from some good methods, and are looking in order to trade methods with other people, why not shoot me personally an e-mail if curious.
I’ve saved as a favorite your site, and I am just adding your The feed feeds to my Yahoo and google account.
Generally I do not learn article on blogs, but I would like to
say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so!
Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great article.
Visit my website; Fitness Keto Dietary Supplement
Thanks for such a essential blog.
Hello! Ive been like your site for some epoch now due to its awesome content.Just wanted to suggestion keep taking place the fine job!
What’s up, everything is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one
is sharing data, that’s actually excellent, keep up writing.
Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else may just I am getting that type of
information written in such an ideal approach? I have a
venture that I’m just now running on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.
Nicely put, Appreciaye it.
Best Essay writing
article analysis paper example https://writingmypaper.com/how-to-write-an-article-analysis-essay
My family all the time say that I am killing my time here at web, however I know I am getting knowledge everyday by
reading thes pleasant articles.