Look Who’s Shining in

Mrs. Dean’s

Classroom

Brandon

Crystal

Joshua

Leann

Tyler

Jacob

Emily

Leslie

Kyle

Steven

Mikayla

Miguel

Lore

na

Aaro

n

Jenna

Kara

Lighthouse-Nautical Theme

Lighting the way for success in 2nd grade

Door Decoration:

• Cover the door with an enormous lighthouse and put student names on

beams of light shining out from the top. Put the message:

"Look whose shining in Mrs. Dean's room!“

Bulletin board next to door:

Job Chart:

• Put job names on small lighthouses on a blue paper background, put

student names on ships and "sail" them to different jobs each week or

month.

"Sailing to Success - Helping Out"

Sailing to Success

Jenna

Kara

Leslie

Emily

Kyle

Brandon

Mikayla

Steven

Lorena

Aaron

Leann

Joshua

Crystal

helpers’ dock

Captain/leader

librarian

papermonitor

plantkeeper

zoo keeper

Tyler

Jacob

Miguel

sharp pencils

needs to be sharpened pencils

guinea pig Turn it in tray

whiteboard & projection screen

reading rug & quiet place to

read

pencilsbulletin board

sink

under counter storage for manipulatives and tote trays

locked cabinets

storage closet boys’ backpacks girls’ backpacks storage

closet

calendar

listening & reading

center

writing &

small g

roup

math & science center

math, science, & games

classroom library

reading strategies

2nd Grade

Teacher’s Desk:

• Able to see all students at all times

• Located next to whiteboard

• Teacher will move about ship, facilitating learning

• One student desk will be close-by, facing wall for shipwrecked student

to work independently

• Declared to students as a “no docking zone”

Rational:

• Out of line of traffic

• Located close to computers for monitoring students

• Access to whiteboard, TV monitor, and ELMO

• Fish tank for notes of positive behavior

Equipment and Materials

(cont’d)

Teacher’s Desk:

• Desk will be organized with printer, computer, fishbowl, supplies, and file

cabinet with easy access

• Fish bowl with fish shaped tickets given for being “caught”

having good behavior/citizenship

Storage:

• Large cabinets close to door for backpacks and jacket storage

• Word wall on cabinet doors

• Counter top with shelves for tubs of manipulatives of math items, art

supplies, and science items below

• Counter top displaying science items and pet guinea pig

• Bulletin board above counter top of shelves displays:

“Work that shines!”

Work that SHINES!(bulletin board for students’ work)

Student of the week:

• Call them the “Captain!" Say they are guiding

their ship in the right direction!

Rules:

• Put rules as beams of light coming out the top of

the light house. Put the message:

Lighting the way to a great year!

on the lighthouse

• Daily schedule listed

• Hall passes: boy/girl shaped like a lighthouse

• Trash can and pencil sharpener close to door

Computers:

• Multiple computers allowing enough screen time

• Monitors in clear view of teacher; computer rules displayed

• Screen Reader text-to-speech w/headset for ELL and vision impaired

• Use for G/T students enrichment projects

Art:

• Selected tubs with markers, glue, scissors, and construction paper located

next to math manipulative tubs

Rationale:

• To incorporate technology in all subject matters, exposing students to the

many options of technology

• Allowing access for visually impaired, ELL, and G/T learners

Classroom Library:

• Located against wall for a quiet zone

• Books will be placed in labeled tubs by topics

• Reading materials will be rotated each season

• Area rug and vinyl cushions will be placed in center

• Adult size chair will be placed for teacher and special speaker/guest

• A small boat for children to sit in while reading

Rationale:

• Least distraction location for reading

• Students able to access books easily by topics

• Vinyl cushions for sanitary/health purposes

• Larger chair for teacher to be visible for students

Reading/Listening Table:

• Head-sets and labeled tub of books for guided reading

• A quiet place to sit while reading

Rationale:

• Limited hearing with headsets, therefore placed in room to be

able to see others in case of emergency

• Selection of dual language books and larger print books for

listening

Writing/Small Group & Reteach:

• Writing supplies for students available

• Attractive bulletin board with reading activities in selected pockets

for student to choose from

• Writing center facing wall for least distractions

• Room for at least four students; to also be used as re-teach area

• Writing examples for students to model

• Bulletin board with specific graphic organizers to help with

comprehension: maps, webs, KWL, T-charts, compare and contrast,

cause and effect, parts of a book

Rationale:

• Supplies ready for use

• Attractive center helping student to feel comfortable and organized

• Different reading activities give students a choice

• Examples help student understand what is expected

Math/Manipulatives:

• Shelves with labeled tubs of manipulatives of

dice/dominoes/money/geometric shapes

• Board games using math concepts and computer games

• Interesting bulletin board displaying math concepts with pictures of

math’s many uses

Science:

• Pet guinea pig in cage; students share in responsibilities of care

• Nature specimens –bird nests, rocks, magnets, sea shells

• Globe/maps and age specific science web sites

Rationale:

• Hands-on learning, teaching responsibility with pet care, and a variety

of uses of technology

• Aids group learning

• To spark interest in math and science concepts

http://hill.troy.k12.mi.us/staff/bnewingham/myweb3/nautical%20theme.htm

Whiteboard/ELMO/overhead projector:

• Large whiteboard will be facing the students desk with daily objectives for the

day and class assignments

• Whiteboard will be used often with language, math, and science lessons

• The ELMO will have easy access for student’s use as they show their own

work, following along reading, or learning new strategies in math, language,

or science

• Overhead projector will be used as we integrate the technology with our

lesson from the www: small videos, youtube videos, or educational lessons

• We will use the overhead as a whole class to play games like jeopardy or to

review for tests

RESOURCES: http://www.proteacher.org/a/25556_Lighthouse_Theme.html