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Monday, August 8, 2011

Classroom Update - I'm almost ready!

I finally got to get into my classroom today!! I was so worried that I would be overwhelmed and for a moment when I first walked in I felt a slight wave of panic wash over me when  saw everything piked into the center of the room. I started off like I always do, I take pictures of what it looks like when I first walk in, that way when I feel like I have been working and working getting nothing done I can look back at the pictures of what it looked like when I first walked in and see the headway I have made.

This is what I walked in to see - This is the view from my door


This is my desk area - before


This is my writing corner - before


This is my reading corner - before

A view from the other side of the room

This is all the stuff I brought from home

After spending about 6 hours in my room today I am very glad to say that I am pretty close to being totally ready!! Setting up went a lot faster than I thought. Last year was tough because it was first year in 4th grade and I had to try out all sorts of arrangements with my desks and my teacher table and my reading and writing areas. At the end of last year I FINALLY found a set up that I liked and was really comfortable with the way it "flows."

Today I accomplished quite a bit. I got my furniture all arranged, I got all  my inside bulletin boards done, I got PART of my desk area set up, and I got my reading area all set up. THAT was by biggest worry because I had to go through ALL my books and reorganize them by genre instead of AR levels. I am really pleased with how my room is looking. I only have a few more things to hang up on the walls, plus I have to do my big AR bulletin board in the hallway, and I have to put student's names on things but other than that my room is ready. If I had to teach in there tomorrow I would be fine and that's my biggest concern when I start out. Here are the during/after pictures

This is behind my desk with my great Teacher Toolbox that I hung on the wall!!
P.S. the picture is crooked - not my toolbox LOL

My clip chart with clips all ready to go - just need a class list to put names on them


My calendar, schedule, and Lunch Menu board at the front of my room


Not sure why this came out so blurry but it is my Daily 5 Check-In and my Common Board Configuration


A closer picture of my Daily 5 Check-In board 
Looking at this picture I realize that I need to adjust the two lower side ones, I want to move them up a little 


My updated Reading Area



The view from my door as I was getting ready to walk out at the end of the day 


My writing area with my AR incentive charts on the Bulletin Board - The wall is blank because that is where our anchor charts will be going


Another shot of my reading area - Check out the weather outside the window - it was POURING


My Master's Degree!!


My Wall of Fame LOL - My Bachelor's Degree is at the top, then my Master's Degree, In a couple years I'll have to move everything up to make room for my Ed. Specialist Degree (class starts for that on Sept. 6th)

After looking at my before and after pictures I feel like I made some great progress in the 6 hours I spent in my HOT classroom - Uggghhh I think the AC finally started cooling around 1:00, about an hour before I was finished. Oh well, at least I don't have to run today, I earned my Weight Watchers Activity points by moving furniture and books, and sweating my behind off!


4 comments:

  1. It's the U shape! Lmao, I'm still thinking how to do my seats - my room is a little odd shaped I believe. Can't remember..

    But I love it so far! I have to ask - where did you get those cute colored baskets for holdings books and such?? I've been searching and searching, but to no avail! And I love the organization thing behind your desk.

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  2. Yeah I like the U shape with my teacher table in the front. As for the baskets, you can find some bins at the Dollar Tree in Waterford. I ordered several of mine from Really Good Stuff (www.reallygoodstuff.com)too. I have collected them over the years. Also I have bought white baskets/bins from Wal-Mart and then I bought the plastic spray paint and I spray painted them to make them more colorful.

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  3. I'll definitely look at the Dollar Tree in the Wateford area then and the Walmart! I've tried the Dollar Trees in Oviedo Market Place and in Sanford - but never saw them, sadly.

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  4. Your room is looking fantastic! I'm envious that you were able to get so much done in 6 hours...well done. I love the colored baskets in your reading area. It is so bright and cheery. ~Amanda
    The Teaching Thief

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