Frighteningly Fabulous First Day of School!

Who is excited for the first day of school???  I can totally imagine myself raising my hand and jumping up and down excitedly yelling "ME, ME, ME!!!  While I can't wait for the first day to start (in just 10 more days) I am definitely still nervous about it at the same time, but this year I am the most prepared I have ever been for the start of nervous Freshmen to come through my door.  I have been lucky enough to have a little sister that is involved in Summer band as a result I have been able to spend ample amount of time in my classroom getting things ready to go for day one.  It is often very hard to find neat ideas for a secondary level classroom, but I am quite excited for some of the things that I have implemented in my room.  Here is a peek at what it looks like.......

 When you enter my room directly beyond the door is my bulletin board.  I have found that the best thing to

cover it is to use wrapping paper!

Above it is a set of figurative language posters that I purchased on teachers pay teachers.  They are amazing!  On the bulletin board I will post extra-curricular activity schedules and any information that is necessary for my students to know.  My turn in trays are located on the book case along with my tutorial sign in sheet.  I have these on the way out the door so that they can be used as students are leaving, but it is also close to my desk so that I can keep an eye on it.

As you continue traveling into my room and down the wall you will come to 

the dead word wall.I had a student last year draw the tombstones and they turned out wonderfully!  The concept is that they are words the students are not allowed to use while they are writing.  If they do they must correct it, or re-write the entire essay.

Following that is my what/why/words to know board.

I found magnetic boarders this summer and I can say I am absolutely in love with them!  Below this is my student supply center where I have pencils, paper, sharpeners, a stapler, highlighters, a hole punch, Clorox wipes, and Kleenex for my students when they need them.  I tell my students that I will provide them with supplies at the beginning of each 9 weeks, and it is their job to return them.

The next thing will be new this year and is a quotes wall.  I saw this on Pinterest and loved the idea.  I have written a quote from one of my favorite books To Kill A Mockingbird. 

In the corner is my podium and the lanterns I found at FiveBelow a store in our area.  I then have my rolling cart where my laptop will be placed along with my ELMO.  

The next thing is by far one of my favorite areas, but I mainly just love that I have put it to good use.

I originally had the dark brown paper sorter, but one of my fellow teachers left this year to become a counselor and gave me the bottom paper sorter.  Each column of both organizers is for each of my preps, and I have made all of my extra copies for my classes for the next 8 weeks.  (I had a lot of time on my hands waiting on my sister to get out of band rehearsal)

This year I am going to try and do a better job of keeping up with absent work by keeping them in a hanging pocket file folder for each class.  I am not sure if it will work so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

I also have a horseshoe table in my room that will be my co-teacher's domain.  Next to this is my teacher desk area.  

Behind my desk is an other bulletin board where I keep student pictures and things that I have been given.  The bookshelf at the back is where I keep all of my important books and organization binders.  I then have a fridge and microwave right next to my computer desk that looks out on my classroom door.

I am excited for the first day!  I have my name placards ready to go, along with postcards that I will have each of my students address on the first day.  My rules and procedures are copied for each kid to have and I can't wait for the first day.  I know I will be a ball of jitters the night before, but I am excited that this will be the best year yet!!!