First Grade Classroom Reveal: Day 21

Here is the moment that you all (or at least I) have been waiting for!  My classroom is DONE.  After at least 21 days my room is actually ready for children to come in, feel welcome, comfortable, and start learning.  This post will walk you through each area and I'll explain my organizational rationale.  I'll talk about the things I'm proud of, and changes I wish for/plan to make.

The first thing I'm generally proud of is my classroom decor.  My general decorating goal is sort of a "less is more" mentality in that I like to limit the colors and patterns in each area, as well as the room as a whole.  My colors palette is focused on teal, lime green, and aqua in order to coordinate with the existing teal furniture.  Of course there are some things I could not change, but I'll talk about how I worked in my colors into those areas as well.  My pattern is mostly polka dots.  I find chevron too "busy," and although I used some stripes as well last year, they didn't find their way in this year.  Instead I've added "pond critters" to create more visual interest (and little kid appeal). 

My math manipulatives area:

Pros:  I'm happy with this area because the bins are a cohesive size and shape (for the materials that fit).  The lids are all one color, so it's less visually overwhelming. The blue bins have Fundations materials since the reading area is right behind.
Changes I wish for:  The rug is old, grungy, ripped, and too busy for my liking.  If I have the time and energy this year to try Donor's Choose, it will be to replace this.  Another change is the third shelf looks messy; I'd love to cover that with fabric, but I'm thinking that ease of access to the dice and calendar box is more important so I'll leave it.  The top shelf needs to have the fabric stapled/cut/folded more neatly but I just ran out of time; easy fix.

My Calendar area:  

Pros:  I'm happy with the colors and headings, the height of the board (why do so many teacher hang them too high for the children to reach?) and the size of each component.  I think the fact that there are so few components, it will be less overwhelming for the first week of school.
Changes I will make:  I read the Everyday Counts manual for September, and then learned that that's not actually what we do in first grade.  BLAH.  So, pieces will be added and removed as time goes on.  That's just how it goes normally to keep things interesting and cover everything, but it may happen sooner rather than later.  I'd also like to cut out the letters instead of having them on white strips, add the heading to the calendar over on the door (and level it while I'm at it,) and update the seasons, year, "yesterday, today and tomorrow" pieces.

My classroom library

Pros:  I spent a lot of time and a bit of money on this area.  I replaced half the baskets so that they are all large and white, and as a result, I was able to fit more books in and the look is much more organized.  The labels are all updated for a cohesive look that fits my color scheme, with graphics for the little ones, and coded labels to help them learn how to find/return books that they want to read and finish with.
Changes I wish for:  People to stop giving me their hand me down books!  I'm half kidding because of course I appreciate it, but when the assistant principal told me she had some "to start my little library," after I spent the better part of 2 weeks on this, I really had to be careful how I replied, haha (I really should have just walked her though the changes I did make).  I still have 3 stacks here at home to label because so many people keep bring more in for me.  I guess they don't realize the former first grade teacher and I left nearly all our old books in the rooms where they'll most help the clientele.  :) 

Literacy Area (Back of the room)

Pros:  The leveled books are organized with new labels.  The obligatory Journeys focus wall poster is up.  The word wall has all our names, with cute froggy headers and KG primary lined letters.  The character education posters are up with cute Educasong graphics.  The computer set up is a bit better than it was, with mouse room as well as the printer and CDs accessible.  The reading group leveled books are accessible, and the other literacy materials that aren't used on a daily basis are hidden with color coordinating fabric.
Changes:  I need chairs for the reading table.  It's also very bare, which is actually a pro for now, but of course as time goes on I'll figure out what I need to have at my fingertips and it will fill up/need more organizing ideas.  The radios and listening center sign need to be moved; the whole idea of a listening center is so new to me that it's going to take a little time.  The bulletin board on the right is a work in progress; I feel like I should have taken down those cards; the text is too small to be of any use. Plus the pocket chart is an idea in progress that hasn't been fleshed out yet.  I'm thinking that this board will have Daily 5 posters and/or a reading group rotation chart.  For now it's okay that this is not done; no one starts reading groups on the first day of school.  :)

Sink Area:


Pros:  The utensils and napkins are accessible.  The caddies are neat and labeled, with items shouldn't touch well out of reach.  The sign to remind students about hygiene matches my decor and adds that little needed bit of color to the area.  The fabric ties in the color and hides the dozens of extra bins I have stored below.
Changes:    Two of those bins are purple but they are not a priority; this space is fine!  I was actually sneaky and printed extra large labels in my classroom colors in order to hide the purple and I think it works.  :) 


Closet Doors:

Pros:  The colors set the tone for the room.  The hand signal signs as well as the behavior chart look great.  I wish I took a closeup of the adorable frog "stickers" that are on the clothespins with the students' numbers.  This will be my first year using numbers on a clip chart.  My hope is it will bring a little anonymity.  The discussion about the root and changes needed to behavior is more important than making it visible for the other students.  I also wish I took a closeup of the clocks with recess, snack, and specials times.
Changes:  A lot of blank slates here!  I need to get my headings up for the behavior board.  Classroom rules and "Good listener" expectations will go up as we discuss them on our first day of school.  I have job chart pieces ready to hang but just didn't have time yet.  That leaves me with 2 empty boards, probably one for math and one for our weekly themes in science and social studies.  Actually I might have a second board for math if I move that Fundations poster to the classroom library area. 

Front Wall:  Student materials
Pros:  This space is very functional, with lunch information, money collection, bathroom sign outs, sharp and dull pencil cups, paper, colored pencils, grips, and spacemen.  I had to clear space for a fifth caddy since I got 2 new students bringing my total up to 19.  The mailboxes are decorated with my colors, binder clips have their names.  Their writing journals and Fundations notebooks are under the mailboxes in those crates that were originally just to elevate the mailboxes (I knew I'd find something to put in there).  There are bins for students' lunches near their mailboxes, which I think will be useful for dismissal.
Changes I might make:  I'm thinking about moving stationery items to the table near my desk to make it a "writing area."  This would actually be close to the markers, rulers, extra crayons/scissors area as well.  I'm not sure what I'll put on this shelf instead; I like the top as is (other than the pencils which I'll move to the table). 

Front Board

Pros:  The noise levels and directions cards are easily accessible at the front of the room, as well as posters to aid with letter formation.  I put a "chill chair" and mirror with the intention of setting up this system to help students who need redirection or downtime.  The schedule cards are hard to see here, but I moved them to the side of the metal cabinet (on magnets) because they were not visible to half the class when they were on the polka dotted side. 

Changes I need to consider:  Having the chill chair at the front of the room is pretty bad move, I know.  I considered alternatives, but the back of the room is too close to reading groups; one side wall has closets, the other has my library.  I'm toying with the idea of putting this near the extra markers/scissors and so on if I remove the 4 blue bins on the wire shelf (since I have 5 groups now this system needs changing up anyway). I'm just not sure if it will fit in that nook.

My corner

First of all, just a (long) aside.  If you've been following this blog from the start, this is the first time you're seeing this part of my classroom.

That's because up until 1 pm on Friday, there were papers ALL OVER.  I put off sorting until the last week.  THIS is where I spent most of my unscheduled time this week.  I categorized as well as thew out hundreds of pages (why keep 20 copies of something paper clipped together all year?).

Finally, at 1 pm I had to admit defeat.  I was not going to have a perfect classroom at the beginning of the year.  There were going to be files full of pages that I haven't seen or sorted.  But it's O.K.  I did it my first year at the school.  As long as I could walk out of the room today ready with the room looking attractive for six year olds, and I could arm myself with enough activities to put them at ease as well as start to get a sense of our routines, I did my job for now.  Of course I still need to go through stuff, but not now.

So at 1 pm, I hid stuff.

Each of those crates has a file folder with a sticky note over the tab that says, "Need to file."  They're not huge folders!  I really did get through loads.  My husband helped me at the start of the summer to sort the social studies and science themes.  The math and literacy items are a little trickier while the curriculum progression is all new to me, so I'm guessing this will be a process that takes months.  Again, that's okay.  I'll at least look through the files so I get a sense of what I have so I don't buy redundant supplements.

The file cabinet is a little more embarrassing.  Two drawer halves just have a pile of center "bags" full of stuff.  I know that those centers represent lots of work sorting and cutting and the kids will enjoy them more than worksheets (how many worksheets can the average 6 year old do in a day?  I'm guessing not many if even fourth grade limited their use).  I know I really need to go through these items and figure out good storage options.  Hands on materials are the lifeblood of primary teaching, I'm thinking.  But anyway, aside over:

Pros:  This setup for my teacher corner is similar to my old one.  The colors all strongly tie in with my theme, including the hard to see fabrics that cover my teaching books shelf.  With my desk near the window I have all that shelf space for my crates (organized by subject, except two are devoted to weekly themes that combine social studies and science within each week).  My file cabinet with clerical papers is within reach, and I'm keeping that small bulletin board for me instead of for my job chart this year (I hear you get lots of "love notes" in first grade).  I kind of love having the metal cabinet there so more materials are within reach.  I think with the younger kids I'll be using them on a daily basis, not a weekly basis.
Changes:  The table was going to be an extension of "dumping space" for me because with my fourth graders I had used it as a "distribution" area for me and them (extra papers, weekly worksheets, and so on).  But if I use a different area for centers I shouldn't need this table too.  I might make this a writing area.  The custodian thinks I'll get sick of the metal cabinet there.  It does corner me in a bit, and make it harder (but not impossible) to see the door.  But I don't expect to be at my desk much while the children are there.

So that's the grand tour!  I will start my first day teaching first graders on Tuesday.  I spent Friday morning labeling their books and putting them in their desks, as well as photocopying the items I had ready for the first day.  This weekend I need to fine tune my plan, really prioritize what needs to be talked about on the first day and how to balance the minutia with making those little ones comfortable and happy to be in school.  And I'll try not to have a panic attack Monday evening.  Please wish me luck.







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Props to my Teacher Friends: One More Week (Classroom Setup, Days 17-21)

What a week this has been.

I haven't posted daily this week because I've been working flat out, from 8 am until bedtime with occasional meals in between (half of them involved working while eating).  I actually got a little loopy Thursday night because I was that physically exhausted, but I'm feeling at peace with the final product that is my new first grade classroom.

Before the classroom reveal, I have to talk about my colleagues.  I really miss my "upstairs friends" who teach grades 3 to 5; I have barely seen them this week even though they've all been back and I won't see them much during the year, either.  Luckily I have one friend who HAS been down to see me several times this week.  But I'll miss a certain teacher's laugh that rings out so loudly in the mornings that I hear her from 4 doors down.  And the "Shave and a Haircut" she sings as an attention getter.  And I'll miss walking by another certain teacher's classroom reeeeeallllly slowly so that I can take a long, lingering look and get more ideas than Pinterest.  And of course I'll miss my former grade level partner, who I showed the ropes in his first year of teaching but also learned a lot from.

On the other hand, I'm really enjoying the "downstairs crew!"  There are 4 of us in a row, and all the adjoining doors have been kept open all week.  I got to hear music from the second grade teacher on one side as I work (Rent, Madonna, and other 90s sing along types).  Both she and the other first grade teacher drift into/through my room without a second thought to admire/share/chat/ask questions.  It's such a nice open feel.  I don't think I've ever had that in my "corner office!"

Another thing that has been wonderful is my new grade level partner.  She wasn't in much until our official "start day," but she did pop resources into our shared Google drive throughout the summer.  I felt more prepared just from looking over her files.  As she set up her room and I've been in and out, I've learned even more (like what those astronaut clothespins are for...they're spacemen, btw.  For making spaces.  Get it?  Please tell me I'm not the only fourth grade teacher clueless about that, haha).  I used her schedule cards and created snack, lunch, and specials clocks.  She used my character education posters.  Now that I've seen her desk arrangements I know I have much more to learn, but I'll get there.

Even better is that now that she's been in and we've been going to meetings for first grade curriculum and assessment together, we've had more time to bond.  It's been really great.  Again, I really liked my "upstairs friends," and I know it sounds corny but it's been a really special time making deeper connections with others in the building who I already knew.  Now that we've been sharing and trading resources (I was so proud I found "The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf" for one of the kindergarten teachers) I just feel so much more connected than ever before.

I ended last school year thinking, "I will give this a try until February and then decide if I want to transfer to a different school."  After this week I honestly feel like there's no way I will be able to bring myself to do that.

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The Shift from Organizing to Preparation (Days 15 and 16)

I got behind on these posts because I've been working day and night to set up my first grade classroom.  It's been a big adjustment from fourth, but I've been really trying to get into the "little kid" mindset.

I've brought home a pile of books to sort and label by genre each night for the past week.  I'm happy with how the new book bin labels look.  The shelves are cohesive and organized except for a remaining pile on the top.  Once I finish with those, my plan is to put seasonal books on display up there.

The blue bins near the library are now labeled with group numbers, and I think they look neat and accessible.  They were more of an "inheritance" than a plan, but I think I'll use them to hold math/other center materials.  

In the evenings I have been printing more bulletin board headings using Amber Thomas's End Dots Font for the calendar and other areas of the room.  I feel like it's showy without being hard to read.  My calendar board is coming along.  I like the colors and defined areas, but the layout will be off balance until I get a firmer handle on which components I need to focus most on.  I'm prepared to move things around if I learn later that I need to add or get rid of parts. 

My husband helped me lay out books, folders, and notebooks for each child.  I still need to number them, but I'm holding off for now.  We always get new students the week before school starts.  Class lists will go up on the door on Wednesday, so they are final at that point.  I'll finalize my names/number labels as well that day and not before.  A colleague actually came to me in a tizzy today to tell me that kids were switched around.  I told her, "Wait next year, and make lots of extras."  Live and learn!

My big accomplishments on these days were to really start bringing the curriculum into my preparation.  Pretty much everything I've done in the room up until this point has been decorative.  One might say it's irresponsible to start there.  Then again one might say it was good of me to spend most of my summer volunteering my time at work instead of enjoying my vacation.  I think you know who I would agree with.  ;)  But back to my point; it does feel good to have the room feel like MY room:  soothing, fresh, and cohesive, and now I feel like I'm also getting down to business.  It's time to start thinking about what content is being delivered at the start of the year and how I'm going to help those struggling learners.

It's been a long process, but I think I've done a good job figuring out how to make this the best learning environment I can. This was my last day with my husband's help; from here on in, I have my colleagues around to ask because we (teachers only) are back to work next week!  That's right, the classroom setup is pretty much at an end (well, technically it doesn't end until June, and then we start over again).  I have Monday "off" (in other words, going in to continue setting up) and then meetings Tuesday through Thursday; some at my school, some not.  The building will continue to close at 3 pm every day, which means limited time in the room.  It's not done (there's a table and shelf near my desk that is a complete dump of papers) but it feels nearly ready for the children.






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Posters and Purchases (Days 12 to 14)

Last time I wrote about these 3 days but only talked about my library.  I've also been busy with even more printing/cutting/assembling/spending.

Teachers Pay Teachers had sort of a sneaky surprise sale this week.  They had the two day sale earlier this month (crazy having 2 sales in one month, I know!) so I didn't have a ton of things to buy.  I'd wish-listed and shopped carefully and thoroughly last time, since this will be my first year in first grade.  But of course, with 3 weeks between that sale and the start of the year, some things did come up that I wanted.

Amazingly, when I went to search for what I needed, most of it was available for free!  I did buy a cool computer program designed to monitor volume in the classroom (I had tried a free online version that didn't work).

And when I wasn't satisfied with the character education posters available because our school has very specific goals each month, I purchased some clip art from one of my favorite artists, Educasong and made my own (and I love how it turned out).  The blue borders are paper plates.

The hand signals signs I liked best were free, although I ended up revising them so much that they are barely recognizable, hehe.

I had to rely on Google image search so unfortunately I won't be able to sell this version.

Not to mention the fact that the borders are actually paper plates.

This helped me save on ink usage. 

The noise level poster I'd seen on Pinterest turned out to be free.

This was perfect for what I needed.

I'd used a smaller one with a paper clip indicator in fourth grade, but of course in first I needed more graphics to convey the message. 

This birthday chart was free.

I looked at a LOT of charts (there are so many great free ones) but in the end I chose something that was light on color ink consumption.

I also liked this design because I want to put my students' photos in the blank white boxes.  I have "Photo sticky paper" and this seems like the perfect application.

I knew I wanted a lost tooth poster for graphing in math.

Since I didn't find one that I loved, I made my own.

Again, it's low on ink usage, it uses a font consistent with my other bulletin board headers, and I expect it will be easy to color in a tooth every time a student loses one.

I also printed little certificates (not shown) for times when a child loses a tooth in class.

I found free picture directions cards for displaying on the front bulletin board (sorry no photo). I put these on Velcro, Velcroed a ribbon, and strung it along my front white board.  I'm used to writing morning work there for fourth grade, so I figured it was a good way to get them used to looking to the front for what to do when they come in in the morning.

The only things I bought during this sale for instructional content was two math notebook pieces.  They are VERY different in price and content.  Where 4mula Fun's is graphic intensive, Jillian Starr's seems to have higher level thinking questions.  I honestly felt that both were important to use in order to meet a variety of students' needs. 






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Organizing my Library (Days 12 to 14)

This set of three days had more than one purpose, so I've decided to put the days together and write two separate posts focused on my purposes.

First, it was time to fine-tune my library.  The library was already fairly well organized when I "inherited" it from the previous first grade teacher.  Nearly all the leveled books were all in bins and labeled. Although originally the basket colors were "staggered," which I know is a popular way to make multiple colors look planned, however I feel this is less overwhelming.  Primary colors are not part of my color scheme, so I certainly don't want to call attention to them. 

The "browsing library" was mostly sorted in a way that made sense, and every book was labeled with a code that matched the book bin label in order to help children put the books back.

There were some piles of books that did need to be sorted, so I bought more stickers (luckily they're just the standard florescent sort you can get for yard sale prices) and my husband helped me adhere them and sort them into bins.

During this process I started looking at what books I actually had.  I have been perusing Pinterest/blogs/teaching forums to find out what books are popular with first graders nowadays, and putting lots on my Amazon wishlist.  So as I came across books that I knew were important (either on my wishlist or related to content in September) I photographed them.  On day 12 I was able to go home, delete the repeats from my wishlist, and make my first round of purchases.

Unfortunately, on day 13 as we continued to sort, the bins started to overflow.  Since the bins themselves were in rough shape (as were the labels) I created my own labels and replaced half of the baskets.  Since there is so much space devoted to the library I got much larger bins than before.

I also noticed that some of books really needed to be resorted.  First of all, there are probably 8 different bins of animal books.  Dogs and dinosaurs each had their own bins, which was fine.  But then there were Animals Nonfiction, Animals Paperback, and Animals Hardcover.  Why does the durability of the book warrant a separate container?   The next problem was that there were so many books that fit into those 3 categories that they really needed 5 bins. 

So on day 14 I resorted the books.  As a former fourth grade teacher, my first instinct for the nonfiction was to sort them into vertebrates and invertebrates, but of course there were far more vertebrates than invertebrates.  I thought of mammals, reptiles, and so on.  Of course first graders might not related to this distinction.  So in the end I ended up with 4 piles.  Mammals, invertebrates, everything else, and collections.  Since the "collections" were mostly mammals, I combined those into one bin, and the invertebrates with everything else.  I decided to name them Nonfiction Furry Animals and Nonfiction, Not Furry Animals.  We'll see how that plays out, haha.

Before

The fictional animals books were trickier.  I tried to sort them into "fantasy" and "realistic," but found there were so many fantasy animal books that they wouldn't fit into one bin.  In the end, I decided to bite the bullet and keep the "Animals Paperback (fantasy)" and "Animals Hardcover (fantasy)."  I don't love it, but in terms of space and time (labeling wise) it seemed like the best solution for now.

After

The other bin that bugged me was the "We're All Alike" bin. There was one book about languages, two books about Hanukah, and the rest were realistic fiction stories featuring minority characters.  Why were the Hanukah books not in the "Winter" bucket along with the Christmas books?  Why weren't the realistic fiction stories in the "Family, Friendship, and Love" bucket?  This was literary segregation and I was not having it.  It doesn't matter that the FFL bucket was filled to the brim; a bigger bin cost less than $2.

SO.  With my remaining pile of "books that fit into no other category," I created 2 more bins:  Realistic (fiction) Stories and Fantasy (fiction) Stories.  Many of the "Family, Friendship, and Love" could fit into Realistic Fiction anyway.  As could a lot of the animal fiction books.  So the bottom line is, my library at the beginning of my first year of teaching first grade is not perfect.  But I think it was a good effort.






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Classroom Setup: The End is in Sight! (Day 11)

Yes, I think I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I am determined to finish classroom setup this week, because teachers officially report back next week.  I really want to use that time to get a better feel for the curriculum.  So here we go!

I created labels for the students' supply bins.  Instead of using the school laminator, I used my little Scotch one.  The pouches are much more durable and smooth than the roll.  As a result, I was able to write on them with dry erase markers.  I know; they'll rub off.  But I figure nothing is set in stone during the first few weeks (/months/year) and I'd like to have the option to switch out materials to a different spot if need be.  For example, you can see there are currently two empty bins (I thought about putting highlighters in one, but does first grade really use highlighters on a regular basis?).  

I love how they turned out!  They have the aqua from my color scheme along with the primary colors of the bins I "inherited." 

The front board is pretty much set!  I have the lunch choices there (I just need names on sticks) along with the bathroom sign-out sheet and hand sanitizer passes (I just need to do the rubber band trick so that the amount squirted is regulated).  The extra worksheets bucket is there with the caddies (which need numbers) and mailboxes (which need names).  The black bins are for lunches (and need labels).  Oops, maybe this area is not quite finished.

The small group reading shelf seems fairly functional.  However, I am considering moving some items over to the library area.  The whisper phones, for example, could go over there.  Maybe the Fundations boards, which are (as far as I can tell) for whole group lessons don't need to be tucked into this nook.  I just worry if they are too heavy to go in the white board easel storage bins.  I have labels made and ready to print for this area, however if I move them to other areas I might need different sizes so I'm holding off.

One happy surprise that worked out today was the cover for my recess shelf.  I bought this tablecloth for $2 last year, and had it tucked away with similar ones, thinking they were all round (and not something I would use in my new room).  When I realized the other day that one was oblong, I measured and sure enough, it just fits!!  Perfect way to hide the overwhelming amount of games used only for indoor recess. 

I sorted the posters today as well, so that small group of desks that had posters on yesterday is now clear.  There were actually fewer than I thought, which was a double edged sword.  On the one hand, it made sorting very quick and easy.  On the other...I HAVE NO ANCHOR CHARTS for 99% of the stuff I need to teach!  That blows my mind; I was the queen of anchor charts last year.  At least I like making them, but wow, do I ever have my work cut out for me.  I'm glad I've invested some time pinning science and social studies content over the past few months. 

The other thing that we worked on today was cleaning the students' desks.  My husband did most of the work, and nearly all the desks are now adhesive/marker free, shiny and new looking.  The room is starting to look ready for children to enter!  I'm starting to feel a little better about the coming year because I've put so much preparation in.  I'm finally starting to feel excited about meeting the little cuties. 

Tomorrow's game plan is to finish cleaning the desks, some sorting (various cards) and more labeling.  I bought some zip ties from Home Depot and tracked down a hole punch (after more effort than I thought) to get them ready.  In the past I just used packing tape, but even with fourth graders it wasn't durable enough so I'm going to give this a try.  The end is in sight; my vision is coming together.  Soon it will be time to sort papers and plan, plan, plan!

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Classroom Setup: Picking Up the Pace (Days 9 & 10)

I start teaching first grade in about 2 weeks.

I looked at my room on Thursday.  I'm proud of my progress until I look at the classrooms on either side of me.  Then I start to feel like the boring teacher.  Theirs are so colorful, with really fun themes, with innovative layouts and smart use of space.  I know, I know, they aren't changing grade levels; it's not fair to compare.  But it happens.

I got all my backgrounds up and I'm just starting to add content to my bulletin boards.  I have "headings" printed and cut out for a few (but not hanging them up until I feel more confident about what is going on all of them; I'd hate to have to un/re-hang letters).  I'm happy with the "mood" in my room the colors have created.  And I'm happy with the flow of the different areas, although I know the feeling will change when the children are there (hopefully it will feel as good, just different). 

On Thursday my husband helped me sort a few stacks of books.  Most of the books I "inherited" were already sorted into bins for me.  The leveled books were mostly set.  The other section has bins that are sorted by genre, topic, or author (like I did in fourth grade) but along with the label on each bin, they also have small stickers on the bin and each and every book with a "code" to help children return them correctly.  I have to say I love that system.  It was never a priority for me in fourth, but I think in first it has to be.  I'm so glad it's done for me!  

One thing that was not so fun was that many of the miscellaneous books were in need of repair, and I got to the point where I have a lot of "misc" that I need to re-categorize another time.  But the bottom line is, if I had to, I have the closet space to shove them out of sight and introduce them later in the year  (Good practice to keep interest level up anyway!)

So although the walls/areas are coming together, at the end of the day Thursday, with a pile of books on the floor and mountains of "stuff" still on students' desks, I decided enough is enough.  I want to be ready ASAP.  My grieving process of changing grades is mostly over; I want to do this and do it well.  To the best of my ability.  I want to get to the point where I feel ready, and I feel my room is ready.  I can spend more time at the end with "finishing touches."  But I want the "work in progress" look to be over and done with.  So Friday I gave my husband "the day off," and after laminating my second round of print outs from Staples I worked my tail off.

The result: I made a fair sized "purge pile" of items to return to last year's teacher.  Not an overwhelming amount, but stuff I just don't want.  She can decide if she wants to pitch things.  Otherwise, I have a single group of student desks left that have posters to put away.

That's it.  Just two desks with posters on; all the rest are cleared off.  

I have no more miscellaneous stuff that "I'll sort out later" in any closet, shelf, or desk.  I'm so pleased with what I got done in one day!

So the game plan at this point is Monday will be the day to sort posters while my husband scrubs the desk tops, and together we'll finish sorting books.  For the rest of the week, I'll be sorting papers.  I expect it will take that long.  The following week we have meetings Tuesday through Thursday and a little time to work in rooms.  At that time I expect I'll be distributing students' books, folders, notebooks, and "goodies." 

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Classroom Theme: Finally Decorating! ( Setup Day 8)

Decorating my classroom makes me happy.  :)

On Sunday I did a little shopping, just to pick up some shoe boxes for my math manipulatives.  In the past I went with white lids, which are fine, but this time I found teal which goes with my color scheme so I couldn't resist.

The shelf is nearly finished in terms of organization!  Isn't it amazing how much more space can be utilized with just $10 worth of bins?

Oh, and just an aside, readers.  Are you familiar with Cuisinaire rods?  Not base ten blocks, (although the orange one totally looks like the base ten rod.  And I believe it represents ten).  I mean the color coded rods from the fifties.  I seem to have lots of those and the second grade teacher had never seen them before.  Does anyone use them anymore?

This weekend I worked on a little craft project for my classroom.  Think of it as not quite working during my vacation (if I wanted to do that I could look at new curriculum) but not quite taking a break from school stuff either.

I found a heavy duty set of mailboxes for my room at a discount, so I didn't have a choice in color.  The frame itself is an inoffensive light grey, which is fine.  However the shelves themselves were particle board colored.  So I covered them with wrapping paper!  I sealed the edged with washi tape, which was a bit of a waste since the black strips cover that part.  But still, it makes the front of my room more attractive, yay.

The last thing I worked on was the backgrounds for my bulletin boards.  These seem to be hung higher than in my old classroom, so I had some trouble reaching.  :/  I'll have to stand on student desks to finish the corner near my metal cabinet.  I started but did not quite finish the ones in the back of the room.

In the meantime, my husband numbered every single Fundations letter board, pouch, and letter tile (yes, every single one).  So say Aaron has board number 1.  The back of all his letter tiles has a 1 on it.  If someone says, "I found the letter m laying on the floor," I can check the back, look up who has number 1, and give it to Aaron to put away.  Likewise, if Billy with number 2 has lost his letter w and tells me Carly took his, and upon inspection Carly has a w with a 2 on the back, we know who to give the w to.  Would I have bothered with this in fourth grade?  Not a chance.  However, I figure in first grade the kids need more help staying organized, need supplies that are more clearly labeled, and need safeguards to make things more fair.  So glad I have a helper this summer, because it took him nearly the whole 3 and a half hours.  It's a good thing there's an ice cream shop on the way home.  :) 

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