1. Look Who’s Shining
in
Mrs. Dean’s
Classroom

2. 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"

3. helpers’ dock
Sailing to Success
Captain/
Emily leader
Jenna
librarian
Kara
Leslie
paper
Kyle monitor
Miguel
Mikayla plant
keeper
Tyler
Lorena
zoo
Aaron keeper
Brandon
Jacob
Joshua
Crystal
Steven Leann

4. storage closet math, bulletin board
science, & guinea pig Turn it in
sharp pencils
pencils tray boys’ backpacks girls’ backpacks storage
games sink closet
needs to be sharpened pencils
locked
cabinets
under counter storage for manipulatives and tote trays
2nd Grade
math &
science
center
classroom library
listening
& reading
center reading rug &
quiet place to
read
calendar whiteboard & projection screen reading strategies

5. Equipment and Materials
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

6. (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!”

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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