Let's Be Real ~ Classroom Tour in November

Whew, what a crazy few months it has been.  Now that parent conferences, report cards, the super moon, Halloween, the election, and the time change are over, I'm back to share with you.

I love looking at all the classroom pictures before back to school.  So many are just picture perfect.  But, let's be real...a classroom is all about learning and sometimes the cuteness doesn't last.  So, I thought I'd share my classroom this year....in November.  Piles of pillows on the floor, student shoes (I think those are my son's) and all!

After teaching in the oldest classroom in the district for many years, I was one of the lucky teachers that moved into a new wing of classrooms a few years ago. While I didn't miss the leaky roof, moldy carpet, and sloping floor, our new classrooms had some challenging features.  They were designed to match our school (built in the 70's) and have floor to ceiling windows.  One wall is entirely windows, one is 1/2 windows.  The front wall has the cabinets and whiteboard (in pic above) and the back wall has cabinets and the counter for computers. With all that, there is not much wall space for bulletin boards, so I have to be picky about what to put up.  I often hang student work in the windows on a clothesline due to lack of space.

So here we go....

I use the shelves in the front as a classroom library.  My amazing paraprofessional usually teaches at my kidney table during the 50 minutes she is with us each day.

 

On the other side of the classroom I have a rectangular table that can be used at center time or for students to work at.

The back of the room holds our technology center and one of three places to hang things on the walls.

 

Super easy birthday chart...take a picture of the kids from each month, cut with a circle punch and done!

 

Class jobs, rules, calendar, and reminder posters.

And the wall behind my desk.  I use clothespins to hang student work for fast change outs.  I also post a class list in the small area behind my desk.  I have each student's name and picture.  It's big enough to be read from the front of the room and is super handy for subs.  And yes, that pile of crud is my desk....remember we are being real here people.

Math wall at front left of classroom.

Group supplies and chair pockets.  LOVE both of these.  Can't tell you how much time they save since kids aren't looking in their desks for things.

Well there you have it!

Back soon with how I did "Meet the Teacher" and how I am using flexible seating.

~Enjoy!

Lara

Easy Kids Coloring Center

So like any kids, a month into summer my boys are needing new things to do.  While we have always had coloring tools around, we have not had a a centrally located place where these tools are out and immediately accessible.  First, my husband was adamant about no plastic storage in the family room.  Second, my youngest is 2 1/2 and anything that is out has to be small child friendly. I decided we needed a storage situation that was easily movable and also decent to look at.

I gathered up all the old school supplies that were left from my kids year in transitional kindergarten and second grade.  All the makers were washable, so I felt okay putting them out where the little one might touch.  Then, I dug around in the garage and found a basket and some clear plastic cups.  Some old magazine holders were perfect to hold the random scratch paper and coloring books I came across, too.

Five minutes later, we had a great set up.

The basket can be easily picked up and moved to the kitchen table if we all want to color, and it still leaves room on the kids table for other activities.

The great thing I discovered after putting this together is that even if the markers don't make it into the cups, they still stay pretty neat in the basket.

And there you have it! Super easy kids coloring station that does not involve any plastic baskets or drawers.

~ Enjoy! Lara

Summer Tips and Tricks for an Easy Start to the School Year!

If you are like me, you want to do some "school stuff" over the summer, but also want to get in a ton of relaxing and family time.  As teachers and moms we are always balancing something.  Over the summer I'll be highlighting a few things that I have found helpful to do during the summer over the last 16 years of teaching.

Tip #1 ~ RELAX!!!  (Really)

When I first started teaching, I was always working on school stuff. When your kids are at camp, or at a friends (or if you don't have kids) it's easy to end up doing "just a little" work on something related to school.  I learned that I was a much better teacher if I made the effort to set aside time for me during the summer.  Read a trashy magazine from cover to cover, read a non-school related book, go get a pedicure, go out for a glass of wine with a girl friend (or even your hubby), just be sure do set aside specific time that thinking about school is not allowed.

Tip #2 ~ MAKE LISTS

Really...I know teachers are great at this, but sometimes with the busy summer days it's easy to forget great ideas, or end up working on 12 things at once.  And then you go to Target and the Dollar Spot makes you add 12 more projects to what you'd like to get done.  I make two main lists, and I finally got smart and made them on my phone so they are always with me.

First I make a list of things I want to do when the year starts.  These are those "great ideas" you read about on a blog, or something that pops into your head.  Balancing being a mama and teacher means, if I don't write it down, I won't remember it.  Here is my list so far this summer:

I also keep a running list of supplies I need to by.  I just made a big order through my district, and hit the dollar school (hard) so my list is pretty short right now.

Keeping running lists during the summer makes getting supplies easier and helps keep track of those great ideas.

Come back soon for more tips!

~ Enjoy!  Lara