Our Classroom Transformation Continues!

It has been awhile since I have put anything on this blog... things have been busy in Grade One!  My last post was all about trying to find the balance between explicit instruction and inquiry-based/play-based learning- which was going really well until December.  Unfortunately, due to illness, a classroom flu and report cards, I ended up resorting back to more "teacher-directed" lessons with an emphasis on product as opposed to process.  Once I was able to breathe again, I started to reflect on what had happened.  Pressure to complete parts of the curriculum to report on specific strands and feeling "behind" left me feeling stressed due to lack of time.  Fortunately, once I felt less stressed I was able to regain my focus and reset my goals for the year.  I must have been in a "spring cleaning" mode as I tackled both my home and the classroom- clearing unnecessary items out, reviewing texts I had read, reading new texts on Reggio, the importance of conversation and setting up learning areas to engage students.  After some finessing and asking students for their opinion, I feel that our classroom environment is now transformed into one that truly reflects the way I want to teach/provoke/guide/facilitate/participate in student learning.  Here are some photos of the classroom!