… and I’ve been dying all weekend to show you. Really. I’ve been working on these off and on since I decided on my classroom theme. They’ve gone through a few different iterations, but I’m settled. Finally.
When I chose the Wizard of Oz as my theme, I did so because I felt like I could really use it to my advantage when it comes to classroom management — and starting off the year. I plan to read (an appropriate version of) the book to my kiddos on day one, and do some community-building and foundational activities surrounding it.
So, then, the first thing I have to do is decide what I want my kiddos to focus on. In Room 108, what are the most important things? This was the answer:
I want my students to embody the journey through Oz — I want them to use their hearts, their brains, and their courage each and every day, and I want them to do it together.
While I’m still working on more in-depth “first week” activities, I did fashion-up the anchor charts to go along with these “rules to live by” and vision statements. I’m going to project the color version on my SmartBoard to discuss and write about as a class, and distribute a reproducible version to each table group to complete together prior to our whole-group discussion.



Because I want these “rules to live by” to really stick with my students throughout the year, I also made some bookmarks that they can utilize during Daily 5 or at home, and plan on making sticker versions that they can put on their journals or whatever my team ends up utilizing.

If you think you could utilize my Oz-Inspired “Rules to Live By” in your classroom, head on over to my TPT store (or click the preview below) — it’s on sale for $2.50 until I remember to put it back to non-sale price sometime on Wednesday!
And don’t forget to enter my giveaway — it ends tonight, a minute after midnight! If you win (remember, FIVE winners!!!), you’ll not only get my Oz-Inspired Binder Set and “Rules to Live By,” but ALL future products in my TPT store! I’m excited to find out who I’ll be e-mailing attachments to until the end of my teaching career (and then some)!
I just found your blog and I am your newest follower. WOW!! You are amazing! I love your Oz theme. I was about to award you with the Leibster Award but saw your previous post. I am surprised you have not received them before. Thistle Girl Designs http://thistlegirldesigns.com has an Oz inspired graphic set-not sure if you have seen them. Scrappin Doodles doesn't customize but if you tell her what you want she will make it put she will post it for anyone to get. I am waiting on some western graphics with the (reading, words, writing) sets like she does for all of her sets-so cute. Hopefully she will have them ready in August! Keep up the good work! I am a true fan!
Crystal
Ms Jones Junction
Thank you so much for the compliment and tips! I was thinking about asking Scrappin' Doodles to do a set — as I'm doing my best to collect Oz-inspired graphics from all of my favorite artists. 🙂
Your posters look so cute! I love it! It makes me wish I had a theme (but, not really, too much work!)
~Andi
Thank you so much! I figure — being a first year teacher — I have to do more work to establish routines/procedures/organization anyway, so I might as well to a little extra and have a theme I can pull out each year (when it suits me)!
Wow!! What an awesome way to incorporate your theme into your classroom! I love your signs. I have the "remember" sign on my to-do list for my own room. Thanks for sharing your theme craft with us! I can't wait to see what your room will look like. I move into mine next Monday and can hardly stand it!
Ashley
That's So Second Grade
Thank you so much! I am so excited about putting this all together in my room; right now it's just in bits and pieces in our home office, so it doesn't look like much!
CUTENESS! I also love last week's Made It!!
Love your blog! I'm a new follower!
Katie
Rock and Teach
Thank you so much, Katie! I've followed you back!
Amazing! Your students are going to be so blessed to have such a creative, passionate teacher. Best of luck to you as you begin this fabulous journey.
Kristi
Learning's a Hoot
Thank you so much — what a compliment!
So super cute! What a great idea!By the way, I am a new follower. I would love to have you visit me and link up on my "Blogs of Inspiration" page.
Happy Teaching,
Laura
TIPS: Teach, Inspire, and Prepare Students
Thank you so so much! I will head over right now! 🙂
What an amazing idea! I love your posters!!! Thanks for sharing. I am a new follower. I love your yellow polka dots.
Krista
stellar-students
Thank you so much! They are from JW Illustrations — she's currently having a 40% off sale!
I love your OZ theme! Your posters are colorful and pop!
Liliris
Fourth Grade Garden
Thank you!
This is so neat. I LOVE it.
✣ Miss Nelson✣
Miss Nelson’s Blog
Thank you!
I am in love with your Wizard of Oz theme! So cute!! 🙂
Leslie
Miss R's Room
Thank you so much!
I love your Oz theme and I love Jessica Weible.
~April
The Idea Backpack
ideabackpack@gmail.com
Thank you! Isn't Jessica amazing? I really love her style!
I just love your blog and am passing an award on to you. Please stop by and pick it up.
Happy Teaching,
Laura
TIPS: Teach, Inspire, and Prepare Students
Thank you so much!
Wow! I love your "OZ-MAZING" ideas. I am now a follower. I hope you have a chance to stop by my blog.
Amy
http://www.adventuresinteaching.net
Thank you! I just stopped by and love your blog!
How CUTE! So creative! It makes we wish I had an Oz themed room.
EmilyK
You are so creative!! I love your Oz Rules! Your students are going to be so lucky to have you as their teacher!! 🙂
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Thank you so much for that wonderful compliment!
I love your posters! The kids will have a blast in your class.
Lorena
Little Treasures
Super, stinkin' cute!! Love the theme!
✿Lynn
Inside this Book
I love this! Great way to tie the movie into your class. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
Teaching Star Students
I absolutely love this! Super adorable!
Colleen
Totally Terrific in Texas
I love your theme and posters. Thanks for sharing. I'm your newest follower, I love your blog.
Jill
Bubbalulu.blogspot.com
Love it and I am from Kansas.
Brenda
I love your oz inspired classroom. I am just now reading Wizard of Oz for the first time, and I wondered why I never read it before! Looks like it is going to be a great year!
I hope you are really enjoying the book!
These are just awesome!!! REally awesome! I love how you used that theme and carried it into your classroom rules:) Thanks for linking up:)
4th Grade Frolics
Thank YOU for creating this linky party — I look forward to it all week! And double thank you for featuring my lightbulb moment as your Monday Made It! I hope your vacation was awesome.