Classroom Tour 2014-2015

 

Hey, y'all.

 

Today we had yet another exciting day of teacher inservice. Tomorrow is our last day and we have kiddos in the room on Wednesday! I spent a good amount of time in my classroom this afternoon and tonight. And, well, I *think* it's done.

 

I say think because you never know when inspiration will strike. But, it's as done as it's going to be before Wednesday, that's for sure! I wanted to get it done today so that tomorrow afternoon I can do some plans and make some phone calls to my kids. And, I wanted to post the pics tonight because tomorrow night, I will be doing my best to block school out completely so I don't die of nerves. Even after 8 years, I still get sooo nervous!

 

I thought about not posting pictures because, honestly, not much has changed. But, I'm going to because I like going back to look at past posts and I know one day I'll want to remember what my classroom looked like.

 

So, here it is.

This is my objective board and carpet area. I used to have the calendar on that bulletin board, but I decided this year that I'd rather have the space. Oh, and the school took my computers away and replaced them with laptops. So, after much hemming and hawing, I decided to keep them in that red basket. We'll see for how long ;)

 

This is my classroom library and Reading bulletin board. My books are labeled by AR level.

This area is actually new. I used to have a Word Wall here, but decided to just use my academic one this year. So, I exposed the chalkboard (which, I kinda love!) and added some ribbon and clips to hang student work on. Also, instead of getting rid of the computer table, I made it a Writing Center! I've always wanted one and I couldn't be happier!

This is my desk and Writing bulletin board. I added those stars to my lanterns above. They cost $1.00 at JoAnn's so I couldn't turn them down!

I try to color code my teams. So, they have a colored ribbon in their totes, colored chair pouches and a pouf. This is obviously the blue team!

The front of the room.

This is my small group area. I've tried to cover a lot of the shelves because I think the fabric is more calming than clutter. Also, I had my mom make me some pillows to put in the windowsills. This is actually the kids' favorite place to read and work!

Try to ignore the air conditioner. It has been leaking and they came in today to "fix" it and are coming back tomorrow. Fingers crossed on that one. But, this is my academic Word Wall. I use paper clips to attach words I want my kids to remember. Also, the table is where the turn in their work. I added the "Be A Leader!" poster this year for two reasons: that is our class motto and they took a TV off this wall and left GIANT holes in it's place! Two birds, one stone :)

I have this bulletin board and then another one just like it on the other side of the air conditioner. I didnt take a picture because, again, the air conditioner was laid out on the floor in a million pieces. Ha! I use this bulletin board for students work and anchor charts and I use the other one for Guided Reading stuff.

Small group area again.

These are their book boxes. They keep library books and center materials in here.

The back counter area with our "Ten Essentials" ready to go! I pretty much worship Ron Clark. So, these are biggies for me.

This year, I tried to put out a bunch more of my math manipulatives so they're more accessible to the kids. Most of them landed here.

I have a little craft for us to work on Friday that will go on that blue area above the chalkboard. It will, hopefully, make this wall look more finished.

This is the only view of my room that I just hate. It looks so junky! But, I think it's just because of all the books and I don't know what to do about it. But, I hate junky classrooms so it does bother me, I'm not gonna' lie.

 

 

 

So, that's my classroom!

 

If you have any questions, please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to answer!

 

 Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Setting the Tone for the First Day of School

Since school starts on Wednesday, I thought I'd blog about something tonight that is very much on my mind right now! And, really, I'm preaching to the choir on this one. 

I was on Pinterest tonight and I saw a link for a blog post about setting the right tone in your classroom on the first day of school. And, it really struck a note with me because of my experience last year. Now, looking back, I think I know why my first day of school was kind of a disaster. (Also, looking back, it wasn't really a disaster, it just FELT like a disaster because of my expectations.) 

I think three things happened. 

First of all, I tried to do too much. The first day of school is always a half day for us and by the time you get everyone settled, get through some kind of a greeting, get to the cafeteria for brunch and then start dismissal, you really only have about an hour or so of actual meaningful time. And, honestly, I knew all this going in. This was my seventh year of teaching, it's not like this was new for me! But, y'all? I just got blogged down with ideas (pun intended.) I saw soooo many good ideas for the first day on Pinterest and blogs and I wanted to try so many new things and I wanted to try a quick craft and I saw this awesome book we should read and there's this talk about how we all want to be remembered and on and on and on. I just planned too much. My mistake. 

Secondly, I think I just missed my kids from the year before and my expectations were really, really high.  When I moved from first grade to third grade, I ended up with the best class ever. So, my only experience as a third grade teacher up to that point was just blissful happiness. I adored those kids, we had an amazing relationship and I just *knew* that this upcoming class was going to be exactly the same! The anticipation leading up to that first day was so high. And, while I was so excited to be meeting my new kids, they were strangers. We just didn't know each other yet. 

And, lastly, y'all, those kids were a hot mess the first day. There's always this honeymoon period where the kids are usually very quiet and contemplative and engaged the first few days until they get comfortable with me and each other and their *true* personalities come out. But, this class? No way! They were yelling out like crazy and wouldn't stay in their seats and wouldn't follow directions. I was honestly scared to death. And, overall, they were a challenging class. I've said that on here before. But, I adored them. I always worry that I won't like my class and I'm happy to say that in seven years of teaching, that's never been the case.

Sooooo....

All that to say, I am bound and determined not to make the same mistakes this year. I've had years where the first day of school was perfect and I had last year when it wasn't. So, what have I learned? 

Here's how I plan to set the tone for the school year on the first day. 

1. Decide what the tone is. 

This seems fairly obvious. Before you can set the tone, you have to decide what that is. For me, I always try to have a calm, organized and enthusiastic tone. One thing I've really worked on as a teaching is being calm. I'm a fast talker and kind of impulsive person, which isn't a bad thing. But, I try really hard to keep calm in my classroom. I want the kids to be calm and if I'm acting crazy, they will too. My principal used to say that the kids in your class take on your personality and that is SOOOO true! The same goes for organization and enthusiasm. If I'm unorganized and scattered, the kids will be too. If I'm not enthusiastic about what we're doing, the kids won't be either. As the leader of our environment, it's my job to set the tone. And if I haven't figured out what that should be, that's a pretty impossible task. 

2. Music helps a lot. 

There's nothing more calming than classical music. Seriously. I have an iPod docking station in  my room and I play classical music all day long, every day. I think it just sets such a peaceful  and uplifting mood in my classroom. When I walk into my room in the mornings, it's the first thing I turn on. It's that important to me. Especially on the first day, when the kiddos are kinda nervous and you are too. I also introduced some anchor songs last year to help with transitions in our room. We had a "morning meeting" song that let the kids know when to start heading to the carpet, a "clean up" song for when they needed to start cleaning up whatever they were working on and a "dismissal" song for when we were packing up. I LOVED this because it really, really helped with the calm tone! Instead of me standing up and barking orders, I just turned on the song and didn't say a word! And, it also cut down on talking and off task-behaviors because after a few days, they knew those songs so well they just HAD to sing along! It took a few days of practice, but ended up just being a great addition to our routine. So, music is a big component for me in setting the tone of my classroom.

3. Have a system in place for all the supplies.

Ohmygosh. One of the most stressful parts of the first day for me is when those sweet kiddos come into my room with bags and bags of school supplies. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they bring them! But, if you don't have a plan in place, you'll end up doing one of two things: spending valuable class time sorting through them OR spending valuable afternoon time sorting them after school. And, both of those are not my idea of a good time! Ha. This year, I plan to have some bins sitting on my guided reading table for all the supplies. That way, they can bring them back to the table and they can be in containers that I can just carry over to my shelves and put away. No hassle and no worries. Remember, calm and organized is what we're going for here. 

4. Be prepared (mentally) for anything.

I don't know about your school but the first day of school at MY school brings some challenges. We have a huge Hispanic population so there's often a language barrier. Also, we have a highly transient school. So, every year, there are a bunch of kids on my roll who don't show up and there are usually a bunch of kids who DO show up who aren't on my roll. I just always plan on having extra name tags on hand and I don't label anything until I actually see who shows up in my classroom. (That's come from years and years of having to throw out name tags and labels of kids who never set food in my classroom.) Last year, I think I had 23 kids on my roll and only 17 showed up. It was crazy. And that happens a LOT at my school. We also have 850 kids so dismissal on the first day is always a challenge that requires lots of patience and all hands on deck. So, all that to say, being mentally prepared really helps. I have to just accept that no matter how much I plan, there are going to be some bumps in the road. If I know that going in, it helps me to stay calm!

5. Be at your door with a smile on your face.

I'm a door-greeter kind of teacher. I stand at my door every. single. day. to greet my kids. I think it's really important to do this for a couple of reasons. Mostly, I just think it's nice to greet my kids. Would you want to walk into a classroom every day where the teacher is over in the corner sharpening pencils or at their computer? I give them all a handshake or hug every morning. Also, I like to stand at my door because I feel like the hallways need to be monitored. Kids can get into trouble faster than you can blink and if all the teachers are in their rooms doing stuff, who is watching the kids in the hall? And, the last reason is because I think it instills independence in my kids. I want them to come in, get their stuff put away and start their morning work by themselves. They don't need me to help them and sometimes I reallyreallyreally want to help them, but I know it's good for them to struggle a little with tough things (especially on something like morning work that we will go over together) and if I'm at the door, I'm not as tempted to bail them out. So, if you are normally going to be standing at your door, you need to be doing so the very first day. I know there are a million other things you can be doing, but absolutely none of those are more important than greeting those new little faces with a big smile at the door. (Also, being at the door helps keep every single parent from coming into the room. I don't mind at ALL if a parent does want to come in, but at my school, by third grade, most of the parents are happy to chat with me at the door and then let their child come into the room by themself.) 

6. Have something for them to do at their desk. 

This needs to be something simple that they can do 100% on their own. And, honestly, I think it's better if it's something fun. The kids are nervous and something simple and easy will give them something to do without frustrating them. And, when you're nervous, do you enjoy doing confusing and daunting things? I have them come in and put their backpacks on their chairs and they just get busy. Ideally (if you don't have my kids from last year) they will quietly work while you're at the door greeting other students. And, you can quietly walk around and talk to them and ask them about what they're working on. In seven years, I've only had the one class where this was not the case. And, truly, I just think those kiddos were a rare breed, ha. But, even they were just chatting with each other about their summer and superduperextraexcited to see each other :) I think having something for them to do that doesn't require toooooo much thinking and patience on their part sets that calming tone. 

7. Keep it simple. 

This is the biggest one. There is SOOOO much I always want to do the first day of school. And, if you believe what you see on Pinterest, you'll think that if you don't teach 20 procedures and do a crafivity and read a book about the first day and make a graph of ways to get home and share a class snack alllllll on the first day, your year is doomed. It's simply not true. I am 100% going to save all talk of procedures for the second day. By third grade, they know how to walk in a line well enough for us to get to the cafeteria and back without practicing it 10 times. And, there's always the next day (when we most definitely WILL practice it 10 times).  I have a craft I want my kids to do, but it requires cutting and gluing and scrapbook paper, so I'll be putting it off until the second day. There's no hurry. Seriously. And, I'm not going to make those kids sit on the carpet for an hour and a half the first day while I go over rules. That can wait, too. All I want them to know on the first day of school is that this is a calm, organized and engaging place to be. They will be loved and appreciated and what we do will be meaningful. My goal is to do three quick activities that are fun, purposeful and exciting. And they will definitely be about building our community. I'll let ya know when I figure out what they are :)

8. Don't dwell on the past.

You know how they say hindsight is 20/20? It's true. Every year on the first day, all I can think about is how much I miss those kiddos who were in those seats the year before. And, that may make me sound bad, but it's true. I like to think it speaks to how much I love my class each year and how much of an impact they make on ME! So every year, I struggle with this. Not to say I don't like the new kids, it just takes me a little while to feel like they're "mine." You know those little stinkers I had last year that gave me so much trouble? Well, as the summer has gone on, I've thought a lot more about the good times than the bad times. Guaranteed, on the first day of school, I'll be missing them like crazy! And, I think that's okay. It does feel weird for a little while. So, just knowing that going into the first day I might have a little bit of the "that last class was *perfect* and this is not the same" feeling makes me feel better. But, this year, I'm determined not to dwell in that mindset like I did last year. As I said before, I've NEVER had a class that I didn't 100% completely love and adore, so it'll come. Even if it takes a few days, it'll come. I've  really been praying about this this year and I'm truly so, so excited to meet those new little friends.

So, that's all I've got. Do you have any other advice for setting the tone the first day? If so, I'd love to hear it!

(Oh, and I added in some pictures of my classroom. A more detailed classroom tour will be coming up this week!) 

My Harry Potter Confessions...

Okay, I know this is completely random. But, you see, I have these obsessions. And, I try not to go on and on about them because I don't want people to think I'm absolutely nuts. But, I figure, the internet is already full of crazies, so no one will judge me if I make a confession, right?

Okay, here goes...

I'm obsessed with Harry Potter.  

(Peeking out from behind my hands... are you still there?) 

There are few things in life more polarizing than Harry Potter, I've come to find. People either LOVE it or HATE it. And, friend, I am firmly and completely in the LOVE camp. 

So, here are my Harry Potter confessions, y'all...

(Oh, and if you haven't read the series, you may not want to read this. It contains spoilers. But, if you haven't read it, do me a favor and scroll down to number 11, okay?) 

1. I didn't read a single Harry Potter book until I was 25. 

I know. You can stop judging me. It's just that... well... I don't like books about mythical creatures and fantasy. So, I pretty much never had a single reason to pick up a Harry Potter book. I also think I was about ten minutes too old to get right in on the craze when it was happening. It seems like my friends who are 2 or 3 years younger have been fans for their whole lives and the people my age kinda jumped in as adults. Does that make sense? (Just for reference, I'm about as close to 30 as you can be without actually being 30 yet.) Also, if you can believe it, no one ever told me to read these books! Not until a friend recommended these books to me at 25 did I ever even consider reading one. (Moment of silence for all the years I missed out on!)

2. The summer I first read the books, I basically became a hermit.

I wish I could say I was joking about this. And, I guess I'm exaggerating a little bit, but not by much. I bought the first book and decided I'd read it when I got to it. I picked it up one summer day and it honestly took me about two weeks to read it. No, I'm not an insanely slow reader, I just wasn't super into it. When I finished it, I bought the second one and pushed through it in a few weeks, too. My friend told me they'd get a lot better with the third one, so I just kept on reading. I bought the third one and by the end of it, I was completely and totally obsessed. I went to the bookstore and bought the last four books! I basically sat around for the next two weeks and read nonstop. I couldn't put them down. I would stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning reading. People would invite me to do stuff and I would say no. I was 25, y'all. Did I mention that? 

3. I've read the whole series about three times. 

Now, look. Even for mediocre books, I like to reread. I hate the library for that reason. I buy books because I know that if I enjoy a book, I'll want to read it again. And these books were no exception. I will say I haven't read them at all in the last two or three years. (Might need to remedy that soon!) But every time I read them again, I notice parts that I didn't notice before. And honestly, the characters and the story are hard to just let go.

4. Harry is my favorite character. 

I know this seems obvious, but hear me out. A lot of people out there don't really like Harry. They think he's too ragey and teenagery and mean to his friends. I think everyone respects him and is fond of him, but people just really love them some Snape and Ron and Hermione. And, I love them, too. But, y'all? It's always been Harry for me. It's his story. It's his life. He's so vulnerable and scared and conflicted, but also he's a normal kid who just wants to lead a normal life. I laughed when Ron said funny things and I got mad when Snape was mean to the kids and I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Draco, but no other character gave me that feeling. The feeling where it literally hurts in my chest because I feel so badly for someone. I feel like every single darn thing in his life is so heartbreaking. I guess I just love tortured souls. ( See also: Tim Riggins)

5. I like the angst. 

Apparently, some people didn't like The Order of the Phoenix. They thought it was too long (what?) and Harry was way too angry and mean. But, those are two of the reasons why it was so good to me! First of all, this is a long series in general. I know this. But, I think every fan would agree that that's a good thing, right? I just love that there's so much substance to this book! The DA, the Department of Mysteries, occlumency, the Order of the Phoenix, St. Mungo's: just to name a few. I think this book introduces so many cool things! Now, about Angry Harry. First of all, Voldemort was messing with Harry's mind this whole book. I don't get why people forget this! Also, I can't find it in me to be upset with Harry for being angry and short with his friends. In fact, I like him more because of it. Because it's real, y'all. What 15 year old wouldn't snap at people after all the things he'd been through in the last few years? And, I'll just say it. At the end of the book when Harry is in Dumbledore's office and screaming at him and throwing things? That was my favorite part of the book. It felt real. It seemed like something a grieving kid would do after losing someone so important in their life. I'm not interested in reading about a character who doesn't feel real to me. And, due to his angst, Harry felt like a typical kid. 

6. I can't forgive Snape. 

So much of the series focuses around whether or not Snape is good or evil. I was very surprised at the end to find out he was "good." And, I know everyone loves him and people get "Always" tattoos and all that. But, guys? He was such a stinkin' jerk to those kids! It's awesome that he was looking out for Harry and I certainly don't hate the guy. I can certainly understand his love for Lily. But, I just have a really hard time thinking of him as a beloved character. I've reread the series (a few times) and even knowing what I know, I still find myself getting really angry with him again. I think he took out his hatred of James on Harry and I hate that. I know it's not a popular opinion, but it is what it is. 

7. I kinda prefer Hermione with Harry (but, not in a romantic way)!

Here's the deal. I think Harry and Hermione had some amazing chemistry. (I think this is compounded by the fact that Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe had really good chemistry in the movies. But, I'm trying to make this blog post about the books and will try to do a separate post about the movies. Still, I felt like it was something to mention.) I don't at all mean that I prefer them as a romantic couple.  I was excited that Ron and Hermione got together at the end and I HATED it when Ron left during Deathly Hallows. And, I LOVE Harry with Ginny. Like, love. But, I just really enjoyed the friendship between Harry and Hermione. I felt like Ron was kind of the ice-breaker. He cracked the jokes and was able to provide some fun times for Harry in the midst of all his sadness and stress. But, I think Hermione was his best friend. I think she understood him and loved him in a way that Ron couldn't. And, I actually think he was much more tuned in to what she needed than Ron was.  I can't really explain why, but I just have a soft spot for the two of them together.  

8. I don't understand why they could use a time-turner to bring Buckbeak back to life, but they couldn't use one to bring back Harry's parents or any of the other people who died in the books.

Just sayin. 

9. Voldemort is the lamest baddie ever. 

This dude had soooo many opportunities to kill Harry. But, mostly, he just stood around and delivered dialogue. Less talky, Voldy, and a little more action, got it? I'm pretty sure every time we saw him in the book, it was two or three (or more) pages of him talking. I'm not really complaining because I found what he was saying intriguing. It's just that you'd think this guy would shut up and just do his job, right? ( I'll interject again to say that the kid who played Voldemort in A Very Potter Musical was WAY more awesome than the real Voldemort. He kinda made me love that character. Same with Draco.) 

10. If a Weasley ran for president, they'd get my vote. 

Seriously. Any of them. Except maybe Percy. I just  adore this family and all their awesomeness. I already told you how I feel about Harry and Ginny. Their relationship was so sweet and the fact that the last thought Harry had before he "died" was of Ginny? Yeah, adorable. And, it makes me so happy to think that Harry became a part of this family when they got married! And, I'll always, always, always have a soft spot for Ron and Fred and George. They were the comedic relief these books desperately needed. 

11. I wish I'd never read Harry Potter.

Did that get your attention? Let me explain. Discovering the world of Harry Potter (the books and the movies) was such a magical thing! I can rewatch the movies and I can reread the books, but none of those will EVER come close to comparing with the first time. You can never experience them for the first time again. I'll never again have that "I can't go to sleep because I have to find out what happens" feeling again. So, for that reason, I kinda wish I'd never read them. If you've never read them, you're the luckiest person alive. My advice? Put if off as long as you can. Because, honestly, you'll never have a better reading experience. 

Stay tuned for more Harry Potter stuff! 

Praying Over a List...

Guys, I'm a terrible blogger. There, I said it. Summertime becomes a never-ending pit of lazy for me sometimes and it's hard to find the motivation. And, a lot of times, I feel like I need cute pictures to share. A blog post isn't any count without pictures, right?

Well, today, I don't have any pictures. Just some words. 

Going into this school year, there are a lot of changes. I'm not the biggest fan of change, but I know that change can be good. Everyone needs to kind of wipe the slate clean and start fresh sometimes. And, I'm not talking about huge changes here. I didn't move grades or move schools or quit my job or anything like that. Just little things. 

First of all, my principal left. Which wouldn't be a big deal, except that was the only principal I've ever worked for. 7 years. So, it's just an adjustment. I really, really, really like the new principal! He's a great person and seems like he has a plan to help our school and is super nice. It's just a change. A change that will most-assuredly bring on many more changes. 

We're also implementing a whole bunch of new stuff. New ways to teach intervention. New coaches with new strategies. New running records. Lots, I tell you. And, again, I'm excited about these changes because I know we need some new ideas and I know we need to do whatever the research says is best for our kids. And, believe me, I'll be gung-ho about it all. It's just... different. And a lot to take in. 

Also, the last two years, I've had my same class all day, every day. And, I loved it! I felt such a connection to those kids and I felt like I knew exactly what they needed. I loved the freedom to be able to rearrange my schedule when I needed to. I loved not having to check in with someone else about discipline. And, mostly, I just loved the sense of community in my classroom. I tried so hard to teach my kiddos how to be good people, how to help each other out, how to be responsible, how to work for the things they want to achieve in their lives. And, this year, we're switching classes again. I know it will be okay. I've done it many, many times and it's always fine. I know the kids won't know any differently. It'll just be an adjustment. It'll be tough blending several classes worth of kids into "my class" for a few hours a day. 

But, amidst the nervousness that surrounds this year, there is immense excitement. Like I said, change can be good. And, although it's taken me a little while to get to this point this year, I'm there. I'm pumped to get started. I'm ready for the routine, the challenge, the fun times and the not-so-fun times. Because, I really, really do love my job. And, I think once we get started, all these changes that seem huge to me won't seem so huge anymore. 

On Friday, I saw the list. You know what I'm talking about... THE LIST. The names. The kiddos who will be "mine." I know about 7 of them. I don't know any of them well. I'm trying very hard not to ask around about those names because I don't really want to hear about their past reputations. I want them to have a chance to wipe the slate clean, just like I get to do every year. And believe me. I'll know after the first half day who to keep my eyes on. I don't need any pre-warnings :) 

So, all that to say, when I get nervous about this upcoming school year, I pray. I pray for those kids on that list. Because, at the end of the day, none of the other stuff matters. It doesn't matter who the principal is. It doesn't matter what intervention looks like. It doesn't matter if we switch classes for reading. All that matters is the connection I have with those kids. All that matters is that they feel loved by me. All that matters is that they feel safe with me. And, all that matters is that they learn from me: school stuff and life stuff. Both are equally important. 

It's a stressful job, being a teacher. 

But, those kids on that list make it all completely worth it.

Back from the Beach!

Last week, my parents and I went to Panama City Beach! It was very relaxing and fun - we had a great time! 

We are Gulf Shores/Orange Beach people and I have no idea what possessed us to head somewhere else. I have to say, when we arrived at PCB, we were all rethinking our decision! It was loud, chaotic and sooooo crowded. But, we realized the next day that all the craziness was due to the 4th of July weekend. Thank goodness! Everything cleared out and we had such a great time!

The night before we left was the 4th. So, we had to get some baby snuggles, of course! 

Those are pretty much the only pictures we took! Like I said, it was a pretty laid-back vacation... my favorite kind! And, I think you can see from the pictures why they call it the Emerald Coast! The first four days of our trip, the ocean was sooooo clear! The last two or three days: not so much! 

We got back last night and I went with Matt and Blakely today to get Ryan Grace's picture made. The cuteness was pretty much off the charts, I have to say! 

Cutest hiney ever, no? 

This week, I'm keeping the baby a few days, having a pool day with friends and probably gonna head up to school to get a few thins done. School is starting again much sooner than I care to think about! Some summers, I go absolutely crazy making things for my classroom and others I do pretty much nothing. This summer has been a "do nothing" kind of summer. Judge me if you must...  It just feels like some years I need more of a break. But, here pretty soon, I'll get back in the mood.

 I always do.